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NNPC Seeks to Acquire 20% Stake in Dangote Refinery DPR targets to remit N900bn to FAAC in Q2

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has expressed interest

in purchasing a 20 per cent minority equity stake in Dangote Refinery, Lagos, reputed to be Africa’s biggest oil refining facility and the world’s largest single-train

plant.

The 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) integrated refinery, expected to process a variety of light and medium grades of crude, including petrol and

diesel as well as jet fuel and polypropylene is owned by Nigeria’s Dangote Group and is worth about $15 billion.

It is designed to produce up to 50 million litres of petrol

and 15 million litres of diesel a day, roughly 10.4 million tonnes of the product, 4.6 million tonnes of diesel, and 4 million tonnes of jet fuel per year, in addition to having

a fertiliser plant, which will utilise the refinery by-products as raw materials.

NNPC Chief Operating Continued on page 50

Govs’ Delay in Signing Agreement Prolongs Judicial, Legislative Workers’ Strike... Page 10 Thursday 27 May, 2021 Vol 26. No 9544. Price: N250

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Power Devolution, State Police Demands Dominate Public Hearings

Akeredolu seeks return to 1963 constitution Okowa demands new document, not amendment Lagos wants special status NLC, NULGE seek retention of minimum wage, LG autonomy

Our Correspondents The process for reviewing the 1999 Constitution as altered gathered momentum yesterday with clamours for creation of state police, devolution of powers to the states, creation of more states, restructuring and fiscal federalism featuring prominently in presentations made by stakeholders at zonal

public hearings in 12 venues nationwide.

The two-day public hearings are being organised by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review.

However, while the Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, advocated a return to 1963 Constitution, Continued on page 50

Buhari Mourns as 158 Feared Dead in Kebbi Boat Mishap

Bandits kill Sokoto village head, 21 others

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday described the reported capsizing of a boat in Ngaski Local Government Area of Kebbi State as devastating, offering his condolences to the families of those affected by the tragedy.

About 158 people are feared

dead in the incident.

In Sokoto, Governor Aminu Tambuwal yesterday confirmed 22 persons killed by bandits in Rabah Local Government Area of the state.

The boat, conveying about 180 passengers from Niger State to Kebbi State, sank in the Niger River.

The boat was said to have Continued on page 50

TINKERING WITH THE GRUNDNORM...

L-R: Senator Olamilekan Solomon, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the opening of the public hearing of the Senate Zonal Committee on the Review of the 1999 constitution in Lagos…yesterday

Buhari Meets Libya’s Menfi, Highlights Primacy of Security...Page 5

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NEWS

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

Buhari Meets Libya’s Menfi, Highlights Primacy of Security Says instability in Libya affects Nigeria

Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday met with the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya, Mr. Mohammed Younis Menfi, in Abuja and emphasised the primacy of security in the

stability of nations, saying the security of Nigeria remains his priority.

“Unless a country or institution is secured, there’s no way you can efficiently manage it,” he told his guest.

Buhari also said a stable or unstable Libya had implications

for countries in the Lake Chad Basin area, including Nigeria.

“Republics of Chad and Niger have extensive borders with Libya and they are our immediate neighbours.

Whatever affects them affects us. The stability or instability of Libya will directly affect

us," the president said.

He expressed happiness that Menfi could personally attend the Summit of Lake Chad Basin Commission held in Abuja on Tuesday, to discuss the situation in Chad and the implications for security in neighbouring countries.

Earlier, Menfi had said Libya was fast-evolving, adding: “We now have one government, active on the ground. We are expelling the mercenaries and unifying the instructions.”

According to him, democratic elections will be held soon, adding that the

historical relationship between his country and Nigeria in the areas of oil and agriculture means that one country could not ignore the other.

“We aspire for joint cooperation and reactivation of previous agreements,” the Libyan leader said.

Nigeria at Crossroads, Threatened, Say Lawan, Gbajabiamila Insecurity inhibits our plans for Nigeria, says Buhari

Udora Orizu in Abuja The President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, yesterday raised the alarm that Nigeria is at crossroads and under threat from the current security challenges facing it.

Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, also charged government at all levels to quit the talks on insecurity and get to work.

However, President Muhammadu Buhari said the worsening insecurity stood in the way of his administration’s efforts to attain its ambitions for Nigeria.

Lawan and Gbajabiamila, at the opening of a special summit on national security, organised by the House of Representatives, agreed yesterday in Abuja that the essence of the Nigerian nationhood is under serious threat.

The summit, organised as part of the House's response to the country's security challenges, was to provide a platform for discussions by security stakeholders and other Nigerians in order to make far-reaching recommendations to the executive arm of government.

In his goodwill message, Lawan blamed bandits and insurgents for the threats to national security.

He urged both the legislative and executive arms of government to work more closely together by ensuring that recommendations from sessions such as the summit are implemented.

Lawan, who said the armed forces needed improved funding, told the session that the National Assembly was ready to partner with security agencies in addressing their operational challenges.

Lawan said: ''What started as the insurgency in 2009 or so in the northwestern part of Yobe has now snowballed into a full-scale insurgency in the entire North-east. What was not known to us in the North-west is now today the home of banditry and kidnapping. The North-central as we all know is not safe. It suffers the clashes between the herders and our farmers. And the recent introduction in the

South-east is another serious threat to the existence of this country. Where government institutions are targeted, our police and security agencies personnel are being killed on a daily basis. ''Our institutions, buildings are burnt. I believe that these are threats not only to those areas but to the entire nation.

And our armed forces are doing their best. I must commend our armed forces and other security agencies for doing so much with the little we are able to give them. The National Assembly has always been on the side of giving the kind of support, either legislative or the kind of financial support that our armed forces and indeed all other security agencies require, even though we have our limits.''

He added that a functional local government system aides in providing security for lives and property, with the traditional rulers playing key roles in ensuring security in their domains.

He also called for an end to ethnic profiling, saying that criminals should be named, shamed and dealt with.

Aligning with Lawan's statement, Gbajabiamila, in his keynote address, said the country was under attack by insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements.

He said it would be difficult for the country to attain the peace it desired for development to take place if the present security situation remained unresolved.

The speaker called for a united and coordinated security approach to contain the insecurity, adding that previous and current approaches to addressing security challenges have not yielded the desired results.

On his part, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, said the issue of insecurity remained the responsibility of all Nigerians in and out of government.

He called for unity and support to address the challenges.

He also urged the legislature to use the opportunity to pass more laws to enhance the operations of national security agencies.

Sultan, Ooni urge FG to tackle insecurity

SEARCH FOR PEACE...

President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mr. Mohammed Younis Menfi (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari during the visit of Menfi to the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday godwin omoigui He called on participants to set aside ethnic, political, religious and other considerations in the national interest to speak frankly on the security challenges and the solutions.

Buhari said: ''In different continents of the world, terrorism, political conflicts, racism and other forms of criminal activities continue to threaten economic development, peace and security.

"At the regional level, Africa, these concerns subsist and continue to rage. Nigeria shares land borders with Benin, Cameron, Chad and Niger; and maritime boundaries with Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Sao Tome and Precipe.

"The challenges that these international borders pose to our national security and interest are enormous. The instability in the Lake Chad region alone deserves close attention. I am certain that we shall overcome just as we have done many times throughout our history.

"However, success at this time requires that we set aside all other considerations and commit ourselves to a common endeavour in the national interest.''

Sultan, Ooni Urge FG to Tackle Insecurity Also at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto said government at all levels should quit the talks

on insecurity and get to work.

He advised the federal government to implement resolutions reached at previous forums rather than creating new summits.

Abubakar said: ''Now things are really very bad and it’s a fact. I’m happy to hear that the two leaders of the National Assembly are saying that in public. Let’s not deceive ourselves that things are alright; things are not alright and we know and we see it.

For some of us, we’ve seen so much in our life. From the time I became Sultan till now, for 11 years plus, we have been having such gatherings to talk about Nigeria, national security, development and so on. We have talked and talked.

We have talked at Northern Governors' Forum level, talked at the national level where I happen to be the chairman of that body; we have talked and talked. ''In the last few months, we have had serious gatherings like this with the highest leadership of this country. Today we are here once again on the same issue of national security.

"Enough of this talks. Let’s work; let’s work the talk, the more we sit here and talk, the more time we waste in getting real actions. We know the problems. I will not say anything here that I have not said in the last seven years.

We know the problems and I thought we are coming for

a closed-door programme with the leadership of the House of Representatives and other stakeholders. My own take on this summit is yes it’s important to sit and talk but it’s more important to implement what we talked about. We can’t just continue to talk and not implement.''

The Sultan also chided politicians who say some things in the open and act differently behind closed doors.

He added: ''Certain things our leaders do, you say something in public and they clap for you. You go back to your comfort zone and throw everything away. That’s why I say whatever you do God is seeing you, and as leaders, God will ask us to account for the leadership he gave us here on earth and we must account for our deeds.

"I call on our leaders to fear God, do what’s right, don’t look at ethnic, religious or personal interest while you’re carrying out your duties.''

On his part, the Ooni of Ife, Ogunwusi said insecurity could not be solved without youth involvement.

He accused lawmakers of abandoning the youths at the grassroots while they enjoy their lives in the cities.

He said lawmakers should engage the youths rather than hold such meetings and repeating what has been said a lot of times.

He said: ''It is very idiotic

and stupid for us to be doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. We will continue to get the same results.

"Let us be very truthful and honest to ourselves in this country, we all know the problems. How well are we carrying along these people in that age bracket. But whenever we want to go for political posts and appointments, we go back to them. We know the good, the bad and the ugly in their category. As traditional rulers, they are the most active in our system. Let us tell ourselves the truth, they are hungry and they are angry. I repeat: they are hungry and they are very angry. All of us that are here, I will be very happy if anybody can raise up their hand and say ‘I can go to my constituency, my local government area, and I can stay there in peace for one week.’ Who can do it here?

Including our gatekeepers, who can do it here? Including the Senate president, including the speaker. But you left the traditional rulers; you left district heads, the baales to continue to stay there. And you are saying all will be well in this country. ''Let us change our style. You leave this age bracket. If there will be problems, you give them guns to start to move around.

You will never see anybody above our age in our comfort zone here that is really ready to face the music.”

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Govs’ Delay in Signing Agreement Prolongs Judicial, Legislative Workers’ Strike Buhari overreached himself on Executive Order 10, says Tambuwal Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ekiti The delay by governors to sign an agreement for the implementation of financial autonomy for state judiciaries and legislatures has prolonged the strike embarked upon by workers of the two arms of government, THISDAY learnt yesterday.

Two officials of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) and Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) told THISDAY in Abuja yesterday that the unions insisted on the commencement of the implementation of the agreement before they would call off their strike.

Also, the Vice-Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of overreaching himself by signing Executive Order 10 that sought to enforce the implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures and judiciaries.

The workers had last week agreed with the governors on the implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and legislature in each state of the federation as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution.

However, six days after the agreement was sealed, the governors are yet to sign it.

When asked if all states have commenced the implementation of the agreement, the sources said they were yet to confirm remittance of funds to the state judicial and legislative arms as of yesterday.

"Some signatories, especially the governors are yet to sign the agreement. We were told that they were to sign the document by Tuesday but for some reason, they were not able to do so," he said.

Apart from the governors, the source said a representative of the National Judicial Council (NJC) was also yet to endorse the agreement.

According to the agreement, the disbursement of funds to the judiciary and legislature in each of the states is to take effect from April allocation.

However, THISDAY learnt that states like Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Lagos have already complied with the provisions of Executive Order 10 by remitting money to the arms of government.

But they are expected to formalise the arrangement by setting up the fund disbursement structures as provided in the agreement.

While presenting the agreement reached at a meeting of both parties held last week in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, said the parties signed a document containing the framework for each of the state government to grant autonomy to their legislature and judiciary.

He said the governors had earlier studied the document and agreed with it, adding that the implementation would commence this week with the distribution of the April allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

FAAC met last Friday and shared allocations to the federal, states and local governments.

However, the judiciary and the legislature were yet to receive their direct allocations as agreed.

One of the union officials told THISDAY that they would wait till Friday to see if the governors would sign the agreement.

Under the agreement, the state governors have 45 days timeline from the date of signing of the agreement to implement the deal or the federal government would be forced to invoke Executive Order 10 by asking the Accountant General of the Federation to transfer funds directly to the state judiciary and legislative arms.

courts concerned.

"As governors of the 36 states under the platform of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), let me state very clearly that we are unequivocally committed to the autonomy of the judiciary and the legislature.

"The recent misunderstanding on the financial autonomy of the judiciary is predicated on the need to establish an implementation framework to the 4th Alteration of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Section 121 (3). What we have questioned, and we have made this known at every opportunity, is the process of implementing this provision of the constitution.

"As governors, we will be failing in our responsibility if we refuse to draw the attention of the president, stakeholders and the country to grave concerns about the constitutionality of Executive

Order 10 of 2020. That was the basis of the position that we took on the Executive Order 10.

"The Executive Order 10 ostensibly intended to support the implementation of judicial financial autonomy, was completely unnecessary and ill-advised. Let me at this juncture state clearly that we never questioned the right of Mr. President to issue Executive Orders. We only stated that S. 121(3) did not require presidential executive fiat to become implementable."

Tambuwal expressed delight that consensus had finally been reached on the autonomy conundrum adding that the strike is expected to be suspended soon.

"The agreement allows a period of 45 days for implementation structures to be put in place across states, including the enactment of a fund management law, which will grant the judiciary the power to manage its capital

and recurrent expenditures in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.

"Budgetary releases to the judiciary will be pro-rated based on the actual revenues recorded each month by the state government. Monthly revenue reconciliation and allocation will be presided over by a State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) to be set up under the Fund Management Law – a similar practice to what we have at the federal level.

"We hope that this will put an end to the long weeks of strike action that have seen our judicial and criminal justice system grounded to a halt. We have lost so much in the past weeks. The big takeaway is the centrality of communication, sincerity, trust and dialogue.

"We have requested that the President disbands the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Autonomy of State Legislature and

Judiciary, to avert future ranco6r between the various arms of government, arising from misconceived guidance from a committee lacking the requisite understanding of constitutional matters," the governor stated.

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, also stated that judicial and legislative autonomy is advantageous, adding the governors, however, have limitations based on constitutional provisions.

He said: "Who is to take capital spending for the judiciary and legislature has always been the controversy.

The governors will continue to hold our judiciary with reverence because I know that this democracy will not endure if we subject our judiciary to the jackboots of the executive.

"There is no questioning the fact that we can do a lot more for our judiciary to make it truly independent."

Buhari Overreached Himself on Executive Order 10, Says Tambuwal Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of Nigeria Governors' Forum (NGF) and Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, has accused Buhari of overreaching himself by signing Executive Order 10 that sought to force the implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures and judiciaries.

Tambuwal said the NGF had expected Buhari to have consulted widely before issuing the order, adding that exercising such powers unilaterally is tantamount to illegality.

He also said it was erroneous to say that the 36 governors opposed judicial and legislative autonomy, clarifying that they were even the initiators.

Tambuwal spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, yesterday during the Attorney-General's Colloquium organised by the Ekiti State Ministry of Justice Academy, in honour of the retiring Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola.

Speaking on the topic: 'The Judicial Autonomy: Perspective of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum', Tambuwal said Buhari was allegedly illadvised in issuing the order.

He added that such an illegal voyage undermined the powers of the governors.

He said: "Nigerian Constitution in Section 121(3) provides that: ‘Any amount standing to the credit of the – (a) House of Assembly of the State, and (b) judiciary In the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state shall be paid directly to the said bodies respectively; in the case of the judiciary, such amount shall be paid directly to the heads of the

GUIDE FOR THE MINISTER...

Editor-in-Chief, The Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Martins Oloja (left), and Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed, during the visit of the newspaper’s management to the minister in Abuja…recently

Accountant-General Recants, Says Delta Yet to Get £4.2m Loot

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja

About 24 hours after the Accountant-General of the Federation, Alhaji Ahmed Idris, claimed that the recovered £4.2 million loot had been returned to Delta State, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has recanted clarifying that "for now, no money has been returned to Delta State."

Idris had on Tuesday appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots Movable and Immovable Assets from 2002 to 2020

by Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria for Effective, Efficient Management and Utilisation, where he claimed the money had been returned to Delta State.

But the state government promptly denied receiving the recovered funds.

However, a statement issued by the Director, Information, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Henshaw Ogubike, said the issue of the £4.2 million Ibori loot had not been properly resolved.

The statement captioned:

'Re-£4.2million Ibori Loot: Putting the Records Straight,' read: "The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) wishes to put the records straight regarding the widely circulated media report on the £4.2million Ibori Loot.

"The issue of the £4.2million Ibori loot has not been properly resolved. The money is still being awaited, after which the issues around it will be resolved before further action is taken. For now, no money has been returned to Delta State.

"This explanation is without

prejudice to the proceedings at the public hearing that took place yesterday (Tuesday) during which the AGF was only making general comments about recoveries relating to state governments.

"This is the true position as regards the £4.2million Ibori loot."

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), had said the agreement the federal government had with the British government was to use the repatriated loot to complete specific ongoing projects.

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COMMENT

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

UNDERSTANDING THE TERRORISM PREVENTION BILL The bill is aimed at stemming the criminal act of kidnapping for ransom, argues Dennis Mackenzie

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ince last week when the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2021 scaled through second reading in the Senate, a number of Nigerians have been unsettled by aspects of the proposed law. The sponsor of the bill, Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi (PDP Imo State) and the entire Senate have come under some scathing criticisms on account of the bill.

The bill, for the avoidance of doubt, was first introduced on the floor of the Senate on 10th March, 2021. It seeks to amend the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013 to outlaw the payment of ransom to abductors, kidnappers and terrorists for the release of any person who has been wrongly confined, imprisoned or kidnapped, and other related matters.

Specifically, the bill seeks to substitute section 14 of the principal Act to read thus: “Anyone who transfers funds, makes payment or colludes with an abductor, kidnapper or terrorist to receive any ransom for the release of any person who has been wrongfully confined, imprisoned or kidnapped is guilty of a felony and is liable on conviction to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years.”

This is the aspect of the bill that nay sayers find objectionable. Their argument is that those who pay ransom do so because that appears to be the only way they can secure the release of their loved ones.

They want the punishment for kidnapping to be visited solely on the kidnapper. The bill provides for life imprisonment for the kidnapper, abductor or terrorist.

It is worthy of note that the bill that is being objected to was earlier broached by the Eighth Senate in 2016. Entitled “Abduction, Wrongful Restraint and Conferment Bill, 2016”, and sponsored by Senator Isa Hamman (APC Bauchi), the objective was to provide for the punishment of the offences of abduction, wrongful restraint and wrongful conferment of ransom. The Senator Onyewuchi bill is therefore an improvement and advancement of an idea that is in serious need of proper articulation and domestication.

Anybody who has had the privilege of looking at the finer details of the bill will appreciate the fact that a lot of reasoning and research went into the proposed law. The bill did not just go back in time to unearth what authorities on security think about the crime of abduction, it also draws attention to international best practices on the issue under consideration. The bill draws parallels from what obtains in the United States and the United Kingdom. The objective is for Nigeria to borrow and domesticate ideas about kidnapping that can work for us. It is evident, however, that most of those who are raising objections about the bill have not read the content, let alone understand the argument or force of logic behind the idea.

The arguments in favour of the bill are worth considering. We are all aware of the painful fact that kidnappings and abductions have become a part of our national life. It is a growing cankerworm which the authorities are fighting hard to eliminate. This ugly trend has, in recent years, been accentuated by terrorism, a global blight that concerned nations of the world are struggling to kick out. It is a fact that kidnapping for ransom has become a very lucrative business in Nigeria. In the face of no real and meaningful engagement, our idle youths easily take to anti-social activities. Kidnapping has become one of their pastimes. This has a very ugly effect on our society. More and more youths are taking to this unwholesome act because they believe that there is quick money to be made from it. Besides, they indulge in this societal ill because there is no real consequence for offenders.

PAYMENT OF RANSOM OILS THE WHEEL OF KIDNAPPING, ENRICHES THE KIDNAPPER AND MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO GET STRONG IN THE ILLEGAL AND ILLEGITIMATE TRADE

Even though efforts are being made to stamp out the ugly trend, experience has shown that payment of ransom is a major reason why kidnapping is persisting in Nigeria. The more ransom we pay, the more attractive the criminal act becomes to those who indulge in it.

The United States of America and United Kingdom saw through this long ago and therefore decided to outlaw not just abduction but also payment of ransom to secure the release of the abducted. It is unlawful through and through in the two countries to engage in any act that borders on kidnapping, abduction or terrorism. Even in Nigeria, our security agencies, especially the police, do not encourage people to pay ransom because they have learnt from experience that ransom payments lead to future kidnappings. Payment of ransom oils the wheel of kidnapping, enriches the kidnapper and makes it possible for him to get strong in the illegal and illegitimate trade. This is the real point that the Senate set out to make through the bill. The bill, when it becomes law, will encourage the people to work with the police in the area of provision of information. As a matter of fact, what the police need to defeat kidnapping is information. A well guided police force will easily catch the abductor in his tracks once he has useful clues as to what has happened or is about to happen. The logic of this argument is that the police can do better than they are doing at moment if the citizens provide them with useful information with which they can do their job rather than rushing to pay ransom. The bill does not therefore seek to constrain Nigerians and punish them unduly. Rather, it aims at giving them the necessary impetus they need to collectively defeat kidnapping and consign it to the ash heaps of history.

Significantly, Senator Onyewuchi provides a lot of levers that can make the proposed law more beneficial to the people. It recognises that government has a big role to play in all this if kidnapping must become a thing of the past. That is why the bill urges government to provide security and strengthen the economy. Nigerians need an enabling environment that will help their businesses to grow. Government has a responsibility to provide this and the bill copiously canvases for this. Beyond that, the bill urges governments at all levels to accelerate poverty alleviation programmes and provide employment opportunities especially for the youths. A meaningfully engaged and gainfully employed youth population is not likely to embrace kidnapping. Above all, the bill, when it becomes law, will strengthen our law enforcement agencies. This strengthening mechanism will be embedded in the resolve of the citizenry not to encourage kidnapping by paying ransom.

When people refuse to pay ransom, our law enforcement agencies will be able to enforce the laws against the criminal act. In fact, if the people do not pay ransom, they will be sending kidnapping and abduction to their early grave.

In appreciating the merit of the bill, we must also recognize the fact that the Senate is peopled by wise men and women. A significant majority of the lawmakers are people who are accomplished in different areas of human endeavour. They are therefore not likely to engage in frivolities by seeking to enact laws that will not advance the common good. There is an overriding need to push for this bill to become law considering the fact that kidnappings, abductions and terrorism are on the increase.

Mackenzie, an intelligence expert, contributed this piece from Abuja.

A NEW LEASE OF LIFE FOR PENSIONERS

Bade Ademo writes that the increment will help cushion the impact of inflation on Lagos pensioners

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ublic sector workers in the twilight of their career are often apprehensive of life after retirement. Having put in the good part of their active years into the service of their fatherland, the minimum honour that the system should afford them is a decent and regular pension after service. But alas this has often been a nightmare.

The Olusegun Obasanjo administration attempted to tackle the menace and ameliorate the pain and tears of pensioners. He initiated Pension Reforms Act 2004 to address the shortcomings of the Defined Benefit Scheme Pension Scheme that was largely unfunded by public agencies, thereby throwing pensioners into a life of uncertainty.

In 2014, the Pension Reform Act 2004 was repealed. Today, Act of the Parliament known as Pension Reform Act 2014 provides the framework for the pension funds administration and empowers the Pension Commission (PENCOM) to serve as the regulator for the sector in Nigeria. The Defined Benefit Scheme has given way to Uniform Contributory Pension Scheme, where a pensioner is placed under a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA).

Meanwhile, the federal government and the federating units are still obligated to cater for pensioners who left service prior to the enactment of the Pension Act 2004 as amended.

These are the senior citizens that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State gave a lease of life recently when the government announced approval of a 33 percent increment in their pension with effect from January 2020.

The compassionate governor also approved the

payment of a balance of 25% rent allowance for officers on GL 07 and above who had retired from May 2000 to August 2004.

The Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle, who disclosed this during a recent meeting with the members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners, affirmed that both the increment and payment of the arrears will take effect from September, 2020, in a bid to meet up with the harmonisation exercise for the pensioners.

According to her, Governor Sanwo-Olu, since his assumption of Office, has paid a total sum of ଂ1.893Billion to Pensioners under the Defined Benefit Scheme, adding that all monthly pensions are paid as at when due without exception, despite the shortfall in revenue accruable to the state government occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the contributory pensions scheme, the Lagos State government paid over ଂ21bn as accrued pension rights to 5,354 retirees from May 2019 – August 2020, while over ଂ978m was credited into the retirement savings accounts of 405 retirees in June 2020, the commissioner further disclosed.

To ease payment and verification exercise for pensioners, Babajide Sanwo-Olu government flagged off the Biometric online verification of pensioners in the state, leveraging on technology to ease the statutory audit exercise by making pensioners participate from the comfort of their homes within the country and in the diaspora. The exercise is held bi-annually to forestall financial leakages resulting from the payment of monthly pensions to deceased pensioners.

This humane gesture of the Sanwo-Olu administration is the latest in the series of pro-masses

interventions of the government. The increment in pension will go a long way to reduce the impact of inflation on the earnings of pensioners. It clearly demonstrates that the Sanwo-Olu government is ever looking for ways of cushioning the effects of current economic strangulation.

The first and last mile buses the governor pushed out recently as a decent, reliable public transportation option to commercial motorcycles and tricycles is also geared towards ensuring a better life for the mass of Lagosians.

At the launch, the governor said: “The launch of the First and Last Mile (FLM) Bus Scheme today is an important milestone in our quest to achieve the intermodal transport system which gives our teeming population the choices they deserve, reducing congestion and journey times, and improving the quality of life. It is also in fulfilment of one of the measures we promised as a solution to the security situation discussed at our recent Security Stakeholders’ Town Hall Meeting.

“As a responsible government, we are launching this scheme in response to two major issues. One is the alarming statistics of fatal accidents recorded from the operations of Okadas in Lagos between 2016 and 2019, and the use of Okadas for the facilitation of crime across the metropolis. The goal is the full implementation of a safer and more efficient alternative transport solution that takes out the need for Okadas and replaces them with safer buses that will help us curb incidents of Okadarelated accidents, crimes and robberies”.

The infrastructure of roads that makes efficient transportation possible is also receiving a boost under the Sanwo-Olu government. Major highways

like Ikorodu Road and others are getting concrete and iron-reinforced resurfacing to withstand pressure of higher capacity vehicles.

Popular Oba Sekunmade Road in Ikorodu is currently being reconstructed. The critical road that stretches from Ogolonto to Ebute Ipakodo serves as an alternate corridor to Ikorodu roundabout route for residents and motorists heading to Epe, Ikosi-Ejinrin, Itamaga, Elepe, Lucky Fibre all in the Lagos East district.

Agric/ Asolo/ Isawo Road that started under the predecessor of Governor Sanwo-Olu is also getting required attention. High Tech Construction is working to meet up with the deadline. Scores of communities like Agbede, Ishawo, Ori-Okuta, Igbo-Olomu and adjourning settlements are eagerly awaiting the completion of the road that will link them to Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway via Arepo.

Igbogbo Road construction is also on course. As it is with Lagos East, so it is with West and Central.

Under Sanwo-Olu, every district is important. Social infrastructure is likewise extended to all demographics.

The youth and women are getting succour with the $20 million Coronavirus (COVID-19) Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (Lagos CARES) Programme to support livelihood for poor and vulnerable households and to expand food security services in the state.

Sanwo-Olu is a phenomenon in Lagos. He consolidated on the gains of his predecessors and he is charting a path for a sustainable Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu has creatively raised the state internally generated revenue (IGR) without overburdening the people.

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

EDITORIAL BUHARI AND THE ASABA DECLARATION…2 Nigeria needs to be restructured so that it can work for all citizens Continued from yesterday

Nigeria practices a weird form of federalism that is not only antithetical to growth and development, but also suffocating. It is federalism with highly unitary tendencies, where almost all powers are concentrated at the centre with the federating units – states and local governments – reduced to mere appendages. We therefore need constitutional adjustments to devolve responsibility from the centre to the periphery while at the same time enhancing separation of powers at state level to curtail the autocratic tendencies of governors.

T

he proposed enactment of the anti-grazing laws by southern governors was meant to protect residents of their states from the activities of some violent herdsmen who hide behind what is ordinarily a legitimate enterprise to perpetrate all kinds of criminality. Interestingly, many individuals and groups across the north are also of the view that open grazing of cattle should give way to modernity. The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, a Fulani, has consistently called for the abolition of open grazing. He has gone beyond mere words and built formidable ranching resorts for herdsmen and has even extended invitation to others who are interested to come to Kano and do business.

Besides, the patron of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Walid Jibrin has more or less thrown his weight behind the ban.

However, beyond NOW THAT NIGERIANS the ban on open HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT grazing, the SouthTHE OBJECTIVE OF THE ern governors also PRESIDENT AND THE advocated restructuring of the Nigerian SOUTHERN GOVERNORS federation, creation IS ‘FULLY’ ALIGNED, IT IS of state police, review TIME TO MOVE TO THE of revenue allocation MORE IMPORTANT ISSUE formula in favour OF RESTRUCTURING THE of the sub-national COUNTRY FOR EFFECTIVE governments, GOVERNANCE implementation of the federal character principle, and an urgent national dialogue. But here, they are not saying anything new.

Against the background of the failure of the federal government to properly manage our diversity and the growing insecurity across the country, there is a unanimous resolution by several stakeholders that the system needs to be tinkered with.

First, we reaffirm our position that Nigeria needs to be restructured so it can work for all citizens.

There is a consensus that the present structure of the federation is increasingly becoming a recipe for uncertainty and instability. We also cannot deny that

Letters to the Editor

U 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 DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO HEAD, COMPUTER DEPARTMENT PATRICIA UBAKA-ADEKOYA TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

nfortunately, the only item in the resolution

by Southern governors that concerns the presidency is the ban on open grazing. Yet, the obligation of state governors to make laws aimed at the protection of lives and property is a cardinal part of our constitution. Therefore, where a group of state governors perceives a threat that is common to their states, it is within their rights to enact laws separately or collectively to address such threats.

It is noteworthy that presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, has walked back on the earlier position credited to President Muhammadu Buhari which was in word and spirit a denigration of the elevated office he occupies. The presidency has no business taking sides on a matter that concerns the interests of a contentious special interest, notably the herders. The implied equation of freedom of herders with those of other Nigerians plying legitimate and harmless trades all over the country is a dangerous development. It merely adds credence to the charges that this presidency is the author of serious divisive policies and tendencies in the polity.

Ordinarily, if the federal government feels that the impending state legislations on open grazing constitute a violation of any aspect of the constitution, it reserves the right to challenge the legislation in court when enacted. It is only the success of such a legal challenge that can invalidate the law made by the states and its application. Now that Nigerians have been told that the objective of the president and the southern governors is “fully” aligned, it is time to move to the more important issue of restructuring the country for effective governance.

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

TAIWAN AND THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY

T

aiwan is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China. It has no right to participate in international organizations with the country as its unit. If Taiwan can participate in international organizations, it would be as ridiculous as Ogun State’s application to join the World Health Organization.

China’s anti-pandemic experience and medical results are both excuses. As the first country affected by the pandemic, China not only controlled the pandemic for the first time, but also maintained low growth and high text rates in multiple rounds of global outbreaks.

The efficient implementation and treatment level are unmatched by any country and region in the world.

This is the answer for me to get that during the most difficult period I have experienced in China and in many countries that I have visited since September last year. China is a member of the World Health Organization. And it has already announced the epidemic information and related experience for the first time,

and only two months later, China began to support other suffering countries and regions, and afterwards in the process of vaccine development. It also provided vaccine assistance to developing countries and regions in the world.

Therefore, the content of your publication is ridiculous. Taiwan has been an inseparable part of China since ancient times. China and Nigeria have established good diplomatic relations for many years. President Muhammadu Buhari once publicly stated that Taiwan is part of China and supports the one-China principle.

The content of the publication has seriously affected this principle. It is shameful to try to divide other countries. I hope that your company can make a statement to eliminate the impact, otherwise I will submit the content of this issue to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria and to launch a protest.

Charlie Fong, Marketing Dept. CGC.NIGERIA Ltd

RACING TO A PROFIT

T

he race to make money with Crypto products has now hit the racetrack. It is possible to buy, sell and race a digital racehorse and like most crypto products there can be great profits made in a short time. Basically, buy a ‘horse’, pay a small amount to race it and hopefully it will ‘win’ a few races and rise in value - a great option when we are all locked at home due to COVID or is it?

Real horse racing is far more fun. What could match the excitement of standing in the rain at a Wednesday afternoon rural race meeting waiting for the next race to start once it’s fine? Not everything is as fun in the digital world although it might not be a good idea to google all the possibilities. I want to see a race where I can judge the horse flesh, and its attitude in the mounting room and where the horses wear saddles and have riders. This is not the sport of kings but maybe rather the ‘sport’ of computer nerds.

Come back to the real racetrack and I’ll buy you an overpriced beer.

All that is missing is the smell of house poop but to me this smells of horse poop anyway.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021

POLITICS

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

‘The Devil Found a Home in Nigeria’ Chief Bode George, a former Military Governor of Ondo State recently told a group of journalists, including Segun James that the political situation in the country calls for concerted effort from all stakeholders

A

revered man of God recently told his congregation and apparently Nigerians, to look for an alternative route of escape, that the way the country is that Nigerians should start to look for Plan B. He said even if you can take a bicycle to Cameroon or to Seme, that the way the country is calls for plan B, what do you have to say to that Sir? If your house if leaking, do you abandon the house and go somewhere else? And you think you have succour there? Where you want to have the Plan B to run to, are they just starting up? If your house is leaking, as a committed and loyal member of that household, you will stay and repair it. None of us chose where we were born. If God wanted you to be born somewhere else, either in China or England, is there any part of the world today that is not in crisis? Let men of valour and principles rise up to defend and rebuild. Look at the children of Israel, God warned them that He would deal with them.

He told them that, I brought you out of Egypt, made you to cross the Red Sea and you are still serving other gods. He scattered them and they went as slaves everywhere. Have you forgotten the Rivers of Babylon? But He said I have heard your voices again, I hope you have learnt your lessons? I will bring you back from all the corners of the world back to that Promise Land.

That is when they got back to Jerusalem and met only ruins. Nehemiah started building the broken walls. If that is our mission here, I will beg him, he is my younger brother, we must remain here and rebuild the broken walls of this country. Running way won’t solve the issue which is just temporary. Remember what we did to Ghanaians. They came here for succour, they were very useful in teaching, our people, doing bricklaying and all those artisan jobs they were involved in. suddenly the government at that time said ‘Ghana must go’. They shipped them out in lorries. Who tells you that, that will not happen? With our population, anywhere we surge into becomes Nigeria. And you think those people love us? That giant of Africa called Nigeria, what happened to it? That is the travesty of life. You will go through the trough of life.

But if you trust in God genuinely, you will pop out on the highway of triumph. What we are doing today, the present generation collapsed the system. It is not a one man something, call your house boy and send him on an errand to buy something for you , he will want to cut corners. Even those selling food stuff at the market are not different. So negativism, cheating, has become a national sport. I believe that the devil found a home in Nigeria. And he is spreading like cancer. We must go back to the almighty God genuinely, fervently and pray to God to forgive us our sins. I am almost 76 years, is this the first time Mallam will bring cows to Lagos? When I was a young man in Lagos Island, when they finish selling their cows they sell the urine. In those days there was so much convulsion for children, nobody used, gas or electricity for cooking it is firewood. And at the back of the house, they will hang the urine, we didn’t know what it was but once anybody is convulsing, they will run to the backyard and take the ammonia when you spread it over the child, he will wake up. We thought it was some medicine, until we got to secondary school to start doing Chemistry then we knew that it is ammonia. They made their sales and went and come back and they will come again. Why are you now killing people? For what? What is the Devil that has entered this nation? What are we managing? Crises. Let us be honest with ourselves. Nigeria is in dire straits, running away will not solve the issue because you will get to A. You want to run to America? They have crisis now. You want to go to England, you think they don’t have their own problem? Go to any part of Europe, but from the goodness that God gave us, we can still tap from the huge human resource that God gave this country.

Today a Nigerian is the Deputy Treasury of State, that is the Deputy Minister of Finance, in the United States of America. Go to any known field in the developed world, you will find that

thing, someday they are going to come back and report to their constituency. And we know what they do in their constituency, if genuinely they were elected? Do you think they will be talking like this? When was the last time he had a constituency meeting, including the Senate President? Those governors put their hands on the right button. And that is why we said if we want a democratic governance, devolution of power, not dissolving Nigeria. devolution of power means reducing the power at the centre and giving more powers to the state so that they can impact positively on the people that elected them. Why do we need that massive number in the National Assembly? You know how much money that is costing this country? Nigerian senators earn more than American senators.

They are asking for N30, 000 minimum wage they have not agreed. Do you know how much a senator in America earns in dollars? If you convert our own to dollars they earn more here than Americans. Is that not a joke?

George you have one Nigerian there. So why don’t we tap those resources? God gave us so much but because of pettiness of mind, the lack of respect for human life, we are destroying ourselves.

Whatever you are in life, it is not personal to you, God gave you that asset, to share so that when you get up, you pull others up. That is all about life. Have you seen anybody who will not die? There will be a day you would leave, what will they say about you? Today we still say Sardauna of Sokoto, Awolowo, they have done their own part, they have gone away. What they left we are rebuilding, we are destroying it. What is the essence of the fight between me and an Igbo ma or an Hausa man or a Fulani man? Even if we separate and destroy the whole thing, who can guarantee that even the man that speaks the same language with you will not start fighting you? We need a rebirth, a revisit to how we came together. What is the essence of life? Civic education, your responsibility to the state, your responsibility to your neighbour, your responsibility to yourself. The major problem we have is social economic madness. It has collapsed. I want to send a word to the Governor of Central Bank and his colleagues. There is an epidemic ravaging this nation and the world.

The first thing that hits you when you come from abroad, look at our currency, filthy, dirty, that is a sign of what we are or where we are.

Are they blind? What is the job of Central Bank?

They are aiding and abetting and spreading the pandemic all over Nigeria. Look at the paper money, it is so dirty and stinking. Reduce the spread of this COVID-19, issue fresh mint notes, what are they doing there? I know him personally so I feel very angry. It is shameful, shameless people. Does it take the president to tell you go and mint new notes? What is the Ministry of Health telling these people to do?

They should wake up and go and do something

about these dirty notes.

You mentioned the security issues, to solve some of these problem that is why the Southern governors recently said there should be restructuring.They banned open grazing, when you read that, did you cheer them on? And also react to the Senate President said and the Speaker, who attacked the governors saying restructuring should start in their own state. So do you think the solutions the governors gave is okay?

I am totally in support of it. I am still looking at the nation when I was telling you what the problems are. These are the issues that are now bleeding this country. What gave rise to those problems? It is our system of governance. We have distanced government from the people.

In a democracy, power comes from the base.

We left the government to one man and his team, they give orders. The military handed that constitution over, looking at that image of the military and we have tried it, and it is over 20 years and we have been trying it, reasoning in the dark. It is not working. The Senate President and the Speaker are holding opposing view to what the governors said. Are they really impacting on the lives of those at the bottom? Gbajabiamila is my little brother from here, let him walk on the streets of Surulere and see the faces of the people. The education system collapsed even the social system is collapsed. When I was young Isale gangan was our play field, we go there from school. Where else can children go now to play and not be kidnapped? Their statement is very demeaning. So are these the people who are to revisit the constitutional amendment? They thought what the governors said was rubbish. They are too far away from the people. Let them come down from their high horse, it is not a perpetual

Oga can do it within one year. That report is very, very cogent.

I was part of it, I saw it and read it and it is still very relevant.

So don’t let them think that you have cut Nigeria into two.

What about the Middle-elt governors? They have declared that they want to go with the south. It is not a matter of going with north or south. Look at the governor of Zamfara shouting about the insurgency. Look at Kaduna, is Kaduna safe? Look at the governor of Niger state. I was looking at this young man, he was howling and saying that they have put their flags in three communities in Niger. That they think it is far from Abuja, it is a stone throw. He is an APC governor. Look at the governor of Borno state, look at the governor of Yobe state, so does it have anything to do with party? No. this is a national concern. All the security meeting the president is having with these people, military solution cannot resolve social economic problems. That is the basic thing

The point some of the people are making about the southern governors is that it is as if they have already taken sides and they want to divide the country. Are you not worried? It appears that the south is now united against the north?

That is how people will look at it. The agitation today in this country is national. Let us forget about tribes now. We are thinking and talking about how you will positively impact on the minds and hearts of Nigerians. You think the northern people who are not members are not suffering? The situation is worse, economic and social situations in the north are worse than in the south. And this is what I want to bring out to the minds of our people. if our people met, and you know this is the first time or probably the second time because there was a time we had a meeting in Enugu back then. They are meeting now again. How many times have the northern governors been meeting? So if they met and decided on what is happening to their people, they didn’t say in that their communiqué that they are going to start asking for devolution in Nigeria. They are saying the system of governance, what is impacting on them negatively, this open grazing. That it should be done as it done in those other civilised countries.

What is wrong in that? We have had southern president, today we have a northern president, tomorrow we might a southern president. Is it a matter of your areas alone? What they said is not wrong. It is an observation and a suggested solution. I made a comment, I said oga should make sure that he invites leaders of thought from all the angles and the corners of this country for a two or three days meeting in Abuja because perceptions differ based on your culture and your norm, so they can meet. Let the president call for a national meeting, it is no longer just talking to the military. Military approach can no longer solve the problem on ground, it is a social economic malaise which brings you back to what the military can do which we call aid to civil power. There is a special operation we carry out in the military which is called aid to civil power. And that means if there is an insurgency and the police cannot cope, the Commander-in-Chief can invite the military.

But this is a social economic malaise. That is what has given birth to the insurgency, the kidnapping, banditry. If you have a job that you are why will you have time to be looking for neighbours son to go and kidnap so that you can get ransom. If there are economic activities that are going on would you have time for that nonsense? But an idle mind is the devils workshop. So for me we created it. What we need to do is to go back to that drawing board and talk with ourselves. This is a democratic dispensation, when you have matters that are plaguing you, lets put heads together so ideas can be exchanged and out of all that, you can get brilliant suggestions. It is not a matter of supporting this tribe against that tribe, no.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021

POLITICS

‘Abuja is the Sin Capital ‘We’ll Go the Way of PPP to Develop Lagos Island’ of Nigeria’ In this interview with Kunle Aderinokun and Chris Edo State-born elder statesman, Senator Kassim Oyofo, in this interview with Kayode Fasua, sounds clairvoyant, as he warns of an impending heavy rainfall that will sweep through Abuja and wipe off society’s corrupt leaders. Oyofo, a Peoples Democratic Party chieftain who was in the Senate from 1999 to 2007, was also at a time the National Leader of the Grail Movement, in Nigeria. The 78 year-old politician casts a critical look at the state of the nation and concludes that the judgment of God is currently at work in Nigeria.

Oyofo

H

ow will you assess the state of the nation?

For me to do justice to what you are asking me, I need to do a setting that will make what is happening in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world understandable. This setting requires me to go what you generally call spiritual.

You call it spiritual because that is the way people like to talk. But this life is spiritual.

Let me go straight to the point and say that Nigeria, like every other place in the world, is now standing in the world judgement; otherwise called the Last Judgment.

Unless people understand it this way, they will not make head or tail of what is happening. In a simple sentence, the last judgment is about bringing to an end, all that is wrong on earth. And everyone who also harbours evil will receive not only the fruit of evil, but may go finally with evil, and must be destroyed.

The content of the final judgment is not new; it is in all religious books, whether you call it the Bible or the Quaran, or whatever else people have as coming from God. All human beings have been warned for thousands of years about what is now happening. But the warnings are falling on deaf ears. And even now that it is happening, many people cannot correlate it, they cannot link it, and this is why their confusion gets greater and greater.

Now, talking about Nigeria in particular, the country’s situation is very, very important because Nigeria has a role to play in global affairs. This means that the purification of Nigeria must take precedence and it must be thorough, to use the human word. Everything that is wrong must be destroyed. I use the word ‘must’ because that is exactly what will happen: whether it has to do with religion, economy, politics or anything you can think of.

The important thing is, Nigeria must be purified. On the surface, you may call it herdsmen attacks, you may call it Igbo against Hausa or Yoruba against whoever. This is just the surface of it. But the kernel of it is that what is wrong must be destroyed; and what is wrong is in everything.

Specifically, what are the problems that pose grave danger (cuts in)...

Very many. Let me finish with the general picture. The purification process would be carried out by nature, not just by people.

Let me say this. There is going to be a great

rain that will fall in Nigeria, in Abuja in particular; which will last for 10 days and 10 nights. And by the time that rain gets through with Abuja, what is left will be pure.

Everybody who has a hand in what is wrong; whether you do it in private or in public, will be washed away, along with what he acquired. It will be so devastating that it will be like an eyesore, with the total destruction. But that will be the beginning of the new Nigeria. And Abuja will be rebuilt at the command of God. I have been talking about it, especially since 2016, but people think it is something not to bother about.

But that will be the beginning of the new Nigeria. And the city, after, will change its name to ‘The City of Light’, and it will be the central focus of many people in the world.

So, it is what you are seeing that is troubling you. These are just the initial signs of the great things that are to happen. The Nigerian people, after the purification, will be very proud of themselves and the world will be proud of them. So, what you see now are the effervescence. Nigerians have not yet seen what is coming. What they are complaining about is just minor. So with that, the general picture which will affect mainly Abuja will affect the other parts of the country as well. But this is where it is going to begin, because right now, Abuja is the sin capital of Nigeria.

Sin capital of Nigeria? Meaning Abuja will be completely destroyed?

It will not be destroyed like (Biblical) Sodom and Gomorrah, but it will be wiped clean. Let us put it that way, because the Light has hand in the Abuja issue, so it will become the City of Light as it will be called in future. But like I said, Abuja, after the destruction, will be rebuilt with resources from all over the world, and it will wear a new look.

When you talked about rain falling for 10 days and 10 nights, were you being philosophical?

No, no. I mean rain, the rain that falls from the sky. And it will carry many things.

Rivers will run in Abuja. There will be total confusion. So I’m not joking.

You said everything that is wrong must be destroyed. What are the things that are wrong with Nigeria?

We will now come back to the details. Take what you popularly know as corruption.

You know that the only Nigerian who is not corrupt today is the one without opportunity.

So, when people talk of corruption, they think of politicians such as governors, ministers or the President. Yes, those are at the top of the heap of corruption. But the civil servants themselves are all very, very corrupt. They are so corrupt that they stink. Nigerians are so corrupt that they will take the money in their country to another country. You carry millions or maybe billions to Dubai, you buy houses that you will never occupy; or to the United States of America or perhaps Russia.

All over the world, Nigerians do the same thing. They go to Brazil, anywhere. They carry their country’s wealth to another man’s country.

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

Paul, Prince Adewale Taorid Ojora, former CEO, Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute, who is contesting in the coming Local government election in the state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, explains how he will deliver on his promises and actualise his aspiration for the people

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ho is Adewale Ojora?

I was born five decades ago, on the Island, into the Royal family of Chief, Prince Abdulazeez Ojora; then Olori Omo Oba of Lagos.

My mother, Alhaja Abiola Ojora, a descendant of the Gbajabiamila and Williams family of the Olowogbowo fame.

An Islander per se, I attended my primary school in Lagos Island, Olowogbowo Methodist school; excelled with a distinction. Then, I proceeded to Lagos Baptist Academy, where I obtained my school certificate; and then to the prestigious University of Lagos where I had my first degree in Industrial Chemistry with second class upper and Masters in Chemical Engineering; from the same University of Lagos.

I am a member, International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST), USA, May 2016.

Fellow, Institute of Criminological Studies and Security Management, Nigeria (FICSSM), Fellow, Chartered Institute of Commerce of Nigeria (FCICN), June 2019 I attended the Year 2016 international conference of international association of directors of law enforcement standards and training (IADLEST), Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA. I am a big socialite on the Island. I belong to the Island club. Yoruba Tennis club. Eko club and so many other ones on the Island. I started my active political career in 1999 when I joined the Alliance for Democracy.

In 2003, I aspired for the House of Assembly, Lagos Island Constituency 1. After then, I was appointed the Supervisor for Works, Lagos Island Local Government, in 2004. In 2006, I was appointed Secretary to the Local Government. In 2008, I had a shot at the Local Government chairmanship of Lagos Island.

In 2011, I also had a shot at the Chairmanship of Ifelodun LCDA. In 2017, I contested with the incumbent chairman for the chairmanship of Lagos Island Local Government. At that time, the party leadership invited the two of us and asked me to step down for him. Here we are, four years after.

But in 2015, I was appointed by the immediate past Governor of Lagos State as the CEO and head of Lagos Enforcement Training Institute. That was the institute that was meant to provide qualitative training in Law Enforcement to all Law Enforcement Officers in the Lagos State Government. It was not limited to LASTMA, LAGESS, which is now rebranded as KAI. I was part of the team that trained the over 5,700 Lagos State Neighborhood Watch, among others. Once you serve in the Lagos State Government as a law enforcement officer, it was my duty to train them; and I served in this capacity for three years and ten months precisely, on October 2019.

Now, I’ve reverted to my private business.

What is your motivation for aspiring to this office?

I told you I was born and brought up on the Island. All my families, connections and houses are on the Island; from my mother to my father’s families, both paternal and maternal.

That is why I am so passionate about the Island.

The Island you have today is not the same Island we grew up in 50 years ago. In 2003, the Local Government was divided. The whole Lagos Island was subdivided into Lagos Island Local Government and Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area (LCDA). Where we are now (i.e. Freedom Park where we held the interview) was Lagos Island Local Council Development Area.

The new Local Government Area started from Olowogbowo, around Apongbon. Elegbata extending to Isale Eko, Oyebanji, Adeniji, Olola, Tinubu, Siemens, and so on. Also, part of the

Ojora Inner Marina, when you get to First Bank headquarters... I will tell you that when we were growing up, Broad Street and Marina were the biggest economic hub anybody could think of in Lagos State; and even in Nigeria, at the time. We had all the biggest multinationals there. But at a point, that started dwindling.

And people started moving away from the Island. It wasn’t as if the Island was no more conducive; there were lots of factors coming to play at that time.

I believe different persons who had occupied that office at different times had tried their own very best. But I know I have so much to offer.

You see, each time I visited my primary school, I am not always happy. This was a missionary school turned into a public primary school.

It was owned by the Methodist Church but later, Lateef Jakande picked it up and made it a public school; and they were fantastic.

There was no difference between what we had in those schools back then and in the highflying private schools we have today. But if you visit those primary schools now, they are an eyesore.

That explains why in public primary schools now, you hardly see up to 50 in a class or in some cases, the entire school; from primary one to six. People now prefer to patronise mushroom private schools instead; where they pay N100 or N200 a day or something.

How do you intend to actualise your vision and implement your ideas for the local government?

What we will be doing once we come on board is this: we are going to convene the first Lagos Island Economic Summit. Here, we will invite all the blue chip companies and business moguls on the Island. You cannot be doing your business, making your daily bread on the Island and you are not giving something back to the Island.

We believe there needs to be a greater level of connect between the government and the corporate community to accomplish this task.

Past administrations, like I said earlier, have done their best in establishing a relationship.

What we will be doing, therefore, is to creatively build a functional synergy that will serve the mutual interest of the state government, the people and the corporate community. Let’s say we are coming to lift the relationship to higher heights that will excite all the stakeholders.

Because, what we are bringing on board is meant to advance the prosperity of the corporate community while at the same relieving Lagos Islanders of stress and ensuring that their lives and their peace are well maintained.

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

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FEATURES

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

Delivering Export-ready Solutions to Strengthen Nigeria's Value Chain Driven by technology, the new ginger-processing facility by a Lagos-based agro-service firm, TruvisAgro-services, delivers export-ready solutions with capacity to strengthen Nigeria's economic value chain. Yinka Olatunbosun reports

F

or decades, Nigeria’s non-oil exports had been plagued with challenges ranging from inadequate and decaying infrastructures to inefficient marketing system. For stakeholders in the agro-product sector, the rejection of Nigeria’s exported food items by EU and other countries across the globe has been a major setback to making the agricultural sector a major revenue earner. Experts have observed that lack of warehouse, processing and storage facilities had been major contributing factors to the decline of agro-based exports.

Despite all these challenges, ginger export accounts for 23 per cent of the country’s GDP according to Nigeria Export Statistics. This is largely connected to its domestic and industrial use. In a report published in 2020 by Tridge titled, ‘Analysis on the Ginger Industry in Nigeria,’ the economic potentials for Nigerian ginger were carefully explored. In 2016, Nigeria was the third-highest exporter of ginger, preceded by China and India. In 2017, Nigeria had a world production share of 11.5 per cent, representing 349.9k tones of ginger. Over the years, the production of ginger in Nigeria has been on an increase.

Nigeria produces approximately 37k metric tons of fresh ginger annually. Out of these, 10 percent is consumed freshly locally while 90per cent is consumed in its dried form. Meanwhile, Nigerian ginger is rated as one of the best in the international market due to its pungency and high-level of oleoresin oil which is a highly sought-out ingredient.

Owing to the fact that the domestic consumption for Nigerian ginger is relatively small in comparison with those sold in the global market, it is then clear that ginger processing plays a key role in the value chain in making sure that the ginger meets international quality standards for overseas consumers.

Although Nigeria accounts for 14 per can't of the global market share of ginger production, it only earns just $1m from export annually.

According to experts, the global ginger processing market is expected to grow at a cumulative annual growth rate of 13.4 per cent between 2021 and 2026.

In order to strengthen the agricultural value chain, Truvis Agro Services Ltd recently opened a new ginger processing plant in the commercial heart of Lagos, Ojota to be precise to increase the FOB value of ginger to the Nigerian farmer which is currently less than 10 per cent due mainly to the unavailability of such a processing plant.

Christened Truvis Ginger Processing Plant, the processing plant houses a state-of-the-art cold storage facility and Ginger Processing and washing Machine to deliver fresh ginger for international markets. In a chat with the CEO, Truvis Agro Services, Mr. Debo Abodunrin, he described the international fresh ginger market as ‘highly lucrative.’

“Without capacity for cold storage, it is impossible to enter that space. We can now; process and hold fresh produce at the internationally acceptable temperature and be able to deliver the produce to Europe, UK, and the United States. With this facility, we can prevent selfheating and spontaneous combustion, odor, contamination, toxicity, and insect infestations among other. All these factors are what make it difficult to export fresh ginger,’’ he revealed.

Currently, the fully-refrigerated facility can hold up to 20 tons of fresh produce between seven to ten degrees Celsius in food grade baskets from where they are stored in 50kg jute bags ready for export to the international markets in refrigerated containers. With this new facility, it is possible for farmers to sell all their products at the fresh market value.

This tech-driven facility also contributes to the labour market with over 40 members of staff that boasts of 80 per cent female workers.

“The project will contribute extensively

Workers at the new ginger-processing plant

to Nigeria’s export promotion and economic diversification drive. With this facility, we will be able to earn an additional $10-20million per annum from fresh ginger export. We currently have a two-ton per hour processing machine.

We intend to double this capacity in the next two years as well as expand our current temperature-controlled holding area from 20 to 60 tons,’’ he added.

Prior to acquiring this facility, Nigeria played only in the dried ginger space and has been a

secondary exporting nation despite being the third largest ginger producer in the world.

Smaller producers like Venezuela currently have a larger export capacity than Nigeria for ginger. Abodunrin further disclosed that with the new ginger plant, export routes had been secured in markets across Europe, UK and the United States.

The key to making any serious impact in the agriculture value chain is to invest in value adding facilities. With this investment,

Truvis Ginger Processing plant has repositioned Nigeria for export of ginger significantly with this processing plant.

For Truvis Agro Services LTD, CEO, promoting sustainable agriculture round the year is crucial to export promotion, employment and economic growth. The importance of agricultural development in ensuring poverty reduction and the economic growth hinges on the fact that 70 per cent of the population is employed in the agricultural sector.

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#THISISNIGERIA - Sesugh Akume.

Are We Stuck With This Constitution?

T

here is a unanimous and growing consensus that Nigeria is not working. Whereas some are of the opinion that bad leadership is the main culprit, others say it is both bad leadership and the structure/ system. They insist that even with the greatest leadership not much can be achieved under the present system which hinders, opposes, and is antithetical to progress. At the heart of this being the Constitution, we have and operate.

This second view seems to be gaining wide and growing acceptance and is exemplified by the frequency by which the Constitution has been amended in the last 21 years, as virtually every National Assembly (NASS) has done so since 1999. This is not normal.

Some have said there’s no perfect Constitution anywhere, and whatever Constitution that is coming up with holes will be picked in, therefore, we should find ways to make do with what we have and make incremental changes as we move on. Others are of the view that first, this Constitution is founded on a lie with the false premise: ‘We the people do hereby make and give ourselves the following Constitution.’

When, where, how did we do so, they ask?

Second, the so-called incremental amendments are mere hacking at the leaves as against addressing core issues at the root, and at the rate gone so far in the last 2 decades with the amendments, it may take centuries to have a Constitution that bears the semblance of what truly serves the people. For this reason, it deserves a replacement.

No lesser a voice, than the deputy senate president, Ovie Omo-Agege, who is also chair of the joint ad-hoc committee chair on constitutional review for this 9th NASS has said NASS can’t replace the Constitution but can only amend it to alter some sections. In essence, we are stuck with what we presently have as a Constitution. This may have some merit, but it is not accurate.

First, it is critical to understand why the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as is, is not only is inconsistent and contradicts itself repeatedly but is a hindrance to progress and the main culprit of our backwardness. A few illustrations should suffice: Local governments (LGs) are key as they bring governance closer to the people, but in Nigeria, they are practically nonexistent. After the Constitution created the local LG system

(section 7) as the third (and autonomous) tier of government (s.318) to be administered by laws enacted by the state Houses of Assembly it turned around and created the State Local Government Joint Account (SLGJA) (s.162) where federal funds for LGs in each state are sent into one pool. The states in turn make obnoxious laws that give governors unfettered access and control over the funds to the detriment of the LGs. It’s part of the reason LGs are under the governors’ stranglehold, choked, and can never breathe. This brazen provision goes against the intergovernmental immunities doctrine, a principle settled in constitutional law the world over for 2 centuries that in dealings of the federal government (with others) the state need not come in and vice versa. For instance, in the federal government sending funds to support the LG system the state government need not be involved. This had been the practice in Nigeria from the beginning until the 1999 Constitution.

The US with its 50 states, for instance, has 85,000 LGs. The people are at liberty to organize and govern themselves as LGs, fully recognized. This is so because they don’t receive federal allocations (for doing anything) to run (unsustainable) LGs, and they are doing very well. Montgomery is a small LG in the state of Maryland with an annual budget of $6 billion, half of which goes to education. In essence, what one rather obscure LG spends on pre-nursery to secondary education is more than 10 times what Nigeria has budgeted for the same purpose in 2021. That budget is one-sixth of Nigeria’s for 2021. Remember, America has 85,000 of such LGs, we are not talking states of the federal government yet. We in turn have 774 of them all codified in the Constitution. This is how the Constitution enhances or hinders progress. You can’t form a local government in Nigeria without a constitutional amendment. Recall the SLGJA under the control of the emperor-governors.

Do we need 774 feeding-bottle-fed LGs? Or we should revert to having autonomous LGs that thrive and pay taxes to the center as it was pre-Independence and the First Republic?

It is trite knowledge that in a democracy (or even a civilian rule as ours) there are 3 co-equal arms of government (legislature, executive, and judiciary) but in Nigeria, the judiciary is under the presidency (s.153) so is the election management body that is said to be ‘independent’ (s.153) and is expected to

conduct free and fair elections. How is that possible?

It insists that there shall be only a single police force in the country (s.214) -- whose function isn’t stated by the way – and forbids states from making laws pertaining to security and creating security outfits (Second Schedule Part I(45)). The result of this is there for all to see. Meanwhile, pre-Independence and in the First Republic, LGs had their own police departments, the Native Authority police.

In 1984 the Major-General Muhammadu Buhari regime ill-advisedly canceled the Lagos metroline initiated by the then Lagos state government and remains so 36 years on with the resultant traffic and chaos. There is no hope for it in another 300 years under this present Constitution, even for those who are willing and can, as railways are the exclusive preserve of the federal government (Second Schedule Part I(55)).

I have never seen a country so vulgar as to deem itself a ‘national cake’ for ‘eating’ where public office roles are seen to be for ‘sharing’ and ‘distribution’, the Constitution actually uses those words (s.14(3); Second Schedule, Part I (c) 7 and 8). A country whose focus is not patriotism, service, sacrifice for the common good, merit, productivity, competition, greatness, but rather entitlement, distribution, and sharing of offices.

The Constitution acknowledges that sovereignty belongs to the people from whom the government through it derives its powers and authority and that the people in their government shall be ensured (s.14) yet there is no room for the people to ventilate their feelings and express their thoughts on issues, save to vote every 4 years in elections conducted by an agency under the presidency. The idea that having voted in 469 (mostly self-serving) NASS members, the people have ceded their sovereignty to them to decide on all matters, thereby shutting out the people is not only an egregious assault but has no place in a constitutional democracy anywhere. Citizens usually exercise their franchise by way of referendum on critical but this Constitution has only 2 limiting scenarios for referendum — new states creation and boundary adjustment (s.8) and recall of NASS members (s.69). It would be recalled that referenda were conducted in 1959 and 1961 for which parts of northern Cameroon joined Nigeria in the northeastern part (which includes the Mambilla

Plateau area) and southern Cameroon stayed with Cameroon. So a referendum is not strange to Nigeria.

What this NASS can do at this time is to give the people back their voice to participate in their government in any matter that concerns them, including of their choice to decide whether they want to keep patching up the Constitution every 4 years, or a fresh one they are involved in the process of making, therefore, own and has legitimacy.

The recurring questions agitating the minds of many citizens include whether we can and should sustain the 36-state structure; whether the FCT should have its own mayor, cabinet, and legislature; whether we should be self-governing at the subnational level or to continue with the feeding bottle culture depending on dwindling oil resources and the era of oil coming to an end; whether only Zamfara deserves to mine their minerals, keep the proceeds and pay taxes to the federal government or what is good for the goose is sauce for the gander; whether having a single police force in Abuja suffices; whether we want a unicameral, part-time NASS, or to keep the bicameral, full-time NASS, whether the ultra-expensive presidential system is workings or to revert to the parliamentary system? And so many such questions.

This is the view canvassed by Aare Afe Babalola, SAN the 91-year-old highly-respected jurist, esteemed as a leading legal icon of his generation not only in Nigeria but globally with 6 decades at the bar, in the articles he recently wrote primarily in the Vanguard entitled ‘The National Assembly Has Powers to Replace the 1999 Constitution (1) and (2)’ published on 17 December and 24 December 2020 respectively.

In this 2-part series, he sought to expatiate on the earlier widely reported news report earlier in the month entitled, Afe Babalola Seeks New Constitution for Nigeria to Overcome Challenges, published on 6 December.

Stifling people's voices is another form of modern-day slavery. The people deserve a chance to be heard. I see no reason why this key amendment would not be made, passed, and signed into law this time, even if it is the one amendment made. t4FTVHI "LVNF B QVCMJD QPMJDZ BOBMZTU GSPN "CVKB 5XJUUFS !TFTVHI@BLVNF ] &NBJM TFTVHI BLVNF!HNBJM DPN

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THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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MEDIA BRIEFING

L-R: Assistant General Manager, Accounts, Courier and Logistics Regulatory Department (CLRD), Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Mrs. Fatima Ameh; General Manager, e-Commerce and Logistics, Mr. Olakunle Oladapo; General Manager, CLRD, Mr. Gideon Dotun Shonde and General Manager, Bull Post, Mr. Johnson Olakunle, during a press briefing on the clampdown on illegal courier operators in Lagos...recently

Telecoms Operators, Senate Differ over 5G Rollout Stories by Emma Okonji Telecoms operators under the aegis of the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has expressed surprise over the recent call by Senate to suspend the planned rollout of 5G network in Nigeria.

The Senate last week, called for the suspension of network’s rollout until further notice.

The Senate directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), and the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to put the exercise on hold to enable the lawmakers study the trend of 5G deployment across the world.

The lawmakers took the decision when they considered and passed the report of its Joint Committee on Science and Technology, ICT, Cyber

TELECOMS Crime, and Primary Health, chaired by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Worried about the development, the Chairman of ALTON, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, said: “I do not know if the statement credited to the Senate was issued to the telecoms industry regulator, the NCC, or to MNOs, or it was issued as a public discourse, but what I know for a fact is that Nigeria cannot be behind emerging technologies, the reason why Nigeria most embrace 5G technology just like other countries that have rolled out the technology.”

According to him, “The 5G technology we are talking about, and which has been explained before to all Nigerians, is a new

layer of technology, built on top of fourth generation technology, known as 4G technology. So there is really nothing new in terms of the perceived fears concerning public health and safety, because it has been proven over and over again by international and local studies that there are no known health risks associated with 5G rollout.”

“The said the call for suspension of 5G rollout, coming from the Senate, could only delay its rollout, but cannot stop it, adding that NCC as a regulator, has enough reports to convince the public that it is safe to roll out 5G network across Nigeria.

“I know that the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, has enough documents to show that 5G technology is the future technology that Nigerians must embrace without fear. NCC

is the telecoms industry regulator and it is the responsibility of NCC to give Nigerians the true state of 5G network deployment.

So information from the Senate, calling for the suspension of 5G network rollout, could be taken as advisory, since the final authority, in terms of public health and safety, lies in the industry regulator, who had in the past, came out to say that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not found any public health implications on 5G rollout,” Adebayo told THISDAY during a telephone interview.

He further said Nigerians should know that because technology is evolving faster that everybody thought, 4G technology has become a technology of Continued on page 26

‘ICT Can Propel Nigeria’s Economic Growth’ The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, has said the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, has the potential to grow the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in a way that can lead to economic stability.

He said this against the backdrop that the ICT sector retains its role as the sector with the highest growth rate of all the main sectors of the Nigerian economy in the first quarter of 2021, as released in the Q1 2021 Report on Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) this week.

According to NBS report, “Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 0.51 per cent year-on-year in real

ICT terms in the first quarter of 2021, marking two consecutive quarters of growth following the negative growth rates recorded in the second and third quarters of 2020.”

The report noted that in terms of contribution to aggregate GDP, the oil sector accounted for 9.25 per cent of aggregate real GDP in Q1 2021, while the non-oil sector accounted for 90.75 per cent of aggregate GDP in the first quarter of 2021.

The Bureau also noted that the growth in the non-oil sector was driven mainly by the Information and Communication Technology sector while other drivers include Agriculture (Crop Production); Manufacturing (Food, Bever-

age and Tobacco); Real Estate; Construction and Human Health and Social Services.

According to Pantami, “It is worthy of note that the ICT sector grew by 6.47 per cent in Q1 2021, making it the fastest growing significant sector of the Nigerian economy. It is also interesting to note that Post and Courier Services grew by 2.53 per cent in Q1 2021.

These services are under the supervision of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, but currently listed under the transportation sector in the GDP report.”

Pantami attributed the consistent positive performance of the ICT sector to the focused and committed support for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, for the

digital economy sector.

“The federal government has provided an enabling environment for the ICT sector to thrive, through the development and implementation of relevant policies. These include the National Digital Economy Policy for a Digital Nigeria, Nigerian National Broadband Plan and the Revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration, among others.

“The GDP report has shown that the ICT sector continues to serve as a catalyst for the growth and diversification of our economy,” Pantami said.

The Technical Assistant in Information Technology to the Minister, Dr. Femi Adeluyi, said Pantami commended the Continued on page 26

Facebook Celebrates Africa’s Cultural Impact

Ý ÚËÜÞ ÙÐ ÓÞÝ ˩ ÐÜÓÍË Ëã˪ ÍÏÖÏÌÜËÞÓÙØ ÒÏÖÎ ÙØ ßÏÝÎËã Ëã Ͱͳ˜ ËÍÏÌÙÙÕ ÜÏÍÏØÞÖã ËØØÙßØÍÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÖËßØÍÒ ÙÐ ÓÞÝ ÑÖÙÌËÖ ÍË×ÚËÓÑØ ÞÓÞÖÏν ˩ ËÎÏ Ìã ÐÜÓ͢ ÙàÏÎ Ìã ÞÒÏ ÙÜÖÎ˪ ̎ Ë ÝÏÜÓÏÝ ÙÐ ÝÒÙÜÞ ÐÓÖ×Ý ßØàÏÓÖÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÝÞÙÜÓÏÝ ÙÐ ÏÓÑÒÞ ÚÒÏØÙ×ÏØËÖ ÍÜÏËÞÓàÏÝ ËØÎ Ý×ËÖÖ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝ ÙáØÏÜÝ ÐÜÙ× ËÍÜÙÝÝ ÞÒÏ ÍÙØÞÓØÏØÞ áÒÙ ËÜÏ ÌÜÏËÕÓØÑ ÑÜÙßØÎ ËÍÜÙÝÝ ÞÒÏ áÙÜÖβ àËÓÖËÌÖÏ ÞÙ àÓÏá ÙØ Ë ÎÏÎÓÍËÞÏÎ ˩ ËÎÏ Ìã ÐÜÓ͢ ÙàÏÎ Ìã ÞÒÏ ÙÜÖÎ˪ ×ÓÍÜÙÝÓÞÏ ËØÎ ÞÒÏ ÙÐÐÓÍÓËÖ ËÍÏÌÙÙÕ ÐÜÓÍË ÚËÑÏ ÐÜÙ× ͰͯÝÞ Ëã ͰͮͰͯ˜ ÞÒÏ ÐÓÖ×Ý ÚÜÙàÓÎÏÎ Ë ÑÖÓ×ÚÝÏ ÓØÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÑÖÙÌËÖ ÝßÍÍÏÝÝÏÝ ÙÐ ÐÜÓÍËØ ÍÜÏËÞÓàÏÝ ËØÎ ÌßÝÓØÏÝÝÏÝ ÒËÓÖÓØÑ ÐÜÙ× ÏØã˘ ÙßÞÒ ÐÜÓ͢ ÓÑÏÜÓ˘ ʼnÞÏ Î˪ àÙÓÜÏ ËØÎ ËÌÙØ˛ ÒÓÝ ÓØÍÖßÎÏÝ ÐËÝÒÓÙØ ÎÏÝÓÑØÏÜ ËÎß×Ë ÑâÙÕÙÖÙ ÐÜÙ× ÙßÞÒ ÐÜÓ͢ áÒÙÝÏ ÍÖÙÞÒÓØÑ ÌÜËØÎ ˩ ËâÒÙÝË˪ ÒËÝ ÌÏÏØ áÙÜØ Ìã ÑÖÙÌËÖ ØË×ÏÝ ÝßÍÒ ËÝ ÏãÙØÍÏ ËØÎ ÖÓÍÓË Ïãݘ ËØÎ ×ÙÝÞ ÜÏÍÏØÞÖã ÒËÎ ÒÓÝ ÎÏÝÓÑØÝ ÐÏËÞßÜÏÎ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÐÓÖ× ˩ Ù×ÓØÑ ÞÙ ×ÏÜÓÍË Ͱ˛˪ ÖÝÙ ÐÏËÞßÜÏÎ ËÜÏ ËßÞÓ ÙÖ˜ Ë ÍÙÖÖÏÍÞÓàÏ ÐÜÙ̋ÚÙÚ ×ßÝÓÍ ÑÜÙßÚ ÒËÓÖÓØÑ ÐÜÙ×

ÏØãË áÒÙ ÒËàÏ ÑËÓØÏÎ ÓØÞÏÜØËÞÓÙØËÖ ÜÏÍÙÑØÓÞÓÙØ áÓÞÒ ØÙ×ÓØËÞÓÙØÝ ËØÎ ÝÒÙáÝ ÓØ ßÜÙÚÏ ËØÎ ÞÒÏ ËØÎ ËÜÕ ØÑÏÖ˜ Ë ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÍÙ×ÏÎÓËØ áÒÙ ÒËÝ Ë×ËÝÝÏÎ ÙàÏÜ ͯͳ ×ÓÖÖÓÙØ ÑÖÙÌËÖ ÐÙÖÖÙáÏÜÝ ÙØ ËÍÏÌÙÙÕ˛ ÒÏ ÝÏÜÓÏÝ ÓÝ ËÓ×ÏÎ ËÞ ÝÒÙáÍËÝÓØј ÒÏÜÙÏÝ ËØÎ ÒÙØÙßÜÓØÑ ÞÒÏ ÚÏÙÚÖÏ ÞÒËÞ ËÜÏ Ó×ÚËÍÞÓØÑ ÐÜÓ͢ ËÝ áÏÖÖ ËÝ ÞÒÏ áÙÜÖΘ ÞÒÜÙßÑÒ ÞÒÏÓÜ ×ßÝÓ͘ ËÜÞÝ ËØÎ ÍÜËÐÞݲ

ØÍÖßÎÏÎ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ˩ ËÎÏ Ìã ÐÜÓ͢ ÙàÏÎ Ìã ÞÒÏ ÙÜÖÎ˪ ÍË×ÚËÓÑؘ áÏÜÏ ËÓ ÞËÐÙ ̙ ÓÑÏÜÓË̚ ̋ ËÝÒÓÙØ ÎÏÝÓÑØÏÜ ËØÎ ÌÏÝÚÙÕÏ ÞËÓÖÙÜ˞ ËÐËÖËÓÝÏ ÓÙØ ̙ ʼnÞÏ Î˪ àÙÓÜÏ̚ ̋ ËÝÒÓÙØ ÎÏÝÓÑØÏÜ ËØÎ àÓÝßËÖ ËÜÞÓÝÞ˞ ÏÝÝÓÍË ÖÖÙÑÙ ̙ ËÌÙØ̚ ̋ ÙßØÎÏÜ ÙÐ ÏÝ ÏÞÓÞÝ ÙÞÝ ÎÏ Ö˪ ÑÙÙßĀ ËÜ×ÙßÞ ÙÙÎ ÌÜËØÎ˞ ÖÓØÕã ÓÖÖ ̙ ÏØãË̚ ̋ ßÝÓÍÓËؘ ˜ ËÚÚÏÜ ËØÎ ÜÙÎßÍÏÜ˞ ËßÞÓ ÙÖ ̙ ÏØãË̚ ̋ ØÞÏÜØËÞÓÙØËÖ ËáËÜÎ̋áÓØØÓØÑ ÐÜÙ̋ÚÙÚ ÑÜÙßÚ˞ ÙÖË ÏÎÜÙ ̙ ÓÑÏÜÓË̚ ̋ ÙßØÎÏÜ ÙÐ ÏÎÜÙ˪Ý ÜÏ×Óß× ÑÙÑÙÜÙ ÎÜÓØÕÝ ÌÜËØÎ˞ ËÜÕ ØÑÏÖ ̙ ÓÑÏÜÓË̚ ̋ ÓÑÓÞËÖ ÍÙ×ÏÎÓËؘ ÝÍÜÓÚÞ áÜÓÞÏÜ ËØÎ àÓÎÏÙ ÚÜÙÎßÍÏÜ ËØÎ ËÎß×Ë ÑâÙÕÙÖÙ ̙ ÙßÞÒ ÐÜÓÍË̚ ̋ ÙßØÎÏÜ ÙÐ ÐËÝÒÓÙØ ÌÜËØÎ ËâÒÙÝË ËØÎ ÍÜÏËÞÓàÏ ËÜÞÓÝÞ˛

Spotify Showcases Nigerian Artists, Others

ÚÙÞÓÐã ÒËÝ ÝÒÙáÍËÝÏÎ ßÜØË Ù㘠Óä ÓÎ ËØΠܲ ËäÓ˜ ËÝ ÞÒÏ ×ÙÝÞ ÝÞÜÏË×ÏÎ ËÜÞÓÝÞÝ ÙßÞÝÓÎÏ ÙÐ ÓÑÏÜÓ˘ ÓØ ÍÏÖÏÌÜËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÐÜÓÍËØ ÜÞÓÝÞݲ ßÝÓÍ ÒËÝ ËÖáËãÝ ÌÏÏØ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÍÙÜÏ ÙÐ ÐÜÓÍËØ ÞÜËÎÓÞÓÙؘ áÏËàÓØÑ Ë ÜÓÍÒ ØËÜÜËÞÓàÏ ÞÒËÞ ÝÒÙáÍËÝÏÝ ÞÒÏ àËÜÓÏÞã ÙÐ ÍßÖÞßÜÏÝ ËØÎ ÓØÐÖßÏØÍÏÝ ËÍÜÙÝÝ ÞÒÏ ÍÙØÞÓØÏØÞ˛ ËÜÕÓØÑ ÚÓàÙÞËÖ ×Ù×ÏØÞÝ ÓØ ÐÜÓÍË˪Ý ÒÓÝÞÙÜ㘠×ßÝÓÍ ÒËÝ ÚÜÙàÓÎÏÎ ÞÒÏ ÌËÍÕÎÜÙÚ ÞÙ ÚÜÙÑÜÏÝݘ ÏàÙÖàÓØÑ ÐÜÙ× ÝÙØÑÝ ÙÐ ÐÜÏÏÎÙ× ÞÙ ÝÙØÑÝ ÙÐ ÏâÚÜÏÝÝÓÙØ˛ ÒÓÖÏ ÞÒÏ ËØØßËÖ ÍÙ××Ï×ÙÜËÞÓÙØ ÙÐ ÐÜÓÍË Ëã ÓÝ ËØ ÙÚÚÙÜÞßØÓÞã ÞÙ ÍÏÖÏÌÜËÞÏ ÞÒÏ ÝÞÜÓÎÏÝ ÞÒËÞ ÞÒÏ ÍÙØÞÓØÏØÞ ÒËÝ ×ËÎϘ ÓÞ˪Ý ËÖÝÙ Ë ÍÒËØÍÏ ÞÙ ËÎÎÜÏÝÝ ÝÙ×Ï ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÍÒËÖÖÏØÑÏÝ ÞÒËÞ ÓÞ ÍÙØÞÓØßÏÝ ÞÙ ÐËÍÏ˛ Ø Ë ÝÓ×ÓÖËÜ àÏÓؘ ÞÒÏ Ó×ÚËÍÞ ÙÐ ÐÜÓÍËØ ÓØÐÖßÏØÍÏ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ÑÖÙÌËÖ ×ßÝÓÍ ÝÍÏØÏ ÒËÝ ËÖÝÙ ÌÏÏØ Ë ÔÙßÜØÏ㘠ÚÙÞÓÐã ÝËÓÎ ÓØ Ë ÝÞËÞÏ×ÏØÞ˛ ˫ ÓÞÒ ÏâÍÓÞÓØÑ ÍÙÖÖËÌÙÜËÞÓÙØÝ ÞËÕÓØÑ ÚÖËÍÏ ËØÎ ËÍÍÏÝÝ ÞÙ Ë ÌÜÙËÎÏÜ ËßÎÓÏØÍϘ ÐÜÓÍËØ ÍÜÏËÞÙÜÝ ØÙá ÒËàÏ ×ÙÜÏ ÙÚÚÙÜÞßØÓÞÓÏÝ ÞÒËØ ÏàÏÜ ÌÏÐÙÜÏ ÞÙ ÎÓÝÍÙàÏÜ ØÏá ËßÎÓÏØÍÏÝ ËØÎ ÒËàÏ ÞÒÏÓÜ ßØÓÛßÏ àÙÓÍÏÝ ÒÏËÜβ ˫ Ù ×ËÜÕ ÐÜÓÍË Ë㘠ÚÙÞÓÐã ÞÙÙÕ Ë ÖÙÙÕ ËÞ ÞÒÏ ÞÙÚ ÝÞÜÏË×ÏÎ ËÜÞÓÝÞÝ ÑÖÙÌËÖÖã ÐÜÙ× ÞÒÏ ÐÜÓÍËØ ÍÙØÞÓØÏØÞ˛ ÓÞÒ ÐËØÝ ÐÜÙ× ÙØÎÙØ ÞÙ ËÜÓÝ ËØÎ ×ÝÞÏÜÎË× ÞÙ ãÎØÏã ÝÞÜÏË×ÓØÑ ÞÒÏÓÜ ×ßÝÓÍ àÓË ÚÙÞÓÐ㘠ÓÞ˪Ý ØÙÞ ÝßÜÚÜÓÝÓØÑ ÞÒËÞ ÚÙÚßÖËÜ ÓÑÏÜÓËØ ÝÓØÑÏÜ ËØÎ ÝÙØÑáÜÓÞÏܘ ßÜØË Ù㘠ÞËÕÏÝ ÞÒÏ ÞÙÚ ÝÚÙÞ˜ˬ ÚÙÞÓÐã ÝËÓβ

“The most critical thing to note is that peace is essential to the progress of any society. No meaningful progress can take place in a state where there is a high level of unrest, insecurity or a break-down of law and order. I wish to plead with everyone in Imo State to embrace peace” Chairman, Zinox Group,

Leo Stan Ekeh

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ͵˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESSWORLD TELECOMS OPERATORS, SENATE DIFFER OVER 5G ROLLOUT the past, while 5G technology is today’s technology and the technology of the future, and Nigeria cannot be behind the world as technology continues to evolve.

The NCC has had the test trial of 5G launch in Nigerian with one major telecoms operator, and since the trial test in 2019, there had been no reported cases of public health hazards linked to 5G rollout, Adebayo said.

Speaking about the need to adequately sensitise Nigerians on 5G rollout, Adebayo said sensitisation of the public, remained key to 5G rollout, but insisted that NCC had released several documents on the global study of the perceived health implications in 5G rollout. He added that it was the duty of the NCC to carry out a study on 5G rollout, and not the duty of Senate.

The upper chamber had on May 5, 2020, mandated the joint committee to conduct investigations into the status of the 5G network in Nigeria and its technological impact on Nigerian citizens.

The Chairman of the joint committee, while presenting the report, said the overwhelming aggregate opinions from the majority of stakeholders was that it is appropriate for Nigeria to join the comity of nations that are engaged in the deployments of 5G for all its inherent gains.

The committee however urged the NCC to collaborate with the Mobile Network Operators, Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Federal Ministry of Environment, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), among others to locally conduct a scientific experimental study over a period of about six months to ascertain if a correlation exists between 5G networks and public health.

‘ICT CAN PROPEL NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH’ chief executive officers of the parastatals under the ministry and stakeholders, for the consistent performance of the sector and encouraged them to continue supporting the policies of the federal government on ICT development.

NEWS

Report: Global Market for Cellular IoT Modules Declines Stories by Emma Okonji IoT Analytics, a global provider of market insights and competitive intelligence for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0, this month launched an in-depth cellular IoT module market tracker that provides a quarterly look at the revenues and shipments of 33 companies providing cellular connectivity hardware modules for IoT deployments.

According to the report, recent quarterly research on IoT deployments showed that the global market for Cellular IoT modules declined by eight per cent in 2020 in most countries, except China that showed growth in 2020.

According to the report, “With 4.5 billion cellular IoT connections expected by 2025, the market for cellular IoT modules is in a long-term cyclical uptrend, which was disrupted in 2020 by COVID-19. Every connected device that makes use of a cellular connection like 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G, uses either a cellular IoT module or a cellular chipset embedded directly into the printed circuit board of a device or a piece of equipment.”

Commenting on the findings of the research report, CEO at IoT Analytics, Knud Lasse

Lueth, said: “The promise of pre-configured IoT modules has become increasingly attractive in recent years, as customers are looking to decrease timeto-market for IoT solutions and multi-connectivity setups have made it more complicated for companies to develop their own solutions.”

The data analysis performed

by IoT Analytics showed that the global cellular IoT module market took a strong hit in 2020, due to COVID-19, with global revenues declining eight per cent year-over-year (YoY) to $3.1 billion. The situation, according to the report, was however different in China,

where Cellular IoT module shipment in grew 14 per cent YoY in 2020, while cellular IoT module shipment in the rest of the world declined.

“The reason the Chinese market expanded while other markets contracted is simple.

Many IoT initiatives were halted or, in some cases, cancelled in

2020 due to COVID-19. IoT initiatives in China, however, were much less affected and continued as planned after a short COVID-19 lockdown. One of the exciting trends that has emerged from the research is that the connectivity picture in China is quite different than in the rest of the world,” Lueth said.

CAPACITY BUILDING

L-R: ICT Officer, Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Obilana Olayiwola; Chairman, South West Zone, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Taiwo Ebenezer; President, Aminu Gwadabe; Compliance Dept, NFIU, Akubo Emmanuel; National Treasurer, ABCON, Gbadamosi Mohammed, and Executive Secretary, Cletus Uduma, at the commencement of the ABCON nationwide training on BDCs’ operations in Lagos…recently

NITDA Charges IT Stakeholders on Disruptive Technology The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi has urged Information Technology (IT) stakeholders to develop technology ideas that will disrupt the present status quo.

He stated this in Lagos, while in a meeting with stakeholders during a three-day working visit to the state.

Abdullahi used the occasion to call for the formation of strong synergy between the Agency and Information Technology stakeholders in the country.

While speaking on the need for disruptive technology, the Director-General urged IT stakeholders to come up with new business model, new organisational structure that would disrupt the status

quo in order to accelerate digitalization.

Abdullahi said: “As NITDA we look at digital transformation from two lenses, digitisation which is using digital technology to enhance existing services and digitalisation which is delivering rapid business innovation, and to achieve that, we need you, the startups. Innovation starts from the startups. We look at innovation as a process, which is taking ideas from inception to impact which can be very difficult.”

He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had expanded the ministry’s mandates to cover digital economy because communication remained the technology, which is a means to an end, but digital economy is using the technology to improve the

economic status.

According to the NITDA boss, stakeholders were engaged on the formulation of the National Digital Economy Policy and agencies under the ministry keyed into the implementation of the policy adding that “NITDA’s focus is on the startups and IT stakeholders.”

He further said: “We are here to share the Strategic Road Map and Action Plan (SRAP), which is anchored on seven pillars: Developmental Regulation; Digital Literacy and Skills; Digital Transformation; Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Cyber Security; Emerging Technologies; and Promotion of Indigenous Content for feedback. This is so because the Agency doesn’t exist in isolation, which is the reason we have to carry the stakeholders

along in our implementation processes.”

DG NITDA identified six key strategic stakeholders; the entrepreneurs who innovate and start up business, higher institutions which enhances talent, government which is an enabler, corporate organisation who absorb the human capital, venture capital, angel investors funding and the media that will promote the products.

In his remarks, one of the representatives of the innovation stakeholder, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji from Future Africa, was of the opinion that government must work with the ecosystem to create synergy. He said “If the government doesn’t work with us as a matter of urgency, everything will crash, variants need urgent intervention.”

He added, “We can’t build

talents in Lagos alone, it has to be from all parts of the country.

If universities are being provided with laptops and internet connections, we as stakeholders can do the rest, especially when it comes to infrastructure; the government has to partner with private companies as well as building research facilities.”

Abdullahi said NITDA would not achieve all its mandates by working in isolation. He therefore called for stakeholders’ partnership with industry players to drive the much needed technology innovation.

“We expect you to always be on board and constantly informing the Agency on what you need to achieve because government is an enabler and the Agency can only enable what the stakeholders put forward,” Abdullahi added.

Report: NDPHC Delivered 22 Substations, 3000km Transmision Lines in Six Years Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Asst. Editor, Money Market

Nume Ekeghe

Senior Correspondent

ËÒÏÏ× ÕÓØÑÌÙÖß (Advertising) Correspondents

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) ÜÙ×ÙÝÏÖÏ ÌÓÙÎßØ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) ××ËØßÏÖ ÎÎÏÒ (Energy) Reporters

ÙÝË ÖÏÕÒßÙÑÓÏ (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), a key intervention agency in the power sector, contributing over 3,400 megawatts (MW) to the national grid, has delivered over 22 substations and 3,000km transmission lines since 2015, according to a new report.

With its six National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) thermal power plants and several power substations, the NIPP project report from 2015 to 2021, indicated that the programme is currently in its second phase and traverses transmission projects, distribu-

tion and renewable energy.

In the first phase, NDPHC which is owned by the three tiers of government commenced the first phase of NIPP with the construction of 10 gas-fired power plants, mostly in the Niger Delta.

According to the report, the projects have been essential for fast-tracking the development of the Nigerian power sector, with six NIPP power plants now generating 3,400MW electricity for the national grid while the four other plants are still under construction even as some of their turbines operate partially.

NDPHC also said from

2015 to 2019, it completed 2194 kilometres of 330 kilovolt (kV) and 887km 132kV transmission lines respectively as the country now has 10 new 330/132kV substations and eight 132/33kV substations connected to the national grid, adding 5590MVA/330kV and 3493MVA/132kV capacity levels, respectively. It stated that from June 2019 to January 2021, NDPHC’s transmission department completed four new substations, boosting the national grid’s capacity further by 180MVA (Awka and Nkalagu Substations).

In the same vein, it noted that the Ihiala and Orlu substations

have been completed with a total 120MVA capacity and awaiting other associated projects to be completed before the substations can be connected to the national grid.

Analysis of the report showed that some of benefits of the projects are better cost recovery systems, Returns on Investment (RoI), inclusive growth and multi-sectoral multiplier effects on the nation’s economy.

On renewables, the report noted that the agency recently created a renewable energy department, to facilitate clean, affordable and universal access to electricity for more Nigerians, and meet the vision of making

renewables 30 per cent of the national energy mix by 2030.

In addition, in electricity distribution, the report said NDPHC has completed over 360 injection substations with a combined capacity of about 3,540MW. “About 2,600km of 11kV power distribution lines and 4600km of 33kV distribution lines have been built which directly supply electricity to transformers in residential areas.

“There have also been 296 Appropriated Distribution Projects which included injection substations, 1924 of 33kV lines, 4600km of 11kV line, and other infrastructure,” it said.

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BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Agriculture Pathway to Sustainable Development for Akwa Ibom Benson Etue

A

kwa Ibom State is endowed with numerous natural resources, the most prominent among which is oil. The state is Nigeria’s largest oil producer, accounting for over 30 per cent of the country’s oil – a fact that is known to all.

What may perhaps not be known by many is the fact that Akwa Ibom is basically an agricultural state whose people have always depended on farming for existence, though at subsistent level. In fact, before oil replaced agriculture as Nigeria’s economic mainstay, the state, then part of the Eastern Region, was a major contributor of palm produce which the country was the world’s number one producer.

About five decades of neglect of agriculture at the national level adversely affected the agricultural fortunes of the people of Akwa Ibom, as it did the entire country.

Now, with the reality of a post-oil era staring the country in the face against the background of over dependence on oil, the need for a return to agriculture has never been more compelling.

In Akwa Ibom, Governor Udom Emmanuel did not wait for the current fluctuating fortunes of oil to knock on the door before he commenced the process of diversification into agriculture. He saw today and, indeed, the future. He declared, on assumption of office in 2015, his commitment to the revival of agriculture as a major component of his development programme that is aimed at turning Akwa Ibom from a civil service to an industrialised state.

He made agricultural promotion an integral part of job creation under his five-point development agenda. And to

Emmanuel

underscore the seriousness and importance his administration attaches to agriculture, he made it a cardinal programme of the eight-point completion agenda of his second term.

Today, with his administration approaching the home stretch, the seeds the governor sowed in the last six years have begun to bear fruits, indicating a new dawn for what may turn out to be an agricultural revolution in the state. He has not only encouraged the people of the state to go back to agriculture, his administration has made it possible for them to do so through assistance in terms of policy, incentives, farming inputs and modern farming techniques, to enable them to take agriculture beyond the subsistent level where it was before now.

Agriculture is now being practiced at commercial level all over the state. The aim

is to have a state that is able to produce enough food to feed its people, and enough to sell to other parts of the country and for export.

There are ongoing efforts to revive production of some of the commodities for which Akwa Ibom was well known in the hey days of agriculture, like cassava, rice, cocoa, yam, citrus fruits, etc, and also venture into areas that were hitherto not explored, like cultivation of tomato, cucumber and lettuce.

More than 1, 200 hectares of rice have been cultivated under the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, while over 20, 000 rice farmers have been registered in 15 local government areas of the state. This is intended to make Akwa Ibom a major rice producing state in Nigeria.

The government launched an integrated cassava production programme under a project known as the Dakkada Cassava Task Force. This has made it possible for 2, 000 hectares of cassava to be cultivated under the FADAMA project, while micro processing mills for cassava have been constructed in different parts of the state. The variety of cassava that is being cultivated in the state is among the best in the world, and with the huge international demand for the commodity, it will become a major foreign exchange earner for the state when the current massive investments in the sector begin to yield dividends.

Akwa Ibom will soon join the league of Nigeria’s top cocoa producing states, courtesy of the various strategies the government has put in place to increase participation of farmers in cocoa production.

It has distributed over 500, 000 improved cocoa seedlings at highly subsidized rates to farmers in 28 local government areas with capacity for cocoa production, and trained

over 450 youths on cocoa maintenance. It set up the Cocoa Development Community to handle the task of reviving cocoa production at commercial level.

By investing so much in agriculture, the government hopes to achieve the twin objective of getting farmers to produce staple food like yam, rice, cassava, plantain and vegetables for consumption and also promoting establishment of agro-allied and food processing industries such as fruit juice, canned food, snacks, vegetable oil, livestock feeds, etc. To this end, it has planted 500 citrus seedlings, 1, 000 pineapple suckers and 600 hybrid plantain suckers.

The government established the Vegetable Greenhouse using the most modern technology to cultivate tomato, cucumber and lettuce in commercial quantity. Traders in those commodities in Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states will no longer have to travel to the northern part of the country to get them.

With increase in food production, essential food items are not only going to be readily available in every part of the state, they are going to be highly affordable. This will enable the average family in the state to be able to afford the basic food that is required to guarantee good health and general wellbeing.

The government strives to build an Akwa Ibom that is economically self-sufficient through industrialization and green revolution. With what it has packed into six years in terms of achievement, there is reason to believe that the process of sustainably developing the state for present and future generations has well begun.

-Etuk, a public affairs commentator, is based in Abuja

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Mobile Device Number Misconception The conceptualisation of the Mobile Device Management System in 2019, designed to detect the criminal use of mobile devices, does not mandate mobile device owners to register and submit the International Mobile Equipment Identity number of their mobile devices, writes Emma Okonji

L

ast week, telecoms subscribers became jittery over certain media reports, which stated that mobile device owners, including mobile phone users, were henceforth mandated to register the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of their mobile devices, and submit same to the telecoms industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to avoid the blacklisting and possible deactivation of their mobile devices, which include mobile phones.

This was however a misconception that the NCC has since corrected and explained that subscribers were not required to register and submit the IMEI number of their mobile devices.

The reports in question emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration that was recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the commission’s website.

NCC, in its statement, clarified that it was the duty of NCC and other relevant agencies of government to track substandard mobile devices through their IMEI numbers at the point of entry into the country, hence the introduction of MDMS to address influx of unauthorised and substandard mobile devices into the county.

MDMS/IMEI Number Every mobile device such as handsets, dongles, tracking devices, netbooks, among others, has a unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number, which enables mobile networks on which they are used to identify the device for the primary purpose of knowing what kind of services to provide for it and generally track it on the network. The IMEI number of any device, could be used to trace and track the device, through the help of the Mobile Device Management System.

In 2019, the NCC under its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, conceived the idea of Mobile Device Management System (MDMS) project, a consumer-centric initiative aimed at ensuring that all cases of influx of fake phones and counterfeit mobile/terminal devices are tackled in collaboration with other relevant agencies in the country.

According to Danbatta, the initiative, which is currently being implemented and deployed, would help the NCC to address all cases of e-waste and substandard mobile phones in the country, in line with the NCC’s E-waste Regulation of 2019. “By so doing, the commission will contribute to ensuring that the environment is not toxic and harmful to people’s health arising from the negative impact of e-waste dumping all over the place,” Danbatta said.

According to him, through the initiative, consumers would be protected to have access to and purchase only genuine mobile devices. Connection of substandard/fake phones to the networks of mobile operators is also eliminated.

When substandard phones are connected to any network to access telecoms services, it has the ability to degrade the quality of service, Danbatta explained, adding that it is essentially an initiative to ensure that consumers are protected and that when they buy phones, they are sure they are buying genuine phones that will offer value for their money as telecom consumers.

While the process to deploy MDMS is in place, NCC clearly stated that the initiative had been designed in such a way that phone users would not be mandated to go and queue to register the IMEIs of their phones. NCC said it would rather provide another layer for the Commission to tame influx of substandard devices through its type-approved mobile devices process, whereby phone manufacturers/importers and dealers are, at the point of entry, able to have all the IMEIs of their devices captured so that NCC can confirm they

Buhari

Danbatta

are in line with the International Telecoms Union (ITU) specifications and prescribed standards, thereby certifying that they are not substandard or fake before they are being sold to Nigerians in the market.

tion would typically raise a few legal and regulatory issues, some of which would relate to privacy and legal liability.

The book listed the issues to include: Whether the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) and other data privacy protection instruments will apply to CEIR databases given that the IMEI is unique to the device and may therefore be used to identify the owner; A huge number of devices in use in Nigeria (and other developing countries) are marked with cloned or duplicated IMEIs, meaning that a large number of devices may have the same IMEI. Also, many devices are second-hand/used devices which may have been stolen, but are purchased for value by users. The question then is, what recourse would a subscriber have where a device honestly purchased for valuable consideration without notice of its dubious provenance is blacklisted?; Conversely, what recourse would a subscriber have (and against who) where the network is unable to implement a blacklisting request because the device bears a cloned/duplicated IMEI and that blocking that IMEI would deny many other users the ability to use their legitimately acquired handsets?

The telecoms book made it clear that the issues raised would be conclusively addressed in the regulatory instrument for the implementation of the CEIR/MDMS system in Nigeria.

Imperatives of anti-theft solutions The recently launched Nigerian Telecoms Law and Regulation book, which has 18 chapters with over 600 pages, and co-authored by a telecoms regulatory professional at the NCC, Quasim Odunmbaku, and a lawyer, who specialises in Telecommunications, Media and Technology (TMT) practice, Rotimi Akapo, gave the imperatives of MDMS as essential anti-theft solution.

According to the book, the move by NCC to conceive the idea of MDMS in 2019, became necessary since Nigeria does not have the Central Equipment Identity Registries (CEIR), which enables countries to blacklist implicated devices and prevent their further use on individual networks across other participating jurisdictions.

Equipment registries are also very useful for crime detection and prevention, especially when such crimes were perpetuated through the use of mobile devices and the IMEI number identified.

The telecoms book explained that the IMEI database had proved particularly useful in curtailing the theft of mobile handsets and the criminal use of such devices. “As a result of the global dimensions of such crimes, the GSMA, which is the body that represents the interests of global mobile operators, in conjunction with several jurisdictions, have co-operated to set up CEIR. The GSM Association (GSMA) issues IMEI numbers to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and manages the global IMEI system through the global IMEI Database (IMEI DB). There is currently no CEIR framework in Nigeria, following the failure of an earlier attempt in that regard.

The NCC therefore announced its intention to introduce a Mobile Device Management System (MDMS), which would apparently serve as an enhanced CEIR,” the book started in one of its chapters.

The book added that CEIR implementa-

NCC’s motive with MDMS In a bid to tame the influx of substandard mobile devices and to successfully trace and track mobile devices that may be used to commit crimes like kidnapping and assassination, the NCC, in February 2019, issued a press statement, stating its motives on MDMS, in place of the global CEIR, which Nigeria lacked.

According to the statement, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in collaboration with the NCC and other government agencies, set up committees to combat the recurrent cycle of fraudsters deploying their trade via fake and

Reacting to last week’s media reports, Danbatta said telecoms subscribers were not mandated in any way to register and submit the IMEI number of their mobile devices.

At no time did the commission issue a statement regarding the registration of IMEI number by subscribers and it has no plans to do so. The reports in question have emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the commission’s website

substandard mobile devices.

The two joint committees set up were the Project Steering Committee (PSC), comprising the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Federal Ministry of Communications and the NCC and the Project Delivery Team (PDT) which drew representation from the Federal Ministry of Communications, the ICRC, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the NCC. The committees, with specific terms of references, were to work together to ensure the implementation of MDMS), a public-private partnership project, aimed at combatting the proliferation of fake, counterfeit, substandard and cloned mobile communications devices in the telecommunication industry.

While inaugurating the committees in Abuja in 2019, Danbatta, said the move was in line with the mandate of the commission, as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, to type-approve all devices used in the telecommunications industry and to ensure that all devices used in the telecommunications industry are in line with agreed standards and specifications.

According to him, “the principal objective of the proposed MDMS project is to establish a secure and comprehensive single-window solution that will enable the Commission to implement a proven solution in the Nigerian environment that is sustainable and demonstrate value for money in addition helping to address the various concerns that have been raised with the NCC from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in our regular interactions on security matters as it concerns the telecommunications industry.”

He said the increasing cybercrime, evasion of taxes, terrorism and health and safety concerns raised by the use of stolen, counterfeit and substandard devices in Nigeria, was a responsibility, which the NCC would take seriously.

“In 2015, the NCC organised a stakeholder forum aimed at developing recommendations that could influence decision and policy directions, leading to solutions to combat the issue of counterfeit and substandard Information and Communication Technology (ICT) devices in the country. Based on the importance of the project to the NCC, the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the ICRC were engaged for a no-objection to advertise for International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process towards the acquisition of an effective MDMS solution, adding that the ICRC subsequently recommended the establishment of the two committees to fast-track the process,” Danbatta said.

NCC’s clarifications on IMEI number Reacting to last week’s media reports, Danbatta said telecoms subscribers were not mandated in any way to register and submit the IMEI number of their mobile devices.

“At no time did the commission issue a statement regarding the registration of IMEI by subscribers and it has no plans to do so. The reports in question have emanated from a section of the Revised National Identity Policy for SIM Card Registration recently launched by President Muhammadu Buhari and which has been uploaded on the commission’s website.

“It is pertinent to state that the Commission is in the process of deploying a Device Management System (DMS). The DMS will essentially protect subscribers against phone theft and will identify and enable the elimination of fake devices from the networks. The system will capture IMEI automatically without any requirement for subscribers to submit same,” the NCC stated.

It advised members of the public to disregard the publications, which it said had created the erroneous impression that telephone subscribers would be required to register their IMEI with their networks.

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Enang: There’s Need to Match Nigeria’s Huge Population with Productive Capacity A former Managing Director, Samsung Technologies and Chief Executive Officer, Corporate Shepherds Limited, Mr. Idorenyen Enang, in this interview with Raheem Akingbolu speaks on salient issues about the nation’s economy and business management:

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hat are your thoughts on the current state of the nation and how the country can make things work, especially as it concerns the economy?

The truth about it is that no nation can ever be successful without the people.

I am one person who has consistently maintained that our greatest assets are our people, and until we harness those potential and the assets, we might not make progress. It is just like you have assets, if you don’t sweat the assets, you can’t get anything out of it. It is putting a priority on people. Where Nigeria is today, we have a lot of great things happening for us, but unfortunately we have not been able to harness it because we are not harnessing the people resource.

We are always quick to talk about our population. Our population is great. It is a number, but the question is how productive is that number. Productivity is what drives efficiency and effectiveness. It is the productive nature of your people that matters. When I talk about being productive, you know one person generates one, by the time he gets into another, it multiplies and that multiplication effect drives the whole spectrum.

Then, the biggest part of our problems which we must address is indiscipline.

Until Nigerians become disciplined in thoughts, in actions, and every other thing would line up. A disciplined thought produces character. Disciplined action will produce a person or people who have a sense of duty. Where does it start from?

It starts from the family. For instance, as I am sitting here, I am a product of a family. You are a product of a family.

We are all ambassadors of our different families. We all come from somewhere; somewhere also means a union of two people. In some cases, they may both be Nigerians or they may not be. But take away ethnic nationality, but they are two people. Fundamentally, it is about the genetic nature of it. So I take something from my mum, I take from my father and both of them have me. From that time, a lot of things that happen to me would come from how my parents have nurtured me, what they see, what they teach me etc. From there, I will learn as I step out of my cocoon, whether in school, whether out of school, neighborhood, whether with my friends, and gradually, something begins to form. By the time I get to a certain age, I would not be with my parents again. It is those things that they said to me that would become a landmark in my heart that would carry me in the journey of life. Unfortunately, we have lost our sense of values. So discipline is the anchor that would make a lot of things happens. When people are disciplined, in the way they think and the way they act, you will see productivity. You cannot say that Nigerians are disciplined people, but when the same Nigerian steps out of this country, gets into an environment, whether high class, low or medium, they conform to those working standards. This is because the environment there is fixed to consequent actions. There are consequences involved.

Are there consequences in the families?

Are there consequences in society? All these have broken down. So what would happen at the end of the day? It is just like a farmer. The farmer sows seeds, but before he plants the seeds, he has to look at the soil, he would go there and excavate, and then begin to plant the seeds. He won’t just leave it anyhow. He would nurture it. So there are processes he must follow. If at the end of it all, nothing comes through, he would say

with Idy – in 2009 on Radio Continental.

I expanded to Beat FM and Brila FM courtesy of my friends Chris Ubosi and Larry Izamoje who supported me and still do. These days, my programme runs on Lagos Talks, Inspiration FM, Uyo and Ibadan, Classic FM Abuja, with over two million listeners. I enjoy doing what I love doing. I started afresh, from the scratch. So, when you ask me about nation building, I know what it is about.

Enang

I did try. And he could also see that he didn’t put in any efforts, number one, there were no rains. So if there were no rains, he would pray for rain. But because there was no rain, he would look for one form of irrigation system or the other, or he would look for a way to water the plants so that the plants can grow. God has provided elements like sunlight. Every living thing has one principle: must grow. The minute a living thing is not growing, it is dead. So, we need to ask the questions: if we are truly growing?” and “In what ways are we growing?” because not every growth is good. For cancer or tumor growths, people pay huge sums and risk their lives for them to be taken out. Discipline is a currency that we, as Nigerians, need to bring back.

You left the corporate world and started your own company. Would you say the Nigerian environment is friendly to entrepreneurs?

Well, it is a function of the individual’s lenses. We have different visions. What we see are different. Some see problems, challenges; others see opportunities. It is all a function of what you see. There is no one-size-fits-all. I always counsel young people that business is not for everybody. Some things are innate. A child may begin to portray skills of business from around age seven. But if we want to be brutally honest, you will tell yourself that nothing is working. Ask yourself

who fills up those business class seats on the planes and the rooms in the hotels.

What a lot of people have not done is to identify a purpose. Most people are working in ignorance. I am not getting a salary, but I have inner peace. Being an entrepreneur is a spirit; you must have it. You must be ready to learn, know and serve, so you can create value. If you jump into entrepreneurship, because of your greed, you will be disappointed. Is the environment friendly? No. So, you can call me an entrepreneur, but what I really am is a farmer. The environment is harsh, there’s no ease of doing business, and most of the things the government is saying they are doing are lies; why this is so is because of the people factor.

What gap was your company, Corporate Shepherds Limited, created to fill?

Corporate Shepherds started in 2009. It is a vision that God gave me in 2003, to mentor a generation, teaching, guiding and motivating them. God used my corporate experiences to build me for the place I am now. Shortly after this, I started going to universities with my wife to teach and speak to young people about life. 2008 was a turning point for me, and in January, 2009, we registered Corporate Shepherds. We had a small office in Amore Street in Ikeja; people still located me to mentor and guide them through their lives, which is fulfilling. I started a radio programme – Navigate

The truth about it is that no nation can ever be successful without the people. I am one person who has consistently maintained that our greatest assets are our people, and until we harness those potential and the assets, we might not make progress

You have worked with great brands like Coca-Cola, Samsung and Guinness at top management levels. What normally necessitated your decision to quit each time you did?

I started out at Guinness and I worked there for seven years. I moved from Guinness to Coca-Cola; I spent 11 years there.

These 18 years baked the solid foundation for my professional career. When Cadbury had issues with finance and strategy, I was called upon to revamp the system. I came into Cadbury as commercial director in 2007. I spent three years there, leading the commercial team – sales, marketing and operations – and we moved the company from near-crumbling to where it is now.

Then it was time for me to go. I moved over to Samsung Electronics as Managing Director. I led the team to change the dynamics of the business. Samsung was a clear case for me of how things can turn around with strategic planning. In 18 months, Samsung was leading the market. I met a team of 20 people, but by the time I left, the team was over 120 people.

I spent two plus years there. My values and theirs were always clashing. I walked out of that building that fateful day in 2012 and I’ve never walked into that building ever since. This still points back to discipline. It is my tradition. I say this with every sense of humility and glory to God, that I’ve never had any issue in all my places of employment.

After that, L’Oreal Group came calling. I was appointed Managing Director, West Africa, in charge of Ghana and Nigeria operations. In 2015, I resigned and came back home to focus on my social enterprise, Corporate Shepherds. It started in 2009.

The mission of Corporate Shepherds came to teach, guide, and motivate. It is a vision that God has given to me to mentor a generation. The vision came when I was in Coca-Cola, I didn’t know God was preparing me for the future.

You published a book, In the Grip of Grace. Tell us about the thrust of the book.

The title of my book is: In the Grip of Grace. In the Grip of Grace, is an autobiography. This book encapsulates everything that I had to go through in life. It has been really God’s grace and not by my strength. When I left Samsung, I took one year off, went to LBS, where I was always invited to give a talk. I wrote this book because I am very driven about legacy. How else can I drop my legacy if not in writing? This book is long overdue. My greatest motivation in writing this book is to influence a generation to understand that if I can make it, they also can.

What would you consider your biggest achievement so far?

I have seen a lot of my mentees grow to become solid men and women, and to me, that is my greatest fulfillment.

Today, I have several young people on my scholarship scheme. I am grateful that I married the woman I married. She is a fantastic partner and has supported me all the way

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IMAGES

L-R: Corporate Affairs Manager - East, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Joy Egolum; Managing Director, Jordi BorrutBel; Manager, Ama Brewery; Peter Ani; Sales Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Uche Unigwe ; and the Zonal Business Manager - East, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Moses Ogbodo during the official opening of the Tiger Bar in Enugu…recently

President Muhammadu Buhari (middle) with other Heads of Government of Chad Basin Commission during their Extraordinary Summit in Abuja...recently

L-R: Director, Corporate Affairs, TGI Group, Sadiq Kassim; Chairman, WACOT Rice Limited, Farouk Gumel; US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Bert Leonard, and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu during the co-investment partnership launch with WACOT Rice Limited and USAID in Argungu, Kebbi State...recently

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Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

A tanker containing fuel exploded around Banire/Ejigbadero Bus Stop in Ebgeda area of Lagos...recently

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L-R: Director, Corporate Affairs, TGI Group, Sadiq Kassim; Chairman, WACOT Rice Limited, Farouk Gumel; US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Bert Leonard, and Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu during the co-investment partnership launch with WACOT Rice Limited and USAID in Argungu, Kebbi State...recently

L-R: President, Africa Health Project, Dr Ali Johnson Onoja,; President, Nigerian Association of Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Scientists in the Americas (NAPPSA) Inc., Dr Anthony Ikeme; Director, Public Private Partnership and Diaspora Unit, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Dr Omobolanle Olowu and former President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Pharm Azubuike Okwor, during a courtesy visit to the ministry by the NAPPSA president in Abuja...recently

L-R; Chairman, Dominican College Fund Raising Committee(Lagos), Mr. Oladele Olagbaju; Director, Dominican Vocation Support & Project Coordinator, Reverend Father Stephen Ogbe; CEO, Tangent Media Services Limited, Nrs Violet Nath-Okoduwa and Committee Member, Mr. Eddie Udenta during the press briefing for the fund raising of two hundred and fifty million naira (#250 million) for the completion of Dominican College, Abuja in Lagos...recently abiodun ajala

THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ ÒÓÏ×ÏÖÓÏ äÏÙÌÓ ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Peju’s Death as Catalyst for Healthcare Reform in Nigeria Following the tragic death of Mrs. Peju Ugboma, from alleged medical negligence, her family, while seeking for justice, shares with Sunday Ehigiator, events preceding the unfortunate incident of her death on Sunday, April 25, 2021, and how they intend to drive a reform in the Nigeria health sector, to avert related cases in future

U

autopsy on her. We refused because we were completely dissatisfied with the care she received from Premier and wanted an independent autopsy carried out. This was done at the Lagos state University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) on April 30, but not without more issues with Premier as the independent Pathologist requested for Peju’s medical notes.

“Premier came up with all sorts of stories about why the case notes had not been sent a whole three days after the request was made, and it took a physical visit from family and a shouting match before the medical notes were sent to the pathologists for the autopsy.

In light of this, I am of the opinion that the medical notes that went to the pathologist were tampered with or altered.”

Ugboma also told THISDAY that the hospital never deemed it fit to reach out to him nor any member of the family “until the story went public when some print (including THISDAY) and electronic media published the news.

“It might also interest you to know that last week, we wrote letters to all five hospitals where Peju had medical records, which includes, George’s Memorial in Lekki, Citizens Medical Centre in Ikoyi, Medicin Specialist Women’s Hospital in Lekki, MeCure Lekki, EverCare Hospital in Lekki and Premier Specialist, VI. “Every other hospital has sent in Peju’s records as we speak, except Premier. Why is Premier withholding my wife’s records? To me the answer is in the Evercare’s medical report that states that Peju’s case should be referred to a coroner.”

ntil her death, 41-year-old mother of two beautiful girls, Peju Ugboma was the founder and CEO of ‘I Luv Desserts’. She was happily married to her long time friend, Ijeoma Ugboma, whom she met right at the beginning of her undergraduate years at the University of Lagos, and they were married for almost 14 years before she met her untimely death.

How It Started Speaking with THISDAY, her husband, Mr. Ugboma narrated that bright and cheerful Peju had no underlying medical condition before deciding on her own to go for an “Elective Hysterectomy Surgery” at Premier Specialist Medical Centre, Victoria Island (VI), on April 22, 2021.

“The financial requirements by Premier were met pre-surgery. She had also done extensive tests and was given the all clear for surgery

by Dr Akiseku the Gynecologist. Before she went, she said she wanted to eat a good meal because the surgery would require that she would not eat for three days post surgery.

“We had a good meal of pounded yam and vegetable with assorted meat at a restaurant and she walked into Premier Specialist by herself, little did we know that she would be wheeled out in a body bag two days later.”

First Concern Raised Ugboma said he first began to raise concern when he saw “her blood pressure on the monitor immediately after surgery on Friday afternoon of April, 23. The doctors assured me that there was no cause for alarm as she was being transfused with blood, and her blood pressure would stabilise.

“Later, Peju was awake and coherent. We were having a chit-chat and even shared a few jokes. I therefore did not suspect that anything was wrong. By Saturday morning, April 24, Peju told me that the doctors said her kidneys were not functioning optimally and they will bring in a Nephrologist from outside to review her.

“I met the Nephrologist and she told me that she administered treatment and Peju was expected to recover. I therefore did not think anything was amiss as Peju and I were communicating, although she complained of pains in her abdomen. I did not see the gynecologist immediately after the surgery or later on for that matter neither was there any communication from him at any time on my wife’s condition.”

Shocking Demand for Blood Ugboma revealed that on the evening of Saturday, Dr Renner called him and told him that they would need to move Peju to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for better management, but failed to reveal that his wife was in distress.

“To my shock, he told me that they would need to give her two to three pints of blood in addition to what had been given to her earlier. Premier did not have blood to give her. He suggested that we reach out to family and friends on a blood drive. We immediately swung into action and reached out to people far and wide for her blood match of type B+.”

He said despite the scarcity of Peju’s blood type, families and friends were still able to raise nine pints of blood for her treatment, which was much more than the four the hospital had requested.

“Friends and family responded and people came from as far as Magodo to donate blood

Late Peju-Ugboma

for us, and we gave Premier Specialist Medical Center nine whole pints of blood,” he said.

Alleged Exploitation and Negligence Ugboma said, before Peju was moved to ICU, Premier Specialist Medical Center asked him to make another payment as different from his initial payments before the surgery, “and I instantly did a transfer of N1 million to them. Peju was given blood from donors but she complained bitterly about discomfort and pain. Dr Renner was with her and kept trying to manage her. I asked him what the next steps were, and he said it was to take her to another hospital the next day to do a CT scan.

“Another shock was that Premier Specialist Medical Centre did not have a CT scanner.

They would therefore have to move an ICU patient out for a CT scan, but all I wanted was for my wife to get better. I was with Peju until 1.30 am on Sunday morning, April, 25, when I went to sleep in her room in the hospital. By 6.30 am, I went to see her before heading home to freshen up.

“But the Peju I saw on Sunday morning looked sharply different from the one I left five hours earlier. All the vitality in her face was all gone, her eyes had been taped to cover her pupils, and Dr Renner told me that she did not do well through the night and had to be placed on a respirator.

“I called a family friend who is a Consultant Gynecologist in the UK and he told me that he thought Peju was having internal bleeding and the doctors needed to open her up immediately to stop the bleeding. He asked to speak to the doctors. I gave the phone to Dr Asemota, who spoke to him. He also spoke to Dr lwu and finally he spoke with

Dr Osinowo who is the Medical Director of Premier Specialist Medical Centre.

“The UK consultant told all three doctors without mincing words, that Peju was bleeding internally, and the doctors needed to open her up immediately and take care of it, and his words were ‘time is of essence’.

Unfortunately, and tragically, his wise counsel was not heeded as the doctors proceeded with arrangements to move Peju to Evercare Hospital, Lekki. It took them well over three hours before they moved Peju to Evercare, where she arrived at 1.43pm.

“To my shock, on getting to Evercare, I was asked to pay yet another NI million deposit. I was taken aback as I had just paid N1 million the evening before to Premier Specialist and I thought they would take care of the referral.

I made the payment immediately and sent a confirmation email to the Evercare accounts department. Also to my shock, Peju was moved to the ICU on the 5th floor, instead of doing a CT scan as I was earlier told.”

Peju’s Last Moments After much effort at concealing his tears, Ugboma narrated that upon arriving at the ICU, the real nightmare for him began. “I watched the Head of the ICU declare that Peju had no pulse even before she was taken off from the ambulance bed. Emergency CPR commenced. I watched the medical personnel run helter-skelter in a futile bid to save Peju’s life. I sat down and watched my wife take her last breath as life ebbed out of her.

Autopsy and Casenote Episode Ugboma said, immediately after Peju was declared dead, Dr Asemota approached him and “offered that they would carry out an

Cry for Justice Ugboma therefore called on every appropriate instrument of the law to intervene in the case and ensure justice is served. He said he is not only calling for justice for Peju but also seeking “justice for the thousands of victims of a faulty healthcare system”.

He likewise called for a reform in the Nigerian healthcare system “where patients will have rights and know their rights, and where doctors will be held accountable for malpractices and negligence. We have retained Olisa Agbakoba Legal and Primera Africa Legal to help us with all legal issues and representation”.

He concluded that getting justice and ensuring Peju’s death leads to a total reform of the country’s healthcare system was more important to him “than getting any financial compensation from the hospital, except the compensation is to restore my wife back to life”.

Panacea for Healthcare Reform Speaking with THISDAY, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Founder, Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL), Olisa Agbakoba, said Peju’s case would be cited as illustration for a proposed ‘Patient’s Bill of Rights’ and ‘Healthcare Reform Legislation’.

“We all know what has happened to Peju, she had a surgery that was botched by her surgeons, and the reason it was botched is because the healthcare system in Nigeria is very fragile. So when we make a case to the relevant authorities or agencies, we can point to Peju’s case as an example, and using the case, we can then think of how we can avoid a recurrence.

“We are going to present in Lagos State, a Lagos State Healthcare Reform Legislation, which will correct a lot of the gaps. For instance, there are about eight classifications CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

T H I S D AY ˾ , MAY 27, 2021

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NEWS UNITED NATIONS DAY FOR HUMAN RIGHT DEFENDERS

FERTILITY

DIABETES AND INFERTILITY (PART 1)

D The widower, Mr. Ijeoma Ugboma

VOEFS UIF )FBMUI 'BDJMJUZ .BOBHFNFOU -BX PG -BHPT 4UBUF 8IFO * SFBE JU BHBJO * XBT shocked that that type of law exists, because it does not require a hospital to have certain basic equipment. It just said, the hospitals shall have adequate equipment; that’s not good enough.

“It is important that you specify the nature of the hospital, because there is a difference between the general hospital, a specialist hospital and a teaching hospital, but the law EPFT OPU NBLF BMM UIFTF EJGGFSFODFT 4P QBSU of what we are hoping to do is to present a health policy document, attached with a proposed legislation that can resolve the gaps. i4P JG ZPV BSF PQFOJOH B DMJOJD UIFO MFU us know it’s a clinic. If you are opening a hospital, let us know it’s a hospital, and the equipment you will have in the hospital will CF DMFBS )PX DBO B IPTQJUBM PG UIJT OBUVSF TP DBMMFE TQFDJBMJTU IPTQJUBM OPU IBWF B $5 scan, and Ultra scan? If a patient’s tummy was operated and stitched back, there is a likelihood that something may go wrong, if I want to know what is wrong, how do I see UIBU JG * EPO U IBWF B TDBO 4P UIJT JT QBSU PG what the reform will address.

“Also, there are two broad things in medicine, one is standard of care and the other is negligence. I have talked about how to eliminate medical negligence. On standard of care, the patient has the right to know. The hospital has to hang patient’s rights all over the hospital; a patient who had surgery is entitled to know that the doctor who performed the surgery must visit at a particular time. i4P UIF A#JMM PG 3JHIUT PG B QBUJFOU JT UPUBMMZ BCTFOU GSPN UIF MBX *U T POMZ UIF 'FEFSBM $POTVNFS $PVODJM UIBU IBT EFWFMPQFE B patient bill of rights. It’s absent entirely from UIF IFBMUIDBSF MFHJTMBUJPO PG -BHPT 4UBUF 4P when doctors begin to feel the pressure to behave properly, their services will improve.

But that is currently absent with doctors.

They just open a hospital, put a sign and call it hospital, whereas, it is nothing but a day clinic. i4P UIJT IFBMUIDBSF SFGPSN QBDLBHF JT BJNFE at making doctors understand that when they put a sign, which they tag hospital, it carries serious responsibilities, including closure of the hospital,’’ he noted.

Health Commissioner’s intervention 'PMMPXJOH B DBMM GPS UIPSPVHI JOWFTUJHBUJPO JOUP 1FKV T EFBUI UIF -BHPT 4UBUF $PNNJTTJPOFS GPS )FBMUI 1SPG "LJO "CBZPNJ UISPVHI B tweet on his handle, @ProfAkinAbayomi BTTVSFE UIF GBNJMZ UIBU UIF TUBUF T )FBMUI 'BDJMJUZ .POJUPSJOH BOE "DDSFEJUBUJPO "HFODZ )&'".""

IBE DPNNFODFE JOWFTUJHBUJPO

into the case.

The tweet read; “I hereby assure the SFTJEFOUT PG -BHPT 4UBUF UIBU UIF )FBMUI 'BDJMJUZ .POJUPSJOH BOE "DDSFEJUBUJPO "HFODZ !)&'".""@-"4( JNNFEJBUFMZ DPNNFODFE a comprehensive investigation into the case of UIF MBUF .ST 0MBQFKV 6HCPNB BGUFS JU SFDFJWFE notice of the circumstances of her death at UIF 1SFNJFS 4QFDJBMJTU .FEJDBM $FOUSF UP determine the facts of the case.

“The ongoing investigation, among other things, has included an assessment of the hospital’s systems and investigative interviews of individuals affiliated with it. Additionally, a case summary of the care rendered to the patient, credentials of the health workers at the hospital and documents submitted to the agency by the hospital are being reviewed. i!)&'".""@-"4( BMTP IFME B NFFUJOH XJUI .S *KPNB 6HCPNB BU JUT PGàDF UP PCUBJO information about the case from the family.

'VSUIFS JOWFTUJHBUJPO CZ !)&'".""@-"4( will include the review of the medical records of the patient and additional documents, and also inquiries from those who attended to the deceased.

“At the conclusion of the investigation, UIF 4UBUF .JOJTUSZ PG )FBMUI QMBOT UP JTTVF a statement regarding any action that is XBSSBOUFE VOEFS )&'"."" T SFHVMBUPSZ oversight powers.”

Reaction from Premier Hospital *O B TUBUFNFOU NBEF BWBJMBCMF UP 5)*4%": BOE TJHOFE CZ %S $ 'BEJQF GPS NBOBHFNFOU 1SFNJFS 4QFDJBMJTUT .FEJDBM $FOUSF XIJMF expressing their condolence said they were TBEEFOFE CZ UIF MPTT PG .ST 1FKV 6HCPNB The statement reads in part, “the hospital welcomes all statutory inquiries and is cur rently fully cooperating with the relevant regulatory bodies as is the protocol in cases of this nature. It intends to continue doing so VOUJM B DPODMVTJPO JT SFBDIFE )PXFWFS XJUI regards to the numerous enquiries made by the media, the ethics of the medical profession does not allow the hospital to breach client confidentiality even in the extreme case of death. Therefore, the hospital in its bid to enforce that, will regretfully not be in a position to respond to these enquiries.

“The hospital further appeals to the general public not to exacerbate the grief of the de ceased’s family by speculating on unfounded rumours and unsubstantiated facts. We urge patience and restraint in order to allow the authorities conduct a thorough investigation and make their findings known. Once again, our sincere condolences to the family of the EFDFBTFE 8F QSBZ UIBU UIF -PSE DPNGPSUT them.”

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

iabetes has increased across the globe, with over 460 million people living with diabetes and about 4.2 million people died from this disease as at 2020. It is estimated that by 2045, over 700 million people will have the condition. Diabetes has also accounted for infertility both in male and female. Diabetes doubles a person’s risk to early death.

While the information above may seem threatening because of the very high burden of diabetes, this week’s topic is intended to resolve some vital mind bugging questions like: r8IBU JT %JBCFUFT BOE IPX DBO POF LOPX he/she is diabetic? r8IBU BSF UIF DBVTFT PG EJBCFUFT r)PX DBO EJBCFUFT BGGFDU NBMFT BOE female fertility? r8IBU JT QSFHOBODZ JOEVDFE EJBCFUFT and how can it be managed? r.BOBHFNFOU BOE QSFWFOUJPO PG %JBCFUFT .FMMJUVT %.

DPNNPOMZ SFGFSSFE UP BT Diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders in which there are high blood sugar level over a prolonged period.

What are the symptoms of high blood sugar? r'SFRVFOU VSJOBUJPO r*ODSFBTFE UIJSTU r*ODSFBTFE IVOHFS Diabetes if left untreated may result in acute complications like; r%JBCFUJD LFUPBDJEPTJT B DPOEJUJPO XIFSF the body produces too much acid which NBZ MFBE UP DPNB

r)ZQFSPTNPMBS IZQFSHMZDBFNJB r%FBUI Effects of Diabetes on other organs includes r $BSEJPWBTDVMBS IFBSU EJTFBTF r 4USPLF r $ISPOJD LJEOFZ EJTFBTF r 'PPU VMDFS r %BNBHF UP UIF FZFT Cause of Diabetes Mellitus The organ called the pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that makes it possible for the cells of the body to utilize the sugar gotten from the foods consumed. r %. NBZ PDDVS EVF UP JOTVGGJDJFOU Insulin production. r %. NBZ BMTP CF EVF UP UIF DFMMT of the body not responding properly to the insulin produced.

Types of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) r 5ZQF %. PDDVST EVF UP GBJMVSF PG the Pancreas to produce enough Insulin.

5IJT GPSN PG %. JT BMTP SFGFSSFE UP BT *OTVMJO %FQFOEFOU %JBCFUFT .FMMJUVT *%%.

PS +VWFOJMF EJBCFUFT JUT DBVTF JT unknown. r5ZQF %. CFHJOT XJUI JOTVMJO SFTJT tance, a condition in which the cells fail to respond to insulin properly. As the condition progresses a lack of insulin may develop.

The most common cause is excessive body weight and physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol and tobacco consumption. r(FTUBUJPOBM %. UIJT PDDVST XIFO B pregnant woman with no previous history of diabetes develop high blood sugar level.

Effect of Diabetes Mellitus on Fertility *OGFSUJMJUZ BT EFàOFE CZ 8PSME )FBMUI 0SHBOJ[BUJPO 8)0 JT UIF JOBCJMJUZ UP

conceive an offspring. Depending on the age of the individual, if less than 35 years, one year of unprotected timed intercourse, if over 35 years only six months of unprotected timed intercourse before being labelled as infertile. Timed intercourse means the intercourse at the ovulation of the egg of the female.

Effect of Diabetes on Fertility of Males .FO DBO TVGGFS FSFDUJMF EZTGVODUJPO PS difficult erection of the penis, delayed ejaculation and reduced sperm quantity BOE FWFO SFEVDFE UFTUPTUFSPOF PS TFYVBM EFTJSF .FO UIBU TVGGFS JOGFSUJMJUZ GSPN Diabetes, their erection difficulties are caused by nerve damage and slower circulation in the small blood vessels due to poorly controlled diabetes.

When the nerves of the male organ, the penis, are damaged, there is lack of sensitivity and the ability to ejaculate or eject, the sperm is also impaired and in some cases there is delayed emission of the sperm. Backwards or retrograde ejaculation occurs from damage of the nerves of the penis when the bladder remains open during ejaculation and the sperm enters the bladder instead of exiting normally from the penis. This backwards movement of the sperm would delay the fertilization of the awaiting egg thereby causing infertility of the male partner. r7BSJPVT SFTFBSDI TUVEJFT PO UIF FGGFDU of Diabetes have revealed a reduced sperm quality, therefore reducing the male fertility. r %JBCFUFT BMTP MPXFST MFWFMT PG UIF NBMF hormone, testosterone, which leads to low TQFSN DPVOU BOE SFEVDFE MJCJEP TFY ESJWF

Effect of Diabetes on Fertility of Females r1PMZDZTUJD 0WBSJBO 4ZOESPNF 1$04

r 0*JHPNFOPSSIFB *SSFHVMBS QFSJPET

r 4FDPOEBSZ "NFOPSSIFB QFSJPE UIBU TUPQ BOE SFTUBSU

r1SFNBUVSF NFOPQBVTF DPNQMFUF BSSFTU PG QFSJPET FBSMJFS UIBO VTVBM

r%JBCFUFT DBO DBVTF QSFHOBODZ UP CF B OJHIUNBSF XJUI (FTUBUJPOBM %JBCFUFT 1PMZDZTUJD 0WBSJBO 4ZOESPNF 1$04 QSFWJ ously presented in This Day health column, deals with women that have multiple cysts in the ovaries leading to missed periods and infertility. There is a close association with PCFTJUZ BOE %JBCFUFT 4UVEJFT IBWF TIPXO UIBU GFNBMFT XJUI 5ZQF $IJMEIPPE BOE 5ZQF "EVMU POTFU %JBCFUFT JT QSPOF UP 1PMZDZTUJD PWBSJBO TZOESPNF 1$04

Women with Diabetes have disorganized cycles of period in the form of missed periods 0*JHPNFOPSSIFB BOE FWFO MPOH JOUFSWBMT PG OP QFSJPET TFDPOEBSZ BNFOPSSIFB 5IJT JT as a result of the pituitary gland hormones losing its control of the reproductive organs.

Management .PTU PG UIFTF JOGFSUJMJUZ JTTVFT DBO be handled with ease through Assisted 3FQSPEVDUJWF 5FDIOPMPHZ "35 VTJOH *O 7JUSP 'FSUJMJ[BUJPO *7' UFDIOJRVFT At times, consultation with an urologist and use of special surgical techniques, 5&4" BSF OFDFTTBSZ UP FOTVSF EFMJWFSZ PG a single normal and viable sperm to the BXBJUJOH FHH $MPTF DPMMBCPSBUJPO XJUI your fertility specialist will help with the understanding of the proper medications and lifestyle change needed to be at the peak of Reproductive health even in Diabet ics……………………………………..………….

TO BE CONTINUED

42

T H I S D AY ˾ , MAY 27, 2021

NEWS

NIGCOMSAT Delivers Mobile Biometric Enrollment Kit to NHIS Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË The operation of health insurance using contemporary information and communication technology (ICT) equipment has received a significant boost with the delivery of 37 customised Mobile Biometric Enrollment kit and 100 identity card printers to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

The Nigerian Communica-

tion Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) recently presented the full complement of the devices to the Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) Prof Mohammed Sambo, in Abuja.

A statement by the Head of Media and Public Relations, Emmanuel Ononokpono quoted Sambo as saying that the electronic platform would transform the entire operations of health insurance in the

country from enrollment to access to healthcare.

Sambo also explained that the device would enhance the registration activities in rural areas, especially hardto-reach places where there is no electricity.

While tracing the history of the e-NHIS project, Sambo said the reformed ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari had led to the introduction various initiatives aimed at

improving service delivery by the scheme.

He also expresed gratitude to the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire for his unflinching support which facilitated Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for the project.

Deputy Manager, of NIGCOMSAT, Mr Akin Morakinyo said the kit is rugged, tamperproof and waterproof (IP67 standard,) which comprised a laptop, fingerprint scanner,

signature pad, HD webcam, thermal printer and 45000mah backup battery that could last eight hours without charge.

He added that that the device could work online and offline while its accompanying identity card printer could produce 1000 cards per kit per day. General Manager of Human Resources (NIGCOMSAT), Alhaji. Idris Adamu, who led the agency’s team of experts, further explained that the enrollment kit would enable NHIS meet its

obligations as contained in the partnership agreement with the Nigeria Identity Management Commission (NIMC) on the compulsory National Identity Number (NIN), adding that the kit was custom-made for the scheme.

Adamu further explained that in the event of the kit falling from a 10-feet height it would suffer no disrepair, because the device was carefully designed to withstand intense physical pressure.

Mother of Two Needs N15 Million Kidney Transplant to Stay Alive Emmanuel Ugwu For Mrs. Florence Ngozi Eluwa, pains have become second nature. The 57 year old mother of two doesn’t even know if and when she would be free from the pains ravaging her body. She has been enduring it for over a year now.

Mrs. Eluwa found herself in this pathetic condition due to kidney problem with complications which requires that she must undergo a kidney transplant procedure to stay alive. But the financial cost is well beyond her family as almost every money that comes in goes into payment for drugs and medical bills.

“We need help from public spirited Nigerians and organisations” pleaded Mr. Chibuike Benjamin Eluwa, the husband of the sick woman. “My wife has kidney problem and she needs a kidney transplant” to stay alive.

With worried look pensive voice the embattled husband and father narrated how the family has been struggling to keep the mother of the house alive since she was diagnosed

with kidney disease.

According to him, the signs of the ailment started manifesting in May 2020 when Mrs. Eluwa, a computer operator at a mission school started having “unusual health issues”.

Initially the family thought it was an “ordinary sickness” but it turned out to be a serious one when the sick woman was taken to the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba. It was there that medical diagnosis revealed a case of high blood pressure and advanced diabetes. Her legs were already swollen and her blood count was low.

After undergoing treatment which included transfusion with four pints of blood, Mrs. Eluwa was discharged on June 2, 2020 but by September her condition degenerated to the extent that she was finding it difficult to breathe.

She was taken back to ABSUTH and it was discovered that her kidney was not functioning well hence the swollen legs.

Her body was not getting rid of liquid waste as it should.

She was discharged from the hospital in October 2020 after undergoing treatment.

Barely 24 hours after returning from admission at ABSUTH, Mrs. Eluwa started experiencing breathlessness and the family decided to seek medical to seek help in private health facility.

It was at the Methodist Hospital Uzuakoli, a mission hospital, that an expatriate doctor diagnosed the patient with kidney failure and recommended dialysis.

Since then, Mrs. Eluwa has been undergoing dialysis.

Her medical report from the

Beatitudes Dialysis and Kidney Care Center, dated April 5, 2021, shows that the patient “is currently dialysis dependent”.

The family from Umuahia South Local Government is really groaning under the weight of financial cost of “renal care by continuous hemodialysis at least three times a week”.

Each session with other necessary occasional blood transfusion costs about N45,000 making a total of N135,000 per week. Not only that, the patient also needs a permanent tunnel neckline Vascular Access for continuous hemodialysis at a cost of N180,000.

Both the patient and her husband evoked pity in their helpless situation. They don’t know how long they could hang on without the needed financial support.

Mr. Eluwa is a technologist and lectures at Temple Polytechnic Aba, a private institution. He lamented that he is financially exhausted as all his meagre earnings goes into medical bill, adding that family members have equally assisted the much they could.

As a way out of the dialysis dependent life and its attendant cost the doctor handling Mrs. Eluwa’s case has recommended that the patient should consider a possible kidney transplant.

“She currently cannot continue hemodialysis and other renal care on account of serious financial constraints,” the doctor wrote in a medical report dated April 12, 2021.

According to him, “the projected cost for her possible transplant, including donor/ recipient screening, surgery, donor pay and post transplant needs is about N15 million”.

At the family’s modest house located at the Federal Housing Estate, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Mrs. Eluwa keeps groaning in pains.

“I earnestly ask people to help me come out of this condition. I can’t sleep, I can’t breathe well, I can’t even sit down very well,” she said in very low tone. The patient is really struggling to stay alive and needs URGENT help to win the battle.

Mr. Chibuike Eluwa can be reached on his GSM line: 08039476713. Acct. Details: Eluwa Chibuike Benjamin, 3096945336, First Bank.

How Paelon Memorial Hospital is Boosting Healthcare Mary Nnah Since the World Health Organisation (WHO) in April 2020 declared the novel COVID-19 a global pandemic, the effect of the ravaging deadly virus has been overwhelming.

From fatalities to harsh economic realities, institutions across the globe and consequentially Africa, has been challenged to fix and update antiquated health systems and existing infrastructures to contain and combat the widespread of COVID-19.

The pandemic did not only engender global lockdown but also a meltdown of global economic activities, which resulted to huge losses in Nigeria’s major export of crude.

Consequently, this decline in economic activities led to drastic decline in accruing revenues from oil sale in oil-dependent nations like Nigeria, thereby plunging the country into economic recession.

The outbreak of the pandemic, which disseminated globally, became an eye-opener to the reality of how the world is interconnected beyond race, ethnicity and culture. This made it necessary for nations to take proactive measures to guard against being convulsed by upheavals.

However, in developing countries as Nigeria and others with the challenges of quality health care, constraints in infrastructural development poor health systems posed a far greater threat than the virus itself.

The pandemic exposed the age long vulnerability of Nigeria’s healthcare system without remedial steps to address them till date. From lack of basic equipment in hospitals, to lack of essential drugs in the shelves, epileptic power supply and poor remuneration of medical personnel, the deterioration had persisted. While countries have turned to dividends of long hard years of infrastructural development, Nigeria is a far cry from this benefit.

Looking back to 2020 and the effect of the pandemic in Nigeria, a few hospitals who sprang into action to combat the deadly COVID-19 was instrumental to the fight against the virus.

Health institutions like Paelon Memorial Hospital was one of

the very few private hospitals accredited by the Lagos State Ministry of Health to provide care to people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, both on outpatient and inpatient basis.

Upon the outbreak in Nigeria and in less than two months, the hospital’s management led by Dr. Ngozi Onyia repurposed, equipped and converted one of its branches in Ikeja into an approved COVID-19 treatment centre with isolation units, special assistance, apt medical system, tests and treatments, emergency response services, and cultivated appropriate leadership measures, saving hundreds of lives.

According to Onyia, “Paelon’s

prominent role in the management of Covid was fortuitous, which in turn increased the hospital’s visibility in the healthcare space, locally and internationally as they recorded a management of about 3000 patients.”

While the bulk of safekeeping and prevention rests in the responsibility of each individual, the management of the facility further extended its contributions to the fight through channels, such as conducting health webinars and infomercials to enable mass sensitisation of the public.

“It’s no wonder out of 1,985 previously assessed hospitals across Africa, in 2016, Paelon Memorial Hospital became the first hospital in Safe Care’s history to be awarded five stars. In

2020, the hospital was reassessed and re-awarded five stars as the first hospital in Africa and the only hospital in Nigeria to be awarded such recognition”, she noted further.

With a patient-centric approach to care and robust clinical governance, Paelon’s health care administration process has been implemented to ensure continuous quality improvement and the adherence to international standards for ethics and compliance. It also encourages better communication, prevention and social distancing in the country.

Paelon Memorial hospital has consistently shown initiative and great regard for human life as demonstrated in its reaction and dealing with the outbreak of the pandemic in Nigeria.

Emir Champions Family Planning, Charges Government to Create Awareness Igbawase Ukumba ÓØ ËʨË The Emir of Awe, Alhaji Isa Abubakar II, recently adviced his subjects to embrace family planning, just as he charged the government to create more awareness on the gains of spacing.

He also cautioned his subjects against marrying many wives above their personal income to avoid improper attention to family responsibility. The Awe monarch gave the caution at his

palace during an interaction with members of the Media Action for Family Planning in Nasarawa (MAFPN), who were on a sensitisation tour of his domain of Awe Local Government Area of the state on family planning.

Acccording to him, “nobody can stop anybody from procreation, but most husbands have not been living up to their responsibility of catering for the proper wellbeing of their families due to marrying of many wives

above their income.

“However, in the northern part of the country, religion permits us to marry many wives. But child bearing deteriorates health condition of child bearing mothers, hence I support the idea of child spacing method being championed by the MAFPN.” The monarch therefore decried at situations where some mothers would be breast feeding their children and at the same time pregnant for the next child, a

situation he said makes such mothers look older than their real age. He concluded that if government had created awareness on the benefits of child spacing before the introduction of the child spacing method in the country, the acceptability of the method would have been more as compared to the present situation. However, Officer-inCharge of the Primary Healthcare Clinic of Old Awe town, Mrs Ammagai Arigu, argued that the

non-acceptance of child spacing method by women in the Awe community was due to some privileges the women get from their husbands during naming ceremonies of their new born children. She said: “You know we are in Hausa land, therefore some of the women said if they space their child bearing rate, they will forfeit some certain privileges attached to child bearing, such as meat, from their husbands.

“Some of them said they

wouldn’t want to miss such opportunity from their husbands because anytime they give birth, they are entitled to some meat from the ram slaughtered for the naming ceremony of the new child they have given birth to.”

Earlier, Leader of the MAFPN, Mr. Joseph Baba Edoh, told the traditional ruler of Awe that the mission of the team in his domain was to create awareness to people on the benefits of family planning in the society.

43

T H I S D AY ˾ , MAY 27, 2021

FEATURES

Enhancing Universal Health Coverage in Katsina Francis Sardauna writes that the launch of the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Scheme by Governor Aminu Bello Masari will drive the process of achieving universal health coverage in the state

G

overnor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State had in December 27, 2018, signed into law the bill establishing the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KTSCHMA), which is another milestone of the ‘Restoration Agenda’ of his administration that is effectively enhencing healthcare delivery system across the nook and crannies of the state.

The agency, established by Law number 10 of 2018, is an institutional framework for improving healthcare financing through contributions, taxes or premiums paid into common pool to make accessibility to healthcare services efficient and affordable for all residents of the state, particularly the most vulnerable ones in villages and communities across the state.

KTSCHMA under the leadership of Mohammad Tukur Safana, has a vision of ensuring a strong, dynamic and responsive state contributory healthcare scheme that is committed to securing a sustainable universal health coverage and access to adequate healthcare in order to improve the health status of millions of Katsina residents.

The historic agency, among other notable responsibilities, is to manage the State Contributory Healthcare Scheme, set up operational guildelines and standards for the scheme, promote and ensure effective implementation of the policies and procedures of the scheme for sustainable development. The formal sector of the noble scheme is designed for workers who have structured salary.

The contributory healthcare scheme is principally aimed at promoting accessibility to effective and qualitative healthcare services, protect families from the financial hardship of healthcare bills through the provision of affordable health services, limit the inflationary rise in the cost of healthcare services.

Other objectives include equitable distribution of healthcare costs across different income groups, maintain high standard of healthcare delivery services within the health sector, ensure efficiency in healthcare service delivery, improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of healthcare services across the state.

Accordingly, the contributory healthcare system is designed for all elected and political appointees, public civil servants under the payroll of both state and local governments, retired civil servants, staffers of private organisations with a minimum of five workforce and those under the tertiary institutions contributory healthcare programme.

The scheme, however, does not specify the contributions of Katsina state public civil servants, but stated that it shall be determined by the KTSCHMA in consultation with labour unions on the percentage to be deducted. For retired civil servants, contribution rates are to be determined after due consultation with relevant stakeholders in the state.

But for the organised private sector, the employer will pay 10 per cent while the employee pays five per cent representing 15 per cent of the employee’s monthly salary collective of which shall not be less than N5,000. But the employer and employee may decide to pay the entire contribution. For students under the Tertiary Institutions Contributory Healthcate Programme (TICHP), payment of their contribution will be

Governor Masari during his enrolment into the contributory healthcare scheme

per academic session at the rate of N2,000 but subject to review by the KTSCHMA. There is a processing or waiting period of three months before an enrollee of the scheme can start accessing healthcare services.

Meanwhile, the scope of coverage for the formal sector of the scheme covers an employee, a spouse and four biological children below the age of 18 years, while principals are allowed to register a maximum of four extra dependents after the payment of N9,000 per annum, but the extra dependent has to be a wife, biological parents or children below the age of 18 years.

The scheme prohibited multiple registration and enrolment of ineligible dependents or spouse, therefore all enrollees should note that multiple registration and that of ineligible dependents or spouse is a criminal offence punishable by law. Similarly, all registrations are to be done electronically.

Interestingly, enrollees of the scheme are eligible to enjoy some benefits which include free treatment at the nearest NHIS accredited healthcare facility that registered with the KTSCHMA in the case of emergency, change primary healthcare facility after six months, add or remove dependents as well as choose any accreditted NHIS primary healthcare facility registered with the agency.

While flagging-off the implementation of the contributory healthcare scheme, Governor Masari said KTSCHMA has so far enrolled 320,000 persons in the formal sector programme of the scheme and 53,241 vulnerable persons are expected to be covered under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF).

He said one per cent of the state statutory allocation has been appropriated in the 2021 budget and dedicated to the state Contributory

Healthcare Management Agency as equity fund for the vulnerable groups and matching grant for BHCPF to tackle risk pool of the scheme.

He said: “The Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Scheme is designed to be one of the successful reforms in the health sector with over 320,000 prospective enrollees in the formal sector programme and 53,241 vulnerable population to be covered under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.”

Masari explained that the contributory healthcare scheme would significally reduce catastrophic healthcare expenditure among the people of the state, assuring them that adequate funds would be accorded to the scheme for efficient and quality health services for all Katsina residents, particularly the poor masses and the vulnerable across the 34 local governmemt areas of the state.

He said: “Our vision is to achieve universal health coverage for all residents of Katsina State where no one will be left behind in accessing healthcare, hence the need to provide a credible and sustainable mechanism for pooling resources to finance healthcare provisions under the formal and the informal sector programmes of the scheme”.

As part of the plans for the implementation of the scheme, he said a stakeholders engagement was held to agreed on the percentage contributions from beneficiaries under the formal sector programme, where 2.5 per cent of the consolidated salaries of public servants was agreed as contribution against the 35 per cent average expenditure on healthcare according to the baseline survey conducted by the agency.

According to the governor, the contributory scheme was designed to be one of the effective reforms in the state health sector and his

administration would not relent in its efforts to ensure that the people of the state have access to efficient and effective healthcare services at both state, local and ward levels in the state.

Governor Masari reiterated that arrangements were ongoing to integrate the state retired civil servants into the scheme as soon as the contributory pension scheme law is passed, saying the contributory scheme is driving the process of achieving universal health coverage in the state.

He added: “All these are parts of government’s intervention towards setting up a sustainable healthcare delivery system that will drive the process of achieving universal health coverage by ensuring that all residents of Katsina State have access to effective, qualitative and affordable healthcare services”.

In his opening remarks at the event, the State Commissioner for Health Yakubu Nuhu Danja affirmed that the contributory scheme would protect families from financial hardship of huge medical bills and ensure improvement of health facilities across the state.

On his part, the Director-general of KTSCHMA, Mohammad Tukur Safana, said the agency has embarked on activities to keep the commitment of the Masari-led administration in the health sector alive.

He vowed to ensure that the agency is both statutorily and administratively functional to actualise its core mandate towards the achievement of universal health coverage in the state.

It is therefore pertinent to note that with the early enrolment of 320,000 people into the formal sector programme of the contributory healthcare scheme and the projection of additional 53,241 vulnerable persons to be enrolled, shows that the scheme will avert health challenges afflicting residents of the state.

Pharmacy Council Shuts Down 424 Medicine Distribution Outlets Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) has sealed 424 business premises across the country for lack of operational conditions including poor storage and sanitation. As part of efforts to instil sanity in the drug distribution system, PCN said it has enlisted the support of the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to enforce regulations in the drug distribution business

in Nigeria.

Registrar of PCN, Mr. Elijah Mohammed who gave an update on the activities of the council during a press conference in Abuja, said one of the major factors militating against rational distribution and use of medicines in Nigeria is the existence of unregistered medicines shops across the country.

He said: “A total of 424 premises made up of 99 pharmacies and 32 patent medicine shops were sealed for various offences some of which

include operating without registration with PCN, failure to renew premises license, dispensing ethical products without the supervision of a pharmacist, poor storage and sanitary conditions among others while eight pharmacies and patent medicine shops were issued compliance directives.”

Mohammed explained that most of the medicine shops are operated by traders who know nothing about the therapeutic or pharmacokinetic profiles of the medicines they sell to

the public.

He said these premises pose serious threat to public health because they have over the years become channels for distributing of medicines whose quality, safety and efficacy have been compromised due to poor storage facilities and handling.

He said the motive behind the operations of most of these illegal medicine shops is profit.

“This has created room for unhealthy acts such as the sale of substances of abuse to criminal elements in the

society who carry out their nefarious activities under the influence of drugs.

“Furthermore, it has been found that some of these unregistered medicine dealers sell expired drugs using false labels to conceal actual status of medicines. “This portends grave danger to the public because some drugs are transformed to harmful products after expiration,” he said.

According to the Registrar, PCN enforcement team has been in FCT since last week

to ensure that all premises where medicines are sold fulfil conditions in terms of location, storage facilities, environment, documentation and personnel.

He said at the end of the enforcement exercise, 644 premises comprising 216 pharmacies and 428 patent medicine shops were visited.

Mohammed advised members of the public to purchase their medicines from licensed pharmacies and simple household remedies from licensed patent and propriety medicine’s vendors shop.

44

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ͵˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

ASR Africa Disburses N2.5bn for Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital Construction Hamid Ayodeji The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State government yesterday held the groundbreaking and commencement of the construction of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital at a ceremony in Uyo. The construction of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching is being supported by a N5 billion ASR Africa Health Infrastructure Grant for which N2.5billion has been disbursed immediately to commence construction.

The ASR Africa Initiative was established by African industrialist, philanthropist and founder of Nigeria’s BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, and seeks to support sustainable development initiatives in Health, Education

and Social Development within Nigeria and the rest of Africa through its annual $100 million dollars ‘Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal’.

In his comments, the Governor of Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel, was quoted in a statement to have thanked the ASR Africa initiative and its Chairman, Rabiu, for the gesture and promised to ensure the grant was put to good use.

“We are happy to receive the first tranche of N2.5 billion from the ASR Africa Initiative and today’s groundbreaking ceremony coming just two weeks after the N5 billion grant was announced signposts the seriousness we attach to delivering a teaching hospital that would be a model for others and one Nigeria would be proud of,” the governor said.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Managing Director

of ASR Africa, Ubon Udoh, stated that the purpose of gesture was to align with the government’s developmental plans for the people of the state.

“We earlier in the month announced a N5 billion grant to the state for healthcare and social development as part of our annual $100 million dollars Annual Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal.

“Today, we have also handed over a first tranche of N2.5 billion to commence construction of the Teaching hospital which will be of international standards.

“This project in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Government, will be implemented and monitored fully in line with the ASR Africa Mutual Accountability Framework.”, Udoh said.

L-R: Group Head Corporate Communications BUA, O’tega Ogra; Managing Director, ASR Africa, Udoh Ubon, and Rrepresentative of the Founder, ASR Africa Initiative, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong; presenting the first tranche of the N5 billion ASR Africa health & social development grant to Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, at the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Akwa Ibom State University Teaching Hospital held in Uyo…yesterday

MARKET INDICATORS

Ecobank Partners LSETF to Support Lagos MSMEs Nume Ekeghe ËØÎ Chiamaka Ozulumba Ecobank Nigeria and the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) have reached a strategic collaboration to reduce unemployment in the state through the promotion of entrepreneurship and capacity development for Lagos-based micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the arrangement, Ecobank is expected to make available its various platforms and solutions to LSETF for prequalified MSMEs in Lagos to drive attainment of the objectives as set out by LSETF and Ecobank Nigeria. Commenting on the partnership, Executive Director,

Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs. Carol Oyedeji, said the collaboration was in line with the bank’s empowerment and entrepreneurship initiatives to reduce unemployment in various parts of the country.

She stressed that the collaboration would be mutually beneficial to both parties as it would achieve sustainable business growth and overall skill development amongst MSMEs operating in Lagos state.

She pointed out that the partnership would engender structured capacity building, technology skill acquisition, access to business mentoring and access to finance.

Specifically, Oyedeji stated that, “We are currently driving the African Union Initiative

for MSMEs in Africa which includes a structured training and mentoring scheme including financing for MSMEs under the auspices of the Ecobank AUDANEPAD Academy. “This initiative comprehensively covers the main objectives of the LSETF’s Intervention in the MSME space.

Ecobank has been very active in empowering existing and intending entrepreneurs all over the country under the Ecobank agency banking proposition.

“This is intended to create additional revenue sources for the entrepreneurs wherever they are. We are also disposed to admit all eligible Lagos based entrepreneurs and intending entrepreneurs into this growing agency banking network.”

Polaris’Digital Bank Gets Rave Reviews from Customers VULTe, Polaris Bank’s digital banking platform has received positive rating from customers, few days after launch, with many describing the platform as convenient, user-friendly and secure. According to a statement from the bank, a wide spectrum of customers in their various testimonials as captured on the Google Play and App store, assigned the digital bank service a five-star rating, stating that their user experience of the Polaris Bank’s VULTe was highly positive.

A user, Paul Muraina, was quoted to have said: “Onboarding is seamless without a physical presence in the bank

for activation,’’ while another customer, Suleman Zia Usman, stated, ‘‘Deep...rich contents...No failed transactions...user friendly.’’

Yunus Hassan, in his assessment, noted: ‘‘Indeed, VULTe app is one of the best mobile banking services. It’s very convenient, easy to transfer money and no need for you to go to the Bank for set-up; you can do it easily by yourself. And you can even add the transaction limit on your own.’’ On his part, Edwin Ikechukwu Allanah commented: “Excellent app. It’s superb’’, just as Arigor Edet, was wowed by VULTe’s speed feature.

“Wow, this is what you call a banking app. This is how you

update an app, the interface totally set my soul on fire. The response time is great, Polaris just made it better…’’ he said.

In the same vein, Shola Makinwa was thrilled by the convenience feature, noting, ‘‘Wonderful app... I am able to use it easily and conveniently’’, while John Oladele summed his experience thus: ‘‘It’s an awesome online banking experience.’’

Also, Engr. Peter Attah Michael on his own, applauded VULTe thus: ‘‘When we say digital bank, we aren’t talking about the goodness and smoothness of transactions, we are talking about security, interface communication, navigation, alignment of options.

Piaggio Group, Bhojsona Strengthen Partnership Piaggio Vehicles Pvt Ltd (PVPL), a subsidiary of the Italian Piaggio Group and India’s manufacturer of small commercial vehicles, have announced its distribution partnership with Bhojsons Group of Nigeria.

Bhojsons Group is a renowned conglomerate headquartered in Lagos with diversified business interests in varied sectors spanning automobiles, fast-moving consumer goods, consumer durable goods, power solutions, packaging solutions, polymers,

agricultural machinery, domestic machinery and infrastructural needs for the telecom industry.

A statement explained that through the partnership, Piaggio aims to introduce a diverse product portfolio that includes passenger and cargo three wheelers under its flagship brand Ape’.

“Piaggio commercial aims to increase its penetration along with Bhojsons Group in various parts of Nigeria to come close to its customer with its last-mile

transportation offerings.

“The opening of multiple Dealerships and their training under Bhojsons across Nigeria is also in process. This will also help Piaggio customers in the region to have access to the entire Service & Warranty package offered by Piaggio.

“This association with Bhojsons Group for Nigerian Market marks Piaggio’s footprint expansion in more than 60 countries globally,” the statement added.

MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

---- Memo: Credit to Govt. (Net) less FMA

0.00

---- Memo: Fed. and Mirror Accounts (FMA)

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR) Monetary Policy Rate (MPR)

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ Ͱͳ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $67.41 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $66.93 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

45

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ͵˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Shareholders Commend Dangote Cement’s N272.6bn Dividend Pay-out Goddy Egene Shareholders of Dangote Cement Plc yesterday commended the management of the company for an impressive performance despite the economic challenges and the payment of N272.6 billion as dividend for 2020 financial year.

The dividend translated to N16 per share.

The shareholders at the virtual 12th Annual General Meeting

(AGM) held in Lagos, also commended the management for the full disclosure provided for the year, share buyback process and the various donations made at COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking at the 12th annual general meeting (AGM) in Lagos, the founding National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Sir Sunny Nwosu commended the company for attaining a trillion-naira revenue growth, saying that the

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

company was moving in the best way of corporate governance.

He appealed to the company to prevail on its numerous distributors who arbitrarily sell cement at very high costs as against the real factory price, thereby making so much profit for themselves. Another shareholder, Nona Awoh applauded the board for the consistency in dividend payout, urging the board to consider payment of dividend twice a year.

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

In his address to shareholders, Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote assured them of better returns always, noting that the company is doing everything possible to create wealth for its shareholders and other stakeholders. According to him, despite the challenging year impacted

by COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a record year for Dangote Cement across board.

“Dangote Cement hit the N1 trillion mark in term of revenue.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Group revenues were up 16 per cent compared to 2019. We record Group cement sales of 25.7 million tonnes (Mt) and revenues of N1.034 trillion. Most notably was our record high EBITDA of N478.1 billion, up 20.9 per cent compared to 2019…”

He said in 2020, they inaugurated their Apapa and Onne export terminals in Nigeria and commenced clinker exports to West and Central Africa.

“The vision for our exporter

O F

strategy is to make West and Central Africa cement and clinker self-sufficient, with Nigeria as the main supplier and exporter. We also remain focused on meeting the demand in Nigeria and as such, we increased our capacity by three metric tonnes (MT) on Obajana and we commissioned our gas-fired power plant in Tanzania.Our Nigerian domestic operations sold 15.6Mt, up 14.3 per cent year-on-year, growing ahead the market.

2 6 / 0 5 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

46

˾ THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021

Thursday, May 27, 2021 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Down 18bps The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ůŽƐƚ ϭϴďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

1,692.40 points. The loss was on the back of price depreciaƟŽŶ ŝŶ ZENITH (-1.1%), UBA (-0.7%), and FBNH (-0.7%).

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

dŚĞƐĞ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϭ͘ϳй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ZƵŶ ŽŶƟŶƵĞƐ͘​͘​͘ ^/ ĚŽǁŶ ϲďƉƐ

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,689.29

-0.18%

837.00

0.0%

32.2%

74.25

0.0%

11.3%

-4.0%

28.45

-0.7%

8.5%

-12.1%

ĞĂƌŝƐŚ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ persisted on the local bourse yesterday,

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc

as the All-Share Index fell by 6bps to close at 38,233.68

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC

points following price decline in ZENITH (-1.1%), FLOURMILL (-5.3%), and GUARANTY (-0.7%). Consequently, YTD

Price Previous Change Current Price YTD Weighting Change

5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC 8 Lafarge Africa PLC

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

5.3x

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

15.1%

68.9%

13.0%

3.3%

-1.7%

-1.7%

10.0%

3.5%

0.6x

5.7%

13.4%

-4.0%

19.1%

11.2%

35.7x

6.7x

2.4%

2.8%

-12.1%

26.6%

4.3%

4.1x

1.0x

10.5%

24.4%

2.1%

22.80

-1.1%

6.5%

-8.1%

-8.1%

23.1%

2.9%

3.1x

0.7x

13.0%

32.5%

210.00

0.0%

5.4%

-14.3%

-14.3%

32.0%

15.5%

11.8x

3.7x

7.8%

8.5%

160.50

0.0%

4.8%

-5.5%

-5.5%

14.3x

13.0x

5.9%

7.0%

1,384.50

0.0%

3.8%

-8.0%

-8.0%

3.6%

104.8%

17.8%

28.0x

37.5x

4.4%

20.50

0.0%

3.4%

-2.6%

-2.6%

8.8%

6.2%

10.3x

0.9x

4.9%

9.7%

8.20

1.2%

2.8%

-3.0%

-3.0%

16.4%

1.4%

2.5x

0.4x

9.8%

40.1%

ďLJ േϭϮ͘ϭďŶ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ Ăƚ േϭϵ͘ϵƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ

9 Access Bank PLC 10 United Bank for Africa PLC

7.10

-0.7%

2.3%

-17.9%

-17.9%

7.10

-0.7%

mixed as volume traded fell by 18.8% to 203.1m units while

11 FBN Holdings Plc 12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

2.5%

-0.7%

-0.7%

11.1%

1.1%

3.8x

0.3x

6.3%

58.00

0.9%

2.2%

3.6%

3.6%

4.5%

1.8%

62.9x

2.9x

1.6%

1.6%

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC 14 International Brew eries PLC

46.00

0.0%

2.2%

4.4%

4.4%

20.7%

2.9%

7.0x

1.4x

8.7%

14.3%

5.70

0.0%

1.6%

-4.2%

-4.2%

-15.5%

-3.4%

15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

27.95

-5.3%

1.2%

7.5%

7.5%

682.00

0.0%

loss worsened to -5.1% ǁŚŝůĞ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ

value traded rose by 17.0% to േϭ͘ϴďŶ͘ dŚĞ ŵŽƐƚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ stocks by volume were FIDELITY (24.4m units), ZENITH (22.1m units), and MBENEFIT (16.9m units) while ZENITH ;േϱϬϴ͘ϬŵͿ͕ GUARANTY ;േϯϲϴ͘ϮŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ UACN ;േϭϯϭ͘ϰŵͿ led by value.

17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

219.50

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc

21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc

DŝdžĞĚ ^ĞĐƚŽƌ WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ

23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

Across sectors under our coverage, performance was mixed

25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC

ĂƐ Ϯ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ ϭ ŐĂŝŶĞĚ͕ ǁŚŝůĞ ϯ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŚĞ ĂŶŬŝŶŐ

27 Unilever Nigeria PLC 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC

and Consumer Goods ůŽƐƚ Ϭ͘ϰй ĂŶĚ ϴďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕ ĨŽůͲ

29 United Capital PLC 30 Guinness Nigeria PLC

lowing

sell-ŽīƐ ŝŶ

ZENITH

(-1.1%),

GUARANTY

(-

0.7%), FLOURMILL (-5.3%), and E'^h' Z (-0.3%). Conversely, the Insurance index emerged as the lone gainer, up ďLJ ϭ͘Ϯй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ > ^ K (+9.1%) and D E^ Z (+1.2%). However, the Oil & Gas, Industrial Goods, and AFRI-/ d ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ as measured by market breadth ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘ϰdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϲdž ŝŶ the last trading session as 20 stocks advanced while 14 declined. JOHNHOLT (+9.6%), VITAFOAM (+9.2%) and > ^ K (+9.1%) led gainers while FTNCOCOA (-7.3%), EW&D Z& < (-5.6%) and FLOURMILL (-5.3%) led decliners.

We expect the market to remain bearish in the next trading

5.0%

1.8%

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%

96.50

0.0%

0.9%

6.0%

6.0%

24.6%

16.0%

11.7x

2.7x

7.3%

8.5%

2.27

-0.9%

0.7%

-9.9%

-9.9%

11.4%

1.1%

2.3x

0.2x

9.7%

44.2%

14.2%

5.20

1.0%

0.6%

-13.3%

-13.3%

0.3%

0.0%

69.1x

0.2x

17.15

-0.3%

0.6%

-2.6%

-2.6%

25.5%

12.6%

7.0x

1.7x

8.7%

2.99

0.0%

0.5%

-10.2%

-10.2%

5.0%

30.8%

1.68

-0.6%

0.3%

-17.6%

-17.6%

9.2%

0.9%

4.2x

0.4x

3.0%

24.1%

14.80

0.0%

0.4%

2.1%

2.1%

18.4%

5.8%

8.6x

3.2x

2.8%

11.7%

0.84

-1.2%

0.3%

-6.7%

-6.7%

-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%

12.35

0.0%

0.2%

-11.2%

-11.2%

-6.2%

-4.1%

15.0x

1.1x

0.0%

0.2%

0.0%

0.0%

0.3%

0.3%

31.8%

31.8%

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

1.15

0.0%

0.2%

1.8%

1.8%

20.5%

3.3%

3.2x

0.2x

145.00

0.0%

0.2%

11.5%

11.5%

19.10

0.0%

0.2%

7.3%

7.3%

8.3%

1.1%

8.3x

35 Wema Bank PLC 36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

0.57

-1.7%

0.1%

-17.4%

0.0%

0.0%

37 Oando PLC 38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

3.00

0.0%

0.1%

33 Total Nigeria PLC 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

39 Beta Glass PLC 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

-18.9%

1.4%

3.2x

5.30

31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC

-8.2%

0.7x

6.21

6.7% -5.6%

1.9% 4.7x

1.5x

11.3%

0.9x 9.4%

4.3%

4.6%

0.6x

2.0%

12.1% 33.9%

-17.4%

8.0%

0.5%

2.9x

0.4x

7.0%

-100.0%

7.4%

0.9%

6.6x

0.7x

4.3%

-18.9%

14.5%

2.6%

1.3x

0.2x

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-28.7%

-7.6%

0.0%

0.1%

-2.5%

-2.5%

9.3%

6.4%

3.57

0.0%

0.0%

-0.8%

-0.8%

-10.6%

-5.5%

15.1% 77.4%

1.9x 7.8x

33.5% 31.7%

21.9x

54.00

21.1% -22.4%

-16.8%

0.7x

2.1%

0.6x

12.9% -22.5%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

J OH N H OLT

0.68

9.7%

F ID ELIT YB K

24.4

-0.9%

VIT A F OA M

10.10

9.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

22.1

-1.1%

LA SA C O

1.56

9.1%

M B EN EF IT

16.9

0.0%

C ILEA SIN G

4.84

8.5%

SOVR EN IN S

16.9

7.1%

1.10

7.8%

T R A N SC OR P

13.8

-1.2%

R EGA LIN S

0.42

7.7%

GUA R A N T Y

12.9

-0.7%

SOVR EN IN S

0.30

7.1%

UA C N

11.9

1.8%

J A IZ B A N K

0.61

7.0%

FB NH

10.3

-0.7%

C H IP LC

0.63

6.8%

R EGA LIN S

7.4

7.7%

R OYA LEX

0.79

6.8%

UB A

6.9

-0.7%

T ic k er

LEA R N A F R C A

T ic k er

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

ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂďƐĞŶĐĞ ŽĨ Ă ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ĐĂƚĂůLJƐƚ͘ T ic k er F T N C OC OA NP FM CRFB K F LOUR M ILL

J A P A ULGOLD

P ric e 0.38

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

-7.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

508.0

-1.1%

368.2

-0.7%

P ric e C hg %

1.68

-5.6%

GUA R A N T Y

27.95

-5.3%

UA C N

131.4

1.8%

0.56

-1.8%

FB NH

72.9

-0.7%

WEM A B A N K

0.57

-1.7%

D A N GC EM

64.8

0.0%

T R A N SC OR P

0.84

-1.2%

SEP LA T

59.3

0.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

22.80

-1.1%

0.9%

F ID ELIT YB K

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

1.0x

26.4%

0.8%

T o p 10 G a in e r s

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

7.3%

2.27

NB

56.5

-0.9%

A C C ESS

55.6

1.2%

54.3

-0.9%

49.3

-0.7%

UB A

7.10

-0.7%

F ID ELIT YB K

FB NH

7.10

-0.7%

UB A

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com Taiwo Ogundipe | togundi-

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

47

THURSDAY, MAY 27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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 25May-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 152.03 153.54 -6.02% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 3.84% Nigeria International Debt Fund 300.77 300.77 -24.27% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.87 110.87 -1.09% 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 3.21 3.27 -10.84% 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 2.12% Anchoria Equity Fund 127.20 128.64 -4.37% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 -21.40% 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 N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund 36.91 38.02 9.50% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.08 1.09 -11.31% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.95 0.96 -14.69% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.29% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 104.27 104.27 2.52% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.95 1.95 -25.71% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 1.98 2.01 -29.24% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 1.08% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.73% Paramount Equity Fund 15.66 15.94 -2.11% Women's Investment Fund 130.82 132.18 -1.76% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.13% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 113.78 114.53 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 106.53 106.53 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.85% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.15 1.16 -4.29% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.34 1.34 -15.35% 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 2.81% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.97% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,155.16 1,162.43 -3.56% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,369.22 1,369.22 9.77% FBN Balanced Fund 183.81 184.94 -2.06% FBN Halal Fund 109.50 109.50 5.79% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.75% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 124.84 124.84 3.36% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 151.19 153.30 0.01% 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 3.65% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.74 2.81 19.63% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 148.49 148.92 -4.45% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.20 1.24 27.35% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 7.03% 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 1,138.64 1,138.64 3.10% 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 10.62 10.70 1.56% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.67% 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 1.65 7.33% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 12.39 12.45 2.12% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.66% PACAM Equity Fund 1.57 1.58 -1.02% PACAM EuroBond Fund 110.79 112.37 0.75% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 129.34 131.67 7.53% 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 2.80% 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 3,119.16 3,143.78 -3.01% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 229.57 229.57 2.10% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.18 1.19 0.42% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 300.98 300.98 2.14% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 214.74 217.42 -1.72% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.10% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,114.14 10,239.71 -3.71% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.25 1.25 2.22% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 113.67 113.67 2.33% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 101.06 101.06 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 -2.39% United Capital Bond Fund 1.94 1.94 2.53% United Capital Equity Fund 0.88 0.90 1.95% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.96% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.50 120.50 2.92% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.08 1.09 -0.45% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.05 1.05 4.96% 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 12.13 12.23 2.19% Zenith Ethical Fund 13.58 13.70 11.15% Zenith Income Fund 24.06 24.06 0.39% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.55%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

123.38 51.39

2.19% -1.93%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

12.22 122.90 96.06

12.32 122.90 97.80

-7.54% 0.95% -3.36%

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

3.70 5.56 16.73 1.00 18.59 159.17

3.74 5.64 16.83 1.00 18.79 161.17

-2.12% -2.32% 2.40% 3.66% -9.38% -27.19%

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.

48

THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021 • T H I S D AY

49

50

THURSDAY, ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

PAGE FIFTY POWER DEVOLUTION, STATE POLICE DEMANDS DOMINATE PUBLIC HEARINGS his counterpart in Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, called for a new constitution and not an amendment of the 1999 document.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, canvassed a special status for the state, which hitherto hosted the nation's capital.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also submitted a 72-page document, seeking the retention of the minimum wage, among other demands, while local government workers under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) asked the lawmakers to make local governments autonomous.

Under the exercise, each of the six geopolitical zones was assigned two venues each to enable groups and individuals to present their demands.

The venues are Enugu and Owerri for the South-east; Lagos and Akure for Southwest, Kaduna and Sokoto for North-west, Bauchi and Gombe for North-east, Port Harcourt and Asaba for South-south, and Jos and Minna for the North-central.

Various groups from the four North-west states of Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa attended the public hearing at the Hassan Katsina House, Kawo in Kaduna.

Chairman of the Senate Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya, said the committee received a total of 24 memos from the four states, adding that more memos were being submitted.

Among the groups that presented memoranda were Jamiya Matan Arewa (JMA), the NLC, Civil Society Groups, Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Kaduna Elders Forum and Kano Progressives, among others.

In his remarks, the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, reiterated calls for devolution of powers.

He said the current structure overburdened the federal government with too many responsibilities, which it cannot efficiently handle. el-Rufai, who spoke in his personal capacity, said the All Progressives Congress (APC) Committee on true federalism which he headed, had identified legislative interventions that the National Assembly could more easily undertake to achieve a truly balanced, equitable and fair federal structure.

The governor proposed 10 items which should be shared responsibilities between the federal governments and states.

He said: “The reality of our security situation today requires

that Nigeria must strengthen its military and security agencies.

This includes decentralising the police to enable the states to exercise effective control in securing their residents and communities.

“We need to have federal, state and community police, with each granted sufficient powers to make them effective in securing the areas assigned to them and cooperating closely with each other.’’

The governor dismissed the fear of abuse of state police by sub-national governments because a constitutional or statutory framework can be enacted to ensure federal intervention in cases of such abuses.

NLC and NULGE presentations were centred on the retention of minimum wage on the exclusive list, autonomy for local governments, gender issues and creation of additional local governments and states.

In its submission, Southern Kaduna People's Union (SOKAPU), reechoed its long agitation for the creation of Gurara State out of the present Kaduna State.

SOKAPU President, Mr. Jonathan Asake, demanded the amendment of section 8 of the constitution, which makes it almost an impossible task

for the creation of a new state.

Also, the Kaduna Development Elders Initiatives, in its presentation, called for the amendment of the constitution to make it easy for the creation of states, especially the creation of a new Kaduna State.

In Owerri, where Imo and Abia States made their submissions, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, said the Southeast’s popular agitations and Nigeria’s problems could be addressed by amending the constitution.

In a memorandum, he submitted for Abia State, the Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor, Mr. ACB. Agbazuari, said state police would strengthen the peaceful coexistence in the South-east and check security challenges.

He urged members of the Senate Committee, which is chaired by the Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to look into the state's submission with a view to granting their request.

Chief Theo Okire who represented Aba Mass Movement stated that additional states should be created in the South-east particularly, for Abia State to have Aba State.

Earlier in his opening remarks at the occasion, Deputy

Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on 1999 Constitution Review, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who was represented by Kalu, said at the beginning of the 9th Senate, the legislators had set a legislative agenda for themselves on which they would be assessed.

Kalu said he was aware that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under the leadership of Prof George Obiozor, had articulated the position of the people of the South-east for the committee.

"What are the constitutional issues that agitate our minds: rotational presidency, state police, and indigeneship in a state after 10 years of residency, devolution of more powers to the states, resource control, and many more.

"All these issues can be resolved through constitution amendments. This is the unique opportunity this public hearing offers to our people,” he said.

In his contribution, Uzodimma stated that the Igbo are better off being part of the larger Nigeria with vast opportunities opened to them than being confined in a separate space with limited opportunities.

He said: “In every part of Nigeria outside the South-east, we form the second largest population.

"As an itinerant group, we move around to expand our economic frontiers. As citizens of Nigeria, we are afforded that lease of life. Our people are suffering harassment in South Africa and Ghana and other countries. Is that what we want to bequeath to our younger generation if, in hastily contrived indignation, we abandon our heritage in Nigeria?

"So my dearest brothers and sisters, we need Nigeria just as Nigeria needs us.

Whatever be our grievances against the system, we have a golden opportunity to seek redress under the upcoming constitutional review. What we seek is justice and equity for our people to thrive. And for that, we owe nobody any apology. But we cannot achieve it through violence or threat of secession. It is through an avenue like this that we put forward our request and follows it through.”

In Lagos, the participants called for restructuring of the federation to reflect true federalism, saying only such a move would engender unity, progress and the prosperity of the country.

The state Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and

people killed by bandits in Rabah Local Government Area of the state.

Tambuwal, who visited one of the attacked communities, sympathised with the residents and families of the deceased members of the vigilante group and pledged to restructure vigilante groups.

In separate attacks on Sunday and Tuesday, the bandits killed 22 people, including a village head.

The victims, including 21 vigilante members, were killed during a shootout.

The village head of Sabon Birni, identified as Umar Sanda, was killed in the

Tuesday attack.

The bandits had on Tuesday night, reportedly blocked the Sabon Birni-Shinkafi highway robbed local merchants of millions of naira and rustled many cows.

Tambuwal, in a statement by his media aide, Mr. Muhammad Bello, said: “We are going to restructure and reposition the vigilante groups in Sokoto State. We are going to make sure that we provide them with motorcycles and communications gadgets.”

He said this would enable the vigilante members to communicate with security agencies effectively and to

provide basic information and guidance to security agencies.

He added that his administration would also provide allowances to the vigilante members “for the sacrifices they are making towards providing security to their localities, the state and the country.

“The 21 victims of the recent onslaught were among the vigilantes recognised by the security agencies in the state, Governor Tambuwal pledged that the state government will advance a token of gifts and cash assistance to the families of the victims to ameliorate their sufferings.”

Interest (EoI) for organisations that would run the refineries was already out and many people had been evaluated.

He expressed optimism that the NNPC will choose the best contractors to handle the project.

According to him, it is becoming more difficult to get local lenders to finance fossil fuel businesses because of the renewable energy drive, adding that the NNPC is also looking for investors for the rehabilitation of its pipelines because they remain the best way to transport products from refineries to depots.

quarter revenue generation target by 6.99 per cent and that the actual amount it remitted was N452 billion.

The NEITI team was led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, who said the team came to seek partnership with DPR on how to collectively ensure transparency and create value for Nigerians through the country's oil and gas sector.

Auwalu added that the agency was working to double the first quarter remittance and is trying to support the government to deliver services to the people.

"January to March, we exceeded our target by 6.99 per cent. Actual collection, first quarter, N452 billion already sent to government and between April, May and June, I think if we are lucky, we will double this.

"It is expected to be around N900 billion, which is the budgeted figure. We are trying our best to support this government to make sure that this government really works for Nigerians," Auwalu said.

He stated that the agency was serious about recovering whatever was due to the government which could be through withholding service instruments and penalties.

He added that the agency would rather want more royalties than penalties as a business enabler and a revenue generator.

Auwalu said this could be achieved through the various strategies adopted by the

agency like automation of business and making sure that it improves transparency and accountability.

However, the DPR boss said since the inauguration of the National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) by the president, DPR had received investment proposals of over $20 billion from local and foreign investors.

Continued on page 51

BUHARI MOURNS AS 158 FEARED DEAD IN KEBBI BOAT MISHAP taken off from Loko Mina in Niger State at about 7.30 am and was heading to a market in Kebbi State.

THISDAY gathered that as at 6.30 pm yesterday, only 22 passengers had been rescued while four corpses had been recovered.

It was learnt that the cause of the accident was the overloading of the boat and its old age.

The Administrative Head of Ngaski District in Kebbi State, Mr. Abdullahi Wara, said only 22 survivors and one corpse were found.

“We are talking of around 140 passengers still missing,”

he added.

Wara blamed the accident on overloading as the boat was meant to ferry, not more than 80 passengers.

The vessel was also loaded with bags of sand from a gold mine.

The Director-General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Inga, confirmed the incident.

Inga said the agency had received the report of the accident, adding that "search and rescue operation is ongoing by the marine police, NIWA and our local divers."

Reacting to the incident, the president, in a statement by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said from media reports, there were indications that the boat was overloaded and there was no official confirmation on the number of casualties.

While efforts are ongoing to recover more survivors, the president extended his gratitude to all those involved in the rescue efforts and wishes those injured from the accident quick recovery.

Sokoto Confirms Village Head, 21 Others Killed By Bandits Governor Tambuwal, yesterday confirmed 22

NNPC SEEKS TO ACQUIRE 20% STAKE IN DANGOTE REFINERY Officer,

Refining and Petrochemicals, Mr. Mustapha Yakubu, unfolded the investment plans yesterday at the end of a two-day Nigeria Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF), 2021, tagged: “Leveraging Opportunities and Synergies for Post Pandemic Recovery of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.”

He spoke just as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said it is targeting to generate and remit about N900 billion into the Federation Account in the second quarter of 2021.

Yakubu said discussions were already ongoing with the Dangote Group for the acquisition of the stake.

He stated during the virtual event that the collaboration will further ensure undisrupted product supply to Nigerians when the deal materialises.

He added that one of its divisions, the Greenfield Refining Projects Division (GRPD) was handling the negotiations.

He said: “We have what we call the green field refinery and the Greenfield Refining Projects Division (GRPD) of the NNPC. What we do, our strategy is to collaborate and seek strategic partnerships with private investors.

“At the moment, we have Dangote Refinery, which is the 650,000 capacity barrels per day plus a mini 80,000 tonnes per annum petrochemical plant.

“What are we doing there?

I can tell you today that we

are seeking to have a 20 per cent minority stake in Dangote Refinery as part of our collaboration and you know that there’s a huge quantity of crude for that refinery.

“That’s 650,000 barrels, going into a single crude distillation unit (CDU). When that comes on board, it will also wet the nation for us.”

According to him, the corporation is also interested in partnering with the African Refinery in Port Harcourt, a co-location facility, the CNCEC Chinese group, which is interested in building two refineries in Nigeria, the Waltersmith modular plant, in addition to collaborating with Azikel refineries on condensate production.

Yakubu stated that notwithstanding the global push for renewables, Nigeria has a local, domestic and regional market for hydrocarbons.

He added that Africa will continue to rely on fossil fuels at least in the next 20 years.

He said the country would not just fold its arms and do nothing with its hydrocarbons just because the International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted a net-zero emissions scenario by 2050.

“Today, when you are bringing products into Nigeria, they disappear to neighbouring countries. There’s nowhere in countries around Nigeria that they sell fuel for less than N400 per litre. So, there’s a market,” he said.

On the country’s nonfunctional refineries, he said there was a deliberate effort to power the refineries down because of the need to do a full rehabilitation beyond the regular turnaround maintenance.

“We believe the only way to do that is to power them down to reduce some of the cost. We have heard that we are spending so much money on the refineries, yet they are idle.

“Of course, there are costs associated with idle refineries; we have staff salaries and remuneration and then the power plant utility operations. And also we need to maintain the plants in terms of preservation and lost investments because they are assets that we believe can be brought to life,” he said.

He stated that the NNPC was exiting the running of the country’s four refineries, and it has recently called for bids from competent and qualified contractors for that purpose.

Yakubu explained that NNPC was not in the best position to run the refineries and has opted for a new model, the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) for the running of the facilities.

He added that it is important to bring in O&M professionals, especially given the fact that as an engineer in the NNPC, no matter how competent, the employee must exit when they hit 60 years of age.

The COO said Expression of

DPR Targets N900bn Remittance into Federation Account in Q2 The DPR has said it is targeting to generate and remit about N900 billion into the Federation Account in the second quarter of the year.

The agency has also received over $20 billion investment proposals since the inauguration of the Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) in Lagos by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Director of DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, at a strategic management session with the management of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) yesterday in Lagos, said the agency exceeded its first

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51

THURSDAY, ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Osoba Warns against Undermining Southern Govs’ Open Grazing Ban Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie A former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba, yesterday cautioned against undermining Southern governors’ decision banning open grazing.

He also called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to constitute themselves into opposition to the party.

Osoba who spoke as a guest on The Morning Show, a breakfast programme on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said the members of APC should respect the call for the ban on open grazing.

He was reacting to the statement of presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in which the presidency queried the legality of the ban on open grazing by Southern governors.

Osoba said the APC elders were already discussing the issue but regretted a situation where members of the party in government were singing

discordant tunes over national issues like open grazing.

He said: “We are one party yet we speak from different views about national issues.

Garba Shehu should be careful in his responses to national issues in order not to create division among party members.

“The constitution vested power about Land Use Decree in the governors and the governors are saying they are in control of the land in their states and that they must listen to the people who voted them into power and should be able to protect the people and listen to their complaints.”

He gave instances where Northern governors were the first to recommend ranching, adding that he has travelled to countries that control herds of cattle for commercial purpose like Argentina and did not see cattle movements on the streets of Argentina, including Kenya.

He explained: “So, if Kano governor and other Northern governors have embraced ranching and are willing to donate land for ranching, I do not know why Garba Shehu

will be talking contrary to the ban on open grazing.

“If Garba Shehu takes the trouble to study the system in Yoruba land, he will know that we have been co-habiting and we have been keeping each other’s little area. As I said, the situation in Nigeria is going beyond the issue of herders and cattle grazing. He should understand and I insist that terrorists are infiltrating this country, and this is clear when herdsmen start carrying AK-47 rifle instead of the usual stick.

“So the likes of Garba Shehu needs to reflect seriously on the critical challenges of the people of Nigerian. Those who discuss national issues must be careful not to trigger a more dangerous development that the country cannot handle.”

On the clamour for restructuring, he said the APC-led federal government delayed the report submitted in 2018 by the committee headed

by Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, on the state of the nation. Osoba said the implementation of the report would not have come

so fast because of the national issues involved.

He said: “I will agree with you that some people delayed implementation of that report, but restructuring is not something that can be done overnight. Take, for example, the United Kingdom, as a young man, I thought the UK was just one group, I didn’t know they were more tribalistic than we are in Nigeria. It was in my later days that I realised that the English people dominating the UK are a minority tribe within the United Kingdom, and it took them a long time to organise themselves as the United Kingdom.”

He dismissed claims of factions in the APC, saying that what gave people such an impression are the discordant voices coming from different people because the party has not organised a major event to engage party members since the outbreak of COVID-19.

“All the zoom meetings are not really the kind of meetings that can be used to engage and unite party members.

Unfortunately, for a whole year,

we have not had the chance to meet," he said.

He advised the federal government to take a cue from the 1963 Constitution, where provinces were virtually independent of the federal government.

Osoba added that the leaders and elders of the APC in South-west, who produced a nine-point communiqué on the state of the nation will present the document to the National Assembly next week.

He said the document contained all the issues raised at the meeting, which bordered on national issues.

He listed the issues to include devolution of power, true federalism and recommendation for state police, which would be presented to the National Assembly for deliberations and consideration during its planned sitting for a public hearing to discuss the state of the nation.

According to Osoba, “We the leaders and founders of APC went to see President Muhammadu Buhari after our extraordinary meeting and we

had serious discussions with him. Our position from the extraordinary meeting, which formed the APC South-west Document was discussed with the president, which includes devolution of power and true federalism among others.

"The document also contains the recommendation for state police and better forms of revenue allocation. We are going to present the document as APC party leaders to the committee of the National Assembly who will be visiting the South-west next week. The document covers every aspect of the concerns of Nigerians.

“One of the concerns of Nigerians, which is about the rotational presidency, which the elders did not see anything wrong in it, is also contained in the document. Also contained in the APC document are all the negotiations of the elders of the party and the National Executive Council, during the formation stage of APC. We intend to have a document that will represent the interest of the South-west when the Senate public hearing begins."

to frivolities reflecting preferred whimsies,” he added.

Presenting the position of Ekiti State, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akeem Jamiu, like Akeredolu, said the new constitution should allow only five political parties, allow independent candidate e-voting and diaspora voting.

He advocated a new revenue formula, which should be in favour of state and local government.

Jamiu also said states should be allowed to collect VAT and remit only five per cent to the federal government.

He also said that there should be state police.

At the North-east zonal hearing in Bauchi, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, identified inadequacies in the constitution to cover revenue allocation, security provision and inclusiveness in running the affairs of the country.

He expressed the hope that the move would provide the change needed for the betterment of the country.

According to him, the North-eastern part of the country as the most devastated by insurgency and educationally disadvantaged was shortchanged in the constitution, hence the need for the review.

In Gombe State, the state Governor, Senator Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya said the evolving dynamics of the Nigerian state made it imperative for a periodic constitution review in order to accommodate new realities and the concerns of the Nigerians.

On his part, Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, said citizens’ participation in the ongoing constitution review would strengthen democracy.

Tambuwal, at the Sokoto venue of the North-west zonal hearing covering Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States, described the constitution as a reference point of democracy.

Tambuwal was represented by his deputy, Muhammad Manir Dan'Iya. On his part, the Governor

of Kebbi State, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, implored the stakeholders to deliberate and come up with what will generate more money for the states to enhance development.

In Enugu, devolution of power and creation of state police also topped discussions at the public hearing.

Chairman of the Enugu Zone and former Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, said this was not the first time the National Assembly was amending the constitution.

He stressed the need to decentralise the police for improved security and for local government reforms.

Also, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State expressed his support and that of the state to the constitution amendments, which he said would enhance Nigeria’s unity and prosperity, especially “in an environment where justice, fairness and equity shall prevail”.

In Jos, the Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, expressed the hope that the constitution review would help in addressing the security challenges in the state and other parts of the country.

“Hopefully, this constitutional review should lead to better policing that is closer to the people to stop this kind of unacceptable murders,” he said.

He said his administration had always advocated community policing as a viable tool in addressing the current security challenges in the country He added: “That is why we have embraced community policing, which is a precursor to state police.

“Let me use this opportunity as the Chairman of the Northern Governors' Forum to say that we have since set up committees on restructuring, the role of traditional rulers, engagement with the youth and even economic reforms of the region.

“The reports of these committees will also be submitted to the Constitutional Review Committee for consideration.”

POWER DEVOLUTION, STATE POLICE DEMANDS DOMINATE PUBLIC HEARINGS the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, reiterated the need for a special economic status for the state and the creation of state police. They also called for true fiscal federalism.

Participants from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States made submissions to the Senate Committee under the chairmanship of Senator Oluremi Tinubu, representing Lagos Central.

Top on the agenda of their presentations was the need for devolution of powers whereby the local government system has the greater share and so it is empowered to carry out effective administration of the polity since it is closest to the people.

Participants also called for the creation of state police, re-inclusion of magistrates in the constitution, review of the retirement age for magistrates from 60 to 65 years.

There were also calls for a declaration to make the Higher National Diploma (HND) equivalent to a university degree; need to ensure gender equality, judicial and electoral reforms, as well as revenue allocation, among others.

President of the NLC, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), and representatives of civil society organisations, associations and professional bodies, among others, presented and submitted their memoranda to the committee.

Sanwo-Olu Wants Special Status for Lagos In his presentation, Sanwo-Olu said: “For us in Lagos State, the issues of state police and fiscal federalism are at the top of the priority list for us, in this ongoing review process. Equally fundamental, particularly for us in Lagos State, is the issue of a special economic status for Lagos, considering our place in the national economy and the

special burdens we bear by virtue of our large population and limited landmass.

“I believe the need for this special status has been sufficiently articulated and justified. It suffices for me at this point to restate that this request is by no means a selfish one, but one that is actually in the interest of every Nigerian and of Nigeria as a nation.

“The progress and prosperity of Nigeria are inextricably linked to the progress and prosperity of Lagos State. A special status for Lagos State, therefore, must be a concern not only for the people of Lagos State alone but for all Nigerians.”

Obasa, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni, stated that the most fundamental aspect of the call by the state government is the 30 per cent derivation on natural resources for the domiciling states, as well as the criminalisation of undue interference in activities of the legislature by the executive.

Onigbanjo, while presenting the Lagos memorandum, advocated an amendment to make the constitution reflects a federal system, among other prayers.

“We also propose that the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act be repealed by the National Assembly because it prevents states from utilising the Sales Act to generate revenue and this has caused confusion and a lot of court cases. We also propose that appointment and promotion of judges should lie with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of states and not the National Judicial Council (NJC),” he added.

State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Revd, Steven Adegbite, queried the establishment and functionality of Sharia Courts since the constitution said there would be no state religion.

He said that CAN might be forced to vie for canon courts in the spirit of equity and justice.

Wabba, insisted that labour and the national minimum wage is retained on the

exclusive legislative list.

He stated that since Nigeria has domesticated 26 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), which governs labour matters, ‘it would be anomalous, incongruous and contemptible of global standards and order to even contemplate removing labour from the exclusive legislative list."

In Asaba, where submissions were received from Delta, Edo and Bayelsa States, true federalism, state police, devolution of power, state creation and gender parity dominated the demands.

The speakers of the legislatures of the three states presented the position papers of their respective states before the committee, which was chaired

by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Okowa Seeks New Constitution, Not Amendment Okowa, who declared the public hearing open, stated that Nigeria needs a new constitution.

Okowa said what Nigeria actually needed was a "new constitution" rather than a review.

The governor urged the National Assembly to look into power devolution to the states, review revenue allocation formula, oil derivation and demand for state police in the amendment to enable the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to lay revenue allocation formula proposals directly before the lawmakers.

Bayelsa State also called for the devolution of power, state police and "true federalism with 100 per cent resource control.”

Edo State delegation, led

by Hon. Marcus Onobun, submitted proposals for about 30 alterations, including demands for state police, gender equality and true fedederalism.

The position paper for Delta State dwelt on demand for a 50 per cent derivation fund, a special ecological fund to

mitigate the effects of oil and gas exploration as well as true federalism and state police with authority for states to purchase and control arms.

Declaring the event open in Minna, the Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, said the North-central zone was not opposed to the restructuring of the country as being demanded by the South.

"We don't have problem with restructuring," he said, adding that "at the end of the constitution review exercise, justice should be done to all segments of the country."

The governor stated that "Nigeria is better and stronger as one country."

Fiscal federalism, devolution of powers to federating units, electoral reforms and state police also dominated presentations at the zonal hearing in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where submissions were received from Ondo, Ekiti and Osun States.

Akeredolu Seeks Return to 1963 Constitution Akeredolu, set the ball rolling as he backed the call for the country to return to the 1963 Constitution, which gave powers to the regions to develop at their own pace.

The governor said the 1963 Constitution, which reflected the republican status of the country, remained the best document for a country as heterogeneous as Nigeria.

Akeredolu stated that the powers of the federal government at the present must be trimmed as it was the major source of friction in the country.

Akeredolu warned that the current attempt at constitution amendment should be taken beyond the usual jamboree conceived and executed to arrive at a predetermined result.

"The current exercise, therefore, must not toe the path of the previous attempts at tokenism. The basic law of any country must not be reduced

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THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

House Summons Malami for Halting Repatriation of $60bn Loot Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The House of Representatives has again summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) for allegedly halting the repatriation of $60 billion loot from Texas, United States of America.

The Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee on Assessment and Status of All Recovered Loots - Movable and Immovable Assets from 2002 to 2020

by Agencies of the federal government for Effective Efficient Management and Utilisation, Hon. Adejoro Adeogun, summoned Malami yesterday in Abuja when a former Special Prosecutor to the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP), Mr. Tosin Ojaomo, appeared before the committee.

He also revealed that before the panel, which was headed

by Okoi Obono-Obla was disbanded, it investigated the Auditor-General of the Federation for the withdrawal of N10 billion from the account of NHIS in two tranches.

Ojaomo also revealed that the panel investigated a Director in a Ministry and recovered 86 luxury vehicles, adding that some of the vehicles are bulletproof cars worth the sum of N700 million.

He also pointed out that a certain account domiciled at Polaris Bank was uncovered by the panel where the sum of $223 million was kept under the guise of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) operations account.

Ojaomo added that the account was not linked to

Ayade, PDP Bicker over N19bn FG Refund to Cross River Bassey Inyang The Cross River State chapter of the People Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the state Governor, Ben Ayade, to tell the people of the state what his administration plans to do with about N19 billion refund it received recently from the federal government.

Meanwhile, Ayade, through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Ita, has denied setting aside N2 billion to lure PDP members to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he recently defected to.The PDP said the N19 billion was refunded to the state government for work done on federal roads in the state by previous administrations of former Governors Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke.

Making the demand yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, at a press briefing, the Chairman

of the state PDP Caretaker Committee, Mr. Efiok Cobham, said the call was informed by credible information at its disposal that the Ayade-led APC government in the state was capable of using N2 billion out of the about N19 billion to lure some of its political appointees, who are still in the PDP, to decamp to the APC, his new party.

The PDP said: “Ayade can readily expeand N2 billion to fund his defection to the APC because he has ready cash from the almost N19 billion recently paid to the state as refund for federal road maintenance undertaken by the PDP administrations of Governors Donald Duke and Llyel Imoke.

“Ayade has refused to declare this money to the people of Cross River State, and is frittering it away on purposes other than the common good of the people.

the Treasury Single Account (TSA), but a standalone account of NNPC. He said the panel invited the bank to explain what the

money was meant for, adding that when the explanation of the bank was not satisfactory, it was ordered to remit the money to TSA, and the bank

later pleaded that it should be allowed to pay N10 million every month.

The Special Prosecutor noted that after the Chairman

of the Panel and some members were suspended in 2019, the AGF was directed to take over the cases being investigated by the panel.

ALL EYES ON HIGHER RETURNS…

L-R: Independent Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh; Chairman, Dangote Cement Plc, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Group Managing Director/CEO, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Michel Puchercos; and Non-Executive Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Olakunle Alake, during the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Dangote Cement Plc, in Lagos…yesterday

Army Officer Arrested for Killing Businessman Okon Bassey in Uyo An army officer simply identified as Stephen I, who allegedly shot dead a Port Harcourt-based businessman, Enobong Christopher Jimmy, who gave the former a free ride from River State to Akwa Ibom State, has been arrested by the police.

THISDAY gathered that the deceased, who gave the military officer a lift from Eleme

junction in Port Harcourt, was shot dead in his car on the road to Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by the soldiers.

According to family source, the army officer did not just shoot the deceased, he inflicted several dagger wounds on his chest and made away with his vehicle said to be a Toyota matrix car.

“With a car tracking device in the car, he was tracked and

pick up at a hotel in Ukanafun LGA of Akwa Ibom State,” the source said.

Already, the military hierarchy was said to be at the state police headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, to pick the killer military man for a court marshal before handing him over to the police for prosecution.

The deceased, Enobong Christopher Jimmy, was from Ikot Obio Akai, Mkpat

Enin LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

The deceased, a staff of Eco Clearing and Forwarding Company in Port Harcourt, was on his way to his home town, Mkpat, to see the family.

Jimmy left behind his wife and two young daughters, ages eight and one.

Meanwhile, family members of the late Jimmy have appealed to the federal government and the Nigerian army to ensure that justice is served.

100 College Students Hospitalised after Inhaling Poisonous Chemicals Victor Ogunje in Ado-Ekiti No fewer than 100 Students of the College of Health and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, yesterday fainted after allegedly inhaling poisonous chemicals during a fumigation exercise on the campus.

The development triggered protest yesterday evening, which disrupted academic activities at the institution.

It was gathered that the students collapsed while writing their examinations in their various halls after inhaling the chemicals when the operatives of the Federal Fire Service were carrying out a fumigation exercise.

Some of the students hospitalised were said to be asthmatic patients, who developed complications as a result of the leaked chemicals inhaled.

Miffed by the development,

the students in their numbers mobilised and besieged the institution’s administrative unit to demand explanation from the management.

The protest later turned violent as the administrative building, lectures’ rooms, vehicles of lecturers and other properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by the rampaging students.

The state’s Comissioner for

Health, Dr. Banji Filani confirmed the incident, saying the situation was under control and that normalcy had returned.

He said: “Earlier today, I received a call from the Provost of the College of Technology as regards the situation in the institution. What we understand was that the school has received a memo from the Federal Fire Service that fumigation will be done.

Kano Varsity Arrests 17 Students Makinde Tackles PDP Govs Who Defected to APC do is to give excuses and shed with our work rates often end when it is time to elect leaders Sani in Yola over Attacks on Female Students Daji tears.” up going over to the other side, always reap the benefits of good Makinde made the statement where all they do is offer excuses governance.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

The authorities of the Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST) Wudil have identified 17 male students who allegedly belong to a notorious gang specialised in attacking female students in the university.

The affected students were apprehended after verbal assaults on female students over ‘Female Gowns’.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Shehu Musa Alhaji, confirmed the arrest of the notorious students to journalists in Kano yesterday.

He said following the reports of harassment of female students by the gang, the authorities of the university swung into action and identified the gang members.

The VC said the university had constituted a powerful

committee headed by the DVC Academic to identify all the unscrupulous students involved in the attack, and recommend immediate disciplinary action to be taken against them without delay to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Already, the security department of our university has identified 17 persons in connection to female students’ harassment over putting on of female gowns,” he said.

The vice-chancellor said the committee had been given only one day to submit its report, and thereafter, all the students identified would be dealt with decisively immediately.

A video clip had gone viral on social media with a hand full of students verbally assaulting a female student who was not wearing the female gown popularly known as ‘Abaya’.

Makinde yesterday said the governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the country believe in the infrastructural development on Nigeria.

He noted that, however, some governors, who could not keep up to our work rates, often end up defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), “where all they

yesterday when he inaugurated an 8.8km township road in Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

He said: “I have observed that the governor of Adamawa State has been working hard for the people of the state. In the PDP, we always say that our governors mean business. We believe in infrastructure and development.

“Those who can’t keep up

and shed tears. And we know they will shed more tears in 2023.”

According to him, “When we inaugurate projects, it is evidence that the government is working, and that the people are enjoying the benefits of good governance.

“So, let me congratulate the people of Adamawa State for making the right choice. People who make the right choice

“This is why it is important that we pay attention to two things when it is time to elect our leaders-the party and the candidate.

“I have heard people saying that all parties are the same.

But tell them to compare the prosperity of 16 years of PDP to what they have now. The difference is clear.

Army Investigates Extortion, Murder of Woman in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Nigerian Army has stated that it has commenced investigation into the alleged extortion and murder of a woman in Yankara village in Kastina State by one of its personnel.

The woman, whose identity was not unveiled by the army, was said to have been nabbed on May 7, 2021, by

a local vigilance group on a commercial vehicle with the sum of N420,000.

She was reportedly handed over to the troops for further investigation on the source of the money, but was allegedly killed by the troops.

The Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yerima, in a statement issued yesterday, said investigation into the

matter has commenced, assuring Nigerians that any officer found guilty would face the wrath of the law.

Yerima in the statement said: “The attention of the Nigerian army has being drawn to an allegation over the gruesome murder and extortion of a woman in Katsina State.

“It was alleged that a woman was arrested on

a commercial vehicle in possession of with money estimated to be N420, 000 by members of a local vigilance group on May 7, 2021, at about 10 p.m. in Yankara village along Funtua-Gusau road, and was handed over to the troops for interrogation on the source of the money.

Few days later, the woman was said to have been killed by the troops.

THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Don’t Ban Social Media, Regulate It, Sultan Tells FG Udora Orizu in Abuja The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar,

yesterday urged the federal government not to ban the use of social media in Nigeria.

Speaking in Abuja at a

Marwa Warns against Attempt to Legalise Cannabis Michael Olugbode in Abuja The Chairman and Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) has warned that current moves by some stakeholders to push for the legalisation of cannabis in Nigeria would rob the country of the gains so far made in the renewed war against drug abuse and trafficking in the country.

The NDLEA boss spoke in Abuja yesterday at a national security summit organised by the House of Representatives.

A statement issued by NDLEA spokesman, Mr. Femi Babafemi quoted Marwa as saying that the present figure of 10.6million Nigerians abusing cannabis is frightening and enough to sound the alarm bell.

He said the strong nexus between drug abuse and the security challenges across the country is incontrovertible.

“Presently, there is no bigger national issue than the issue of insecurity in Nigeria. It is one of the big challenges, if

not the biggest, threatening our dear country. Insecurity is today, a full-blown malady with many manifestations such as insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, murder, robbery, reprisal killing, name it.

“Yet there has never been a government that is more committed to ending this spate of insecurity than the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. The President has matched political willpower with resources, but the scope and frequency of these acts of destabilisation and the audacity displayed by the perpetrators call for a second, critical look at the malaise. The persistence of the problem has forced on us the necessity to start to look at likely extraneous factors that might be sustaining the resistance from the criminal elements and in doing so, try to connect the dots.

The permutations will lead to a list of probable causes, which will not exclude the use and abuse of illicit substances. In the final analysis, drug abuse is indeed one of the factors fueling insecurity.

Masari Backs Southern Govs, Says Open Grazing is Not Islamic Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has thrown his weight behind Southern Governors on the ban of open grazing, describing the practice, which encourages herders to move from one location to another as ‘’un-Islamic’’ Masari, who spoke to select reporters at Government House Katsina as part of activities to mark second year of his second term in office, argued that necessary infrastructure on livestock farming should be provided in states for ranching as against open grazing.

He said: “This is something we have to do through development, provide necessary infrastructure that will make the herders not to move. Why should herders from Katsina move?

“The herders’ movement is essentially in search of two things: water and fodder. If we can provide these two items, why should they move? ‘’This roaming about I don’t

think. For us its un-Islamic and is not the best. It is part of the problem we are having today.

I don’t support that we should continue with the way open grazing is’’.

On devolution of power through restructuring, he argued states urgently need resources to implement what should have been implemented at the Federal level According to him: ‘’ I support devolution totally; the federal government is trying. But the states need to have resource to implement what should have been implemented by the Federal Government. ‘’If today the states will support the Police, the Police system will go up. If the states withdraw their support to security agencies, they won’t be able to move from here to there. ‘’So, I absolutely support devolution in totality. So as a Government of Katsina, we should be allowed by the Constitution, within the Constitution to decide on many things that are peculiar to us’’.

Okonkwo, Don Bosco Sign MoU on Vocational Training Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja A frontline contender in the forthcoming Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Obiora Okonkwo, has stated that the teeming Anambra State youths can be engaged in meaningful vocational skills through technical education.

The politician, who doubles as the chairman/founder of Pro-Value Humanity Foundation (PVHF), stated this yesterday in

Abuja during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between his Foundation and the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDV).

He said the foundation planned to provide vocational technical education to the youths of the state in collaboration with SDV. Okonkwo said: “The youth restiveness and the insecurity in the country are as a result of unemployment, and we want to remove them from the streets by giving them technical education through vocational trainings.

security summit convened by the House of Representatives, Abubakar advised the Nigerian government to regulate it.

The monarch argued that the country can emulate how the use of social media is being controlled in other nations.

“As lawmakers, what do you do about social media? I’m not

saying ban social media but regulate it.

“We’ve seen it happen all over the world. Why can’t Nigeria borrow from that? It’s important for us and I hope this seminar will discuss some of these issues and when you’re ready with your decision, call some of us back, like the national council

of traditional rulers. We will sit together once more.”

He warned against ethnic and religious profiling in the fight against insecurity in the country.

“It’s high time we put aside ethnic and religious profiling.

Stop profiling criminals. Call them by their names. No ethnic or religious group will be happy

that every day, you are calling his own side of the coin the bad one, even when you know there are good ones that are larger in number,” he said.

“Unless we come together and work for the country to move forward, we will continue having these problems,” he added.

NEW CONSTITUTION UNDERWAY…

L-R: Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Nwifuru; his counterpart in Enugu State, Hon. Edward Ubosi; Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Nkem Okeke; Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and Senator representing Enugu West, Ike Ekweremadu, during the zonal public hearing organised by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, in Enugu… yesterday

EU, ECOWAS, Interpol Seek National Legislation for W’African Police System Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The European Union (EU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the International Police (Interpol) yesterday jointly called for the gazetting and national legislation for the West African Police Information System (WAPIS) in West African countries.

The call came as the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji

Mohammed Dingiyadi, said Nigeria was committed to the fight against criminalities in the country and the West African sub-region.

WAPIS is a multiannual programme (2012-2022) financed by the European Union and aimed at improving the capacity of West African law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organised crime and terrorism by facilitating the sharing of information.

Speaking at the inauguration of the West African Police Information System Centre (WAPIS) in Abuja, the Interpol Director of Partnerships and Planning, Mr. Carl Alexandre, said the opening of the centre represented an important milestone in the implementation of WAPIS. He called for the gazetting of the programme by ECOWAS member states which would provide a framework for a national legislation.

He said the EU had provided funding for the project in Nigeria and other countries while ECOWAS had remained a strategic partner in the implementation of the programme.

The Interpol official affirmed that the WAPIS was “a strong mechanism. No enforcement strategy can effectively tackle crime without data sharing and no crime can be tackled in West Africa without an effective police system.”

FG Overrules House, Says NYSC will Be Sustained The federal government yesterday overruled the House of Representatives, insisting that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) would be sustained.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, made the position of the federal government known in a statement.

Dare argued that the NYSC is one of the greatest tools for National development for youths in Nigeria.

“The NYSC scheme remains one of the greatest tools for national development for our youth.

“The commitment of the government to sustaining the NYSC scheme remains.

“Dynamic Reforms and Initiatives towards current realities are ongoing. Nigeria will stand with her youth.

The minister made this statement amid calls for the NYSC scheme to be scrapped.

The House of Representatives is currently considering a bill for the discontinuation of the NYSC scheme.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Alteration Bill, 2020, seeking to repeal the NYSC Act, has been billed for the second reading.

The sponsor, Hon. AwajiInombek Abiante, in the explanatory memorandum of the proposal, listed the various reasons why the NYSC should

be scrapped.

“Due to insecurity across the country, the National Youth Service Corps management now give considerations to posting corps members to their geo-political zone, thus defeating one of the objectives of setting up the service corps, that is, developing common ties among the Nigerian youths and promote national unity and integration,” the lawmaker had said

El-Rufai Sacks His Political Adviser, 18 Others John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, has sacked 19 of his political appointees, including Mr. Ben Kure, his political adviser.

A Government House statement issued yesterday in Kaduna said the 19

appointees are the first phase of public servants disengaged in continuation of ‘rightsizing’ of the state government workforce.

Besides Kure, other top aides disengaged included two Deputy Chiefs of Staff and several Special Assistants.

Those affected, according to the statement, included

Bala Yunusa Mohammed, deputy chief of Legislative Staff (DCOSL); Halima Musa Nagogo, special assistant to DCOSL; Umar Abubakar, another special assistant to DCOSL; Mustapha Lynda Nyusha, Jamilu Gwarzala Dan Mutum, and Umar Haruna, who served as special assistants

political.

Those sacked also included Special Adviser Social Development, Zainab Shehu; Stephen Hezron, Mohammed Bello Shuaibu, Senior Special Assistant Stakeholders Relations, and Aliyu Haruna, senior special assistant on Youth Affairs, among others.

Lawyer Urges House to Revisit 2017 DSO Probe Report A United Kingdom-based Nigerian lawyer, Mr. Timothy Agbo, has called on the House of Representatives to revisit suspected discrepancies in the implementation of Nigeria’s Digital Switchover (DSO) programme.

Agbo, who once worked in the Nigerian broadcast industry, stated that without appropriate scrutiny of the

programme’s implementation, the country will be wasting time and resources on the DSO. The lawyer recalled that in 2017, the House Ad Hoc Committee on DSO investigated the programme’s implementation and found numerous procurement infractions among other discrepancies.

“I recall that the report

of the committee, headed

by Hon. Sunday Katung, was adopted by the House, which observed procurement discrepancies, underhand dealings in equipment supply and injudicious use of funds provided for the programme, among others. Despite the observations, nothing was done. For the country to reap adequate dividends

on her investments in the programme, there is a need for the House to take a look at the current status of funds, income and expenditure as utilised and generated by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Ministry of Information and other government agencies involved the digital switchover programme,” Agbo explained.

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THURSDAY MAY27, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

IYC Shuts down NDDC Offices in Warri, Port Harcourt Nseobong Okon-Ekong in Lagos and Sylvester Idowu in Warri The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide yesterday shut down the Warri and the Port Harcourt offices of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in protest against the federal government’s refusal to inaugurate a substantive board for the interventionist agency.

THISDAY gathered that scores of youths, clad in red t-shirts and IYC muffler scarfs, stormed the office located in

Edjeba, Warri South council area of Delta state, yesterday morning to press home their demand.

Stickers with inscriptions such as “Inaugurate substantive NDDC board,” We say no to bad governance,” IOCs must not remit $1.6 billion to NDDC for now,” Restructure Nigeria now, we seek justice in the NDDC” were pasted on the entrance of the NDDC building.

The body had given a 30day ultimatum to the federal government to constitute the board otherwise faces a shutdown of the Niger Delta

region.

The ultimatum expired midnight Tuesday, hence the protest which is ongoing despite uncertainties about the whereabouts of the IYC President, Mr. Peter Igbifa.

Igbifa was on his way to the Port Harcourt International Airport in Rivers State on Tuesday, to board a flight to

Abuja for a meeting, when masked gunmen blocked his vehicle, seized him and took him to an unknown destination.

Speaking at the protest ground in Warri, the National Secretary of the IYC, Mr. Frank Pukon, told journalists that the youths would live up to the plans to shut down the

Niger Delta pending when the President Muhammadu Buhari will appoint a substantive board.

“It’s quite disheartening that at this point in time, we are demonstrating for a substantive board to be set up, rather than calling on the Federal Government to come up with a development plan

for the Niger Delta like they developed Abuja.

“In the next few hours, we will shut down the entire region, when I say shutdown, it includes the oil companies, pending when the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will hearken to the voice of reasoning,” the IYC scribe stated.

Proposed Constitutional Review, a Mere Waste of Time, Says Babalola Victor OgunjeinAdoEkiti A legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola, has described as a mere wasting of time and dissipation of energy, the constitutional review being proposed by the National Assembly to correct some imbalances in the country’s legal book .

Babalola averred that the truth has always been that there was no way the National Assembly could amend the 1999 constitution to cure the inherent defects, if the fraud in the system is not first got rid of.

Rather than constitutional review, Babalola, said the National Assembly could have called for a National Conference where issues bedeviling the nation can be identified, discussed and resolved

through a roundtable.

Babalola said these in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday, where he espoused his views on the proposed constitutional review by the National Assembly.

He stated that he quite appreciated the fact that the constitution in practice was defective and needed to be reworked, having been bequeathed to the people by the military.

“Against the background of the massive demand by Nigerians, home and abroad, for a true federal constitution made by the people and for the people, the National Assembly is calling for public hearings in the country’s six geo-political zones for people’s inputs on any issue of interest to enable the National Assembly to amend the 1999 constitution.

Duke: I Neither Support Nor Condemn Ayade’s Exit from PDP Says he returned to opposition party a year ago Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A former Governor of Cross River state, Mr. Donald Duke, yesterday said he was indifferent to the recent defection of the current Governor of the state, Prof. Ben Ayade, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Duke, in a statement he personally signed, also disclosed that he returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) close to a year ago, adding however, that he never left the ideals of the party, even when he was away.

“Dear Friends, a lot is being said about my return to the PDP. Truth is, I reunited with the party almost a year ago now, but in spirit never left the ideals for which the party was founded upon,” he said.

He described as unfortunate the governor’s decision to dump the opposition PDP, stressing that Ayade had constantly egged him to re-join the party, but now has cause to leave.

“This is a rather unfortunate decision, which I neither support nor condemn, as I’m not privy to the details except his complaints of being stifled and unappreciated by the leadership of the party and certain elements of Cross River state origin in Abuja,” Duke stated.

He recalled that in their midthirties and buoyed by optimism and faith in the state and the nation, himself, the governor and a few others took a plunge into the unknown world of politics, saying that providence smiled at them and thrust them into the limelight of leadership.

SGF, Others Laud NACCIMA at 60 Sunday Okobi

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, has lauded the strategic partnership between the federal government and the Nigerian Association of Chambers Of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) as it marked her 60th anniversary yesterday.

Mustapha, who was the special guest of honour at the event held at the International Conference Centre in Abuja, also bagged award for excellence and outstanding contributions to governance and nation-building.

He praised NACCIMA for the vital role it plays as the leader of the Organised Private Sector in Nigeria and the association’s many achievements, particularly in building sustainable trade infrastructure across Africa for the benefit of Nigerian business communities.

In his address, the Mustapha noted that: “The federal government is committed to carrying on its subsisting partnership with NACCIMA towards attaining its key objectives of empowering an economically productive and innovative population, as a major asset for the country’s productive base.”

SIGNED AND SEALED...

L-R: Rector, Salesians of St. John Bosco, Rev. Fr. Anene Ambrose; Project Coordinator, Salesian of St. John Bosco, Rev . Fr. Maximus Okoro; Founder, Pro-Value Humanity Foundation, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo; and Provincial Administrator for West Africa, of St John Bosco, Rev. Fr. Christopher Nizniak, during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for vocational training and skills acquisition for Anambra youths in Abuja… yesterday

Ebonyi Involves Youths, Women in Governance to Curb Restiveness The Ebonyi State Government has taken deliberate steps to enhance the involvement of youths and women in the governance process in order to curb restiveness across the state.

This was disclosed by Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Uche Orji, who acknowledged that marginalisation and inability to involve the critical mass in the governance process by past administrations were responsible for the widespread anger in the

polity.

Orji said: “Nigerians knows that security is not politics. We must de-emphasise politics in security matters. The issue of restiveness, communal clashes, banditry and joblessness are products of years of misrule that did not start today or under the APC administration. It is an accumulated grievance of the youths, men and women across the nation. The South-east is not an exception.”

He pointed out that the way out is for all Nigerians “to work

together as a people to know where we got it wrong. We are pretty sure in Ebonyi State the governor understands where we got it wrong, as a people.

And that is the inability of previous governments to engage the youths in the governance process. We call it women mainstreaming and also youth mainstreaming in politics and that the governor has not taken for granted.”

He also explained how the Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Dave Umahi, is ensuring

inclusiveness in governance.

“If you look at the number of executive council members in Ebonyi state we’re about 110.

No state has that number. And out of that, 80 per cent are not more than 40 years. And this is an example of youth mainstreaming in politics. The same applies to women. We have 13 local government areas.

“Every local government has a female vice-chairman compulsorily. And we have in every zone not less than one female council chairman.

Saraki Committee Reconciles PDP Factions in Lagos

Nseobong Okon-Ekong

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee and Strategic Committee that is led by former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, has reconciled warring factions of the party in Lagos State.

Among those it reconciled were the Leader of the PDP, Chief Bode George, and the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the PDP, Mr. Deji Doherty who embraced truce yesterday and promised to work jointly for the victory of the party

in future elections.

The reconciliation train rolled into the Southern Sun Hotel, Ikoyi at noon, where Saraki and other members of the panel held a four hour meeting with stakeholders of the PDP in Lagos State.

Saraki was accompanied by former Governors Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Ibrahim Shema (Kaduna); Mulikat Adeola-Akande and Mr. Linus Okorie.

Lagos’ PDP chieftains at the peace parley included the Lagos

State Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Muiz Dosunmu and former Acting National Secretary, Mr. Remi Akitoye. Others were Senator Kofo Akerele-Bucknor, Mr. Lai Ogunbambi, Mr. Uthman Shodipe and Mr. Okanlawon.

Saraki, who spoke with reporters after the meeting, urged the warring chieftains to sheathe their swords, jettison bitterness and adorn a forgiving spirit in the interest of the party.

He said: “We’ve urged committed PDP members in Lagos State to bury their differences and understand that

the call by majority of Lagosians to have PDP in government is more important than their own individual differences.

“We have reconciled the party leaders today and they are ready to dissipate their energies to push the agenda of the PDP for Lagos State. We are happy to see that.

“We must present ourselves as a serious party. The differences for many months have been buried and that shows people are committed now to make the party attractive to new people who wants to join the party.”

Shareholders Hail Dangote Cement over N272.6bn Dividend Shareholders of Dangote Cement Plc yesterday commended the company for an impressive performance despite the economic challenges in the year under review.

Unanimously, the shareholders approved N272.6

billion as dividend, translating to N16 per share for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The 16 per cent increase in the company’s revenue led to a 36 per cent increase in its earnings per share of N16.14 as against N11.29 in 2019.

The shareholders at the

virtual 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos commended the management for the full disclosure provided for the year, share buyback process and the various donations made at COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on behalf of

shareholders, the founder, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Sir Sunny Nwosu commended the company for attaining a trillion-naira revenue growth, saying that the Company is moving in the best way of corporate governance.

Okotie Raises the Alarm over Looming Crisis The Shepherd Superintendent of the Household of God church, Rev. Chris Okotie has warned that Nigeria is at the threshold of a major crisis.

In his second public statement in the last three weeks, the reverend said that the forces holding Nigeria hostage would be defeated in the impending explosion, after which the nation would

experience a rebirth.

His latest statement came as a reaction to an earlier one by a cleric, Bosun Emmanuel concerning the present crisis.

“The message from Bosun Emmanuel is arrant heterodoxy deriving from abysmal ignorance of sound biblical interpretation of visions and revelations,” Okotie said.

Okotie stressed that Nigeria

is not a theocratic state like Israel.

“It is a client nation for God. There is a vast difference.

Nigeria is at the cusp of a major crisis which is a precursor to its rebirth. Pristine forces which have been a perennial impediment to the fulfillment of Nigeria’s prophetic destiny are about to be pulverised.

“God cannot judge the

body of Christ. That would be tantamount to judging Christ a second time. This is blasphemy at its apogee. We must compare spiritual things with spiritual to engender sound biblical interpretation.

“Let charlatans and self-styled prophets avoid the electrifying currents of eschatology where deep calleth unto deep,” Okotie added.

55

THURSDAY MAY 27, 2021 ˾ THISDAY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

NPFL: Kano Pillars Go Top, Wolves Creep out of Drop Zone Duro Ikhazuagbe

Kano Pillars moved to the top of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) log yesterday after defeating Nasarawa United in a midweek fixture that also saw Warri Wolves move out of the relegation zone after a hard-fought 1-0 win over Lobi Stars in Ozoro.

Efe Yahere scored the winner in the 1st half in what is the first win in five matches for weary Wolves.

At the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, Kano Pillars edged Nasarawa United 1-0 to go three points clear pending this evening’s fixture between Abia Warriors and former leaders Akwa United in Umuahia.

Auwalu Ali Malam fired the winner for the Sai Masu Gida in the 25th minute for Pillars who are now unbeaten in their last eight league matches.

Elsewhere, Nigeria’s last team in continental campaign this season, Enyimba FC put their woes in the CAF Confederation Cup behind them to snatch an away 2-1 victory against hosts Wikki Tourists in Bauchi.

Reuben Bala fired the People’s Elephant into the lead in the 15th minute before Michael Stephen restored parity for Wikki in the 32nd minute.

Tosin Omoleye however conjured the spectacular winning goal in the 68th minute to hand Enyimba

maximum three points.

At the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin, Kwara United dropped points at home after a 1-1 draw with Rivers United.

Joseph Onoja gave Rivers United the lead in the 47th minute before Kwara United equalized through Christopher Nwanze. Both sides remain 3rd and 4th

respectively on the table.

In Uyo, Dakkada FC moved into the top 10 after a 2-1 win over relegationthreatened FC IfeanyiUbah at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. A 1st half brace from Isaac George put the home side on the driving seat as they held on for all three points despite Ekene Awaziem pulling a goal back

for the Anambra Warriors.

At the Akure Township Stadium, Sunshine Stars continued their winless streak after a goalless draw with visiting church team from Lagos, MFM FC. Sunshine are now 16 matches without a win with their last victory coming way back in February, a 3-1 home win over Rangers.

MATCH DAY 23 Adamawa Kano Pillars Wikki

1-0 1-0 1-2

Kwara 1-1 Dakkada 2-1 Sunshine 0-0 Warri Wolves 1-0

Katsina Nasarawa Enyimba Rivers Utd Ifeanyiubah MFM FC Lobi

TODAY Rangers v Jigawa GS Abia Warriors vs Akwa Utd

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Chelsea Get Final Boost as Kante, Mendy Return Chelsea were given a Champions League final fitness boost yesterday as France midfielder N’Golo Kante and Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy returned to training.

The Blues posted photographs of Kante and Mendy working with their team-mates at their Cobham headquarters ahead of Saturday’s final against Manchester City in Porto.

Mendy was replaced

by Kepa Arrizabalaga at half-time in Sunday’s 2-1 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa after suffering a rib injury when he collided with a post.

Kante missed the Villa

game as a precaution after limping out of the 2-1 win against Leicester five days earlier with a hamstring problem.

Chelsea will be contesting their first Champions League final since 2012 when they face Premier League champions City.

The west London club are aiming to win the competition for the second time, while City are appearing in the final for the first time.

Chelsea have won two of the teams’ three meetings so far this season in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley and the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium.

CBN Senior Tennis: Oyinlomo, Samuel, Others Advance As the battle for the N1m star prize money at stake for winners of the men and women’s singles categories of the 43rd edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Open Championship, continues at the Package ‘B’ of the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja, tournament’s top seed and back-to-back champion, Oyinlomo Quadri defeated Esther Olamide 6-1, 6-0 to join the second round train.

Olamide who gained entrance into the main draw from the qualifiers, decried her painful exit in the first round after succumbing to the superior fireworks of the top seed Oyinlomo Quadri.

Nene Yakubu beat Amara Nwokoro 6-3, 7-5 to advance to the next round.

Also in the next round is Blessing Samuel that defeated Blessing Omotayo 6-5, 6-4 Playing in the Men’s singles category of the 2021 CBN Open Tennis tournament, Ehi Endurance suffered a 6-4, 6-4

defeat in the hands of Isaac Omeruah who moved on to the next round.

In other matches decided on Wednesday, Peter Lawal beat Suleiman Ibrahim 6-3,6-4 to cruise into the 3rd round while Musa Mohammed defeated Dickson John 6-2 ,6-2 as Isaac Attah earned a 6-2,6-2 victory over Leo Emmanuel .

Isaac Emeruwa was beaten 6-1, 6-2 by Michael Chima while Wilson Igbinovia stopped Adehi Ochei 6-1, 2-6, 7-5.

Action resumed yesterday in both the Men’s and Women’s doubles as well as the wheel chair Men’s and Women’s singles division of the championship.

The Men’s doubles encounter between the duo of Jebutu Emmanuel/Uche Oparaoji and Audu Muktar/Sani Musa ended 5-7,6-4,10-2 in favour of Musa and Muktar while the duo of Eze Tochukwu and Philip Adebayo came from a set down to beat Henry Atseye and Nonso Madueke 0-6.6-4,10-7.

Spanish La Liga team Villarreal players celebrating after defeating Manchester United 11-10 in epic penalty shootout after regulation and extra time scores deadlocked 1-1.

Villarreal Defeat Man Utd to Win Europa League in Epic Shootout De Gea misses last kick to earn the Spanish team their first European title David de Gea failed at the end of a marathon penalty shootout as Villarreal dashed Manchester United’s hopes of Europa League glory in Gdansk, Poland last night.

Villarreal’s Nigerian player, Samuel Chukwueze was not fielded in the epic game having sustained injury on the road to yesterday’s final.

This was a disappointing contest lacking in quality and producing only three shots on target across 120 minutes - but

drama arrived with the spotkicks.

All 20 outfield players converted their penalties in the longest shootout in a final of any UEFA competition, and in an increasingly tense stadium Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli blasted home his effort and then denied De Gea, who was crestfallen at the end.

It gave Villarreal a first major trophy in their history and saw former Arsenal boss Unai Emery lift the Europa

League for an unprecedented fourth time.

However, on the anniversary of both Sir Matt Busby’s birth and the epic Champions League final in 1999 that earned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hero status among the Old Trafford faithful, there was to be no new 26 May landmark as United complete a fourth year without silverware.

United simply did not do enough, despite the massive gulf in transfer fees and salaries

between the two clubs.

Solskjaer’s side did not start well and fell behind to a soft goal from Gerard Moreno.

Edinson Cavani dragged United level 10 minutes into the second period after a Marcus Rashford shot had been deflected into his path, but United failed to build on that momentum and by the end Solskjaer was introducing Juan Mata and Alex Telles purely to take penalties in the shootout.

MultiChoice Nigeria to Air All Euro 2020 Matches Live on DStv, GOtv MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that all matches of the Euro 2020, which holds between 11 June and 11 July, will be broadcast live on DStv and GOtv via the SuperSport channels.

The top European tournament rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic gets underway in Rome on Friday, 11 June and will be live and in HD on DStv and the full offering of games will also be available on GOtv. The SuperSport broadcast will feature expert opinions and insights from top

commentators and veterans of the continental game.

“As the 2020/21 football season from international football leagues comes to an end, we are thrilled to continue to cater for our customers’ football appetites with our unmatched coverage of one of the most anticipated football tournaments of the year, the UEFA Euro 2020,” observed the Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe.

Twenty-four teams will be playing across 51 matches in 12 cities, while the semi-finals

and final will take place at the Wembley Stadium on Sunday July 11. The Euro tournament will be available on the DStv Yanga package upwards, and on GOtv, the matches will be available on GOtv Max, Jolli and Jinja packages.

“DStv viewers can catch all the games on SuperSport Premier League (DStv channel 203), while GOtv viewers can watch on SuperSport La Liga (GOtv channel 32). These channels are set be renamed “SS Euro 2020” from June 1 and will be dedicated to the

football event and magazine shows and available 24/7,” stressed the message from the pay TV channel.

Ahead of the tournament kick-off, MultiChoice also promised to ensure subscribers are treated to additional football content via the dedicated SuperSport Euro2020 channels, which will be opened from 1 to 11 June, to enjoy archive content, documentaries, warm up games, best qualifying matches, previous finals and best games from previous Euros.

MATCH

Thursday, May 27, 2021

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“All over the place people have been urging me to go for President in 2023, but I say to them, the vehicle called Nigeria has no brain box but people are talking of changing driver only. What can a driver of a knocked engine or car with a faulty or no brain box do? Absolutely nothing until the vehicle goes for complete overhaul. Those clamouring for restructuring are saying fix the car first then look for a driver” – PDP presidential running mate in 2019 general election.

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

An Army at the Crossroads A

three-minute TVC news clip trending on WhatsApp features a notorious 30-year-old gun runner from Niger Republic, Shehu Ali Kachala, who was recently paraded by the Zamfara State Police Command. Caught in the process of supplying arms to criminal hideouts, the suspect claimed he was importing the weapons from Niger Republic through the assistance of unnamed military personnel.

He also said he had sold 450 rifles and 8000 rounds of live ammunition to criminal gangs in Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger States. In what has become a familiar pattern, there is no word from military authorities regarding this weighty allegation.

On 5th March this year, the Zamfara State Government announced that a Nigerian soldier and his girlfriend were caught supplying ammunition and military uniforms to armed bandits. “While the state government awaits the action the military will take on this matter and make an official statement, the development has further proved the position of Governor Bello Mattawalle that unless the fight against banditry is cleansed of bad eggs and saboteurs, we may not record the desired success,” Alhaji Bashir Maru, deputy chief of staff to the governor told the media. He then added: “Let me use this medium to salute the courage and patriotism of the individual who came forward with information that led to the arrest of these traitors. Our gratitude knows no bounds.”

Until today, we do not know the identities of these ‘traitors’ in military uniform. This is also typical. Despite a presidential intervention, nobody in the military has been held accountable for executing four senior police officers while ferrying a kidnap suspect from Taraba State in September 2019. At the time, the police released video clips of the tragic incident. Following the subsequent arrest of the alleged kingpin, the police also released the video of his confessional statement which corroborated their allegations that the soldiers who killed their men were working in concert with kidnappers. “I am Hamisu Bala also known as Wadume. The police came to Ibi and arrested me. After arresting me, they were taking me to Abuja when soldiers went after them, opened fire and some policemen were killed. From there, the soldiers took me to their headquarters and cut off the handcuffs on my hands and I ran away,” the suspect said in the video.

A joint presidential investigative panel headed

by Rear Admiral T.I Olaiya was established with representatives from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), State Security Service (SSS) as well as the army, navy and police. Like we say in Nigeria these days, that panel has ‘gone into audio’.

With allegations of complicity by rogue military personnel in the prevalence of crimes in the country, there could not have been a worse moment for the army to lose its chief and top Generals. Late Major General Ibrahim Attahiru was barely four months in office when he died last Friday in a plane crash. While I commiserate with families of all the deceased officers, the president has a responsibility to appoint a new Chief of Army Staff without

Late Attahiru delay. The more this matter drags, the more the atmosphere becomes toxic, especially now that ethnic and religious propositions are entering the equation. Such divisive campaigns are dangerous for the military. Besides, the president should understand that the enemy doesn’t give you room to finish mourning. He attacks you when your command structure is fractured! Even the insurgents, if we are to believe what we read these days, have swiftly put in place a new chain of command to replace Abubakar Shekau who may finally have met his maker.

While we remain a nation perpetually in mourning, the military must be rid of those among them who collude with criminals.

In September 2016, Major General Lucky Irabor, current Chief of Defence Staff, (and then Nigerian Army theater commander in Maiduguri) told journalists that some soldiers were selling arms and ammunition to Boko

Haram in what he described as “a betrayal of the Nigerian people”, even though he gave no details. We cannot win the fight against insurgency, banditry and kidnappings if the saboteurs within are not fished out and punished. I made this point on 25th March last year in my column titled, ‘Insecurity and the Enemies Within’.

As I highlighted in that intervention, the problem persists because the authorities are not prepared to deal with it. I raised the report of the Conflict Armament Research (CAR), an international conflict research group, which had then just made shocking disclosures that some of the weapons with which herdsmen and farmers fought were traced to “stockpiles of Nigerian defence and security forces”. Of the 148 different weapons discovered and analysed, the report revealed that “Nigerian-manufactured small-calibre ammunition—including cartridges manufactured as recently as 2014—is the second-most prevalent type of ammunition in this data set. Four of the weapons in the data set were previously in service with Nigerian national defence and security forces. CAR has established this through formal tracing and the analysis of secondary marks applied to the weapons, which identify their users.”

The federal government did not even bother to respond to the report. Meanwhile, in November 2017, a Director in the State Security Service (SSS), Mr Godwin N. Eteng, also made chilling revelations. “We had a situation where in one of the armouries belonging to one of the armed forces, many pistols just got missing with quantities of ammunition and all the pistols are new. In the armoury, no place was broken into, but the weapons were missing,” Eteng said. In June 2019, the police command in Kaduna State arrested a Lance Corporal serving in one of the military units in Jaji Military Cantonment, for selling arms to kidnappers. Nobody has been held accountable for these incidents.

As I have also pointed out in the past, that

Message from Pope Francis Last Thursday, Pope Francis met young adults, faculty and guests to announce the launch of Scholas Occurrentes in various locations across four countries: Washington DC in the United States of America; Valencia in Spain; Chaco in Argentina; and Sydney in Australia. Established by the Pope in 2013, Scholas Occurrentes is an international network cutting across more than a hundred countries, with the purpose “to create a culture of encounter and bring young people together in an education that generates meaning.”

While greeting a line of young people who, according to the President of Scholas, “worked hard during the pandemic”, the Pope asked: “What does it mean to work hard?” One of the boys responded: “We couldn’t go out physically but we went out with our minds.”

To Pope Francis, the boy got it right. “That’s the key! To go out... because if you remain in yourself you become corrupted. Like water that when it runs is pure, and when it stops becomes stagnant.” Questions were posed to the Pope too. “How can young people

change politics?”, asked a boy. Pope Francis responded: “When they talk to me about how politics is in the world, I say: look where there are wars; there is the defeat of politics.

A form of politics that is not able to dialogue to avoid a war is defeated; it’s over.”

I found that message important for Nigeria, especially at this very delicate intersection but the person who bears ultimate responsibility is President Buhari. Democracy cannot function in the absence of an effective formal authority.

It helps when leaders have moral authority as well. The former can be bestowed by the electorate; the latter can only be earned.

While there is no easy route through the crisis we currently face as a nation, citizens usually want their leader to engage. That Nigerians do not see such prospect at the moment is the problem, especially as we mark the 22nd I hope our political leaders at all levels and other critical stakeholders can internalize the message of Pope Francis and begin to dialogue on the way forward for our country.

this sordid situation has gone on for so long is an indication that we learnt no lesson from Niger Delta where militancy was sustained due to arms and ammunitions procured from official armouries. In my book, ‘Power, Politics and Death’, I detailed a report of the Board of Inquiry convened by then Chief of Army Staff, the late Lt. Gen Luka Yusuf, which investigated huge theft of arms at 1 Base Ordnance Depot (1BODK), in Kaduna.

The investigation was itself spawned by allegation that an arms syndicate involving soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army, had been breaking into the arms sheds in 1BODK, the Ordnance Sub Depot (OSD) in Jaji and the Ordnance Field Park (OFP) in Calabar to steal weapons. Some of the stolen arms and ammunition included among others, GPMGs, Sterling SMG, Bren LNG, AK 47 rifles, grenades and rocket launchers, as well as several fragmentation jackets.

Breaking that syndicate helped in no small measure to weaken the capacity of militants before the amnesty deal. About a dozen military officers were court-martialled and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.

The report presented to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua concluded that “some of the soldiers involved in the theft of weapons actually escorted the stolen arms in uniform to their destination in Niger Delta.”

Until we are able to fish out and punish those colluding with criminals within the armed forces and security agencies, it will be practically impossible to win the war against insurgency. However, the immediate issue is the appointment of the Chief of Army Staff.

It is the prerogative of President Buhari as the Commander-in-Chief to appoint whoever he likes. But it is in his interest and that of the nation that the selection process be meritocratic. The right mix of intellect, operational experience, particularly in the ongoing war against terror in the Northeast and capacity to motivate (at a period troop morale is very low) must override political, religious and geo-ethnic arithmetic. The president must also act with dispatch. In the circumstance Nigeria has found itself today, any further delay in making the appointment is dangerous. Very dangerous!

Goodnight Feso!

This morning in Abuja, I will join my brother and friend, Stanley Jegede, Chairman of Phase3, to bury his nephew, Oluwafesofaiye Aderuyi Osunlalu. Feso was one of the abducted (and later murdered) students from Greenfield University, Kaduna. His life, and those of his deceased colleagues, was cut short in a most bestial manner despite the best efforts of the family to meet the ransom demands of criminals who have overwhelmed the capacity of the Nigerian state. As I commiserate with Feso’s distraught mom, Mrs Blessing Folasike Osunlalu, siblings, and other family members, I implore the authorities to put in place the necessary security measures to ensure that when our children go to school to receive an education they will not be sent home in body bags.

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