THURSDAY 8TH JULY 2021

N’Assembly Increases Extra Budget By N86.9bn to N982.729bn Senate approves $6.183bn external loan request Deji Elumoye and Udora Orizu in Abuja The National Assembly yesterday raised the N895.842 billion supplementary budget proposal for the 2021 fiscal

year submitted to its two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives, by President Muhammadu Buhari

by N87.9 billion and approved N982.729 billion.

The Senate also approved the

federal government's request for $6.183 billion (N2.343 trillion) as external borrowing in 2021 Appropriation Act. Nonetheless, the federal government has intensified preparations for next year's

budget as it approved the 2022 - 2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF & FSP), authorising the funding of a N5.26 trillion budget deficit in 2022 through

external borrowings.

The passage of the supplementary Appropriation Bill 2021 by the Senate was a sequel to the consideration of a report by the Committee on Appropriation during plenary.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, explained that N45.63 billion required for COVID-19 Continued on page 12

Zulum, Ishaku, Senators Back Southern Presidency... Page 8 Thursday 8 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9586. Price: N250

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L-R (Front row): Mr. Mobolaji Balogun; Group Deputy Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna; deceased’s children, Ms. Ofovwe and Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Chairman, Mrs. Ajoritsedere Awosika; deceased's husband, Mr. Frank Aig-Imoukhuede; GMD/CEO, Mr. Herbert Wigwe; deceased’s daughter, Mrs. Erekpitan Ola-Adisa; and Executive Directors, Mr. Victor Etuokwu and Ms. Chizoma Okoli, during the condolence visit by the board of the bank to the Aig-Imoukhuede family over the death of their matriarch, Mrs. Emily Aig-Imoukhuede in Lagos…recently

UNICEF Urges More Protection for Children, Schools, Says 950 Abducted Parents of kidnapped pupils accuse Kaduna school of negligence Emma Okonji, Nosa Alekhuogie in Lagos and Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern over growing attacks

on schoolchildren, as well as child abductions in Nigeria, with a call on authorities in the country to do more to ensure that children can safely live and go to school or fetch water without fear of

being attacked or taken from their families.

UNICEF, in a statement yesterday by its Executive Director, Ms. Henrietta Fore, lamented that no fewer than 950 students were abducted in

Nigeria since December 2020.

Also, people whose children and wards were kidnapped from Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna on Monday, have accused the school authorities of complacency

and negligence, for not taking action to beef up security around the premises, after receiving a threat letter from bandits planning to kidnap the pupils.

UNICEF stated that over the

past six weeks alone, nearly 500 children were abducted in four separate incidents in both the North-central and North-west, with many still

Adeosun Savours Court Victory, Says I am Vindicated...Page 5

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

Adeosun Savours Court Victory, Says I am Vindicated She doesn’t need NYSC certificate for ministerial appointment, judge rules

Alex Enumah in Abuja It was a sweet victory for former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, yesterday, as Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court declared that she did not need the National

Youth Service Scheme (NYSC) discharge certificate to take up a ministerial appointment in the country.

Delivering judgment in a suit instituted by her, Justice Taiwo, who granted all the reliefs sought by the plaintiff, noted that Adeosun who graduated

Govs to Launch Peace, Inclusive Security Initiative Today Chuks Okocha in Abuja Governors of the 36 states of the federation will today launch their peace and inclusive security initiative in Abuja with a former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) in attendance.

According to a statement by the Head of Media and Publicity of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr. Abdullraque Barkindo, the event is aimed at tackling insecurity, conflict and violence.

He said the initiative would provide a platform for sharing experiences on government, civil society initiatives testing practicable ideas and pushing for implementation of innovative solutions to conflict and insecurity.

The initiative panel will comprise governors, heads of security and other eminent persons who can influence policy at the highest level and who might have contributed in promoting national peace and security.

Besides Abdulsalami, who doubles as the chairman of the National Peace Committee, other guests expected at the event include the Minister of Humanitarian, Disaster Management and Social Development, Ms. Sadiya Farouk; Prof. Abiodun Alao of the African Studies, Kings College London; the Director of the African Security Leadership Centre, Mr. Nnamdi Obasi; Senior Adviser on Nigeria International Crisis Group, Prof. Isaac Mbachu of Political Science and Defence Studies also former Head of Political Science and Defence Studies, Nigerian Defence Academy

(NDA).

The statement added that there would also be a technical steering committee, explaining that this will be the technical organ responsible for implementing the decisions and directions of the panel to be steered by the NGF Secretariat, the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the National Orientation Agency.

Others are the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the Ministry of Interior, related Ministries, departments and agencies at the state level, security agencies and military operations deployed in relevant states, donors, international organisations and civil societies.

The objectives of the meeting, it was gathered, included having agenda-setting on peace and stability, especially at the sub-national levels. It will support decision-making on security at the national level through the National Economic Council (NEC).

It will help in identifying the drivers of insecurity at the state level and stimulate collaborative response by stakeholders.

There will also be highlevel advocacy for peace and inclusive security among the governors and government institutions at federal and state levels.

The initiative will also, promote networking and synergy amongst state and non-state actors to enhance peace and inclusive security.

from a London University in 1989, was already 36 years old by the time of her appointment, adding that in line with the requirements of the scheme, she was exempted from service.

In a swift reaction, the former minister said in a statement yesterday that the judgment had vindicated her.

Adeosun had resigned her appointment as Minister of Finance and returned to the United Kingdom following the controversy surrounding her NYSC status.

She, however, instituted a suit against the federal government, which also included the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The judge held that Adeosun could not have presented herself for participation in the NYSC programme because under 1979 Constitution, which was in force at the time of her graduation, she was not a Nigerian citizen either at the time of her graduation or when she turned 30.

The court held that facts before it proved that the former minister was a United

Kingdom citizen having been born there in 1967 and remained there till 2003 when she came back to Nigeria.

He added that Adeosun became a Nigerian citizen by virtue of the 1999 Constitution, which came into force on May 29, 1999, and, therefore, was not affected by the NYSC Act. Justice Taiwo said Adeosun would have committed a grave crime against Nigeria, if she had participated in the NYSC having attained the exemption age of 36 years.

The judge stated that the constitution does not require the plaintiff to present her firstdegree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate, before she could be appointed as a minister.

It ruled that the ministerial appointment of Adeosun was not illegal, neither was it unconstitutional, even without presenting the NYSC certificate.

In its ruling on a suit for constitutional interpretation filed at the court in March 2021 by the firm of Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), on behalf of Adeosun, the court

said since the 1979 Constitution, which was in force at the time did not recognise dual citizenship, Adeosun could not have served because she was a British citizen.

Adeosun graduated from the University of East London in 1989 at the age of 22.

The court ruled that Nigeria citizenship only reverted under the extant constitution by which time Adeosun was well above 30 and ineligible to participate in the NYSC scheme.

The court accordingly granted all reliefs sought by Adeosun's counsel.

Ruling Has Vindicated Me, Says ex-Finance Minister Reacting to the judgment in a statement in Abuja yesterday, Adeosun said she had been vindicated by the court.

She, however, added that she had a traumatic spell on the certificate forgery allegation against her.

She said the judgment of Justice Taiwo was not only a personal victory for her but for

all Nigerians in the Diaspora.

She said she would take further steps at the appropriate time to protect her reputation.

Adeosun said: “My lawyers have informed me of the judgment by the Federal High Court, Abuja, in the case of Folakemi Adeosun v the Attorney-General of the Federation (FHC/ABJ/ CS/303/2021) in which the court, presided over by Hon. Justice Taiwo Taiwo, ruled that the constitution does not require me to present my first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate, to be appointed a minister.

“More importantly, he also ruled that I was not eligible to perform NYSC by virtue of the constitution. This is the position I have always maintained and I am happy for this official clarification.

“The ruling vindicates me after a very traumatic spell.

It is, however, not only a personal victory; it’s also a victory for many Nigerians in the Diaspora under similar conditions who are desirous to serve their country."

LATEST GENERAL...

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya; and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), during the decoration of the army boss in Abuja...yesterday godwin omoigui

COAS: We've Sent Criminals Undermining Nigeria's Security to God Magashi defends Buhari’s threats against illegal arm bearers Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, has declared that many bandits and other criminals undermining the nation's security have been sent to God to answer for their crimes.

This is just as the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), said undesirable elements carrying unauthorised arms are now being taught in the language they understand, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Chief of Army Staff spoke yesterday, shortly after being decorated with his new rank of lieutenant general by Buhari at the State House,

Abuja.

Asked what message he has for the bandits and other criminals undermining the national security given Buhari’s declaration that they would be spoken to in the language they understand, the COAS stated: “That’s what we have started doing already and many of them have been sent to God to go and answer for their crimes.

And we will continue to do that.”

Yahaya thanked the president for the confidence reposed in him, pledging his unalloyed loyalty on behalf of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army.

He promised that the army will continue to do its best to arrest insecurity in the country,

particularly insurgency and other violent crimes, adding that the military would continue to leverage on the successes recorded so far and its experience.

He said: “I want to first most sincerely appreciate the President and Commanderin-Chief of the armed forces for the confidence reposed in me and now being decorated lieutenant general and Chief of Army Staff.

“And I want to pledge my unalloyed loyalty on behalf of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army and also continue to do our very best to arrest this challenge that we have, particularly insurgency, insecurity and other violent

crimes.

“We are already getting successes. We will leverage on that including our experience in this job and by the grace of God, we shall get there,” he added.

Also speaking, Magashi said the ceremony was a normal decoration and that the president had given his directives on what he wanted them to achieve.

He said: "It is a normal decoration, the president has already talked to us about how he wants us to operate, how he wants us to solve the problem of this insecurity especially in the North-east and he has already started."

Asked what the president

expects from the new army chief, he said:" I think like every other chief, his mandate is to bring to an end this banditry, kidnapping and the Boko Haram issue and I think right from his resumption to date there is a lot of improvement in the way we are fighting this war.

The planning is thorough, the activities are going according to operational plans and I am sure with that kind of arrangement we will get out of the insurgency problem. " On whether the military has started implementing the president’s order that criminals undermining national security should be treated in the language they would

understand, Magashi said: "I really don't seem to see any need for explanation; if you commit an offence you will be treated, you will be tried, if you are guilty you will be punished.

"But for anybody picking arms against soldiers, you know what it means; we will also treat him according to the law. I don't think that there is anything wrong to get rid of your enemy if he wants to get rid of you and that is what the President is saying. You cannot burn our weapon and be allowed to stay alive because he can use that weapon against you. So we use the weapon against them and that is what we are doing.

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Oil Majors Back PIB, Seek Speedy Assent Buhari to receive final document next week Senate committee says 5% will be approved for host communities Emmanuel Addeh and Peter Uzoho in Abuja International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria yesterday rallied behind the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) passed by the National Assembly last week, describing it as a watershed in the annals of the oil and gas industry in the country.

The oil majors, including Total, Shell, ExxonMobil and Chevron said at the 20th Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, that while there had been attempts in the past to push the bill, the latest round of consultations were the most intense.

Managing Director, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, who participated in a panel discussion during the programme, stated that the industry was waiting for the bill to be harmonised and speedily assented by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the uncertainty that had enveloped the industry would be minimised, urging that the implementation of the law should be taken seriously to grow the industry and ensure more returns to stakeholders.

He said: “For those of us on this side of the table, you could almost not have a decent discussion with your corporate organisation on any investment decision without that uncertainty element coming in. That is to say, under which law are we making these investment decisions?

“Just having this law finally bodes well for the industry and we all need to congratulate those who have played their own part. I have been with this PIB for the greater part of my career. Several times, when you mention it outside, they just laugh and say, ‘we have been through this before.’

“The point to be made is that more than any time in the past, the industry has been consulted. All of us on this side of the table have had cause to go to the National Assembly to make our voices heard.”

He stated that although the document is not perfect, all stakeholders have been carried along during putting the wellarticulated bill together, while the industry is now waiting for the end product.

Managing Director of Total Energies, Nigeria, Mr. Mike Sangster, said Nigeria deserved credit for finally passing the legislation, adding that though it took about a decade to pass the bill, the legislation would free the industry from some of the impediments that had inhibited its growth.

He said: “We look forward to the presentation of the final law. It has taken 20 years to get to this stage. Nigeria deserves some credit. The collaborative process has been good. The public hearings and engagements have been useful.”

He stated that with 37 billion barrels of proven oil reserves and an optimistic production of two million barrels per day, it would take roughly 50 years to exhaust the resource, and a lot of investment would be needed before then.

According to him, the bill will be critical to stimulate investment and encouraging increased production but added that other issues like security should be tackled head-on.

“There’s a huge challenge of security in terms of cost.

Infrastructure, especially gas, needs to be encouraged. We need to work together to drive down the cost of doing business. Put side by side other countries, I think it’s on the high side. We look forward to seeing the final harmonised bill next week,” he said.

Also, Chairman and Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria, Mr. Richard Kennedy, joined his colleagues in

congratulating the National Assembly “for reaching this milestone.”

“And I want to reiterate the high degree of stakeholder involvement and listening to everyone that will be impacted.

“We have spent a lot of time providing insights and input and we look forward to seeing that final version so that we can really dive into it in our transition from putting the bill together to operationalising it. We have a lot of work to do but it is going to be exciting,” he said.

Managing Director of ExxonMobil, Mr. Richard Laing, also said the uncertainty and multiple taxes surrounding the industry would now be addressed with the passage of the PIB. “This will bring certainty and after that will come the competitiveness in the industry and in my role, I have to go to the company

to articulate to get funds in-country. And also, the bill will take care of the plethora of taxes we are faced with,” he said.

Senate Committee Chairman, Upstream, Senator Bassey Akpan, said the bill would be sent to the president for his assent next week, adding that there’s no controversy over the funds allocated to the host communities.

“Between now and Tuesday, the joint committee of the National Assembly of which I am one, will be laying the report at the plenary and should be heading towards the presidential villa before the end of next week.

“We have for once constructively taken a note of the peculiarities of the different operators in the country, whether the IOCs, or other stakeholders in the course of our consultations and I think that we have

captured the scenarios and we have proven that we will move the industry and the country forward,” he said.

According to him, the bill, when assented, will ensure transparency in the running of the industry and have a positive impact on the host communities.

He added that the state governments have been carefully excluded from the governance of the host community structure, which is now strictly between the settlor and the hosts.

On the controversy over the three per cent allocation to the communities, he said: “There are speculations as to whether it’s three per cent or five per cent. What was laid before the National Assembly is five per cent of actual operators' expenses in the preceding year.

“What the Senate proposed was 2.5 per cent of the OPEX in the previous year and after all the consultations, we at

the National Assembly believe that for there to be peaceful coexistence and based on reality, a chunk of their cost of production is attributable to insecurity.

“We in the Senate believe that by the increase of the 2.5 per cent to five per cent and placing some elements of responsibility on the protection of the assets on the host communities, we will stop the issues of blockades.”

He added that once the huge sums spent on security by oil companies are put into the fund, in the long run, they will have a peaceful environment to operate.

Chairman of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, in his remarks, stated that the real fundamental and basic thing to driving energy security and sufficiency in the country was to create the enabling environment for investment.

PUSHING FOR SOUTHERN PRESIDENCY...

L-R: House Minority Leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu; Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; and Senate Minority Whip, Senator Phillip Aduda, at a joint press briefing by Peoples Democratic Party National Assembly caucus on Southern presidency in Abuja…yesterday julius atoi

ECOWAS Parliament Lists Dangers of Airline Operators Justify Incessant Cryptocurrencies, Cautions against Use Delays, Cancellation of Domestic Flights Michael Olugbode in Abuja The ECOWAS Parliament has cautioned against the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of exchange and commerce.

Rising from a meeting of its joint committee in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso yesterday, the ECOWAS Parliament stated that there is a cause for concern with regards to the risk factors involved.

The meeting, which highlighted the prospects of cryptocurrencies as a facilitator for investment in West Africa had in attendance cryptocurrency experts and resource persons.

The meeting added that the sharp decline in the value of Bitcoins over recent weeks is a reminder to all that cryptocurrencies are not safe assets, hence their use on the African continent is not without dangers for several reasons.

The joint committee also reminded the sub-region that cryptocurrencies can be refused for payment without contravening legal provisions.

It added that cryptoassets are not a means of payment and cannot be likened to e-cash, even as cryptocurrencies were also identified as extremely volatile, owing to restrictive issuance mechanism that encourages speculation.

The joint committee stated that like all other digital payment instruments, Bitcoin is always attacked by pirates.

The committee urged cryptocurrencies enthusiasts to guard against the risk of theft, adding that if the cryptocurrency is by nature inviolable, portfolios, on the other hand, are not.

Among the risk factors identified is that cryptocurrency is an insecure liquidity, given the shallow depth of the foreign exchange market and high

concentration of assets (96 per cent of bitcoins are believed to be held by 2.5 per cent of users), a liquidity problem may arise.

Another risk factor of cryptocurrencies identified by the committee is that it is an irreversible transaction.

The transaction cannot be cancelled when the sender notices a mistake, as only the receiver can decide to return them.

The committee said another source of concern to its use was that almost no authority to regulate it.

The joint committee, however, said the boom of Bitcoin and the growing popularity of virtual currencies had caught the attention of financial authorities, while governments have started giving them a thought.

It noted that some countries have made efforts to put in place regulations and have made some progress.

Call for prosecution of unruly passengers Deji Elumoye in Abuja Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have attributed the delay and cancellation of domestic flights to unavailability and the rising cost of aviation fuel (Jet A1) and inadequate parking space.

The group led by the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, which appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation, chaired by Senator Smart Adeyemi, also demanded the prosecution of unruly passengers at the airports.

Onyema while claiming that on some occasions, JetA1 became scarce nationwide with attendant impact on airline operations around the country said at times the operators go the extra mile to fulfil their obligation to customers by looking for aviation fuel at the black market.

He said apart from the crippling issue of shortage

of Jet A-1, the marketers had been increasing the price of the product consistently in the recent past to the unbearable point, adding .that as at April, Jet A-1 fuel was sold for about N230 per litre.

"About two months ago in May, the price jumped to between N250 and N255 per litre. As of today, the price has skyrocketed to an average of N280- N300 per litre depending on if you are buying in Lagos or Abuja. This has greatly increased our operational cost," he added.

Onyeama also hinged the cancellation and delay of flights to inadequate parking space for aircraft, explaining that during the rush hour between 6:30 am and 8.30 am, there are usually between 14 to 15 aircraft departing out of the local airport in Lagos.

"Unfortunately, the apron at Muritala Muhammed Airport,

Ikeja in Lagos for instance, can only accommodate a maximum of six aircraft at a time and the newly built apron can accommodate another three to four aircraft. This means jostling for parking space which also causes delay."

Other reasons given by Onyema are unavailability of forex for spare parts and maintenance, sudden change of weather, delay due to VIP movement, inefficient passenger access and facilitation delayed clearance of spare parts from Customs and inadequate screening and exit points at departure.

On the unruly behaviour of some passengers, he called for their prosecution, lamenting that some passengers had in the past slapped his staff for no just reason, while some computers at the front desk at the airports had also been destroyed by some passengers.

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Zulum, Ishaku, Senators Back Southern Presidency PDP lawmakers support state police Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Udora Orizu in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti More people and groups yesterday joined the crusade, revived by the Southern Governors’ Forum, for the South to produce the next president with endorsements from Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum; Taraba State Governor, Mr. Darius Ishaku, and senators from the region.

The senators stated that rotating the presidency to the South would end secessionist agitations, a position the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the National Assembly also supported.

The party’s legislators also backed the other aspects of the southern governors’ resolutions relating to the creation of state police, the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and other demands.

Zulum reiterated his support for the South to produce the president in 2023.

The Borno State governor, who spoke on a live television programme, however, cautioned against the use of “must” when such matters are raised.

He said there should be more robust discourse concerning such issues.

He added: “I have said it times without number that I, Prof. Babagana Zulum, I am of the view that the presidency should go to

the South in the year 2023 because the unity of our country is very important.

“Secondly, inclusivity is very important. Thirdly, I am in the APC. Six or seven years ago, APC had zoned the presidency to Northern Nigeria based on the agreement that in the year 2023, the presidency should go to the South.

“But again, this is politics.

We are supposed to meet and discuss this issue among ourselves, among the political class.

“This statement that people are saying that the president must go to the South, I want them to remove the word must.”

Zulum also dismissed reports that he is nursing an ambition of becoming the vice president in 2023.

“And I have said it before, I am not interested in becoming the vice president of the country or the president of the nation but I want to say the right thing,” he said.

Zulum stated that the prohibition of herders from grazing openly in some states would not work until insecurity and the socio-political and economic dimensions of the crisis are addressed.

According to him, the socio-political and economic dimensions of the insecurity in the country as well as the insurgency war in the North-east, which is fast spreading to other parts of the country must first

be addressed.

He explained: “We have to address the socio-political and economic dimensions of this crisis which is very important because there is increasing poverty in the sub-region; that is something that will trigger insurgency.

“The issue of the sociopolitical and economic dimensions of this crisis is very important; addressing farmers-herders conflict is also very important; to ensure that the enabling environment has been created for the herders is very important. This issue of stopping open grazing and others will not work unless we sit down and address all these issues squarely,” he added.

Also speaking last night on a live TV programme, Ishaku also backed the call for power rotation between the South and the North.

He suggested that the presidency should rotate between the North and the South every eight years until the country’s democracy has matured to a level that the selection of the country’s president would be based purely on merit.

According to him, Nigeria’s democracy is still evolving, hence the need for power to be rotated between the North and the South.

He argued that by the time Nigeria’s democracy is fully matured, nobody will be interested in where the president comes from as every election will be

based on merit.

Also, the spokesman of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), Dr. Hakeem BabaAhmed, said yesterday on a television programme that many Northerners might be discouraged from voting for a Southerner as president with the manner the governors and leaders of the region were going about their agitation.

On their part, the senators backed the governors from the region on their unanimous decision on the rotational presidency, describing the measure as the best political arrangement that can unify the country and correct its fault lines.

They stated that allowing the presidency to oscillate between the North and the South will quell the secessionist agitations by some individuals and groups.

The Southern Senators’ Forum, in a statement yesterday by its Chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, commended the 17 Southern governors for their decision.

He said: "As much as we believe that competence and not regionalism should be the watchword in who becomes the president of any nation, we need to also be circumspect of our ethnic and political pluralities and think of the best way to further unite us.”

He said insecurity, secessionist agitations and others had worsened Nigeria's division and stressed the need for the

country to ruminate on how best to resolve these crises.

Bamidele said: "Nigeria has never been this divided and the current parlous situation that has pushed our country to the verge of collapse necessitated the governors' decisions and it shouldn't be seen from the narrow spectrum that they were stoking the fire of disunity or promoting regionalism or ethnicity.

"Rotational presidency will resolve most of the political problems and would naturally ward off secessionist agenda being promoted by some individuals and groups."

The forum condemned open grazing resulting in the destruction of farmlands and carnages due to unresolved crises between herders and farmers.

The senators stated that the governors did well banning open grazing in their respective states via the promulgation of anti-open grazing laws, adding that the country must move with the tide of modernity.

Meanwhile, the PDP Caucus in the National Assembly yesterday reaffirmed its support for the establishment of state police as well as other measures adopted by the Southern governors to ensure the security of lives and property in their respective states, including those curtailing unauthorised movements and occupation of forest areas.

The Senate Minority

Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, and other members of the caucus who addressed journalists yesterday in Abuja, also described the plan to remove the clause on electronic transmission of results from the Electoral Amendment Bill as unpatriotic and mischievous.

The caucus affirmed the demands by governors that as chief security officers in the states, they must be duly informed before any security institution undertakes any operation in their domains.

It also supported the demand by the governors that deductions from the Federation Account for the Nigeria Police Security Trust Fund should be distributed among the states and federal government to combat security challenges.

"We call on governors, lawmakers and critical stakeholders from other regions to support these patriotic initiatives of the Southern Governors’ Forum in the interest of security of lives and property in our dear nation," it added.

The caucus agreed with the position of the governors in rejecting the three per cent of the share of oil revenue to the host communities as passed by the Senate in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and supported the five per cent as passed by the House of Representatives.

negligence.”

He added that the action of the school matron and the school authority compounded the African challenge, where parents do not take their children seriously, even when they are saying something serious, just because they are children.

He advised parents and teachers to always listen to children, respect them and take them seriously whenever they lodge complaints.

He said: “Apart from being the CAN chairman of Kaduna State, I am a parent and my child attends the school and I am also a pastor in Baptist Church, which was the reason I sent my son who is in SS3 to that school.

“So, if the expression of concern can rescue those in captivity and put an end to kidnapping, then kidnapping would have long ended in Kaduna State and in other states of the federation.”

According to him, the current demand for food items by the bandits, without talking about ransom, showed that the bandits were confident that nobody, including the government, could bring them to order.

“If the bandits are on the run, they will not be asking for food items like rice, beans, garri, and oil to feed students in captivity.

The best they can do is to ask for ransom, but instead of ransom, they are demanding for food items. They make these demands because they

know that government and the parents can do nothing to them,” Hayab said.

Narrating the ordeal of his son during the kidnapping, Hayab said his 16-year- old son was among the few that escaped when the bandits struck.

He, however, said he would not disclose everything his son told him because the government had already started denying some of the things that happened when the pupils were kidnapped.

UNICEF URGES MORE PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN, SCHOOLS, SAYS 950 ABDUCTED in captivity.

UNICEF said on July 5, 2020, 150 students were reportedly abducted from a school in Kaduna State, marking the latest incident in an alarming spate of attacks against children and abductions, including of students, in parts of West and Central Africa.

Fore added that such incidents appeared to be increasing in frequency, raising fears for the safety and well-being of the region’s children.

Citing the latest report of the United Nations Secretary-General on children and armed conflict, UNICEF said one in every three child victims of grave violations had been in West, and Central Africa.

It also highlighted the attacks on civilians and other violations of international humanitarian law in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DRC and Niger Republic.

UNICEF said: “Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the UN estimates that at least 950 students have been abducted from their schools by armed men since December. Over the past six weeks alone, nearly 500 children were abducted in four separate incidents across the central and Northwest parts of the country.

Many of these children have not yet been returned. It is hard to fathom the pain and fear that their families and loved ones are suffering in their absence.

“It is not enough to

condemn these crimes, not when millions of children face a worsening protection crisis. Children living in these areas need concerted action to ensure that they can safely live and go to school or fetch water without fear of being attacked or taken from their families.”

According to Fore, non-state armed groups and all parties to conflict committing violations of children’s rights – have a moral and legal obligation to immediately cease attacks against civilians and to respect and protect civilians and civilian objects during any military operations.

Fore also urged them not to impede but facilitate the efforts of UNICEF and other humanitarian actors working to reach vulnerable children.

She said: “The international community also has an important role to play.

We need our donors to increase their contributions so that we can expand our work to reduce children’s vulnerabilities and increase their resilience to keep them safe from harm. These efforts include creating safe temporary learning environments for children in areas where schools have been closed because of insecurity, providing psychosocial support to children affected by violence, and supporting education on mine risk awareness."

According to her, every effort must be made to reverse the spiraling protection crisis for children

as the region is on the brink of catastrophe.”

Parents of kidnapped pupils accuse Kaduna school of negligence Meanwhile, people whose children and wards were kidnapped from Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna on Monday have accused the school authorities of complacency and negligence, for not taking action to beef up security around the premises, after receiving a threat letter from bandits, planning to kidnap the pupils.

The bandits, last Sunday, sent a threat letter to the school, announcing their plan to kidnap the pupils on Tuesday, but brought forward the timeline by a day when they kidnapped over 149 pupils, while 28 were said to have escaped.

The parents who formed different prayer groups in the school compound yesterday, called on God to intervene and protect their children and wards in captivity.

They said they had to go spiritual because they had lost confidence in the government in protecting lives and property.

They also blamed the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, for not doing enough to rescue kidnapped pupils.

They said the show of expression of concern by the state government and the federal government was not enough to bring back their children and wards.

Chairman, Christian

Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, Rev. John Hayab, who spoke yesterday on ARISE NEWS Channels, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, confirmed that the pupils got a letter on Sunday from the bandits.

According to him, the pupils showed the letter to their patron, who dismissed the threat letter and accused them of being unnecessarily afraid of writing their examinations that were supposed to start the next day.

He said the pupils also took the letter to the matron of the female students and got the same reaction from her.

He said: “Instead of Tuesday, the bandits struck on Monday and kidnapped several students, which I see as negligence on the part of the school authority, who had been pre-informed of the plan to kidnap the students.

“The distance between the school and the police station in that area is about one kilometre and the distance between the school and the divisional police headquarters in the state is between six and seven kilometres. I cannot understand why the school authority could not take the threat letter serious and inform the police for necessary action “As a Baptist school, owned by the Baptist Church, I think the church should investigate the school authority for their

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THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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Boko Haram, Bandits, More Deadly Than Separatist Groups, Umar Tells FG John Shiklam in Kaduna A former military governor of Kaduna State, Col. Dangiwa Umar (rtd), has blasted the federal government over the security situation in the country, saying it is strange that the government is according undue attention to the threats by separatist movements despite the more daunting security issues posed by bandits, kidnappers and insurgents in the North.

In a statement issued yesterday in Kaduna, Umar asked the federal government to go beyond the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, and pay greater attention to the more serious security challenges threatening to cripple the country.

According to him, the activities of bandits and insurgents have resulted in the evacuation of over 20 per cent of the villagers in North-west and North-east,

while hundreds of people were being murdered, maimed and kidnapped for ransom every week.

He also added that millions of people have been rendered internally displaced, facing disease and starvation.

Umar said bandits have abducted over 1,000 school children in the North in the past eight months, adding that over 300 others are still in captivity, with the bandits demanding humongous ransom payments.

He noted that the recent re-arrest of the IPOB leader was greeted with a loud sigh of relief and celebration in some sections of the country.

Umar said the arrest also elicited congratulatory messages to the federal government, which appears overwhelmed by the intractable security challenges and in dire need of any redeeming act.

He described the development as clearly an

exaggeration of the security threat Kanu and indeed IPOB posed to the nation's security and unity”.

“It is quite strange and disturbing that the federal government is according undue attention to the threats of separatist movements in contrast to the more daunting ones posed by bandits, kidnappers and insurgents in the North-west, some parts of North-central and North-east.

“Hundreds are being murdered and maimed every week. Many more are kidnapped for ransom”.

He lamented further that millions of people have been rendered internally displaced, facing disease and starvation.

“Over 1,000 school children were abducted in the past 8 months with over 300 still in the hands of the bandits and kidnappers demanding humongous ransom payments.

“Rape of women and young girls has become a daily

occurrence. Most economic activities, particularly farming, which is the mainstay of the people in these areas are now all but impossible.

“Government's earlier claim of having technically defeated the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-east has turned out to be empty propaganda”, he said.

Umar maintained argued that contrary to this claim, the enemy had transformed into a more determined and deadly force, threatening to overrun the whole of the North-east.

He said, “For the average northerner living in these zones, who is barely aware of the activities of separatists, banditry, kidnappings and insurgency are of greater threat and concern to him.”

He argued that the arrest of Kanu was of no serious consequence since it did nothing to ameliorate this harsh and brutal condition.

He said however that in recognising the right of every

citizen or group to express the desire for self-determination, the use of violence should not be supported or condone.

“IPOB and its leader may well be responsible for some of the violence, including the murder of security personnel, arson and destruction of public and private properties for which they should be held to account.

“We must however be honest enough to identify the cause of the current growing restiveness in the South-east”, Umar added.

He called on the government to deploy non-violent means in addressing the problem of people agitating for selfdetermination.

Umar said it was selfevident that justice, fairness and equity are the best means of building a united and virile nation, particularly one as diverse and fragile as Nigeria.

“It is my long-held belief that this country is more beneficial to all the federating

units, if only because it provides a security umbrella to all its units.

“None of them will fare better in a balkanized Nigeria due to their similar diversities.

“The recognition of Nigeria as the giant of Africa is not on account of its huge oil wealth but its size, diversity as well as other potentials”.

Umar argued that the nation can only remain united and prosperous when all its citizens and the component parts feel a true sense of belonging.

“Without it, the nation's unity will be in serious jeopardy similar to what Nigeria is currently experiencing.

“Truth be told, the Buhari’s administration has so far exhibited poor skills in its management of our diversity.

“Yet it has the benefit of great examples by past administrations and statesmen, which should guide it,” he added.

entrusted with the management of the funds to ensure prudent application to projects nationwide.

Buhari, in a request letter dated May 18, 2021, and read at Senate plenary on June 2, 2021, had asked the Senate to approve N2.3 trillion external loan to fund the 2021 budget deficit.

FG to fund N5.62tn deficit in 2022 budget with external loans.

The federal government has approved the 2022 - 2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF & FSP), authorising the funding of an N5.26 trillion budget deficit in 2022 through external borrowings.

Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, told journalists yesterday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that her ministry presented a memo to FEC with a 2022 projected revenue of N6.54 trillion and N2.62 trillion to accrue to the Federation Account and VAT, respectively.

She added that the revenue is projected to increase in 2023 to N9.15 trillion.

She said: “We also reported to the council the budget deficit and the financing items for the expenditure. The budget deficit that is projected for 2022 is N5.62 trillion, up from N5.60 trillion in 2021.

"This amount represents 3.05 per cent of the estimated GDP, which is slightly above the three per cent threshold that is specified in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. The FRA empowers Mr. President to exceed the threshold if, in his opinion, the nation faces national security threats. And it is our opinion on fact agreed that we can exceed.

“The deficit is going to be financed by new foreign borrowing and domestic borrowing, both domestic and foreign in the sum of N4.89 trillion on privatisation proceeds of N90.73 billion and drawdowns from existing project tied loans of N635

billion.

“I just want to state that the projected debt-to-revenue ratio in the report is 43 per cent. Which, of course, we know Nigerians all have concerns about the actual debt-to-revenue ratio in 2019 was 58 per cent. So, this is an improvement over 2019.

In 2020, the ratio was up to 85 per cent. So 2022 is a significant improvement.”

She explained that the MTF FSP describes the federal government's socioeconomic and developmental objectives and priorities for the reporting period of 2022 to 2024 as well as the fiscal strategies to be put in place, and policies to achieve in the priorities.

Ahmed stated that the report to the council highlighted the key drivers of government's revenue and the spending plans.

She said they had also presented to the federal government the projected revenues for the 2022 to 2024.

She said she provided to the council, a macroeconomic background, which affirmed that the Nigerian economy has recovered from a negative growth of 1.8 per cent in 2020 to 2.5 per cent.

She added that inflation has moderated from a 19-month-high in two months, while it's now moderated in two months now, that is coming down to 17.93 per cent.

She said the key macro assumptions that were presented and approved by the council was that crude oil benchmark price would be $57 per barrel of crude oil for 2022, crude oil production of 1.8 8 million barrels per day, and exchange rate of N410 to one US dollar, an inflation rate of 10 per cent in 2022, and a nominal GDP of N149.369 trillion.

Also, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said FEC approved the Ecological Fund Projects for the third and fourth quarters of 2020 in many states.

N’ASSEMBLY INCREASES EXTRA BUDGET BY N86.9BN TO N982.729BN vaccine programme would be sourced through World Bank loans and grants.

He added that the balance of N37.93 billion is to be sourced from Special Reserve/ Levy Accounts comprising: TSA (Foreign currency component) – N25 billion; MOFI CHQ optional – N5 billion; and Foreign Revenue E-Collection – N30 billion; 65 per cent Wheat Flour Levy – N15 billion; 5.15 per cent Wheat Grain Levy – N15 billion and Rolled-Over Capital (unspent) – N5 billion.

He added that the balance of N722.40 billion, which is for capital expenditure on the procurement of additional equipment for the security agencies and capital supplementation would be sourced from new borrowing.

Barau stated that the committee, in line with the harmonised position with its House of Representatives counterpart recommended an upward review of the funding of some security agencies that were grossly underfunded or not funded in the supplementary Appropriation Bill.

He listed the agencies to include the Nigerian Navy, Ministry of Police Affairs, Defence Intelligence Agency, Department of State Security Services (DSS) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A breakdown of the capital expenditure for Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government in the supplementary budget shows that N8,500,000,000 was approved for the Ministry of Police Affairs; N22,586,121,511 for the police; N33,673,461,231 for the Defence Headquarters; N207,543,863,993 for the Nigerian Army; N157,780,421,836 – Nigerian Navy; N239,477,882,473 – Nigerian Air Force; N43,326,943,687 – Defence Space Administration and N16,887,229,426 – Defence Intelligence Agency.

Others include: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps – N14,822,575,648;

Office of the National Security Adviser – N17,000,000,000; Department of State Services – N17,500,000,000; National Intelligence Agency – N4,870,350,000; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) – N3,500,000,000; and National Agency For the Control of AIDS (NACA) – N1,685,000,000.

Under the Federal Ministry of Health, the sum of N2,800,000,00 was approved for the procurement of molecular laboratory equipment to hospitals (N300 million); National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi (N300 million); National Eye Centre, Kaduna (N300 million); National Fistula Centre, Abakaliki (N300 million); National Fistula Hospital, Sokoto (N300 million); Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Calabar (N300 million); University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (N300 million); Federal Medical Centre, Asaba Annex, Aniocha (N300 million) and FMC Nguru (N400 million).

In addition, N6,715,338,874 was approved for the procurement and installation of new oxygen plants nationwide and repairs of oxygen plants in FCT hospitals; and N60,728,332,500 for vaccines procurement cost (Federal Government of Nigeria Funding – $298,500,000 for 29.85 million Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Of the total sum of N982,729,695,343 billion passed, N123,332,174,164 billion is for recurrent (nondebt) expenditure; and N859,397,521,179 billion as contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure.

Also yesterday, the House Committee on Appropriation, in its report presented by the Chairman Hon. Muktar Betara, increased the budget size to N982,729,695,343, representing an increase of N86.9 billion to Buhari’s proposal.

Betara said N123,332,174,164 was for recurrent (nondebt) expenditure, while N859, 397,521,179 was

for contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year ending on December 31, 2021.

Senate Approves $6.183bn External Loan Request Meanwhile, the Senate has approved the federal government's request for $6.183 billion (N2.343 trillion) as external borrowing in 2021 Appropriation Act. It also directed the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; the Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Patience Oniha, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to submit to the National Assembly within 10 working days (excluding the day of close of trading), a letter containing the United States dollars amount so raised and received as a result of the approval together with the applicable exchange rate.

The external borrowing is expected to be sourced through the issuance of Eurobond in the international capital market.

The approval by the Senate was sequel to the consideration of a report by the Committee on Local and Foreign Debts.

Presenting the report, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Clifford Ordia, said in considering the president’s request, the committee noted the serious concerns of Nigerians about the level of sustainability and servicing of Nigeria’s external borrowing.

“Due to the shortfall in our annual revenues in relation to our need for rapid infrastructural and human capital development, we had to pass deficit budget every year requiring us to borrow to finance the deficit in our budget,” he stated.

Ordia explained that the new borrowing was calculated at the exchange rate of $1/ N379, and raised from multiple sources – multilateral and bilateral lenders through the

issuance of Eurobonds.

He added that the proceeds of the $6.183 billion would be used to fund various specific capital projects in sectors ranging from power, transportation, agriculture and rural development, education and health, as well as the provision of counterpart funding for multilateral and bilateral projects, defence and water resources.

He stated that the final terms and conditions – the interest rate and tenors in the case of Eurobonds – can only be determined at the point of issuance of the bonds and would be subject to market conditions prevailing at the time of issuance.

According to him, the primary listing of the bond will be on the London Stock Exchange while the secondary listing will be on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Financial Markets Dealers Quotations (FMDQ) Securities Exchange.

The Senate, while adopting the resolutions of the Committee on Local and Foreign Debt approved the issuance of $3 billion but not more than $6,183,081,643.40 Eurobond in the international capital market for the implementation of the new external borrowing of N2,343,387,942,848, for the financing of part of the deficit, authorised in the 2021 Appropriation Act. It also approved that the amount authorised may be raised from multiple sources as may be available.

In his remarks, the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, said that the approved external borrowing was not a fresh loan by the Buhari administration but a request captured in the 2021 Appropriation Act passed by the National Assembly last year.

He, however, tasked committees of the National Assembly to carry out strict oversight on the application of the loans to ensure that they are strictly applied to the implementation of the 2021 budget.

Lawan urged MDAs

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COMMENT

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

DEEPENING NATIONAL CONVERSATION AMONGYOUTH Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Reps, gives account of his service to the people, writes Eze Ude

T

hey came ready to fire on all cylinders. Their guest, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila was well prepared. Always ready like a boy scout. The interview team is not your regular anchors of prime-time talk shows. They are young, bright professionals who are carefully selected to engage the speaker on various issues. One of the daughters of late Chief MKO Abiola, Rinsola was among the interviewers.

Their generation has plenty of unanswered questions. They were not here when Nigeria was working. When less than N6,500 can buy a brand new Peugeot. When 70 kobo exchanged for one dollar. When it cost a paltry N500 to fly to London. They were born into a state of anomie and utter confusion that consequently shaped their views and perceptions about the land.

The upheaval of #EndSARS imbroglio of last October that headlined the social ills plaguing the nation was one of the outlets of outrage for disillusioned young people. Though, knee-jerk measures were rolled out by the government to assuage the irate youths, visionary leaders like Gbajabiamila know that lessons of such unprecedented historic events must not be lost on us.

For Gbajabiamila, it means the national conversations need to be deepened and more youth-inclusive. During the turmoil, the speaker was at the forefront providing leadership to the beleaguered youth demographic. So, the last widely-televised chat with young people was yet another effort at letting the youth in on various interventions of government especially the National Assembly feats in the last two years of the ninth Assembly.

The session gave the speaker a unique opportunity to give a stewardship account of his service to the people. He hinted on his determination to change the legislative narrative from the onset. According to him, though the House plays the constitutional role of checks on the executive arm of the government, it was not an acrimonious, ‘pull it down’ oversight role.

After all, the essence of government, both executive and the legislature, is to ensure a better life for the citizenry. Therefore, a strained executive/legislature relationship will only worsen the situation. The respect of other members he enjoys made him set a bipartisan agenda for national development.

On the achievements of the Green chamber under him, the speaker admitted that assessing the performance of lawmakers is usually difficult since legislators’ achievements appear intangible unlike the executive that builds roads, bridges and the rest. Though, the work can’t be touched or felt but the stability of the polity and economic prosperity for the people depend largely on the pieces of legislations promulgated by the National Assembly.

Forty-One bills have been passed in two years under the Gbajabiamila leadership. Out of the 853 bills considered within the period, 105 passed second reading and 66 bills are awaiting actions by the committee.

Over 730 pro-people motions have been raised by members under the same period. Over 163 petitions received by the House which were transferred to the committee on public petitions for consideration.

The return of the budget circle from January to December is another landmark achievement of the current House. The new order will

THE QUEST FOR EQUITABLE AND FAIR NIGERIA WHERE ALL REGIONS WILL GET THEIR DUE ENTITLEMENT UNDER A TRUE FEDERAL STRUCTURE IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO THE GBAJABIAMILA HOUSE. THAT WILL BE THE LEGACY THAT WILL ENDURE

strengthen the confidence of investors both local and foreign. Planning for development purposes also becomes easier as many policymakers and other stakeholders are sure of the budget circle.

The constitution amendments process that was triggered by the ninth National Assembly was also mentioned as yet another feat of the current leadership. Contentious, vexatious issues were debated at the various public hearings across the nation. The process was to enable the drafters of the constitution to accommodate interests and concerns of ethnic, socio-cultural and other groups.

The quest for equitable and fair Nigeria where all regions will get their due entitlement under a true federal structure is of paramount importance to the Gbajabiamila House. That will be the legacy that will endure. The ethnic irredentists and separatists will recoil into their recesses when fairness and justice reign across the land.

The role of the House in the war against the COVID-19 pandemic was another highpoint of the interview. The relative success in the containment of the deadly plague would have been an impossible mission without the collaboration and unflinching support of the legislature.

The necessary legislations that will facilitate the containment drive were hurriedly legislated in the nation’s interest. Approvals for funds to frontline health workers also got accelerated attention.

The summary role of the legislator according to the speaker are; Lawmaking, oversights and to attract federal government attention to members’ constituencies. On that score, the people of Surulere can testify to the doggedness of the speaker in attracting federal projects to them. From Bishop street to Olufemi Street in Akerele, off Ogunlana Drive, Gbaja facilitated the reconstruction of many roads with road infrastructure in Surulere.

Education sector is paramount to him. Scores of secondary schools in his constituency got ICT Innovation centres. Tertiary institutions in Lagos also got landmark projects.

On the much-anticipated amendment to the Electoral Act, barring other unforeseen development, the Speaker assured that it will be passed before the end of this month.

A question on the huge debt burden of the nation which according to one of the young interviewers could mortgage the future of the youth was also tackled by the speaker. According to Gbajabiamila, all nations in the world explore credit facilities to expand infrastructure that will drive economic growth.

Jobs creation and economic prosperity cannot be stimulated without infrastructure. Industries both large and cottage including small and medium scale businesses require infrastructure to scale. He cautioned that Nigerians can raise eyebrows if infrastructure construction were non-existent. The Buhari government is making giant strides in power, rail, road and bridges construction across Nigeria. Last month, the President was in Lagos to commission the Lagos/ Ibadan rail, the speaker remarked.

The speaker also noted that the government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is intervening in terms of low-interest credit facilities for those in the real sector of the economy like the Anchors borrower’s scheme of the apex bank.

UBA AND THE APC CONTENTIOUS PRIMARIES There was no primary election in Anambra State on June 26, writes Chuks Collins

P

erhaps, many citizens, including party leaders, governors and governors at heart, senators and other categories of political actors do not know the aim or purpose for party primaries. How can someone or a bunch of highly-placed citizens trifle with the governorship primary process of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that supposed to hold on June 26, 2021 in the entire 326 electoral wards of Anambra?

Person after person had returned same report, that no one visited any of the designated centres mapped out for the event on the said date. Yet, a sitting governor, who travelled many kilometres to Anambra (perhaps for the first time in his life) on the headship of the special panel constituted by the party to supervise the primary sat comfortably in his Golden Tulip Hotel room to read out what was prepared and handed over to him!

The experience rattled not just his other 13 opponents, including even those he allegedly purchased the nomination forms for. Their shock was simple and understandable. Just like one of them confided in his political associate, ‘I know it was going to happen, but no one imagined that party members would not be allowed to see the colour of the ballot papers. The man had revealed that he was invited to join on the team going to Imo State for the packaging of the result. The fear is that INEC is watching, the world is watching, and the opponents are also watching. Can APC afford to gamble a second time? The party experienced this in Bayelsa, Rivers and Zamfara States. But the most sweeping scenario occurred in Zamfara. The party went to the election, won but lost it because it had no candidate.

And the runner-up suddenly became the winner and the greatest beneficiary of that internal administrative

blunder. Funny enough the party is yet to recover from the problem till date.

Curiously, in the Anambra case, INEC has spoken.

The Commission allied with the voice of the citizens, that there was no primary anywhere in the state on June 26. Was it true that Gov Abiodun was sent to Anambra to extinguish the fledgling light of the party some members like Chief George Moghalu, Sen Chris Ngige and others painstakingly worked to establish? Is it not shocking that having given the once non-existent party in the geopolitical zone two states in Imo and Ebonyi, and now rearing to add Anambra apparently in preparation for the 2023 presidential bid by the zone, someone would consciously erase all those hard work on the altar of party primary election?

The who is who in APC in the state have said in diverse ways that no primary election held in any of the 326 wards of the state on June 26, including Andy Uba’s Uga ward of Aguata Local Government Area of the state. Sen Ngige said it, Moghalu said it, Dr Chidozie Nwankwo said it and Chief Azuka Okwuosa said so too. The whole 13 other aspirants were firm on it. No election of any sort held in any part of the state that day. None till date could guess the colour or size of the ballot papers/boxes.

So, if that was the case, where did Gov Abiodun arrive at the figures he read out? Who are the officers that worked with him? Where and where did any of them operate that day? Who were the local staff that worked with them?

Who conducted or supervised the election in Nnewi without Moghalu knowing or being allowed to cast his vote? Where did the official visit in Alor that Ngige never cast his vote? Where did the voting point in Oraifite take place that Okwuosa didn’t know, and wasn’t allowed to cast his vote? Where

in the entire Oko community did they perform the abracadabra called primary that Nwankwo, a son of the soil who had his primary and secondary life upbringing in the community, didn’t know?

Without any premonition of the whole drama, Moghalu, Ngige and Nwankwo sent out monitors who fed them minute by minute account of proceedings. And their individual situation rooms recorded a no election situation in all parts of the state.

Unfortunately, it’s doubtful if any of them forwarded those minute minding reports to the WhatsApp or any other social media network of the party at either the state or national headquarters.

Because that would have greatly enhanced the ongoing appraisal of all that transpired on June 26, 2021. And from media reports, it would be nunc dimittis to APC in the state and the geopolitical zone if the fraud of June 26 is allowed to stand.

It’s funny that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in a report by its Election and Party Monitoring (EPM) department, testified that contrary to the results announced by the Abiodun-led Anambra Governorship Election Committee, no primary held in the state on June 26.

The INEC officials who signed the document included Ibe U. Ibe who led the team; Nkechi Abuh, (Assistant Director) and Modibo Bellel (Principal Executive Officer). The EPM stated that the purported primary, which produced Senator Andy Uba as its winner, was non-existent.

The report, which was submitted by the commission’s monitoring team who was officially sent to monitor the APC primary didn’t mince words in the report. So it’s now clear that someone is out to embarrass the Anambra State APC out of relevance in the Nov 6, 2021 governorship election.

Again, what manner of detergent would be used

to wash off the mess that APC would find herself in if things are allowed to stand?

There are other observed constitutional personal encumbrances that are viewed as unpardonable issues to overlook. And any other party would simply go to court and get APC disqualified for the contentious primary.

Else, the Zamfara experience is vehemently staring Anambra APC in the face because of just one man.

Abiodun need to apologize to the party, Anambra citizens and the nation for the mess.

However, acting a bit unfazed about the tension and discontent within the party over his purported triumph at the poll over all others, and some of his political honchos stormed the State Working Committee meeting of the party the next day, the chairman, Chief Basil Ejidike also acknowledged the existence of “some hitches in the primary election.”

He went on to observe that the Gov Abiodun Committee has done its job for which they came, and left.

Consequently in his remarks to the SWC, Uba urged the party to assist reconciliation, so that all the remaining aspirants should comeback under the party so as to face the future, particularly the fast approaching November 6 election as a united political family.

He also extended the olive branch to all his opponents, to come along in the spirit of a true sportsman to join him to deliver the party in the main governorship election in the interest of the whole party. Unfortunately, the pronouncements from these aspirants since then were far from heeding his appeals. Any avid observer of Anambra politics actually knows there was ominous danger in the horizon. But a stitch in time, the elders say, saves nine!

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EDITORIAL ELECTRICITY DEFICIT IN NIGERIA Nigeria should go for an integrated approach to electrification

B

y 2030, which is just nine years away, the United Nations will take stock of how its member nations, including Nigeria, have fared in accomplishing its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A portion of the SDGs up for such assessment is Goal-seven, which focuses on improving universal access to affordable and reliable electricity to all people. Like other countries, Nigeria will be assessed on this as well. But there are already manifest indicators to suggest that the country could fail this assessment.

Two weeks ago, the World Bank listed Nigeria among three countries with the largest electricity deficits in the world. It is another confirmation of how unserious Nigeria has become in resolving her unstable electricity supply debacle.

Two years ago, the World Bank recorded that 89.63 million Nigerians – about 50 per cent of the country’s population then, were without electricity supply of any form. Today, that number has increased--a shame to a country with immense energy potential, chiefly in solar, hydro, and gas. During the last decade, according to the World Bank, a greater share of the global NIGERIA IS FAILING population gained TO ADVANCE ITS access to electricity ELECTRIFICATION PLANS AND CUT ACCESS DEFICITS than ever before, but BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT the number of people without electricity in IS UNCERTAIN ON HOW sub-Saharan Africa TO PROCEED; IT IS EITHER increased. Nigeria, the CHEERING OR FIGHTING Democratic Republic of PRIVATE POWER INVESTORS Congo, and Ethiopia, it explained, were the countries with the biggest electricity access deficits on the continent.

Beyond the social benefits of electrification for all, this also have implications on the economic wellbeing of Nigeria. In a separate report, the bank also indicated that businesses in Nigeria lose up to $29 billion every year to unreliable electricity. In clear terms, this equally means that Nigeria’s economy lost this much to unstable power supply as its businesses struggle to access electricity to

Letters to the Editor

create jobs and wealth for the country. Furthermore, the bank noted that among the 20 countries which have huge electricity access deficits, three of them – Bangladesh, Kenya, and Uganda – have improved immensely in their push to cut down the numbers since 2010.

In truth, Nigeria has never lacked ideas or policies, but the nerve to implement and follow through them.

Commendably, the current government of President Muhammadu Buhari has initiated remarkable policies that could drive up national electrification and cut down access deficit using renewable energy. But it has also failed to seamlessly link its electrification policies. Nigeria is failing to advance its electrification plans and cut access deficits because the government is uncertain on how to proceed; it is either cheering or fighting private power investors. Such indeterminate policy approach will not yield results.

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

T H I S DAY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS BOLAJI ADEBIYI, PETER IWEGBU, ANTHONY OGED ENGBE 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

he government revamped the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), and directly charged it with making the most of renewable and off-grid based electricity systems to cut access deficit. It also leans its political back to REA’s funding hunts, working closely with the World Bank and credible multilateral entities to fund the agency’s activities, but equally fails to reinforce the frameworks that could support REA to scale up. But by failing to adopt an integrated approach to electrification, the country is losing grounds on the energy access fight. The absence of such integrated approach to electrification is chiefly evidenced in the way the Nigerian Custom Services classifies and processes imported renewable energy components.

Unlike Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda which are scaling up renewable energy adoption with the implementation of import waivers for renewable energy products, the cost of acquiring solar-PV systems by rural consumers in Nigeria becomes increasingly exorbitant while energy access deficit surges. The UN and other multilateral agencies consider decentralised renewable energy (DRE) as the quickest way to cut energy access deficits. It therefore rests on Nigeria to quickly push for an integrated approach to electrification, bringing its key energy sources into the mix.

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.

ONE NATION, MULTIPLE DESTINIES…1 Continued from backpage

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s I have argued in the past, the president may give the country the Lagos-Ibadan expressway that successive administrations failed to do, which combined with the railway will ease transportation in the Southwest. He may succeed in completing the Second Niger Bridge.

He may even complete the East-West road in the Niger Delta.

While these would ordinarily be concrete achievements, they may not make a difference in how the people perceive him and his stewardship. As I have also said before, one can just picture how chaotic Lagos would be without the Third Mainland Bridge. General Ibrahim Babangida built it. That is not what Lagosians remember him for.

The most critical charge in the statement by southern governors is the one which “frowns at selective criminal administration of justice and resolved that arrests should be made within the ambit of the law and fundamental human rights.” Since I was not at the meeting, I cannot state what informed this charge. But the only two recent arrests that could have provoked this statement is that of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu and his ‘Yoruba Nation’ counterpart, Sunday Igboho. I doubt if this is an endorsement of what these two characters stand for or that they are above the law. It is more a rebuke of how some other people who equally threaten the peace of our country are treated by the security agencies. To

the extent that equality before the law is the hallmark of a true democratic state, this is a very serious charge against the federal government.

We have so many challenges in Nigeria today. We are getting to a situation in which parents may no longer be sending their children to school because kidnappers now lay siege. Yesterday, the United Nations Education Fund (UNICEF) raised concerns over abductions of innocent school children in parts of West and Central Africa. The statement opened with the abduction on Monday of 150 students “from a school in Nigeria’s Kaduna State”. One of them happens to be 14-year old son of a young man I know. In Nigeria, according to UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, “the UN estimates that at least 950 students have been abducted from their schools by armed men since December. Over the past six weeks alone, nearly 500 children were abducted in four separate incidents across the central and northwest parts of the country. Many of these children have not yet been returned. It is hard to fathom the pain and fear that their families and loved ones are suffering in their absence.”

To compound our woes, the economy is in dire straits at a period when millions of our young people cannot be productively engaged. The national currency is on a free fall against the dollar. Essential commodities, including foodstuffs, are now almost out of reach for the average citizens. The health sector has practically collapsed. To deal with these and other challenges will require a unity of purpose and fewer distrac-

tions. It is the responsibility of President Buhari to focus our attention on how to confront those critical challenges. To do that, he must first understand that building a nation requires more than bricks and mortar.

When certain ethnic or geopolitical groups within a country feel that their people are alienated from opportunities or are discriminated against in the enforcement of law and order, whether justifiably or otherwise, the state weakens, and progress becomes difficult. That then gives ethnic entrepreneurs the opportunity to build on fears and insecurity and polarise the society. The environment becomes even more toxic when political memories and emotions are exploited to magnify anxieties and further divide along faultlines. That unfortunately is where we are in Nigeria today.

Now that representatives of the political elite from the Southern part of the country have joined the ever-growing community of ‘Wailing wailers’, it is obvious we have a problem on our hands. If we ignore the fact that they may be playing the politics of power shift, the subtext from their statement, which should not be lost on the president is that he must begin to embrace a sense of justice which is higher than routine legalism. This will entail reaching out to critical constituencies that may feel alienated with words and gestures that renew the bonds of national solidarity. And, all things considered, I believe he should begin from the Southeast!

Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021

POLITICS

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

‘Nigerians in Positions of Authority Fail to Realise They are in Those Positions to Serve’ Nseobong Okon-Ekong holds a conversation with Mr. Joko Okupe, the Main Source of Mindshift; a new movement set to evangelise and educate Nigerians to change their mindset from ‘me’ to ‘we’

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an you point to a few examples of awkward ways the mind of an average Nigerian works?

I believe that a major root cause of our problem as a nation is our unprogressive mindset as Individuals, as a society and as a nation. A mindset is a set of beliefs or a way of thinking that determines one’s behavior, outlook, and mental attitude.

As we all know, mindsets influence the way we think, the way we do things and ultimately, our behaviour. Our wrong mindsets have brought about wrong orientation, eroded value system and a thwarted worldview of ourselves and issues.

The way we have become, or should I say, the way we have made ourselves, due to our wrong mindsets, has been coined “the Nigerian factor”; a horrible phenomenon, which has given a shameful image of Nigerians as a people and Nigeria as a country, with the rest of the world.

In as much as there are many Nigerians doing great things the world over, these negative mindsets and the attendant outcomes seem to drown the goodness of the country and accentuate the ugly sides.

There are many negative mindsets of Nigerians across all social divides, rich, poor, educated, illiterate, young or old. If we are to catalogue the mindsets of Nigerians, it can be the subject of a whole book. This is because wrong mindsets permeate almost every sphere of our lives.

Be it in the family or home front, in business, in education, in relationships, just in about everything we do. Because these mindsets are majorly anti-progress, we can see indications of continuous underdevelopment all around us as visibly manifested in increasingly worsening governance, leadership standards. We now have more persons of low substance, who lack vision and purpose finding their way to positions of leadership. What about our increasing culture of wastefulness, high level of poverty, and the list can go on and on. I’ll go on to highlight a few major mindsets that influence the behavior of Nigerians at all levels.

The first one I’ll like to talk about is what I call “short-cut mindset”. Most Nigerians believe in the short cut method to success. This makes our people shun hard work, merit and all similar positive values. Unfortunately, this mindset is further strengthened by the explosion of seemingly successful people, who achieved the so-called success by taking the short cut route. This mindset fuels laziness, lethargy, immorality, exam malpractices, forgery of results/certificates, stealing, embezzlement, fraud, corruption, get-rich-quick syndrome, amongst others, and it destroys the fabric of society. It makes people want to cut corners wherever and whenever possible. People now want money without working for it; want certificates without studying hard, some even want the certificates without seating for exams; politicians want to win elections without the required hard work; employees want promotion without meriting it, etc. Worse still, some of our cultural values seem to support this mindset.

One may believe that this mindset is pervasive among the low-income group of society, who are desperate for survival, but it’s not so. Experience and observation indicate that the attitude that stems from this mindset, cuts across all strata of society. Otherwise, what can we make of an executive, who already earns six figures who cuts corners to get promotion? Or a top-grade contractor who bribes a Procurement Manager to secure a juicy contract? Can we say these categories of people are desperate to survive?

Definitely not! The gains people derive from the initial experience, fuels greed and increases its propensity. It’s like the act of gambling, which in itself, is a short cut. Once you win a jackpot, it lures you to want to keep trying.

This mindset promotes the ideology of “the end justifies the means” and spells disaster for the entire society. When some of our people exhibit this mindset in sane societies outside of the shores of Nigeria, they get into trouble big

see themselves as “Lords and Masters” over the citizens.

Okupe time and give the country a bad image. We see this “short cut” mindset at work everywhere.

Another one is the “National cake mindset”, where Nigerians perceive appointments or opportunities to serve or represent their people, as their own chance or time to have their own “share of the national cake”. One wonders where the mentality behind the concept of “Juicy Ministries” or “Juicy Appointments” comes from. Many complain when people from their tribes, their relatives, or their associates are not appointed into “Juicy Ministries or Departments”. This mindset traverses both the rivate and public sectors and is closely linked with the tribalism mindset.

The third mindset I’ll like to talk about is the “Merit does not matter” mindset. In this case, choices of appointments, job placements, asset acquisition, contracts awards and any other decision are not based on merit, but on other variables and sentiments, which sometimes may include tribal, religious or family ties.

What do we get? Mediocrity, in high and low places. We see mediocrity all around us. Square pegs are put in round holes in both public and private sectors. Excellence is sacrificed whenever you shun merit and you promote mediocrity. When mediocrity is enthroned, the house falls. This is very obvious in the Nigerian situation. A well -functioning Public Service is a catalyst for the development and growth of any nation. When public officers are appointed on any other basis other than ability, competence and capability, we all get messed up. In some countries of the world, only the best in education, qualifications and competence get recruited into the public service

and enrolment is through open examinations, strict review, competition on equal opportunity and merit-based selection. Promotion is a rigorous exercise based on performance. In those countries, for anyone to serve in public positions, such must be first class brain. Nothing less. What do we have in Nigeria? It is obvious. recruitment, retention and promotion are based on the “Nigerian factor”, therefore, such institutions cannot function as they ought to.

If we are serious about development, we need well- functioning public institutions that run on merit and excellence to drive the process of implementation of policies. When merit is relegated in the process of recruitment in such institutions, then the future is bleak and development is just a mirage.

The entire concept of the type of “Quota System” we practice and the method of implementation needs to be reviewed and overhauled, if we are to make any serious progress. It sacrifices merit and promotes the culture of mediocrity. Should it matter where capacity is available?

The last one I’ll like to talk about is “You’re under me” or “I’m your master” mindset of the leaders. This mindset makes most Nigerians in positions of power, authority or leadership, power-drunk. They fail to realise that they are in those positions to serve people. Rather, they believe they are above the followers and these followers are under them to be oppressed and trampled upon.

Leadership across board have this wrong mindset, especially the political leaders. They see the citizens as subservient to them and as people they should push around. They actually

I would appreciate Nigerians to know that they are gifted and resourceful. They need to know that they do not need excess wealth, position, or power to live the good life. They need to know that contentment is the juice of life – that they should be content with what they have, and also to be joyful in the process. For the leaders or those that occupy political positions, they need to know that the production and equitable distribution of public goods for the common good is the essence of politics and leadership. Political office holders need to know that they are in those positions to serve the citizens. Nigerians should hold one another up for the development of the country

What do you think influences the thoughts of the average Nigerian on issues concerning the country? Is it religion, ethnicity or personal welfare?

It is all of the things you have mentioned.

But the issue is not really those things you mentioned, rather, how the average Nigerian mindset works - in relation to ethnicity, religion, or personal welfare. It’s just greed and selfcenteredness. If he thinks about ethnicity, or religion, it is on how it benefits him and how it improves his lot. It is about ‘Self.’ Although there are some exceptions, there are still Nigerians who are selfless, but the majority are self-centered, and this drives their everyday lives, and everything about them - whether in government or in other spheres of life. When Nigerians talk about religion it is not in respect to spirituality and service to God. It is as it can be a tool to foster self-interest, mislead, manipulate and oppress others. Our religious leaders are also guilty of this self-centeredness.

Just watch their lifestyles against the standard of living of their followers. It all says the same thing. Except for a few of them who are truly focused on serving God and humanity, others are just using the platforms to enrich themselves and their families. This is the situation in all our spheres of life.

What do you think assures peace to the average Nigerian – money, position or power?

The average Nigerian wants to be an oppressor – whether he’s a gateman or a managing director – he wants to be an oppressor. For him, it is all the above – money, position, and power. He is not thinking of general peace but his own peace and security. He wants to lord it over the next man. So, you go to a place where a gateman unilaterally begins to decide who goes in and who comes out. He sets the rules and does what he likes. You get to such a place to see his boss and he tells you; “sorry, sorry. He’s not available”. You cannot see him”.

And you can’t reach him to know whether he’s available or not. And right there in your very own eyes, somebody else comes and asks for the same person and the gateman will open the door and let them in. This oppressor mentality in Nigeria cuts across every class. When some people do not have access to money, position or power, these traits are subdued in them.

Once they have access to power, money or position, like when a driver becomes the ‘Chief Driver’, you will see a different animal. This is not supposed to be the case, but that is the case, with very few exceptions.

What do you wish Nigerians to understand about themselves that you think they currently don’t?

I would appreciate Nigerians to know that they are gifted and resourceful. They need to know that they do not need excess wealth, position, or power to live the good life. They need to know that contentment is the juice of life – that they should be content with what they have, and also to be joyful in the process.

For the leaders or those that occupy political positions, they need to know that the production and equitable distribution of public goods for the common good is the essence of politics and leadership. Political office holders need to know that they are in those positions to serve the citizens. Nigerians should hold one another up for the development of the country.

In Mindshift we are set to evangelise and educate Nigerians to change their mindset from ‘me’ to ‘we.’ We should meditate on our national anthem and pledge and internalize the ideals to direct our actions.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021

POLITICS DISSENTING VOICE...IN HIS OWN WORDS ‘Nobody Thought Ugwuanyi Could Take Enugu IGR to It’s Unlawful to to N31 Billion Monthly’ Reconstitute the Senate

Screened NDDC Board

Charlie Agbo, lawyer and Peoples Democratic Party stalwart recently fielded questions from journalists including Nseobong Okon-Ekong on the achievements Jesutega Onokpasa, a Warri-based businessman raises alarm at the suggestion by some interest groups of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to jettison the Board of the Niger Delta Development

Agbo

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overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has clocked six years in office. What is your impression of his stewardship?

It will be fair to say that Governor Ugwuanyi has lived up to the expectation of the people of Enugu State who found him worthy to be entrusted with leadership.

Six years down the road I would say that he has done well for the people of Enugu State.

When he assumed the mantle of leadership, it was clear to him that revenue generation is the bedrock of any government. It was obvious to him that to fire at the pace he desired, he was not going to rely only on receipt from the Federation Account.

So what did he do? He did a quick rejig of the revenue generating mechanism of the state. This move saw the state’s internally generated revenue soar from a humble N14 Billion upon assuming office over the last six years to N31 Billion today.

Having put a smart revenue platform in place, he set out to work. Road infrastructure was an area he gave immediate attention. This initiative has yielded several road projects across the state. Some of them are, the Opi- Nsukka Road which is a dual carriageway delivered to perfection and precision by one of the best engineering companies in the industry, Obechara Road Junction,Umuakashi Mechanic Village,Ikenga Hotels Junction,Enugu Road Nsukka Junction, Umuezebi-Nru Junction, extension of Agbani-Afor Amuri Road, the extention of Ituku Road, construction of Ogonogoeji –Ndiakpugo Road, construction of 42 metre span Bailey Bridge over River Nyama to Amichi, linking Umuogo and Umuagba Amaechi Uno/ Obinagu community in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

Its important to point out that the Ogonogoeji-Ndiagu-Akpugo Road from Atavu Bailey Bridge to Afor Onovo is the first state government road in the entire Akpugo since the creation of Enugu State.

Within Enugu metropolis, there are Holy Trinity Street, Bishop Michael Eneje Street, Nawfia Street, Ibuza Street,Isi-Uzo Street , Mount Crescent , GRA Enugu, Dental School-Tipper Garage Road, Trans Ekulu,Loma Linda-Timber Shed Road, etc.

Now, there is also Miliken Hill, that historical road which over the decades has portended very grave risk to road users has been given the best engineering lift.

Look at the Nike-Emene road. That road tore through Enugu from the Northern axis of Nike to the Eastern side of Emene.

Most indigenes of the state are astounded

by the scenery as they drive through the road, practically rediscovering Enugu.

The impact of that road is far-reaching.

Not only does it open up hitherto hidden crevices to modernity, but gives practical access to the metropolis. It is the power of foresight because without that road, the new initiative of the governor to decongest Nike would have been impossible.

That brings us to the flyover. This flyover is in the right direction since the new gateway to and from Enugu northwards is now Nike. A flyover has therefore become not only desirable but inevitable.

Look at Nike-Isi- Uzo road.It is a showcase of the power of road infrastructure. Most commuters now use the road en route the North because it bypasses Opi Junction.

And the access it gives to road users to the Northern axis of the state is unbelievable.

Thanks to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Let us just say that he has delivered beyond expectation. It should simply suffice to say that he has excelled in road infrastructure because I don’t know how much time you will allot to this interview that can allow me mention all the road projects he has across all the local government areas.

The phenomenon of unknown gunmen lately entered our lexicon with South-east experiencing their share of insecurity in the country. How does Enugu State fare in the area of security?

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has made strides in the fight against insecurity that have seen Enugu in comparatively better station than other South-eastern states.

His creation of Forest Guards has enabled him checkmate the upsurge of insurgency.

He has donated hundreds of operational vehicles to all the security agencies in the state thereby enabling them complement his crime fighting initiates. I will score him high in this area and most unbiased observers in the state agree with this assessment.

How would you rate the governor in education?

The government is doing a lot in all the levels of education in the state. At the tertiary level, all the institutions under the care of the government are receiving proper attention in terms of physical and infrastructural development. The Institute of Management and Technology is receiving attention by way of physical development. The same goes for Enugu State University of Technology and other higher institutions in the state. Almost all the courses of study have received full accreditation from the relevant regulatory bodies due to prompt release of funds by the government. IMT for one prior to the coming of this administration never had convocation ceremony for so many years due to several logistical difficulties. All of that now belong to the past.

At the primary education level, schools in Enugu are doing well. Teachers are recruited, trained and retrained. ENSUBEB has built and/or renovated over 480 classrooms over the last six years. Educational equipment, computers and other instructional material are provided. Schools are being given very serious face lift, making them conducive for our children to study in. The government is also augmenting with the collaboration between ENSUBEB and UBEC to fund educational development. This it does by prompt payment of counterpart funding to access needed funds.

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

Commission in-waiting which has been duly screened by the Senate

Akpabio

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n the buildup to the imminent inauguration of a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, a loud cacophony of rather perplexing calls for the commission’s board “to be constituted” this way or, “reconstituted” that way have been shouted over the rooftops by all manner of interest groups from all manner of quarters.

Yet, if one may ask, the board of which commission is supposed to be “constituted” or indeed, “reconstituted” for that matter?

The notion that the NDDC currently lacks a substantive board is a dastardly lie from the pit of hell itself and could only possibly ring true in a clime like ours where the peddling and maintenance of diabolical falsehoods has bizarrely claimed centrestage as some sort of national ethos.

As far as the law is concerned the NDDC already has a substantive board constituted by no less an authority than the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic and duly screened and confirmed by no less an authority than the Senate of that same republic!

It is quite unfortunate that it required the intervention of Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, to bring about a return to the path of legality in the governance of the commission, a situation which can only serve to reinforce the notion that without violence or, at any rate, its threat, Niger Deltans should never expect justice within a Nigeria, whose development and sustenance they have, pound for pound, by far been the greatest contributors to.

This is even more pertinent against the backdrop of mounting nationwide insecurities, ever deepening divisions and quite unsettling sabre rattling from all points of the Nigerian compass.

That aside, the idea of “constituting” or “reconstituting” a board for the NDDC is a complete nonstarter from the point of view of legality.

In the first place, the inauguration of the substantive board of the commission is aimed at correcting a blatant illegality by bringing to a close its administration contrary to law, in which case, it certainly cannot be that it is purposed to correct an illegality by its replacement with another illegality!

Surely, we cannot proceed to correct a mistake by repeating the mistake!

Given the pendency, at this very moment, of a substantive board nominated by Mr. President and, confirmed by the Senate, the same President, cannot then be misguided into assaulting the constitution and, breaking the law by purporting to constitute or reconstitute the NDDC board and proceed to send a new list to the Senate all over again.

Needless to say, it would amount to a most egregious constitutional abomination for the Senate, of all authorities, to undermine and embarrass itself by repudiating its own earlier work and then proceed to consider any new list of fresh nominees, having already duly and honourable concluded that process more than a year ago!

There is already a substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, indeed one constituted by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

For the avoidance of all doubt, short of the entire board resigning even before it has been inaugurated, or, its entire membership kicking the bucket overnight, there is simply no lawful means available to us for reconstituting that already existing board or, much like a bunch of kindergarten kids with no knowledge of the law, simply pretending it doesn’t exist and constituting a fresh board!

The legal mechanisms for constituting or reconstituting a board for the NDDC while a substantive board is pending are not available because they simply do not exist in the first place.

We are not a banana republic for God’s sake!

In other words, there is no lawful recourse for the President in the present circumstance to “constitute” or “reconstitute”, such being actions he has already dutifully concluded in the eyes of the law.

In short, there is no board to be constituted or reconstituted; rather there is an already constituted, screened and confirmed board waiting to be inaugurated!

There should be no further tolerance for any more subterfuges to delay the lawful management of the NDDC and exclude the Niger Deltan people from the legally envisaged participation in the affairs of the commission they are entitled to, through their representatives nominated by our President and confirmed by the Senate.

There is already a substantive board of the commission in-waiting and it should be inaugurated first thing tomorrow morning.

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FEATURES

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

The Admiral's Compass to Military Strategy, Maritime Security Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that An Admiral’s Compass: Reflections on Leadership, Military Strategy and Maritime Security’ authored by RearAdmiral FrancisAkpan, retired, was targeted at impacting generations of naval officers, military officers and heads of maritime agencies

CNS, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (fifth right); the author, Rear Admiral Francis Akpan, retired (sixth right) and wife; book reviewer, Mr. Ferdinand Agu (extreme left); and the Commandant, NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Makinde, and others at the book launch

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n a bid to impact generations of naval officers, military officers and other heads of maritime agencies, Rear Admiral Francis D. Akpan (Rtd) recently wrote a book titled “An Admiral’s Compass: Reflections on Leadership, Military Strategy And Maritime Security".

Last Thursday, the book launch held at the Admiralty Conference/Event Centre, Naval Dockyard, Lagos.

According to the author, the book is meant to set the course for those who will be responsible for leadership nationally and those who will manage the various maritime organisations, adding that "It’s like a plea to say that we have to cooperate so we can have a conducive maritime environment for the economy to thrive and for the country to develop.

“We cannot do anything without good leadership either in the services or within other maritime organisations, so we must fit in the right kind of leaders in the 21st century that we are.”

The author also called for the adoption of grooming leaders from cradle as it is done in the Navy. "If we adopt this, we should be able to breed the kind of leadership we expect in the service and the nation at large from the counsellor to the president,” he added.

Foreword In the foreword, former President Olusegun Obasanjo wrote, "An Admiral's Compass is a reflection of works based on the experience of a naval aviator, a seaman, war veteran, military diplomat and two-star Admiral that is intended to share knowledge across the spectrum of personnel in the military in particular and those that are responsible for the management of the defence establishment.

"It is also intended to enlighten the larger members of security institutions and communities with information on leadership, military/naval strategy and maritime security as concepts. It will inspire the understanding of their various functions without the attendant clash of interest between maritime military institutions. It avoids the duplication of national assets in the pursuit of various mandates. Albeit, as a collective, under a central national coordinated effort, the aspirations for a better-secured nation will be achieved."

Commendations The book garnered so many commendations including that of former Chief of Air Staff and subsequently, Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike. He wrote, "An Admiral's Compass is an informative, lucid and authoritative read that details the author's rich experience within and outside the Navy and the Armed Forces of Nigeria. It demystifies the concepts of military strategy, maritime strategy and security and advocates for its domestication to suit Nigeria Military Operational Arts."

Also, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-ete Ibas wrote, "On a personal note, An Admiral's Compass presents a variety lessons to me. For instance, the first section on 'Peace and Security' reminds me of critical aspects of military strategy and maritime security that most

people gloss over but which hold the key to the wellbeing of littoral states. Details on 'Operational Excellence, especially the reflections on Maritime Domain Awareness and funding options for the NN reminds me of daily events I encountered in my privileged position as CNS for over five years.

"It was essentially a constant battle of having 'to do much more with less. The third section on 'The Admiral's Navy' focuses on manpower development which is necessary to achieve an optimal professional performance of personnel.

Generally, the insight from this book ties up splendidly with my vision as CNS which was, 'To develop a credible naval power in fulfilment of the NN's constitutional role towards enhancing national prosperity and security! I am convinced that a navy's course set with the wisdom espoused in this book would always lead to prosperous and safe habours."

In another commendation, Elder Uma .O Eleazu wrote, "What does a compass do? An instrument showing the magnetic meridian and finding one's position in relation to it. With all the cacophony going on as debate on National Security, both in moral or instrumental terms, one needs this book: An Admiral's Compass. It calls for clarity and systemic approaches to security issues and reorientation of our moral compass too."

Book Launch Recently, the book launch was held at Nigerian Navy Dockyard, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a potpourri of events ranging from the cutting of cake to speeches, book launch, speeches and goodwill messages.

Launching the book, the book presenter representing the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN described the author as an intelligent naval officer.

He recalled that when the Governor Udom Emmanuel put together a committee for the Ibaka project, the retired admiral was the first name that was mentioned to come on board.

The Minister's Recommendation In his speech, the special guest of honour, Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), said the researched publication would significantly enhance the Nigerian Navy's effectiveness in the formulation of maritime strategy in the Gulf of Guniea.Magashi, who was represented by Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Idris, the Commandant, Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC), said the publication comes at a time when the nation and the entire globe is faced with a myriad of asymmetric security threats.

He said: "With the launch of the Deep Blue Project and other efforts to enhance security in the Gulf of Guinea, intellectual discourses and thoroughly researched publications such as this is significant. This will significantly enhance the Nigerian Navy’s effectiveness as the vital agency in the formulation of maritime strategy and lead organisation for maritime domain awareness and maritime security.

"The Armed Forces and the Nigerian Navy in particular will therefore be required to creditably

The CNS, author and others at the book launch

engage in military policing duties and projection of national power at sea enabling diplomacy and fostering national pride," he said.

On the author, he described him as an accomplished naval veteran with decades of distinguished military service involving numerous domestic and international engagements at sea and at shore.

"My personal interactions with the author date back to my tenure as the Commander Nigerian Contingent ECOMOG where he served in the Naval Task Force. Rear Adm. Akpan (rtd) also served as Commander Naval Unit, Abuja while I commanded the Brigade of Guards. The book is a product of decades of professional and intellectual military experience, therefore endorses the author's capacity to engage objectively within the domains of military leadership, strategy and maritime security," he said.

Magashi said that the publication serves as a useful resource hub and credible repository of information on leadership and maritime strategic thought for students of military leadership, strategy and maritime security.

"I, therefore commend this laudable effort and encourage others to emulate same by contributing their quota to national security and development through literary works. I commend the support of President Muhammadu Buhari for all scholastic and other efforts aimed at enhancing national defence and security," he added.

Navy's Perspective For the Chief Of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, the publication was an informative and authoritative book that historically documents issues surrounding the surveillance systems and maritime security within the country, adding that "it highlights pressing issues in the maritime environment including suggesting and recommending steps, approaches and processes in ensuring that the sovereignty of the nation remains firm and unthreatened in the ocean.

"The objective of this book is to inspire fundamental change in attitudinal approach to training and reconcile the symbiotic relationship between training, education and experience".

Stressing that it would help develop leaders that could readily meet the challenges of the 21st century, he added that "this will help them explore viable funding options for effective transformation of the Nigerian Navy as well as advocate cooperation with other agencies and institutions to achieve the nation’s maritime objectives.

"Furthermore, it would inspire the development of effective strategies to the twin evils of piracy and terrorism in our waters, amongst others. Relatedly, An Admiral's Compass offers a roadmap for solving pertinent issues that continue to plague the Nigerian Navy."

The CNS further stated that the naval space needed more authoritative and informative books like 'An Admiral's Compass' given the constant need to beef up security strategies. He also posited that "writing a book is no mean feat especially for a delicately poised subject like maritime security.

"I must commend the author for putting together series of proven strategies that he garnered in a career that spanned decades. I am convinced that

the book will serve as a viable reference material for academic research and I recommend it as a worthy companion for every naval officer".

Reviewer's Stance The book reviewer and former Director General, National Maritime Authority (NMA), now Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration, (NIMASA), Mr. Ferdinand Agu, noted that An Admiral's Compass - leads one through Nigeria's maritime strategic thinking and maritime security issues.

According to him, "the growing insecurity in our maritime environment underscores the urgency for effective domain awareness, greater capacity to confront and respond rapidly to threats and challenges. This book is the author's contribution to his call for a national discussion on these issues; to create consensus around policy priorities, implementing structures, funding and investment in organisations, training and equipment for robust protection of Nigeria's maritime space.

"Beyond that, An Admiral's Compass is informative, authoritative and points the true north for readers and leaders that value and demand vision, professionalism and mature judgment in those charged with duties and responsibilities as guardians of our maritime space."

He noted that the central message in the book is the call for all naval officers and maritime agencies involved with maritime security to adapt to change as maritime strategic thoughts evolve and practice of maritime strategy change with time Agu also recalled the author’s enormous contribution when he served in the then National Maritime Authority (now NIMASA), to formalise the collaboration between NIMASA and the Navy.

“We began with the Hydrographer of the Navy. Years later, Admiral Akpan, as Flag Officer Commanding Western Command engineered the visionary expansion of that collaboration.

“His efforts culminated into a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding between the Navy and NIMASA. That MoU provides a strong platform for intra-sectoral collaboration and interagency cooperation, along the lines that Akpan insists, should drive our nation’s maritime governance.

About the Author Rear Admiral Francis D. Akpan (rtd) is the Managing Director of Fradan Iquoson Services Limited. He is a retired naval officer having served as a Directing Staff at Armed Forces Command & Staff College and the National Defence College.

He has also served as a Defence Adviser to South Africa, a Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command and Naval Training Command of the Nigerian Navy (NN), amongst others.

As a renowned researcher and speaker, he has addressed audiences across Africa and Europe, championing conversations on maritime security and strategy alongside the improvement of the operational effectiveness of the NN. As a multiple-award recipient, as well as consultant for various organisations within and outside the naval ecosystem, the author is an alumnus of the University of Ibadan where he obtained a Master of Science degree in Strategic Studies.

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FEATURES

Re-thinking North-east as Bauchi Hosts African Talent Show Azeez Mustapha

T

he Abubakar Tafawa Balewa stadium in Bauchi played host to a crowd of stars and starlets from June 26 to 27th. The event was the second edition of the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF) talent hunt and mentoring programme being promoted by Noah Dallaji, an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

In both essence and relevance, the event achieved two major objectives: Providing a platform for identifying talented young Nigerians in their teens by experts and legends who graced the occasion as resource persons and facilitators. The second import of the talent discovery show was that it held peacefully in an open place in Bauchi, north eastern Nigeria, without any security incident or even as much as a whiff of security threat.

This not only proved that the north east is safe for all forms of socio-economic activities, it also dismantled long held notions that insurgency has cankered the entire north east zone and has rendered the states prostrate.

Christened Engr. Noah Dallaji Legacy Project, the talent hunt covered football, music, entertainment and the arts. The purpose is to identify raw talents from the vast pool of young talented Nigerians, nay Africans, and painstakingly husband and nurture these talents into high flyers and global brands in their respective fields.

Now in its second anniversary, this year’s edition featured mainly football during which young talents between ages 16 and 18 were auditioned under the supervision of Nigerian and international soccer legends.

Ahead of the gathering of stars and would-be stars in Bauchi, Chairman of the foundation, Mr. Noah Dallaji, an engineer famed for philanthropy and avid sports promotions across the continent told journalists that the programme was in furtherance of ACTDF’s vision and mission to discover and develop Nigerian talents to solve some of the challenges of insecurity and other social ills bedeviling the Nigerian system, all of which when tackled will lead to the development of the country.

Nigeria boasts a preponderance of talented youths. And just like Pope John Paul II once said “artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.” There is wisdom in the Papal message, to wit, talent can be wasted if it is not discovered. And once discovered, it must be nurtured. This is exactly what the Dallaji initiative sets out to achieve: to help the young ones discover their talent and to help them nurture such talent for the betterment of society.

Dallaji puts it succinctly: “It is important to develop the natural talent in order to maximize opportunities for a purposeful life. So this is what we have been doing to see how we can fill the gap of opportunities for the young ones in the country to make impact and be useful to themselves, their communities and the society at large.

“Every man has something (talent) in him that can be activated to make the person useful in life but this talent has to be discovered first and then developed.

I believe we did not come to this world to be spectators rather we have come to participate in the affairs of the world.

So you must try and discover why you came into this world. And immediately that happens, we begin to be useful not only to ourselves but for the greater good of society”.

Indeed, there is a lesson to be learnt from history. There is no useless child.

There is a tincture of heroism in every being. Lionel Messi was born with a health defect yet he has surmounted it to become one of the greatest and best footballers in human history, triumphing over heavily muscled men in a sport where brawn is often considered an advantage. We see such

Noah Dallaji

conquest against odds in many places, in diverse disciplines. And that’s because these latter day conquerors were at a time discovered and their talents groomed.

In the case of the ACTDF initiative, Dallaji has lined up a mixed cast of Africa’s brightest and best in football. But for the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated travel restrictions, the likes of Ronaldo de Lima, David Beckham and serial trophy-winning manager Jose Mourinho would have graced the occasion in Bauchi.

But the negative pandemic effect did not dampen the spirit of the organisers.

From the rest of Africa, football prodigy Lomana LuaLua, Stephen Appiah, Khalilou Fadiga, among others berthed in Bauchi to join Nigerian soccer outliers in the mould of Dan (The Bull) Amokachi, classy Austin Jay Jay Okocha, wily Nwankwo Kanu, pacy Garba Lawal, Trojan Taribo West and sturdy Austin Eguavoen, among others including the Project Coordinator, lion-heart Emmanuel Babayaro, who showed commendable project management skill putting up the event.

It was two days of intense classroom and on-field work as those who made the finalists’ list played side by side with the legends.

The intention was to boost the morale and courage of the young ones as well as afford the legends the practical opportunity to sift the highly talented from the average talents.

Those who were finally selected squared up on the pitch where their mentors also served as their coaches before the crowd was treated to a novelty match between the Friends of Dallaji and Bauchi All Stars.

The plan was to take the finalists to the ACTDF Academy in Abuja where they will undergo further training and honing of skills before they are exposed to foreign clubs for trials.

While Amokachi served as Project Chairman, speed master Tijani Babangida is the

ACTDF Ambassador. The initiative though targeted at teenagers also served as a reunion for living legends of African football most of whom made waves in Europe winning critical trophies and being exposed to the best training facilities under the best tacticians of the Beautiful Game.

Talent makes a way for those who discover theirs and nurture it. Dallaji, a well-travelled and highly exposed scion of Bauchi State knows it and he’s helping young Nigerians not only to discover their talent but to also nurture it. Football, in particular, has helped to alleviate suffering and poverty across the world. Some notable football personalities today were once persons from pauperized homes and dingy communities. But their talents have turned their rags to riches.

Those who grew up in drugs and crimeinfested communities who naturally would have taken to crime and criminality have been shooed off the path of infamy to the path of fame. Some successful Nigerian footballers who have played in Europe and for Nigeria bringing honour for club and country grew up in Ajegunle, a poor and crime-prone suburb of Lagos. Today, though born into poverty, they no longer bear the marks of poverty. They have used their talent to redeem their families and the families of many from the darkling grip of poverty.

Other African players namely Samuel Eto, Yaya and Kolo Toure, Stephen Appiah were all liberated from poverty by their football talent. Across the world, top guns like Cristiano Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo of Brazil, Carlos Tervez, Luis Suarez, Angel Di Maria (reduced to a gaunt, skinny lad at infancy because he could not feed well) and Raheem Sterling, the Jamaican migrant who with his poor parents could not even afford basic accommodation in his early life but whom talent has turned to a

national and club legend for England), are grass to glory men on account of talent. They were spotted in their early years by scouts in much the same way Dallaji is helping to spot Nigerian talents in diverse fields.

This is a noble cause worthy of laudation.

Every great society is built by little acts of kindness of the people; the privileged helping the less privileged; the strong strengthening the weak. It’s the aggregation of the efforts of individuals that help to build the superstructure called community, be it a country, city, town or hamlet.

A successful businessman, Dallaji is helping to build a stronger Africa by helping indigent but talented youngsters across Africa realize their dreams. He’s a man full of good deeds. He has used his foundation to offer scholarship to many young Nigerians; he has provided amenities like clinics and boreholes to poor communities across the nation; he has through his Sister State Initiative with the city of Oakland, California, sponsored many young Nigerians on scholarship to the US. Totally detribalized, he has just adopted some athletes proposed to him by the Minister of Sports for sponsorship to the Olympics. All this in addition to leading many artistes and celebrities to attend several UN functions in the US, Brazil etc. A very busy bee, he is currently working with the Nigeria Armed Forces to organise the next West African Military Games.

Above all, he has used the Bauchi talent show to demonstrate to the world that the north east is safe for big business and mega-socio-economic activities. The flashes of insurgency have been restricted to border communities, thanks to the renewed fighting spirit of the Nigerian troops. It’s time to re-think the North East as a safe place to do business and host big shows. t.VTUBQIB XSJUFT GSPN "CVKB

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THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ˜ 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

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

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REPO 12 % 12.50 %

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Quick Takes IHS’ Lagos Innovates Centre Opens

UNVEILING NBCC PLAZA

L-R: British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr. Ben Llwellyn-Jones; Patron, Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Mrs. Modupe Adeleke; Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; President/Chairman of Council, Mr. Kayode Falowo, and Deputy President, Mrs. Bisi Adeyemi, during the inauguration of the NBCC Plaza in Lagos… recently PHOTO: ABAYOMI AKINYELE

‘Collaboration Key to Increased Digital Connectivity’ Stories by Emma Okonji The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami, has stressed the need for collaboration between the public sector and the private sector, in order to drive widespread digital connectivity.

The minister said this while commending the collaboration between Galaxy Backbone, a government agency and Interra Network, a private organisation, for the launch of STORM, a broadband internet connectivity infrastructure that will provide connectivity access for the South-east and Southsouth regions of the country.

STORM was launched recently in Enugu though a hybrid event, which attracted physical audiences in Enugu

ICT and virtual audiences from across the country.

Pantami who connected to the event through video conferencing, explained efforts by the government to transform Nigeria into one of the leading digital economies in the world.

According to the Minister, “In our attempt at achieving this, we came up with the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy with the clear vision to transform Nigeria into a leading Digital Economy providing quality life and digital economies for all.

“This vision is strengthened by our mission which guides our daily activities towards ‘building a nation where digital

innovation and entrepreneurship are used to create value and prosperity for all.

“With the launch of STORM, which has the capacity to provide high speed internet and hosting services everyday across the South-east and South-south regions, covering Enugu, down to Ebonyi to Owerri, Portharcourt, Awka, Onitsha and Asaba, the objectives of the initiative is gradually being met.”

Pantami said STORM would open up massive opportunities for corporates, small businesses and for homes looking to improve the quality of internet services at their location.

“We are much more convinced also that the project will lead to the creation of new businesses and an improvement in the living

conditions of citizens across these locations,” Pantami said.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director/ CEO of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar, said change remained the only constant thing in life. He, therefore, advised everyone to embrace change so that no one is left behind at the ‘speed of light’ transformations taking place all around the globe.

“We are confident that by making fast and reliable internet services available in urban and rural communities, greater number of job opportunities will emanate and we can lift more people out of poverty.

“History has shown us that in every major pandemic, Continued on page 24

Nigeria Ranked High in Mobile Subscription The recent Ericsson Mobility Report has ranked Nigeria as the country with the third highest mobile subscriptions additions globally as of the first quarter of 2021.

It also projected increase in 5G subscriptions from 2022, to reach seven per cent in 2026.

The report stated that India had the most net additions of over 26 million, followed by China with over six million and Nigeria with over three million mobile subscriptions additions.

According to the report, by the end of 2026, sub-Saharan Africa would have around 70 million 5G subscriptions, while attributing the projected increase to the COVID-19 pandemic, which it said, led to the implementation of

TELCOMS online education at schools and universities as well as remote working in Nigeria, which increased to 72 per cent and 62 per cent respectively.

Ericsson recently unveiled two reports: ‘The 20th edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report and The Future of Urban Reality Report,’ that together, forecast the future of 5G in sub-Saharan Africa and around the world in addition to forecasting the post-pandemic world.

Ericsson projected that 5G mobile subscriptions would exceed 580 million by the end of 2021, driven by an estimated one million new 5G mobile subscriptions every day.

The report featured statistics

from sub-Saharan African markets, where around 15 per cent of mobile subscriptions were for 4G at the end of 2020.

The net addition of mobile subscriptions was quite low during Q1 2021, at 59 million.

In a separate survey, the Global Telecom Market Report (GTM), also known as “The Future of Urban Reality Report” was also launched recently by the Ericsson ConsumerLab, to assess the penetration of 5G and the tremendous potential it holds to markets around the world.

The latest Ericsson ConsumerLab report is Ericsson’s largest consumer study to date, revealing key insights about what Nigerian consumers believe will happen beyond

the pandemic, into the year 2025, through surveying a sample of 1,000 to 2,000 respondents between the ages of 15–79 years.

The report found that, when entering the ‘next normal’, consumers in Africa would have added an average of 3.4 online services to their daily online activities, while also increasing the time they spend online by 10 hours per week by 2025, in comparison to their pre-pandemic habits.

This is also expected to bridge the gap between moderate and advanced online users, with the more moderate online users having introduced more online services in their daily life over the course of Continued on page 24

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Oyewole Joins Research4Life Board

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SHELT Appoints Obadare into Board

ÖÙÌËÖ Ó×ÓÞÏÎ ÒËÝ ËØØÙßØÍÏÎ ÞÒÏ ËÚÚÙÓØÞ×ÏØÞ ÙÐ Ü˛ ÏÞÏÜ ÎÏáËÖÏ ÌËÎËÜÏ ËÝ Ë Ï×ÌÏÜ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÎàÓÝÙÜã ÙËÜÎ ÙÐ ÓÞÝ áÒÙÖÖã ÙáØÏÎ ÏØÞÓÞã ÓØ ÓÑÏÜÓ˘ ãÌÏÜ ××ßØÏ Ó×ÓÞÏÎ ÏÐÐÏÍÞÓàÏ ËÝ ÙÐ ßÖã ͯ˜ ͰͮͰͯ˛ ÒÏ ÍÙ×ÚËØã ÏâÚÜÏÝÝÏÎ ÍÙØÐÓÎÏØÍÏ ÞÒËÞ ÌËÎËÜÏ áÓÖÖ ÌÜÓØÑ Ë áÏËÖÞÒ ÙÐ ÏâÚÏÜÓÏØÍϘ ÎÓàÏÜÝÓÞã ÙÐ ÝÕÓÖÖÝ ËØÎ ÜÏÑÓÙØËÖ ÏâÚÏÜÓÏØÍÏ ÞÙ ÞÒÏ ÙËÜβ ÌËÎËÜÏ˪Ý ÚßÜÚÙÝÏ áÓÖÖ ÌÏ ÞÙ ÍÙßØÝÏÖ˜ ÑßÓÎÏ ËØÎ ÝßÚÚÙÜÞ ãÌÏÜ ××ßØÏ Ó×ÓÞÏÎ ËØÎ ÖÙÌËÖ ÓØ ÐßÖÐÓÖÖÓØÑ ÞÒÏÓÜ àÓÝÓÙØ ËØÎ ÙÌÔÏÍÞÓàÏ ÙÐ ÌÏÓØÑ ÙØÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÖÏËÎÓØÑ ÚÜÙàÓÎÏÜÝ ÙÐ ÏÍßÜÓÞã ÚÏÜËÞÓÙØ ÏØÞÏÜ ̙ ̚ ÓØ ÐÜÓÍ˲ Ù××ÏØÞÓØÑ ÙØ ÞÒÏ ËÚÚÙÓØÞ×ÏØÞ˜ ÞÒÏ ËØËÑÓØÑ ÓÜÏÍÞÙÜ ÙÐ ÖÙÌËÖ Ó×ÓÞÏΘ ܲ ÙßÝÝÏÐ ÌÓÖÖËע ÝËÓν ˫ Ï ËÜÏ ÍÙØÐÓÎÏØÞ ÞÒËÞ Ü˛ ÎÏáËÖÏ áÓÖÖ ÌÜÓØÑ Ë ÎÏÚÞÒ ÙÐ ÝÕÓÖÖÝ ËØÎ ÜÏÑÓÙØËÖ ÓØÝÓÑÒÞÝ ÞÒËÞ áÓÖÖ ÍÙØÞÓØßÏ ÞÙ ÏØÜÓÍÒ ÞÒÏ ÏâÚÏÜÓÏØÍÏ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÙËÜβ ˫ Ï ËÜÏ ×ÙÝÞ ÒÙØÙÜÏÎ ÞÙ ÒËàÏ ÎÏáËÖÏ ËÑÜÏÏ ÞÙ ÌÏ Ë ×Ï×ÌÏÜ ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ÎàÓÝÙÜã ÙËÜÎ ËØÎ ÑÜËÞÏÐßÖ ÐÙÜ ÞÒÏ ÞÓ×Ï ËØÎ ÏØÏÜÑã ÒÏ áÓÖÖ ÎÏÎÓÍËÞÏ ÓØ ÙÜÎÏÜ ÞÙ ËÝÝÓÝÞ ßÝ ÓØ ÐßÖÐÓÖÖÓØÑ ÙßÜ àÓÝÓÙØ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÜÏÑÓÙØ˛ˬ ÖÙÌËÖ ÓÝ Ë ÞÏÍÒØÙÖÙÑÓÍËÖÖã ËÎàËØÍÏÎ ßÜÙÚÏËØ ÌËÝÏÎ ËØËÑÏÎ ÏÍßÜÓÞã ÏÜàÓÍÏ ÚÜÙàÓÎÏÜ ̙ ̚˜ ÙÐÐÏÜÓØÑ Ë àÏÜÝËÞÓÖÏ ÜËØÑÏ ÙÐ ÍãÌÏÜÝÏÍßÜÓÞã ÝÏÜàÓÍÏÝ ÞÙ ÖÏËÎÓØÑ ÓØÝÞÓÞßÞÓÙØÝ ÓØ ßÜÙÚϘ ÓÎÎÖÏ ËÝÞ ËØÎ ÐÜÓ͢ ÓØ ÚËÜÞØÏÜÝÒÓÚ áÓÞÒ ÝÙ×Ï ÙÐ ÞÒÏ ×ÙÝÞ ÜÏØÙáØÏÎ ØË×ÏÝ ÓØ ÞÒÏ ÓØÎßÝÞÜã˛

“Digital technologies have taken centre stage especially in Nigeria where we have noted its great contribution to Nigeria’s GDP in the last quarter of the year 2020. Projections continue to show an upward movement in this, even in the current year 2021” Managing Director/CEO, Galaxy Backbone,

Prof. Muhammad Abubakar

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ˜ 2021

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BUSINESSWORLD ‘COLLABORATION KEY TO INCREASED DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY’ one or two sectors begin to thrive and lead to the transformation of the lives of entire communities and indeed the world.

“In this case, digital technologies have taken centre stage especially in Nigeria where we have noted its great contribution to the GDP of our country in the last quarter of the year 2020. Projections continue to show an upward movement in this even in this year 2021,”Abubakar said.

He said broadband internet connectivity and hosting service being offered by STORM would lead to an experience that people would find efficient, reliable and with great support. Abubakar called on the people of South-east and South-south regions to take advantage of the digital opportunity that Galaxy Backbone is bringing to the regions in collaboration with Interra Networks.

Former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, who was physically present in Enugu for the launch of STORM, said Nigeria’s future development would depend on capacity building that would drive human capital development, which he said the STORM initiative would achieve.

Enugu State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr. Obi Kama and his counterparts in Imo and Delta states, Prof. Boniface Ginikanwa and Mr. Rocky Ighoyota respectively, said the initiative would provide digital access for the South-east and Southsouth regions to explore the world of technology.

NIGERIA RANKED HIGH IN MOBILE SUBSCRIPTION the pandemic.

According to the report, before the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of online shopping in Nigeria stood at 35 per cent out of the total number of all shopping events, both online and at physical stores. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the figure increased to 51 per cent. Nigerian consumers anticipate their habits around online shopping will remain at a level of 44 per cent after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.

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)

NEWS

NIEEE: Executive Order 5 Implementation Will Boost Local Capacity Stories by Emma Okonji The Nigeria Institute of Electrical Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) has stressed the need for the implementation of Executive Order 5 in order to enhance growth of local capacities among manufacturers and solution developers.

NIEEE, therefore called on the federal government to expedite action in the implementation of the law which it stated would empower the local manufacturing.

According to engineers, the previous efforts of government geared towards achieving economic development had relied on the use of foreign aid, investment in machines, fostering education at the primary and secondary level, controlling population growth and giving loans and depth relief on reforms to stimulate the economy with a view to achieving self-sufficiency.

They, however, said the previous efforts did not yield the desired results, hence the need for full scale implementation of the Executive Order 5 to boost local production.

NIEEE made the call during its Fellowship Conferment Ceremony of 29 Engineers, which held recently in Abuja.

The Chief Executive Officer, Kenol Nigeria Limited, Olu Ogunduyile, in his public lecture at the event, stressed the importance of empowering local manufacturers through the implementation of the Executive Order 5.

He said the active participation of more professionals in the development process would harmonise all efforts to achieve the desired results.

Ogunduyile, also stressed the need for mentorship by fellows of professional bodies, saying exco members of professional associations should foster relationship with all fellows and senior members to ensure engineering professionals are enlisted for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), not as teachers but to industries for industrial experience.

He added that collaboration with the academia and industries in Research and Development (R&D) would promote industrial growth.

He also urged government to encourage the Nigeria Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), to fund the industrial growth at a single digit interest rate with a long period of repayment of six years.

According to Ogunduyile, “To reduce pressure on naira, government should support agriculture, textile industries and many others to reduce

capital flight that put pressure on the economy.”

He also said since Nigeria had shortfall of 20 million housing deficit as at 2018, the government needs N21 trillion to fund it.

According to him, “Remember there are millions of engineers, technologist, technicians, artisans and other trades that will benefit from this exercise.

“In other words, you will be sending out the hoodlums, kidnappers away from our streets. An idle hand is the

devil’s workshop.

“We need a lot of synergies, thoughtfulness, and collaboration to look inward to solve these challenges.

“We also want the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to rise up to the immediate challenges to foster relationship with the industries and the academia to ensure massive production of ventilators, spraying machines and other equipment that will take away pressure on our currency.”

EXPANDING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

L-R: Director of ICT, Ministry of Science and Technology, Delta State, Mr. Rocky Ighoyota; CEO, Interra Networks, Mr. David Onu; Imo State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Prof. Boniface Nwogwu; Enugu State Commissioner of Science and Technology, Mr. Obi Kama and Group Head, Regional Offices at Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Malik Suleiman, during the launch of STORM in Enugu...recently

‘Financial Inclusion Initiative Will Drive Open Banking’ The Area Business Head, West Africa, for Mastercard, Ebehijie Momoh, has said the financial inclusion initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will drive open banking operations in Nigeria.

According to her, open banking sets the standard for connectivity between Banks, FinTechs and the bank customers.

Momoh advised the CBN to continue to prioritise its financial inclusion strategies that would on-board new customers into the financial space, assuring that open banking operations will drive connectivity through certain Application Programming Interface (APIs), that are provided by Mastercard to enable financial transactions a lot easier and safer.

Momoh who shared her views with THISDAY, during a recent webinar said: “The bottom line is that financial inclusion must be prioritized in order to connect everyone to the digital economy that will help drive open banking operations in Nigeria.

“The financial inclusion initiative should include micro lending and micro insurance.

The digital technologies that have been put in place by Mastercard, actually make it easier and safer for end users to connect and have access banking services. “The APIs provided by Mastercard is one of the ways to enhance connectivity for on-boarding processes that will bring in new customers into the digital space.”

This, she said, would enable end users have access to relevant technology tools that would help them meet their own financial needs.

She explained that under open banking operations, integration would become a lot easier using the APIs, because the APIs would enable individuals and organisations to easily connect and gain access to digital financial services.

Speaking about the mission of Mastercard for open banking, Momoh said: “Our mission at Mastercard is to help create an efficient system for easy payment. The effect of COVID-19 has changed customers’ transactional behaviour, leading to explosion in e-Commerce and online transactions. “As a lead in the open banking

ecosystem, Mastercard aims to put across its capabilities towards open banking and its infrastructure. Mastercard has the Open Banking Connect, Open Banking Protect and Open Banking Resolve, to address all of these.”

According to her, Mastercard started early investments in open banking and has launched a set of solutions for open banking, having acquired a major open banking player in the United States of America.

“Mastercard is currently positioning its solutions in open banking to meet the needs of its key markets such as Nigeria.

Our platform connects third party services providers like the Banks, FinTechs and the bank customers,” she said.

She added that Mastercard

would continue to champion open banking across several markets, Nigeria inclusive, in order to connect, and to help financial service providers to connect with a single and universal connection for financial institutions.

Giving details about open banking, Momoh said with it, Mastercard could help all service providers connect to the ecosystem, via an Application Programming Interface, without each party connecting separately, thereby reducing cost. Open banking protects against data loss during financial transactions, and prevents fraud by providing immediate verification of third party registration and certification and Mastercard provides that verification.

Experts Call for Review of Cybercrime Law to Curb Fraud Worried about the rise in cybercrime in Nigeria and across the globe, cyber-security experts have called on the federal government to review the country’s 2015 Cybercrime Law, in order to effectively address new trends in cybercrime.

The experts who spoke recently during a webinar to announce the forthcoming cyber security conference in Nigeria, being organised by the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) stressed the need for a review of the

legislation to reflect current trends in the digital space.

President of CSEAN, Mr. Remi Afon, said the review became important in order to address some areas that were not covered by the law, adding that since the Cybercrime Law was approved for implementation in 2015, the world has experienced emerging technologies.

He explained that such new vulnerabilities could be address when the law is reviewed.

According to him, “Since the law was passed, Nigeria and

the entire world have witnessed new cyber threats, like fraud in cryptocurrency, fraud using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), fake news, hate speech, kidnapping and ransom taking, among others.

“So there is need to review the law by security experts to address those areas that were not covered by the law, in order to make the Cybercrime Law more effective.”

Afon, who cited the case of Twitter suspension in Nigeria,

said Nigeria needed cybersecurity experts to be part of the team currently discussing with Twitter.

He said Nigeria does not need new regulation to address the Twitter issue, adding that what Nigeria needs, “is regulation that is embedded into the country’s Cybercrime Law,” hence the need for a review.

He decried the situation where no one has been convicted with the provisions of the Cybercrime Law, because of what he described as poor

implementation of the law.

He called for capacity building for the judiciary in terms of training and re-training, to enable the judiciary understand the Cybercrime Law better, while handling cases of cyber fraud.

Afon said Presidents of developed countries have Cybersecurity Advisers, as against National Security Adviser that the Nigerian President has. All these he said, would be addressed, when the Cybersecurity Law is reviewed.

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ˜ 2021

Letshego Launches Digital Platform Raheem Akingbolu Letshego Group, a leading retail finance organisation in Africa has launched its ‘LetsGo digital’ campaign through its digital financial technology platform. This, according to the company, is an enabler to deepen financial inclusion across African.

“From spoken word poetry to dance, our myriad of cultures and languages, cuisines and passions, we are Africans building a better Africa and such is Letshego’s expressive view on Africa,” the organisation stated in a statement.

The company further stated that Letshego Group has its footprint in 11 African markets with a-22-year history of improving lives through inclusive financial solutions in Africa.

According to the Group, Letshego has chosen two budding markets, Nigeria

and Botswana, as countries in which the ‘LetsGo digital’ will be rolled out. Through LetsGo, Nigerians have the power to be and the power to do, beginning with Government employees and civil servants under the brand’s established deduction from source model.

Through the LetsGo App (Android launched, iOS to follow), Letshego customers have access to simple financial beyond banking services on the go, to enhance their lifestyles.

Letshego’s Group Chief Executive, Andrew Fening Okai said, “Having just celebrated Africa Day, and as we navigate through a global pandemic, there is no better time for us to encourage our fellow citizens of Africa to work together in overcoming our challenges, and Rise Up! “Letshego remains committed to improving lives

by extending access to appropriate financial solutions, progressing towards our ambition to be a world class retail financial organisation. Digital is no longer a revolution; digital is life!”

This narrative and the richness of the Group’s regional footprint in Africa are expertly narrated in the proudly African television campaign that kicked off on Nigeria TV screens on 24 June 2021.

The campaign is the work of renowned Nigerian music video director, Sesan Ogunro, who brings dynamism, boldness and creativity to his work and runs a multi-award winning video production company based in Lagos, Nigeria, serving all of Africa.

The campaign also includes representation from creatives across each of Letshego’s markets, to immortalise key iconic scenes and elements of Africa’s landscape.

FG Inaugurates Surveyors’ Board, Tasks Body on Professionalism Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has inaugurated the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board (ESVARBON), urging them to help contribute to the process of nation-building.

Fashola stated that the inauguration has far-reaching consequences in evaluation as it has public development components, stressing that there was the need for the board to be critical in decisions they take.

The minister further urged the board to make the practice of estate valuation simple for ordinary Nigerians and urged its members to uphold the tenets of integrity and professionalism.

“As we reconstitute the new board and as we work together to rebuild our economy, I urge you to be as professionals as you were trained to be.

“So, I will like to see, therefore, as you take up the mantle of leadership today after inauguration, these are issues that I think you should put into the front burner agenda in terms of how you regulate the practice and also the quality of people that you admit to the practice.

“The importance and professional mandate of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in the economic growth of the country is really to put value on land. The main business that they undertake is the business of how land is turned from a dormant asset really into a valuable asset”, he said.

In his comments, the Chairman of the board, Gershom Henshaw, said the institution had just inducted 213 members as registered estate surveyors and valuers, increasing the number of practising personnel to 5,248.

He added: “We have had the ground breaking/foundation laying ceremony for the

development of our corporate head office. The construction of the office on our land at Jahi District in Abuja will mark the end of accommodation problem and its expenditures on service charge incurred by the board.

“We have revised the valuation reporting template produced by the board in 2015. The revision is not only to maintain a uniform and standard reporting format by valuers in the country but also to keep pace with the dynamics of time and changes in the global market place.”

He also expressed satisfaction that the number of tertiary institutions offering courses in estate surveying and valuation had increased, given the credence to its oversight on professional accreditation, promising to ensure strict application of the rules.

“We know that any law without sanction is no law, so we will ensure strict sanctions to run this institution,” he said.

Baobab MFB Pledges Improved Service Delivery Eromosele Abiodun The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Baobab Microfinance Bank, Dr. Kazeem Olanrewaju has assured customers that the bank will continue to employ innovative technology sustain efficient service delivery.

Olanrewaju who stated this while speaking at the bank’s customers’ forum held in Lagos, recently, stressed that despite the pandemic that disrupted businesses the world over, the bank has witnessed growth.

According to him, “COVID-19 has actually caused a lot of disruption in the past few months, we are happy that you are still in business and we thank you for your

support for the bank.

“We appreciate the way you have done your business with us; your support has helped the bank to grow faster than we anticipated. If you remember, we gave you an update the last time we met, I will like to tell you now that the growth that we have witnessed before the outbreak of COVID-19, though was affected in the first two months of 2020, has continued its upward trajectory.

“The growth of the company and our expansion plan is on track, as we speak we have been able to support over 240, 000 customers in the last 10 years.

“This caught across the 7 states where we currently operate, if you notice, the last

time we promised to step up our support for the customers.

“One of the things we did was to increase the loan limit from N40 million to N50 million. I am also happy to say that in the next 30 days the loans limit would be increased to N100 million per customer.”

On the recapitalisation of the bank, he said the bank is well ahead of the N3.5 billion threshold set by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“The CBN requires us to have a minimum of N35 billion as at April this year, as we talk today, the capital of the bank is at N4.7 billion.

“Before the end of this year we will be well ahead of the N5 billion set for national micro finance bank by the central bank.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ˜ 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

WowLotto Launches Lottery Game CeBIH Advocates Credit Oluchi Chibuzor Wow!lotto has launched its interactive online game platform in Nigeria that offers a unique combination of game mechanics with casino visualisation for smartphones and PCs respectively.

The offerings according to the firm provides an opportunity for fun and winnings of up to N300 million.

Disclosing this to journalists at the launch of the online game in Lagos, the Marketing Manager, wow!lotto Nigeria, Esther Abu, said the company strives to keep working on new games in different thematic ways to ensure that players continue getting a rich gaming experience.

She described the lottery

game as modern, bold and expressive, while adding that the game has been designed for Nigerians who are explorative, competitive and desire to win big while they have fun.

“Wow!lotto is the first of its kind in the country and we will continually demonstrate the brand’s purpose of providing Nigerians an opportunity to get the better life they desire as they play to win big up to N300,000,000 through our exciting lottery games,” She stated.

On his part, wow!lotto Country Project Manager, Herbert Ezeamaka, said, “The Nigerian market is currently saturated with sport betting and traditional lottery companies. Following our success in other markets,

we saw this as an opportunity to introduce a unique product to Nigeria - the first ever interactive gaming platform specially made for Nigerians.”

For the Director-General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, NLRC, Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamillah, the lottery and betting industry in Nigeria is experiencing enormous growth.

“I am excited that an innovation like wow!lotto has sprung up to empower Nigerians while they have fun.

Nigerian Gaming market has a lot of players and at NLRC; our mission is to ensure that each player is abiding by the rules that guide the sector. For wow!lotto, they have met all the requirements to operate in Nigeria; hence, they have our full backing,” he added.

NADDC Boss Advocates Reliance on Renewable Energy Ugo Aliogo The Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, has called on key players in the automotive industry to remain forward-thinking and invest in renewable energy.

Aliyu, gave the advice in Lagos, during the Lagos Motor Fair, organised by the BKG Exhibitions.

He also advised exhibitors at the fair to continue to focus on developing local assembly plants and invest in local talent.

In her remarks, Mikano Motors Marketing Manager, Karima Okunola, stated that Geely’s brand ethos is making refined cars for everyone, saying the brand is the perfect meeting point for high-quality autos with the latest technological, best in class features at affordable price

points.

She also added that a similar principle goes for ZNA Rich six range of pickup trucks, delivering luxurious, durable, rugged, yet affordable light-duty trucks.

She further said Geely’s iconic models, the Geely Emgrand7 sedan and the newly launched Geely Coolray compact crossover was resplendently displayed at the fair alongside ZNA Rich 6 range of pickup trucks.

Digitalisation to Boost Economic Activities Sunday Okobi

The Committee of ebusiness Industry Head (CeBIH) has called for the digitalisation of payments to boost economic activities.

The group also raised awareness on the various digital platforms to drive credit (loan) facilitation, credit sourcing, and credit recovery for those at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP).

At an event held recently in Lagos with the theme: ‘Transforming Credit with Digital Optimisation’, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Yemi Atanda, told journalists that, “We at CeBIH have set out to raise the awareness for digital platforms that are driving credit facilitation, credit sourcing, and credit recovery eventually.

“In this event, what we have been able to achieve is to bring all the practitioners together to look at the various challenges that are confronting that aspect of digitalisation, the benefits, and how we can collaborate to solve

the problems identified.

“The objective of the committee essentially is to drive advocacy for digital banking in Nigeria and raise awareness among the market participators and regulatory engagement across the industry.

“This event is one of our activities to drive awareness across the industry, and through this event, we have brought together industry practitioners and stakeholders across the globe to discuss a topic that is germane to the digitisation of payment and banking in Nigeria.”

He added: “We believe that averring credit is one of the major engines to drive economic empowerment. As one of the speakers has said, Nigeria is at the level of two to three per cent credit averment at the bottom of the pyramid.

“In other developed countries, that ratio is about 40 percent. So it means that we are very far from the target, and if we don’t make credit available to people, SMEs will not grow, businesses will not be

able to expand and we will not be able to create employment, which is supposed to drive our economy.”

The e-business group head said CeBIH’s aim is to drive awareness of the current challenges in the sector, and how to solve them, adding that: “We have been able to do that fairly well.

We have stimulated the interest, and from here, other practitioners will help find a way to solve these issues and build a better Nigeria.”

Atanda added that digital banking is a bitter-sweet story, mostly because of the pandemic, as disposable income has been affected, “no funds to spend unlike before, but during the pandemic, we saw a large chunk of users adopting digital channels for the first time because of the restriction on movements, the interaction was limited, so all these led to the people learning other ways of keeping their lives going, hence electronic banking becoming the mainstay.”

Chivita Unveils New Campaign Stories by Emma Okonji

Chivita, has launched a new communication campaign tagged ‘Chivita with Meals.’

A statement explained that the campaign was designed to inspire consumers to continue enjoying the quality nourishment Chivita juices provide, and to associate Chivita with everyday meal moments through consumption of Chivita with their meals in-home or out of home.

The range of Chivita juices (Chivita 100%, Chivita Active, Chi Exotic, Happy Hour by Chivita, and Chivita Ice Tea) are a great combination of taste and nourishment which complement your everyday meals.

“The Chivita with Meals campaign therefore aligns with the popular trend amongst Nigerians who enhance their everyday dining experiences by complementing great tasting meals with nourishing beverages.

“Complementing Chivita fruit juices, specifically anyone of the range of Chivita 100% healthy variants, with your breakfast meals is a good way to kick-start your mornings, as these products are packed with essential vitamins and minerals to boost your overall health.

“Drinking any of the

Chivita fruit juices, for example Chivita Active or Happy Hour by Chivita, is a great way to finish off your meals & snacks,” the statement added.

Deployed across different communication channels, it stated that the campaign will be executed in different cities and regions across the country.

“The visually stimulating images showing different, familiar meals which appeal and connect with the culture, traditions and ethnicity of the diverse Nigerian population.

“The Chivita with Meals images have been mostly paired with 2 favourite products from the Chivita

family – Chi Exotic and Chivita Ice Tea.” According to the company’s Brand Manager, Mr. Oladapo Olanrewaju, “we developed our exciting communication in response to consumer feedback that tells us these two flavours are consumer favourites for pairing with meals, which gives them that great, pleasurable meal experience every day.”

Speaking on the newly launched campaign, CHI Limited Marketing Director, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi, stated that, “The Chivita With Meals campaign aims to reinforce the fact that Chivita is the perfect fruit juice complement for your daily meals.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ˜ 2021

‘Fintrak Software Will Google Cloud, Ericsson Partner to Deepen Productivity Deliver Emerging Tech Solutions in Organisations’ Stories by Emma Okonji

Giving insight to the increased financial sector regulation and advance technology adoptions by organisations that impact customers and revenue, the Group Managing Director of Fintrak, Bimbo Abioye, has said the company’s software called Pi-360, will further deepen productivity for multi-level management staff in organisations.

Abioye, who spoke at a recent media conference, noted that the Fintrak Enterprise Performance Insight (PI- 360) solution framework would enable pervasive operational and financial performance management across an entire business.

According to him, “With FinTrak, banks can create a true culture of visibility, accountability, and performance enhancement with our performance management solution.”

He said the PI- 360 reporting tool would facilitate organisations to make quick strategic and tactical business decisions that would increase productivity at the long run. “The new FinTrak PI-360, is a robust business intelligence solution that enables organisations to gain deeper level of insight, flexibility and scalability to grow. Empowering users with the right information to make critical business decision

and inherently deliver business value,” Abioye said.

Speaking further about the solution, Abioye said: “Performance Insight (Pi 360) is a web-based Enterprise Performance Management Suite, modularized into various financial management modules.

The new FinTrak Pi– 360 will not just enable users manage performance, it will improve it! The solution is designed to empower users with varying needs for information across enterprise. Strategic units can now generate related profiled reports perform avalanche of analytics leveraging on the single source of data.”

He added: “Being an integrated FinTrak ERP platform that primarily focuses on the numeric information that can be extracted, it also processes the capacity to integrate with third party Enterprise Resource Planning systems (ERPs) and data warehouses, FinTrak eliminates the usual problem of independent systems unable to cooperate with one another and exchange data. By implementing FinTrak Pi 360, interoperability of systems is built for exchange information between systems and consumed by multiple users and business units from a single source.”

Google Cloud and Ericsson have announced partnership to jointly develop 5G and Edge Cloud solutions to help communications service providers digitally transform and unlock new enterprise and consumer use cases.

Globally, industries with edge presence, including communication service providers, retailers, manufacturers, transport businesses, healthcare and media/ entertainment providers, face pressures to build more digitised businesses and new digital experiences for their customers.

To help businesses address this shift, Google Cloud and Ericsson are working together to develop emerging solutions at Ericsson’s Silicon Valley D-15

Labs, a state-of-the-art innovation centre, where advanced solutions and technologies can be developed and tested on a live, multi-layers 5G platform.

Ericsson and Google Cloud have already completed functional onboarding of Ericsson 5G on Anthos to enable telco edge and on-premise use cases for communications service providers and enterprises.

As part of the partnership, Google Cloud and Ericsson are also piloting enterprise applications at the edge on a live network with TIM. The project, which will automate the functions of TIM’s core 5G network and cloud-based applications, will use TIM’s Telco Cloud infrastructure, Google Cloud solutions and Ericsson’s 5G core network

and orchestration technologies.

The joint offerings will help enterprises in the automotive, transportation, manufacturing and other sectors improve efficiencies and lower latency by bringing connectivity close to companies’ physical locations.

Chief Executive Officer, Google Cloud, Thomas Kurian, said: “Organisations have a tremendous opportunity to digitally transform their businesses with 5G and cloud capabilities like artificial intelligence and machine learning at the edge. We are proud to partner with Ericsson to help build a foundation for communications service providers and enterprises alike to take advantage of cloud technology and cloud-native services, from telecom network core to the

edge and enterprise premises.”

President and Head of Ericsson North America, Niklas Heuveldop, said: “5G is a powerful innovation platform. Combined with edge cloud capabilities, 5G has the potential to accelerate the digital transformation of virtually any sector of industry or society. We are excited about our partnership with Google Cloud as we engage with our customers to leverage our combined capabilities to solve real-world business challenges for the benefit of consumers, enterprises and society at large.”

Ericsson and Google previously formed a services partnership to enable the digital transformation of operator networks and application migration through cloud-native, container-based solutions.

Clubhouse to Monetise Platform, Achieves Millions of Users in Nigeria Nosa Alekhuogie Given the fast growing rate of the social audio application, Clubhouse is considering monetising the platform for users and also introducing a general lease policy before the end of the year to accommodate more users while growing its community.

The company made this known during a virtual media parley.The Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Clubhouse, Mr. Paul Davison, explained that although the company does not have a set time for monetisation, users should expect monetisation of the app before the end of the year.

The platform, which launched in the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2020, is a free social media app powered by voice where people discuss an infinite number of topics in, ‘rooms.’ The absence of video allows people to focus on speaking with one another versus talking at them.

While fielding questions from journalists Davison said: “Clubhouse is gaining popularity throughout Nigeria and across the globe with millions of people jumping into a wide array of live discussions around music, sports, business, and every other imaginable subject. It is focused on its vision of building an exciting, thriving, creator community in Nigeria and around the world.

However, we don’t have any set time right now for monetisation but probably later this year. I don’t know if that is summer or fall or later but sometime around

that, and that is our hope.”

Davison noted that with the general lease policy, users could leverage on the platform to better manage their time through the day as it uses lesser data and affords users the luxury of doing other things online unlike the video app.

“From a creator perspective, this means you don’t have to worry about what you look like, how messy your house is,or holding the phone up and staring into it for hours. I think it fits into parts of your day in a different way and it is a live experience,” he said.

Meanwhile, Clubhouse has since its launch 16 months ago, received criticisms with projections of its market viability and controversy on its privacy restriction which does not enable recording of audio contents.

Davison, while responding to some of the challenges, said his team was working to enhance the user interface to make room for general lease to allow everyone join in and explore the dynamic offers that the app gives.

Another Co-founded of Clubhouse, Rohan Seth, said: “We have seen first-hand, what we have always believed, that the need to gather with other humans is universal. One thing we have always felt from the beginning was to align our business or incentives to that of our users or creators and do things differently from some of the other networks. With that in mind, one of the things we want to do is to fund our business by investing in direct creative monetisation.”

ICT centre

Saitel to Bridge Internet Gap in Nigeria with Satellite Nosa Alekhuogie Sairtel, a broadband internet service provider, has promised to bridge internet connectivity gap across the country, through its broadband access.

While most of the existing operators lay fibre cables to provide access with lots of difficulties in reaching the hinterlands, Sairtel said its service would be satellite-based hence it is unsure and can be accessed even in the remotest parts of the country.

Speaking at a recent media briefing to announce its entry into the Nigerian broadband space, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sairtel, Mr. Salvation Alibor, said: “Internet access is no longer a luxury but a necessity for all.

We are driven by the passion that all Nigerians and even all Africans must be connected to the internet. If we can extend internet service to the remotest part of Nigeria, it will create a lot of opportunities. People can learn anything through

the internet even when they are in the village. It means that there is no disadvantage when you are connected to the internet because it provides a level-playing ground for all.”

Alibor noted that the challenge of Internet access in Nigeria stemmed from the high cost of deploying infrastructure.”

According to him, this has forced mobile network operators to deploy services mainly in major cities, where they know they can easily recoup their investments. “While you are

enjoying fast internet in Lagos, if you move outside Lagos to Ibafo area, you will discover that the service you get can’t be as what you get within Lagos,” he said.

“Sairtel ensures that you have access to the internet irrespective of where you are in Nigeria. Our internet is not about being in the town or city, it is everywhere, whether you are in the forest, city, mountain top or dessert, we are there because we are using satellite,” he added.

Samsung Unveils Brand Ambassador Nosa Alekhuogie Samsung Nigeria has unveiled movie industry icon, Dakore Egbuson-Akande, as brand ambassador for its Consumer Electronics division. Dakore, as she is popular called will be working closely with the brand and will use her star power to raise awareness for Samsung consumer electronics products and ultimately contribute to making Samsung the preferred brand in the West Africa sub-region.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Managing Director, Samsung

Nigeria, Danny Kim, said Dakore would represent the values that Samsung has stood for over the years.

According to Kim, “The Samsung brand stands for quality, innovation, change, discovery, self-expression and excellence in performance.

These very same qualities are exemplified by Dakore whose quality and depth of work as well as versatility as an artiste have endeared her to Nigerians today. We are indeed very proud and privileged to have her as our brand ambassador.”

Marketing Manager, Consumer Electronics, Samsung Nigeria, Chika Nnadozie, said the signing of the award-winning actress, was an opportunity for Samsung to reach out to her teeming fans and its customers through the Nigeria movie industry. “It is important to us, as a brand, to connect with customers at all touchpoints and,in so doing, we have chosen Dakore who is one of the biggest stars in Nollywood the movie industry here in Nigeria, which is one of the passion points of people in West Africa” Nnadozie added.

Dakore said she was delighted to be chosen as an ambassador by the electronics giant.

“Samsung is one of the biggest brands in the world and I am thrilled to be working with them at this stage in my career. This partnership is a mutually beneficial relationship which I will hold dearly,” she said, adding, “Samsung is a brand that is well-respected all over the world for its reliable and durable products, which made it very easy for me to accept the offer of being an ambassador for the consumer products division of the company,” she said.

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T H I S D AY ˾ JULY 8, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Lessons for New Marginal Empowering Nigeria’s Youths Raheem Akingbolu writes on the place of Oilfield Awardees sponsorship in brand positioning As the marginal oilfields awardees strategise to develop and bring their allocated oil blocks to production, Peter Uzoho writes on the need for them to draw lessons from one of the previous marginal fields’ awardees and current operator of Egbaoma field

I

Oilfied

T

he development of oilfields into first oil or gas production poses a lot of challenges to the operators. Companies that lack the needed fund to deploy to field, the right technical competence, efficient cost management and unable to collaborate with the right partners often see themselves chickening out of the venture, leaving the fields fallow..

The challenges are quite diverse, ranging from funding, fiscal terms, partnership issues, availability of enabling facility, issue of pricing and off-taker, for gas, as well as political, governance and environmental hurdles. These challenges are partly responsible for the inability of the 11 of the 24 marginal oilfields awarded to oil companies during the 2003/2004 marginal fields bid round to be developed till date, leading to their revocation and now in litigation.

Another bid round –the 2020 marginal fields bid round, in which 57 marginal oilfields were on offer, had just been concluded this month, with 80 winners, representing 50 per cent of the successful bidders handed their award certificates.

However, developing the assets does not end in presenting or receiving the award certificates, as a number of post award issues have to be looked into and addressed for the fields to be brought to first oil and gas production, among which is the farm-out agreement between the original owners of the assets and the marginal field operators. Apart from that, the elephant in the room, as observed by industry experts and experienced operators, is the funding challenge.

This is because the ability of the new awardees to raise the needed fund as quickly as possible would determine whether they will be able to operate the fields or leave them stranded again.

However, for the 2020 marginal fields awardees, the lessons from previous awardees, who have successfully operated their own marginal fields and are now contributing significantly to the Nigerian oil and gas production volumes, comes handy. One of such marginal fields operators, is Platform Petroleum Limited, a Nigerian company that emerged from the 2003/2004 marginal fields bid round.

Platform Petroleum currently operates the Egbaoma field farm-out area covering approximately 136 square kilometres, which is situated in the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 38, onshore in Delta State.

OML 38 is located in the Northern section of the Niger Delta sedimentary basin. Platform Petroleum won the field in the 2003/2004 marginal field bid rounds and commenced field development activities in 2005 with workover and completion of 2 Wells with 3 completions in three of the eight reservoirs in the major structure cutting across the field in Joint Venture Partnership with Newcross Petroleum.

The asset comprises 10,000-bopd and 30mmscfd capacity flowstation, 10,000 bbls storage tank, 32 Km 6-inches export line from the Flowstation to the Group Gathering Facility (GGF) and 16Km export line from the GGF to NAOC Kwale tie-in point to the Brass Terminal was completed and

commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2007 to achieve first Oil. Field Development Activities Since first oil in 2007, Platform Petroleum has carried out over nine work over operations, drilled 3 Wells and executed 2 side tracks in the field till date. Following the changing characteristics of the crude from the initial black oil to predominantly condensate, the Flow Station was upgraded in 2013/2014 to include XHP Production and Test Separators to optimise recovery from the gas condensate Wells and to be able to handle 40mmscfd gas production.

The company’s philosophy of field development also changed to include building a 40 mmscfd of Gas Plant to commercialize the gas resources in the field which was later divested to PNG in 2014. The process optimisation and upgrade is ongoing to include a second bank of XHP and HP Separators with a condensate stabiliser package as upgrade 2.0 to handle expected increase production from planned drilling in 2018/2019.

Gas Commercialisation In its gas commercialisation strategy, the marginal field operator has three streams consisting of XHP, HP and LP deliver 30mmscfd of gas to the Gas Plant operated by PNG which strips the NGLs, LPG and Excess Propane. The Lean gas is returned to a gathering manifold and metering for the various offtakers. The lean gas and the excess gas from the XHP stream of WAGP specification have been committed to various offtakers. Though the plant construction/installation commenced in 2009, the inauguration proper was in 2016.

The company is positioning the Egbaoma Field to be a hub for the various offtakers (Powergas, UDIPPCO and Ssafen/Isomer) CNG projects that are currently being designed and fabricated.

Overcoming the Challenges Sharing the company’s field development trajectory at a panel session on “Plotting the Roadmap for a Gas-powered Economy 2030,” one of the incisive sessions at the 2021 Nigerian International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) in Abuja, the Acting Managing Director, Platform Petroleum Limited, Mr. John Anim, confirmed that the challenges of developing oilfields to production “are not new, they are very obvious.”

According to Anim, “there are key challenges that are faced by the marginal field operators which have to do with funding, and why is that a major challenge? It’s a major challenge for you to finance a development project, it has to be profitable. And most of the fields that we are given as marginal fields, why they are marginal are in two terms: probably, the volumes are very small or the cost of development is very high and made those assets to be left fallow.”

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

n today’s market, youths as a result of their population and ability to influence purchasing habits have become major stakeholders.

In fact, brand managers who know their onions can hardly put marketing strategies together without a sizable budget allocated for children, youths and women because of the roles they play in influencing purchasing habits.

However, in penetrating the youth market, music and sports are fast becoming the most potent platform for marketing because of the affinity between fans and their preferred sporting activity or music stars, as the case may be.

Handlers of top brands always find the two areas tempting because they are the easiest routes to the hearts of their teeming consumers.

This explains why brands jostle to associate with the World Cup, collegiate games and other local and global competitions.

For the handlers of the Maltina brand and by extension the entire Nigerian Breweries’ brand portfolio, school games is the latest intervention in school sports to deepen market penetration.

Since it held its maiden edition, the Maltina School Games has been regarded as a timely intervention to save the dying culture of school sports and more importantly, helping produce quality young and sound minds that could rightly be called leaders of tomorrow.

According to the management of Nigerian Breweries, the Maltina School Games platform is carefully designed to promote the development of children, from improving their social and leadership skills, to bettering their wellbeing through sports.

All over the world, sports and education have been veritable instruments; lifting millions out of poverty and Maltina with its School Games initiative, is getting the needed traction that would further aid development.

Maltina School Games no doubt has fostered national unity and raised active kids with its one-month event from the State Prelims all to the national finals.

To highlight the enthusiasm among Nigerian children in the Maltina Games, the just-concluded 2021 edition witnessed a huge turnout of schools with Lagos recording the most entries.

Established in 2020 in partnership with the Nigerian School Sports Federation, the MSG has impacted over 20 million students by bringing together student-athletes from across the country to compete in a series of track and field events for a chance to win cash prizes as well as digital devices.

According to the breakdown of entries and record of participation in this year’s edition, over 1,400 Secondary Schools across the four locations namely; Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt and Bauchi States took part in the competition.

The athletes were divided into four categories according to their ages and classes; Junior Boys, Junior Girls, Senior Boys and Senior Girls. The athletes created in 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m and 800m, as well as in Javelin, High Jump, Long Jump and shot-put, and a total of 44 athletes from each state qualified to compete in the state finals. A total of 4 winners across four categories (Junior Boy and Girls, Senior Girls and Boys) who were rewarded with cash prizes up to N500, 000 and other branded items.

In Port Harcourt, WIlliams Ibinabo, who

clinched 2 Gold Medals was the overall best in Junior Boys’ category, while Princess Gershom with 3 Gold Medals was the overall best in Junior Girls’ category. In the Senior category, Grace Oshiokpu, with 3 Gold Medals was the overall best amongst the girls while Caleb Joshua, with 2 Gold Medals was announced the overall best in the Senior Boys’ category.

Community Secondary School, Okochiri, Okrika LGA, Port Harcourt, was announced the overall best school.

At the Federal Capital Territory, John Benedict who went home with three Gold Medals was the overall best in Senior Boys’ category while Miracle Oguama with 3 Gold Medals was the overall best in Senior Girls’ category. In the Junior category, Blessing Luka and Rufai Yakubu, with 3 gold medals each, were the overall best in the Girls’ and Boys’ categories respectively.

In the North East, three schools slugged it out in Bauchi to compete for the grand prize.

In the end, Divine International Academy, Government Day Secondary School, Sa’adu Zungur and Government Junior Secondary School Adamu Jumba came first, second and third respectively as the overall best schools.

Expectedly, Lagos had a huge volume of participants, and many students displayed their skills. However, only four athletes emerged as overall best in different categories. In the Senior Boys’ category, Demilade Ajayi was crowned the Overall best MSG2021 Medalist while Alimot Alowonle emerged overall best in Senior Girls’ category. For the Junior category, Femisola Mohammed and Tiamiyu Muhammed were named overall best.

At the maiden edition of the school games, the Brand Manager, Maltina, Chiamaka Efulu said; “The Maltina School Games has been an avenue for us to support the all-round development of young people through physical activity and sport across the country and we are grateful for the success of the 2020 games.

It is so delightful to decorate our winners and we remain committed to continue sharing happiness today and beyond as a brand.”

Though the event provided opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talents, it also provided an amiable platform for the Maltina brand to bond more with consumers.

Efulu, described the relationship between the brand and the pupils as ‘perfect partnership.

According to him, the status of the brand has continued to be on the rise with the partnership and it gladdens the heart of its promoters.

“From any angle one chooses to look at it, this is simply a marriage between a super brand and the future decision makers. Maltina is a premium brand while students’ sporting activities are also unique platforms that any global brand will love to identify with.

Speaking on his experience at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Sports Stadium, venue of the North East, where the MSG2021 was held, Huseni Bala, a Physical and Health Education specialist who came from Damturu, in Yobe State, to witness the competition, described the sponsorship of the competition by the Maltina brand as a great motivation to the locals.

What the Maltina Brand has done is to provide a platform to launch these athletes to stardom. It is believed that other corporate bodies would learn from Nigerian Breweries to discover more talents that would have perhaps gone into oblivion in this country.

THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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IMAGES

L-R: Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo; former Minister of Health, Dr. Julius Adelusi Adeluyi; new Governor of Rotary District 9110, Rtn. Remi Bello; his wife, Mrs. Nike Bello; Iyalode of Egbaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson and former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Akande, during the Installation of the new Governor of Rotary District 9110 in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ, 2021

Photo Editor Abiodun Ajala Email abiodun.ajala@thisdaylive.com

L-R: Director, Abuja School of Social and physical thoughts, Dr. Sam Amadi; Chairman, national conscience party (NCP), Dr. Yunnsa Tanko; and Convener, We Vote, Mr. Obinna Osisiogu; during the press briefing by alliance of civil society organisation for expansion of electoral and democratic space in Abuja...recently PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

L-R: Speaker House of Representative, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; President of the Senate, Senator Ahmed Lawan; and Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ahmed Zainab Shamsuna, at a meeting between the leadership of the National Assembly and Ministry of Finance on the supplementary Budget submitted by the president in Abuja...recently PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

L-R: The celebrant/Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev. Felix Alaba Job; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and Ashipa Olubadan, Oba Sir, Eddy Oyewole, during Bishop Alaba Job’s 50th Episcopal Ordination anniversary in Ibadan…recently

L-R: Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu; Governor of Rivers, Nyesom Wike; and Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, at the Southern Governors meeting in Lagos... recently

L-R: Group Managing Director of NNPC, Malam Mele Kyari; Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; and Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, during a town hall meeting in Abuja...recently

L-R: Non Executive Director, Signal Alliance Technology Holding (SATH), Dr. Onyekachi Onubogu; General Manager, CloudSA (A Subsidiary of SATH), Busola Komolafe; Executive Vice Chairman SATH, Collins Onuegbu; and Group Chief Operating Officer, Adanma Onuegbu during the 25th anniversary and transitioning event of SATH held in Lagos...recently

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͷ, ͰͮͰͯ

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L-R: Regional Head, North central and noth east, Access Bank Plc, Adebanji Jimoh; Customer, Chima Cassandra; Customer, Barrister Fidel Chukwudi; and Group Head, Emerging Business, Access Bank Plc, Ayodele Olojede during the Access Bank Business club event held in Abuja… recently

The Bishop of Kaduna Anglican Diocese, Rev. Timothy Yahaya,(right) and the newly ordained priests, during the Trinity Diaconate and Priesthood Ordination Service at the Christ Anglican Church, Kaduna...recently

L-R: Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (Rtd) during a visit by Dikio to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja…recently

L-R: Emir of Jiwa, Dr. Idris Musa; Representative of the Chief Launcher, Air commodore Musibau Soladoye (rtd); Former Governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatah Ahmed; Venezuelan Ambassador to Nigeria, Nieves Velasquez Caraballo; and the Author/Vice Chancellor,University of Abuja, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’allah, at the launch of three Books entitled “Seriya, Omokewu and Yoruba Oral tradition in Islamic in Abuja...recently

L-R: Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN and British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms. Catriona Laing at a meeting in Abuja…recently

Honourable Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio (left) and Deputy Secretary General to United Nations, Hajia Amina J. Mohammed during courtesy visit to the ministry in Abuja..recently PHOTO: AYO AJAYI

L-R: Representative of the Chief of Chief of Defence Staff, Maj. -Gen. Elvis Njoku; Executive member of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (MAOWA), Mrs Fatima Nyam; Chief Civil Military Affairs, Anthony Omozoje and Chief of Army Staff, Maj. -Gen. Farouk Yahaya, at the 2021 Army Day Interdenominational Church Service in Abuja…recently

Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (left) and his Special Adviser on Water Resources, Engr Kunle Otun during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation water plant at the Arakanga Water Works, Iberekodo, Abeokuta..recently

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T H I S D AY ˾ , JULY 1, 2021

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Enhancing Civil-Military Cooperation through Free Medical Outreaches As part of efforts to enhance civil-military relations, theArmed Forces often carry out free medical rhapsodies in their host communities. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that recently, the 81 Division of the NigerianArmy carried out such free medical outreaches in Ijebu North Local GovernmentArea of Ogun State andAjah- Ilaje Community in Lagos

Ijebu North community at the medical rhapsody

GOC 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu, fielding questions after the outreach

NA personnel attending to Ajah-Ilaje residents

The GOC; wife and Chairperson NAOWA, Mrs. Oghenerukevwe Fejokwu; other senior officers and leaders of the community

F

or the military, they would often want the society to understand that they are more than their guns and that’s why they are often engaged in community services to the respective communities in their Areas of Responsibility (AOR).

While some might see such moves as corporate social responsibility (CSR), the underlying factor is that it helps to enhance Civil-Military Relations (CMR). In essence, what this does is to strengthen the ties binding the military and civil populace.

So, for the armed forces, it’s become an act entrenched in tradition to regularly conduct medical outreach and grassroots social services for their host communities Civil Military Cooperation The Civil Military Cooperation primarily serves as an interface between the Nigerian Army and the civil populace. For the Nigerian Army, the import of Civil-Military Relations cannot be overemphasised. In fact, the army established the Department of Civil-Military Affairs (DCMA) in December 2010. Set up by the then Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General OA Ihejirika, it was positioned to serve primarily as an interface between the Nigerian Army and the civil populace and was also charged with the responsibility of underscoring the fundamentals of Civil Military Affairs as a strategic national institution.

The department is also charged with the introducing and transmitting the core elements of effective civil-military relations in areas of human rights, rule of law, negotiations liaison and conflict management. All these are binding on all

divisions and units of the army.

At the 81 Division Headquarters, it was in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya to provide a platform to further strengthen relationship between the NA and civilian populace at the grassroots, that they recently held several medical outreaches in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State and Ajah- Ilaje Community in Lagos.

Outreach at Ijebu The first medical outreach took place at Ijebu North Local Government Area (LGA) of Ogun State where the General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu, also assured the community of adequate security.

At the free medical outreach conducted by 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala as part of the formation’s Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities, the GOC said the CIMIC exercise was in line with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff to provide a platform to further strengthen relationship between the NA and civilian populace at the grassroots.

He further enjoined the communities to be alert and report any breach of security within their vicinity immediately, while he charged personnel that the use of force should always be the last resort to solving issues.

Earlier, the Commander 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala, Brigadier General Adewale Adekoya during the flag off, noted that the CIMIC exercise was an integral part of 35 Artillery Brigade efforts to enhancing civil/military relations and NA’s corporate social responsibility, adding that it is a

tradition for the NA to regularly conduct medical outreach and grassroots social services for rural communities.

He further disclosed that the exercise provided an avenue to enlighten the communities on the implications of drug abuse, render free medical consultations and services and enlightenment on recruitment into the NA. The 35 Brigade CIMIC exercise was extended to traditional rulers, staff of Ijebu North LGA, market women, less privileged, members of Community Development Association and students. The medical services included blood pressure check, eye examination and medication for malaria and fever.

Commemorating NADCEL in Ajah-Ilaje Not done, the division also in commemoration of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2021, last weekend offered free medical outreach to Ajah-Ilaje Community in Lagos.

At the flag-off, the GOC 81 Division reiterated that the NA has a tradition of regularly reaching out to host communities as part of measures towards enhanced Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC).

Stating that the exercise was part of the activities lined up for NADCEL 2021 with the theme “A professional and ready Nigerian Army: A prerequisite for successful operations in a Joint Environment”, he further explained that the exercise was meant to offer public health services to the Ajah-Ilaje Community.

The GOC also used the occasion to implore the community not to relent in offering assistance to the Army by providing timely information on the

activities of criminal elements within their communities. He further urged the people present to take their medications as prescribed by the doctors and ensure routine medical check ups as a follow up to the exercise.

He disclosed that the areas being covered by the medical outreach include blood test, blood pressure screening, voluntary HIV counseling and dental consultations, deworming and general treatment.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson, Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Oghenerukevwe Fejokwu and members of the excos donated a truck load of rice on behalf of the division to the community.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Baale of Ajah Ilaje land, His Royal Highness Murisiku Alani Oseni Ojupon ably represented by Honourable Chief Wasiu Olaosebikan Eshinlokun stated that the people of the community were delighted to have the NA in their midst to provide medical services and distribute palliatives.

Strengthening Ties at Onigbongbo At the 9 Brigade Army Cantonment, Ikeja, the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General MLD Saraso, also conducted a medical outreach at its host community, the Onigbongbo Kingdom. The commander said the outreach further strengthened the existing relationship between the army and the host community.

The Oba of Onigbongbo kingdom, Oba Oluwasegun Adeyemi Ajasa also commended the army for the outreach, as well as ensuring security of lives and properties in the area. His sentiments were echoed by Alhaji Tajudeen Irawo, the Jagunmolu of Onigbongbo Kingdom.

T H I S D AY ˾ , JULY 1, 2021

33

NEWS

FERTILITY

Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

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$PNQMJBODF &GGPSUT (FU (MPCBM $PNNFOEBUJPO In recognition of its efforts and investments in food fortification and infrastructure, culminating in Nigeria’s first state-of-the-art vitamin premix facility, Crown Flour Mill Limited (CFM), the flour milling subsidiary of Olam Nigeria, an agribusiness conglomerate, has received widespread commendation for consistently delivering highly fortified, quality and affordable food staples that meet global standards and improve public health.

This assertion was made at a Food Fortification webinar, organised by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, the flour milling company has successfully ramped up its food processing methodology through quality partnership and acquisition of a state-of-the-art premix facility to provide food products that improve the health of the Nigerian population. Andreas Bluethner, Director of Nutrition at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) who moderated the panel discussion, said, “Olam’s CFM has been able to achieve 90% food fortification compliance in flour production to deliver foods that change the lives of people who suffer from food deficiency diseases.”

He added: “Olam’s approach offers a sound model for other food manufacturers which seek to drive business competitiveness

by delivering food products that contain the right micronutrients and engender regulatory and consumer confidence.”

Speaking on CFM’s food fortification achievements, Ashish Pande, Managing Director of Crown Flour Mill Limited, highlighted that by leveraging technology, the company is able to determine and achieve food fortification data accuracy at its fully digitalized vitamins premix plant in Lagos.

He said, “CFM’s state-of-theart vitamins premix facility delivers 99.9 per cent food fortification data accuracy. We have therefore been able to choose the right level of micronutrients in all our food product processing efforts in line with global best practices and regulatory standards.”

“These quality assurance investments in our food processing facilities are delivering highly nutritious meals that are more affordable, easily accessible and instill confidence in all our products across the market.”

He cited, for instance, the affordable pricing structure and quality of bread produced by bakers who use CFM’s Mama Gold flour in their bakeries.

Because our flour brands contain the right micronutrient mix, and has qualities like better water absorption and taste, the bakers prefer to buy the flour brands for making bread that meets consumers’ shrinking wallet,

deliver maximum returns and support healthy living.

The food fortification event was tagged “Scaling up innovation for a fortified future: fortification quality digitisation”.

The event provided a high-level overview of quality compliance challenges in food fortification on local and global scales; it also explored how digitisation can solve the various food fortification challenges.

Panelists for the food fortification webinar were drawn from across varying areas of expertise in food processing like data analytics, IT, not-forprofit advocacy and regulatory sectors.

The panelists were Dipika Matthias, Deputy Director, Nutrition, BMGF, USA; Bernard Kowatsch, Head of World Food Programme Innovation Accelerator, Italy; Ashish Pande, Managing Director, Crown Flour Mill Limited, Nigeria; Anna Zhenchuk, Managing Director, BioAnalyt, Germany; Zameer Haider, National Program Manager for Oil Fortification, Nutrition International, Pakistan; Janice Zdankus, Vice President of Innovation for Social Impact, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, USA; Harun Rashid, Chairman, Shakti Edible Oil, Bangladesh; and Imtiaz Masud, Head of QA & EMS, Bangladesh Edible Oil, Bangladesh.

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r $BMMT PO TVSHFPOT GPS QSPQFS QSPDFEVSF A 23-year-old final year student of Ekiti State University, Kausarat Taiwo, who became incapacitated after a fatal auto crash last March, is in dire need of N15 millions for her medical bills.

Kausarat, who is currently at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), is bedridden and feeds through pipes connected to her throat and stomach.

According to her elder brother, Habeed Taiwo, the victim was a final year Mass Communication student, who was returning to Lagos from school in March when the tragic accident occurred at Ikorodu, close to their residence.

“She got to PZ at Odogwuyaya in Ikorodu on a tricycle.

While the driver tried to give

her change after she paid, a trailer was reversing without looking back. It incidentally hit the tricycle,” he explained.

As a result, Kausarat’s throat was slit and she sustained other grave injuries that deformed her figure.

“We rushed her to General Hospital Ikorodu before she was transferred to LUTH. We have spent over N4 million.

“Besides the surgery bills and others, we buy drugs for about N45,000 daily. We pay N50,000 for ICU each day,” he lamented.

Although Kausarat has been discharged, her family members are worried, as she still feeds from the pipes and yet to gain her vocal ability back.

Taiwo lamented: “My sister

can’t even eat through the mouth and she can’t speak.

We grind her food into liquid, then feed her through the pipe connected to her stomach.

That makes us cry. Who will be home feeding her through the stomach?

“We are looking for what can be done to get her better for the sake of her future,” while calling on Nigerians to come to Kausarat’s rescue.

Taiwo pleaded: “We also need assistance to take her aboard for a proper surgery. If any plastic surgeon can render assistance of any form, please let them help us.”

Donations can be made to 0628426258 Busari Taiwo Sarafa GTB while the family can be reached on 08038407729 for further enquiries.

*NP :PVUIT 1MFEHF UP 1BSUOFS 6/*$&' /0" UP &OE '(. 1SBDUJDF JO $PNNVOJUJFT Amby Uneze ÓØ áÏÜÜÓ Imo youths have pledged readiness to work with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the state.

The youths made the pledge at Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State during a recent twoday workshop tagged : “Male Engagement Alliance to End

FGM Coalition in communities of the state”.

Drawn from the 37 communities of Isu and Njaba LGAs, the youths thanked UNICEF and NOA for bringing the campaign to end FGM to rural communities.

Speaking on behalf of the youths, Mr. Geoffrey Nnogwarim, youth leader of Amaiyiaku community in Njaba LGA frowned at the negative physical and psychological effects of FGM.

He added that it was time to end the practice and liberate the girl child from unnecessary suffering.

“Today we have come to sign the membership list and pledge form of the ‘Male Engagement Alliance to End FGM Coalition’.

“The pledge is a demonstration of our readiness to synergise with UNICEF, NOA and other support bodies for an end to FGM in our communities and our state at large”, he said.

he reason some women will have fibroid at some time in their life is simply because they are women and not because they have broken any health rule. This introduces us to this week’s discussion centred on FIBROID AND FERTILITY.

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age developing even till about age 50 in some women.

30% of women between the ages of 25-44 years have various symptoms.. Fibroids are more common in African-American women up to 50%-80%.

WHAT IS FIBROID? Uterine fibroids are benign (non- cancerous) abnormal growths of muscle cells and fibrous tissue within the uterus (womb). They are also called myomas or leiomyoma. Fibroid occur when a single muscle cell in the wall of the uterus multiplies and grows to form a non-cancerous tumor. It is a medical fact that most women will have fibroids during their lifetime. Usually, fibroids development occurs when a woman is in her thirties or forties. In the past, women of this age would have completed a family. But today, many women have children later in life due to career progression, urbanization, and other factors. It is more common now to start a family in the thirties or even forties, rather than early twenties. Fibroid can change the size and shape of the uterus and sometimes the cervix (lower part of the uterus/womb). Women usually have more than one fibroid tumor but single fibroids are possible. Whether fibroid may cause symptoms or requires treatment depends on their number, location and size. This makes understanding the potential relationship between fibroids and infertility very important.

Although the exact cause is unknown, the growth of fibroids seems to be related to a gene that controls cells growth. When the gene functions normally, cells grow normally.

When the gene is not functioning, cells grow and divide at an accelerated rate in this way, one cells becomes two, two cells becomes four etc. until finally a mass or fibroid of this cells is detected. Fibroid growth is affected by the reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone. When these hormone levels decrease at menopause, many of the symptoms or fibroids begin to resolve. However, it is not clear whether theses hormones actually cause the fibroids to occur. For example, women who have had high levels of both of these hormones as a result of pregnancy or birth control pills have a lower incidence of fibroids later in life.

Abnormalities in the blood vessels around the uterus may play a role in development of fibroids.

Chemical changes of the body that causes tissue to grow may also be involved as the cause of these abnormal growths.

WHERE DO FIBROIDS GROW? Fibroids are usually found in or around the body of the uterus (womb), but sometimes are in the cervix. These locations determine the type and possible effect on the woman. t 0VUTJEF PS XJUIJO UIF PVUFS MJOJOH (Sub serosal) t 0O TUBMLT FYUFOEJOH GSPN UIF uterus (Pedunculated) t 8JUIJO UIF VUFSJOF NVTDMF *OUSBmural) t #FUXFFO UIF VUFSJOF CSPBE MJHBNFOUT (Submucosal) Submucosal fibroid are the type of fibroids that have clearly been demonstrated to reduce pregnancy rate, roughly by 50% and removal of which will double pregnancy rate. In some cases simply removing the submucosal fibroid solves infertility. Often, but not always, submucosal fibroids can use heavy periods, or bleeding between periods.

Cervical fibroids are rare; most fibroids develop from the uterine muscle (myometrium).

Fibroids can also be connected to the uterus by a stalk (pedunculated), or organs, such as the bladder and bowel. Fibroids are rarely found outside the cavity.

HOW COMMON ARE FIBROIDS? Fibroids are quite common and found in 20 -80% of women of reproductive/childbearing

CAUSES OF FIBROIDS

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF FIBROIDS? Some women do not experience any symptoms and have no complications throughout life.

The symptoms of fibroids also depend on the location and size of the fibroid. t $IBOHF JO NFOTUSVBM nPX XIJDI NBZ be excessively heavy (menorrhagia) which includes blood clot, irregular menstruation, increased menstrual cramping and pain, spotting. t 1BJO JO UIF QFMWJT PS MPXFS CBDL t 1BJO EVSJOH JOUFSDPVSTF t 1SFTTVSF PS GVMMOFTT JO UIF MPXFS abdomen with increased urination. t 4XFMMJOH PS FOMBSHFNFOU PG UIF abdomen.

RISK FACTORS FOR FIBROIDS " OVNCFS PG GBDUPS JOnVFODF UIF SJTLT PG developing fibroids. These include: t /VNCFS PG QSFHOBODJFT 8PNFO with one or more pregnancies that extended beyond 5 months have a decreased risk of fibroid formation. t 6TF PG CJSUI DPOUSPM QJMMT 6TF PG CJSUI control pills can generally protect against fibroids, but the use of the birth control at an early age (between age 13 and 16) may be associated with an increased risk for fibroid) TO BE CONTINUED

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T H I S D AY ˾ , JULY 1, 2021

NEWS

Smile Train Wins 2021 NHEA Special Recognition Award Sunday Ehigiator The 2021, Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA), has honoured Smile Train, world largest free cleft/ palate care provider, with a ‘Special Recognition Award’, for its excellence support of healthcare professionals via trainings and funding, and also providing a 100 per cent free cleft care to Nigerians.

At the event which was held last weekend at Victoria Island, Lagos, the organisers described Smile Train, which was founded 22 years ago to support free cleft lip and palate care for children and adults in the developing world, as a phenomenon.

In a statement by the organisers, it said Smile Train uses a unique sustainable and scalable global health model for cleft treatment, while also empowering local medical professionals in the cleft ecosystem. “Smile Train has provided over 1.5 million free cleft surgeries across the world, with active programs in 40 African countries.

“In Nigeria, since 2007,

Smile Train has developed partnerships with 50 hospitals and provided life-changing cleft surgeries to nearly 30,000 patients.”

Speaking with journalists after receiving the award which was presented by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Smile Train Program Director for West and Central Africa, Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi, appreciated the organisers for recognising the efforts of the non-profit organisation.

According to her, “it is a great pleasure for us at Smile Train to be so recognised by an award body as prestigious as NHEA. We want to say thank you to Nigerians who counted us worthy for nomination, and eventually voted for us to go on to win this.

“We say a big thank you to all our partners whose cooperation has made it possible for Smile Train to be recognised for excellence not just in Nigeria but globally. The dream is to continue to put a smile on the faces of every cleft/

Experts Advocate Food Fortification to Stem Malnutrition Kasim Sumaina ÓØ ÌßÔË Experts in food, nutrition and health, have identified micronutrients fortification of commonly consumed foods as the key to ending malnutrition.

The experts said micronutrients fortification is a major strategy against malnutrition and can create a huge breakthrough in healthy living.

They made the call recently at a National Fortification Dialogue to discuss viable options to scaling up nutrition through food fortification held in Abuja, as part of the United Nations Food Systems Summit, (UNFSS), Country Director of of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, (GAIN), and convener of the meeting, Mr. Michael Ojo, noted that the development and advent of food fortification is a major game changer in food based innovations.

He explained that the lack of micronutrients in the body is a major health risk and that is why it is often referred to as the ‘hidden hunger.

According to him, “GAIN is driven by a vision of a world without malnutrition hence we look forward to undergoing an inclusive contribution to this cause.

“We work in Nigeria to deliver support among vulnerable groups and children under the age five and we hope to change the narrative on micronutrients deficiency.”

Similarly, Senior Programmes Officer, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Dr. Victor Ajieroh, said raising awareness about food fortification has gradually become part of a global movement He observed that after the successes recorded in salt io-

dization and sugar vitamin A fortification programmes, “it is time to broaden the scope inculcating micronutrients in our foods to stem the tide of malnutrition due to lack of micronutrients.”

Ajieroh further stated that it is also important to reflect the voices of all stakeholders including such as industry players, the government and consumers in the fortification drive.

While pointing out major interventions and policies by the government in promoting food fortification for improved nutrition, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Olusola Idowu, said the federal government has held several meetings with stakeholders to identify challenges to ending micronutrients deficiency.

Idowu while urging the participants, said: “We have to come up with actionable and implementable plans to tackle micronutrients deficiency through food fortification.”

Discussion also centred on the importance of food labelling for easy of identification of fortified processed and packaged food, proper identification for farm produce as well as the laws put in place by government to ensure compliance by industry actors in safeguarding the health of the populace.

The meeting drew experts from government agencies, the National Fortification Alliance, (NFA), the Institute of Public Analyst of Nigeria, (IPAN), Technoserve, The Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria,(CS-SUNN), and other stakeholders.

palate patient. “Our vision is to continue to work towards a world where every person

has access to high-quality comprehensive cleft care and is able to live a full and healthy

life,” she said.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO),

Over 6,000 babies are estimated to be born with cleft annually in Nigeria.

Smile Train Program Director for West and Central Africa, Mrs. Nkeiruka Obi, alongside other Smile Train Staff and Partners, receiving the NHEA Special Recognition Award as presented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, on behalf of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the recently held 2021 Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Award

Hope Consortium Develops Solution for Vaccine Delivery Globally Rebecca Ejifoma The HOPE Consortium has developed one of the most extensive and integrated, endto-end supply chain solutions in the world, capable of delivering millions of vaccines from the point of production to the point of vaccination safely, effectively, and transparently.

This development, which is in collaboration with AD Ports, Etihad Cargo, Rafed, Skycell, and Maqta Gateway, aims to deliver vaccines to all those in need, irrespective of where they find themselves, and help win

the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The effort places Abu Dhabi as the central life sciences hub for the global response to the pandemic by leveraging its strategic position as a gateway to two thirds of the global population.

The HOPE Consortium says it has pooled the collective expertise of its partners to provide multi-faceted logistics services to handle transport, demand planning, sourcing, training, and digital technology infrastructure, to facilitate vaccine availability across the world.

Comprising leading Abu Dhabi entities, the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Ports, Etihad Cargo, Rafed, SkyCell, and Maqta Gateway, as well as a wide body of global logistics players, the HOPE Consortium is developing capacity to transport, store, and distribute 18 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses per annum to countries around the world including Nigeria.

“The partners have come together to leverage their unique capabilities to offer the world a complete end-to-end vaccine delivery solution covering both the physical movement of the

vaccines in parallel with a digital solution monitoring and reporting on the supply chain progress and compliance,” the firm added.

With this, the Hope Consortium can deliver vaccines from the manufacturing plant to those in need anywhere in the world. Adding that “As a growing international effort, the Consortium has added a number of world-class logistics partners including Aramex, Bolloré Logistics, Agility, DB Schenker, DHL, FedEx Express, MICCO Logistics, Hellmann and Kuehne + Nagel, RSA Global, and UPS”.

NYSC Holds Free Medical Outreach in Osun Community Yinka Olatunbosun As part of their efforts to realise a positive development in Ileogbo and its environment, Ileogbo Development Forum (IDF), a non-profit developmental organisation based in the headquarters of Ayedire Local Government, State of Osun, has facilitated and sponsored an Health Initiative for Rural Development, which is organised nationwide

by NYSC officials.

With the NYSC officials from the state headquarters

being present at the venue of the campaign, over 200 people were tested with free testing equipments, provided free medication such as anti-malaria, hypertensive, anti-diabetics and multivitamins, among other primary ailments at the Ileogbo Grade C Court, Oja Ale, and given appropriate health talk on benefits of exercise, good food and resting, in the ancient town.

There were six doctors, three pharmacists, five nurses and six NYSC officials who

were on ground to provide the people with health talk and free medication.

The Chief Imam of Ileogbo, Sheikh Nafiu Shifaudeen Adeyemo who was present at the occasion offered the opening prayer, got tested and received drugs.

Speaking to the journalist after the programme, Mrs Adisa Tawaklit who benefited from the programme said: “This is quite impressive as I’ve been tested for free and got drugs, something which I can’t afford personally.”

Another beneficiary said: “IDF is known for its developmental strides in Ileogbo and environments. I’ve always been a beneficiary of their activities. I pray God continues to strengthen them in unison and continue to promote their developmental agenda,” said Mr Kola Abeeb.

The Health Initiative for Rural Development is an annual programme by the National Youth Service Corps that seeks to provide health succour for the people in rural communities.

Catholic Church Expresses Desire to Partner Lagos Govt to Improve Healthcare Delivery Ugo Aliogo The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, Dr. Adewale Martins, has expressed the desire of the archdiocese to partner the state government to improve healthcare delivery in the state.

Martins, who disclosed this during the 10th anniversary celebration and commissioning of ultra-modern intensive care unit and orthopedic theatre with C-ARM, stated that the Catholic

Church has always collaborated with government.

He also stated that it is the basic duty of government to provide healthcare for the people, but since government cannot do it alone, therefore there is need for private sector and faith based organisations to assist.

The archbishop expressed confidence that the collaboration with government would be further strengthened especially with the provision of equipment

and giving of waivers to the church in procuring the equipment that she needs.

According to him, “One of the things we have asked the government to do is the provision of an ambulance to ensure that the services we offer here will synchronise well with similar healthcare institutions in the country.

“Concerning the issue of our plans for the future, the hospital was started

with the view of providing a state-of-the-art treatment for cancer such that people will not travel abroad to get treatment for cancer.

“We are in discussions with medical personnel in India who specialise in this area of medicine so that we can learn from them, and collaborate with them to provide the services, so that people will not spend too much for treatment overseas in order to get treated.

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T H I S D AY ˾ , JULY 1, 2021

INTERVIEW

Caroline Jehu-Appiah: Championing the Generation Equality Forum Caroline Jehu-Appiah is the Deputy Director, Health, Nutrition and Eradication for Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, based in the Nigeria Country Office. With over 25 years experience spanning public health, nutrition, human capital development, and program management across the health sector, she was also was largely responsible for advancing Universal Health Coverage, as well as the Lead Policy Advisor to the President on health, nutrition and human capital development.As one of the directors on Generation Equality Forum, she spoke with Chiemelie Ezeobi amongst other things, on the new report about ‘Women and the Impacts of COVID-19’, the essence of the Generation Equality Forum and what impact it is intended to have on women in developing economies

C

an you tell us about the Generation Equality Forum and why it is so important for women in developing countries?

The Generation Equality Forum will be transformational for woman and girls across the world and in Africa in particular. This is to say we have not had a moment like this for gender equality in a quarter of a century and it comes at a very important time as women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

So this forum is an opportunity for leaders around the world to commit and be held accountable. And it’s not just the right thing to do, it will also be critical for the world economic recovery from the pandemic and 2021 must be a year of action for gender equality. So the Generation Equality Forum is basically our opportunity to match the urgency of this moment and deliver for women and girls. And this is the first time that we have such a diverse range of participants, you know from the private sector to government, civil society that are coming together, to act on gender equality and the need for this basically stems from the evidence that we have today that the gender gap in global employment is widening.

And the current economic recovery rate is failing women and as male unemployment rates are falling female unemployment rates are still on the right, this is why it’s so important to act on this now and it’s so timely, given that the last gender conference was held almost a quarter of a century ago in Beijing.

How can Nigeria strengthen her Universal Health Coverage because we are really lagging behind in that regard?

There is a lot that needs to be done, and even though as you said, Nigeria is lagging in health outcomes and SDGs, a lot of progress have been made, progress in terms of under-five mortality, there have been some progress in terms of maternal mortality, access to family planning. There’s been some progress in routine Immunisation service, which has gone up. So I think, in a nutshell, we need to make progress in strengthening our health system as well. And also, especially for Nigeria, you know that, for the past 15 years the health sector has been grossly underfunded and in fact the COVID pandemic has been a wakeup call to show that Nigeria has been underfunding its health sector response. The budgetary allocation never exceeded six per cent.

So the COVID Pandemic has been an opportunity to shine the light on the fact that Nigeria needs to invest more in health because health costs money.

And if you look across West Africa, Nigeria is hitting way below its peers, in terms of health sector allocation.

So it’s a combination of factors, it’s about making sure that health systems are strengthened , it is about staying the course on our programmatic responses around all our priority disease areas.

But the most important is funding to the health sector, because you know primary healthcare is the vehicle to achieving universal health coverage, yet we know that at the state level, the data that we have less than three per cent is allocated to primary health care any less is released.

You know, so the health sector, the state level really has very little to work with, so if one needs to ask, what the priority should be, I will say increasing funding for health and as I said COVID has been wake-up call.

What has been the impact on women and children?

Of course, the COVID pandemic has disproportionately affected women in terms of global employment not just locally and in Nigeria that gap in global employment is widening and the COVID recovery efforts are failing women more.

As male unemployment are falling, the data we

strengthening health systems and we also have investment in agriculture.

So at the country level those are the high priority areas and so far I think in Nigeria, the foundation has invested close to $1.6 billion, you know, since we started engaging with Nigeria.

Caroline Jehu-Appiah

have from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and some of our partners, female unemployment is on the rise. When we started, we kind of assumed that recovery is slower for women but things are getting worse. This is why it is so important to get the commitment from the global leaders and civil society to commit and be held accountable to advance gender equality and ensure gender equality is put at the centre of the recovery efforts.

I am aware the BMGF released a report on gender and the pandemic, what are the highlights of this report?

Well, the highlights of the report are basically that women have been disproportionately affected. In terms of employment and also in terms of assess to family planning, you know during the lock down, a lot of women have not had the access to the various family planning commodities and option. The foundation is committed to bridging the gap in Family Planning support, globally and also for Nigeria. The highlight of the report prioritised Family Planning.

Are you targeting underserved communities or generally across the country?

We are working closely with teams on financial social protection, so the target of course, is the vulnerable woman and vulnerable household. Also in terms of our programmatic approach, every investment that the foundation is implementing in Nigeria there’s a deliberate and conscious effort to make it gender intentional and gender transformational.

So through our investments and everything that the foundation does, because our mission, as you know is to ensure everybody has a chance to lead a healthy and productive life and over the years we’ve invested over $ 50 billion towards this course, so we are now making a deliberate effort for the past three four years to put that into action.

Can you break it down , the figure you mentioned that was invested in what areas?

Well, the figure I’m quoting is the support the foundation has provided since its inception, for over 20 years and you know health is our biggest priority. We also have investments in agriculture, we have investments in water, sanitation and also education, those are the high level priority areas.

But at the foundation in Nigeria, focus is basically health and health, we have about six priority areas, so we invest in polio, as you well know, in routine Immunisation in maternal child health and family planning and in nutrition. Also in

With all these gaps, what do you think the government should be doing to improve on some of the identified lapses?

There is a lot that the government can do and just to highlight that some of the African countries have already made actionable and funded commitments ahead of the gender equality forum.

For example, President Kenyatta of Kenya increased funding to help tackle issues around gender violence. Other African countries have also stepped up to the task that would be South Africa, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Rwanda and Malawi, so what we expect from government is their commitment not just around policy advocacy but also financial commitment, because the difference between this forum and the Beijing Forum is that this time around, we are going to hold government accountable so it’s not just talking the talk and shedding the spotlight on issues around gender equality but it’s also to get governments to commit resources to move that agenda forward. And, as I said earlier, a number of African countries have already made policy and financial commitment, so it will be great if Nigeria could also do the same, because, as you know, issues around gender equality are a challenge in Nigeria and would need to be addressed when empowering woman.

Is there any plans to assess the impact of the report on women?

The difference, as I mentioned earlier, between this forum and the Beijing Forum that was held in 1995 is that issues around gender equality are going to be institutionalised.

So the plan is to have annual fora where profess and commitments to gender equality can be tracked so that is the good thing about this Generation Equality Forum, so it’s not just going to be a one off event but there’s going to be a cadence of meetings. And the plan is to have annual meetings to track progress track commitments towards the coalition teams or coalition actions of the GEF. Sadly, malnutrition is still a big problem in Nigeria, so how will you use your wealth of experience to tackle that?

Yes, it is a very good question and very timely, as you rightly said, malnutrition issues are still around us still and it is quite prevalent especially in the north and we just kicked off a $15 million investment which is called Accelerating Maternal, Infant and Child Health Nutrition, so this is going to be one of our platform flagship where we will be working with six northern states including Lagos.

We are hoping this investment to be transformational. And we are going to work with existing partners, building on lessons from our previous investment to build a requisite capacity amongst the stakeholders, and we are going to target not just the supply side, that is not just the facilities, the community health workers, but also demand side, because a lot of issues around malnutrition are economic, they are behavioral.

So this is going to be a multi-pronged approach, because issues of malnutrition are multi factorial that a lot of bottlenecks that needs to be addressed like women’s education women’s economic capabilities. Also, nutritional knowledge as to what nutritious foods to give to children and also to build the capacity of our health care providers at the community level to counsel women and to use the existing platforms around anti-natal care and postnatal care because that is where we have to make sure that opportunities are not missed and hopefully we will be able

to move the needle and see improvements in malnutrition in the next five to six years.

One of the major challenges concerning health in Nigeria is financial barrier to accessing health services, what do you think is the way out?

Well, there are a number of challenges or bottlenecks, I will like to categorise them as supply challenges so that would be health financing, as I said, Nigeria is allocating very little or not at all in line with the Abuja declaration of 15 per cent allocation. Nigeria has stagnated around six per cent for the past 10 to 12 years. There is the issue of infrastructure, Nigeria has over 30,000 health facilities and yet only 20 per cent of those are functional.

So the issues of infrastructure, the issues around human resources I mean, one can look at all the building blocks, you know human resources in terms of skill mix and capacity to deliver directory services. There is the issue of continuing medical education which is almost nonexistent, you know when all the nurses are graduated from school very few of them have had any a continuing medical education, training, there were the issues around supply chain and commodities.

As you know, the supply chain is very fragmented and broken and that’s what the foundation is also working to support, we have a number of investments on that. There’s also the issue of cost of health systems in general, issues around access to health care services, because in Nigeria, most of the services are funded out of pocket, in fact, close to 75 per cent of health services assessed by Nigerians are paid out of pocket and this is why there is the drive to scale up the implementation of the national health insurance scheme and at the state level state health insurance scheme.

There is the issue of service delivery, you know which ties in with human resources with the quality of care, capacity issues and then on the demand side people are not accessing health services as they should be and especially around COVID, as we all know, there was a disruption to essential healthcare services.

As I mentioned earlier, because healthcare is financed out of pocket, so the financial barrier to individuals that are living in poverty is a huge one. And of course issues around women empowerment, they don’t have the agency, especially in the north they need to seek permission from their husband to have to access health care and to deliver in health facility so all those issues compounds and have resulted in the situation that Nigeria has found itself.

The COVID crisis is an opportunity to do things differently, so Nigeria as a country should not waste the crisis and use it to rethink in terms of how to invest more in the health sector, because just one pandemic can bring the economy to a halt as we see. So it makes economic sense, not just from the health angle, but it makes economic sense for any country to invest in health because a health pandemic can disrupt the economy so the opportunities are there to make progress on that front.

So going forward what do we expect from the foundation?

The foundation is going to stay the course on its commitments, as I mentioned earlier our mission is to ensure everyone has equal opportunity to lead a healthy and productive life and as I said over the past 20 years we’ve invested over $50 billion, but then just to say that our resources are just a drop in the bucket compared to the total need.

So with all our interventions, given all our priority areas of focus which spans across maternal and child health, infectious diseases, research agenda we are going to stay the course and committed to supporting countries achieve the mission, which is to ensure that everyone has a chance to lead healthy and productive life.

36

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͷ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG Seeks CBN Funding of Workers’Housing Scheme Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË The Office of the Head of Service of the Federation has opened discussion with Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to make special intervention in the Federal Housing Loan Board.

The intervention is expected to ameliorate the poor financing of the Federal Integrated Staff Housing Programme (FISH).

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoS), Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan, stated this during the commissioning of 18 units of two-bedroom block of flats at Technocrats Estate, Mararaba, and 54 units of block of flats at Solutionist Estate in New Karshi, Nasarawa State for civil servants.

She said the move would address the concern of the increasing cost of housing, high interest rate on mortgage finance and the poor funding of the Federal Government Housing Loan Board, which served as primary mortgage institution for the FISH Programme.

In addition, she said the civil service is also engaging chief executives of some relevant MDAs of government to mobilise support of their institutions for the implementation of the housing programme. The FISH programme was initiated in 2015 as a welfare scheme to provide quality and affordable housing to civil servants through facilitation of loan and mortgage facilities at a single interest rate.

However, the programme has been constrained by poor funding, lack of budgetary allocation, nonavailability of land and mortgage and alternate financing, among other critical areas.

Yemi- Esan said her office was in talk with the federal government loan board to make loan available to workers for them to pay back within the period of their service rather than approve such loans when they are about exiting service.

She also said the Ministry of Works and Housing has allocated five hectres of land at Gwagwalada Area Council to the FISH programme, while efforts are being made towards the mobilisation to site as soon as possible.

FCMB Explains Rising Support for SMEs First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has explained that its increased support to SMEs is aimed at further empowering them to take the lead in the growth and development of Nigeria’s economy.

According to the bank, this is because SMEs are one of the key drivers of the country’s push for economic prosperity due to their potential to create jobs, reduce poverty, boost production and economic activities.

To this end, the lender has urged business owners to keep pace with current and emerging realities in order to make their respective businesses productive and competitive, which will lead to progress for them and the nation.

FCMB made this known in a

statement to commemorate this year’s International MSME Day, marked recently.

The annual event provided an opportunity to raise public awareness of the contributions of such businesses towards ensuring sustainable development, poverty alleviation, empowerment and other benefits.

Commenting on the significance of the International SMEs Day and commitment of FCMB to businesses, the Group Head, Business Banking of the Bank, Mr. George Ogbonnaya, said the Day is important to the financial institution as a major operator in the global business community.

According to him, “we recognise the role of SMEs as catalysts for sustainable development. SMEs in Nigeria have

what it takes to compete at the highest level in the international market, but without the requisite exposure and support, it can be very difficult to succeed.

“We strongly believe that SMEs need genuine support to play a frontal role in the development of individuals, communities and the country in general, especially as the world battles to overcome the negative effects of COVID-19.”

He added that, “we are also inspired by the fact that our market leading propositions and support to SMEs have consistently made real impact on businesses and the economy in general. We will continue to provide the right platform and opportunities to empower our customers to take their businesses to greater heights”.

NCRIB Endorses Heirs Insurance Companies The Nigerian Council of Registered Brokers (NCRIB) has endorsed Heirs Insurance Limited (HIL) and Heirs Life Assurance Limited (HLA), describing both companies as progressive with their array of product offerings and promise of excellent service.

The President of NCRIB, Mrs. Bola Onigbogi, said this while speaking at a meeting of the council that was hosted

by HIL and HLA. Onigbogi said, “I have no iota of doubt in my mind that Heirs Insurance and Heirs Life are companies

to watch out for in the market.

A critical examination of your workforce and your enthusiasm to host this members’ evening at a time like this is a pointer to a greater business exploit you are poised to accomplish.”

She further described the companies as brokers’ friendly, endorsing the companies as partners for brokers to collaborate with. “I guarantee you for your endorsement by my professional colleagues”, she added.

Welcoming the hosts of the mee The Acting CEO, Heirs Insurance Limited, Dr. Adaobi

Nwakuche, in her address, acknowledged NCRIB as an important stakeholder in the business of insurance, liaising between customers and insurance firms.

She emphasised the mission of Heirs Insurance while introducing the company to the brokers present: “We are on a mission to democratise insurance and make it accessible to any and every one. To achieve this, we paid careful attention to the needs of every customer across all the social circles, while building our products.

LAPO Relaunches Integration Project Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) has relaunched its integration project with LAPO MfB, which ensures that clients of the bank equally access health services.

According to LAPO’s Executive Director, Dr. Honestus Ayo Obadiora, the project was structured to improve the health status of beneficiaries by reducing hospital attendance and the cost or burden of ill health due to preventable diseases and related conditions.

Also speaking, LAPO’s Health Project Consultant, Professor Omokhoa Adeleye, said the project entails health sensitisation and screening of clients as well as building referral linkages with government-approved health facilities.

The health education messages, according to him, include sensitisation on malaria, modern family planning methods, pregnancy care, cervical cancer, hepatitis-B, child immunisation, diarrhoea

in children prevention, HIV/ AIDS, and the dangers of selfmedication, among others.

The project is being implemented in 16 LAPO MfB zones including the FCT, with health staff of LAPO deployed to branches within these locations.

The development has brought about an expansion in the number of states covered by LAPO with regards to health screening and sensitisation activities amongst clients of LAPO MfB.

Eunisell Pledges Support for Marginal Field Owners Oil Service Company, Eunisell Limited has pledged assistance to new owners of Marginal Oil & Gas Fields in Nigeria, in order to accelerate the development of their fields. The commitment was made at a recent meeting between Eunisell Limited and

select owners of marginal fields in Lagos. Speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of Eunisell Limited, Chika Ikenga affirmed his company’s commitment to support winners of the recent marginal field bid round in Nigeria, to reduce

their capital expenditure and get to first oil.

Marginal field owners in Nigeria face significant challenges that hamper the development of their fields. Some of these challenges include lack of technical and financial resources.

Yemi-Esan

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ʹ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $75.94 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $75.71 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).

37

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͷ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

FCMB Pensions Targets Growth, Acquires 60% Stake in AIICO Pensions Goddy Egene FCMB Pensions Limited, a subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc, has finally acquired 60 per cent stake in AIICO Pensions Managers Limited, a subsidiary of AIICO Insurance Plc. Both firms had in June 2020, disclosed that they were in discussions with the aim of FCMB Pensions acquiring 70 per cent of AIICO Pensions from AIICO Insurance ,while 26.3 per

cent would be acquired from other shareholders to bring the total of 96.3 per cent.

However, a year after that disclosure, FCMB Pensions was only able to acquire a total of 60 per cent stake in AIICO Pensions Managers.

In a notification to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, the FCMB Group said its pension management subsidiary, FCMB Pensions Limited, had received relevant regulatory approvals and

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

concluded the acquisition of a 60 per cent stake in AIICO Pension Managers Limited.

“This is made up of 33.9 per cent stake held by AIICO Insurance Plc and 26.1 per cent stake held by other shareholders in AIICO Pensions. The acquisition makes AIICO Pensions an indirect subsidiary of FCMB Group Plc. The acquired stake was reduced from the initial 96.3 per cent stake in our notification to the NGX on 25 June 2020 to comply with the

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

transaction structure approved by regulators. The goal is to combine the businesses of FCMB Pensions and AIICO Pensions to build a stronger and more resilient business,” FCMB Group said.

On its part, AIICO Insurance notified the NGX that it had completed the sale of its 33.9 per cent shareholding in AIICO Pensions Managers Limited to FCMB Pensions Limited.

Based on the transaction structure approved by the

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

regulators, only 33.9 per cent of AIICO Insurance’s shareholding in AIICO Pensions was sold to FCMB Pensions instead of the 70 per cent stake indicated in our earlier notification to the exchange. FCMB Pensions also bought 26.1% stake held by other shareholders in AIICO Pensions thereby making FCMB Pensions a majority shareholder with 60 per cent stake in AIICO Pensions.

“In line with the approval from the National Pension

O F

Commission (PENCOM), the transaction is subject to a merger of AIICO Pensions and FCMB Pensions. This is in compliance with the PENCOM’s circular ref: PENCOM/INSP/CIR/ SURV/15/03 of September 21, 2015 which states that “no individual, group of individuals or company shall have direct or indirect ownership/shareholding of 5.0 per cent and above in more than one licensed pension fund operator”.

0 7 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021 • T H I S DAY

38

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 06Jul-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 156.45 158.00 -3.29% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.68% Nigeria International Debt Fund 320.35 320.35 -20.60% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.17 111.17 -0.82% 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 6.54% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.26 3.42 -3.97% 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 3.35% Anchoria Equity Fund 134.18 135.71 0.88% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.10 -17.33% 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 424.78 437.59 6.10% ARM Ethical Fund 38.22 39.37 13.38% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.17% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.96 0.97 -8.14% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.90% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.02 105.02 3.25% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 1.97 1.97 -16.38% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.06 2.10 -14.97% mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.85% Paramount Equity Fund 16.52 16.82 3.28% Women's Investment Fund 136.11 137.68 2.27% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.93% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 117.19 117.96 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.09 107.09 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.18% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.71% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,139.53 1,149.73 -0.40% 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 1,384.83 1,384.83 11.12% FBN Balanced Fund 190.05 191.37 1.26% FBN Halal Fund 110.96 110.96 8.60% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.20% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

125.94 158.34

125.94 3.45% 160.52 4.74% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 3,663.50 3,358.16 100.00

Offer Price 3,714.63 3,358.16 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn -2.18% 2.50% 5.57%

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 7.76% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.89 2.96 1.24% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.11 151.39 -2.82% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.42% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.09 1.09 0.03% 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 1.41 1.43 3.47% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,152.00 1,152.00 4.26% 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 11.42 11.47 9.02% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.50% 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 1.68 1.70 7.11% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.50 11.55 -5.21% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.78% PACAM Equity Fund 1.65 1.66 4.04% PACAM EuroBond Fund 111.34 113.03 1.29% 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 131.37 133.68 4.23% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 3.41% 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 N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.28 1.30 0.49% United Capital Bond Fund 1.89 1.89 3.38% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.88 8.30% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.44% United Capital Eurobond Fund 118.69 118.69 3.72% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 3.72% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 5.55% 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 12.86 12.97 8.39% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.09 14.21 15.33% Zenith Income Fund 24.15 24.15 0.74% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.96%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.09 51.54

2.77% -1.64%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.20 124.66 98.78 17.81 17.94

13.30 127.62 100.89 17.91 18.04

-0.11% 3.61% -0.46%

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 MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

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

3.97 5.95 17.37 1.00 19.16 151.57

4.01 6.03 17.47 1.00 19.36 153.57

5.16% 4.54% 7.06% 4.42% -6.57% -30.82%

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.

THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY

BURIAL OF DR JOE NWODO

39

- Appreciation.

The Nwodo family of Ukehe, Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State overwhelmed by theoutpouring of love and affections by Nigerians during the burial of their trailblazer and patriarch, Dr Joseph Nnabuchi Nwodo on June 5, 2021 wishes to register their sincere and heartfelt appreciation.

The roll call is in-exhaustive but we cannot but recognize the solidarity from the following persons and groups:PRESIDENT MUHAMMAD BUHARI WHO SENT A HUGE DELEGATION TO THE BURIAL, VICE PRESIDENT, PROF YEMI OSIBANJO CHIEF OF STAFF TO THE PRESIDEN.T PROF IBRAHIM GAMBARI FORMER PRESIDENTS GEN OLUSEGUN OBASANJO GEN IBRAHIM BABANGIDA GEN ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR DR GOODLUCK JONATHAN ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR GOVERNORS/PAST GOVERNORS. H.E RT HON IFEANYI UGWUANYI OF ENUGU STATE H.E DAVE UMAHI OF EBONYI STATE H.E SEN HOPE UZODINMA OF IMO STATE H.E SEN. IFEANYI OKOWA OF DELTA STATE H.E DR KELECHI IGWE, DEPUTY GOVERNOR OF EBONYI STATE H.E SEN. JIM NWOBODO H.E CHUKWUEMEKA EZEIFE H.E OGBONNAYA ONU H.E BABATUNDE FASHOLA H.E RT HON WAZIRI TAMBUWAL H.E SEN CHIMAROKE NNAMANI H.E SEN. SAM EGWU H.E SEN GODSWILL AKPABIO H.E SEN. ALI MODU SHERIFF H.E CLEMENT EBRI H.E LUCKY IGBINEDION H.E PAULINE TALLEN H.E CHIGOZIE OGBU H.E ACHIKE UDENWA H.E EMEKA IHEDIOHA H.E SEN CHRIS NGIGE H.E PETER OBI H.E SEN ORJI UZOR KALU H.E SEN THEODORE ORJI H.E ADMIRAL ALISON MADUEKE H.E JAMES ONANEFE IBORI H.E DAME VIRGINIA ETIABA H.E OKECHUKWU ITANYI H.E CECILIA EZEILO H.E STEVE LAWANI SENATORS/FORMER SENATORS. SEN. IBRAHIM LAWAN-SENATE PRESIDENT SEN. KEN NNAMANI- FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT SEN. DAVID MARK- FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT SEN. IBRAHIM MANTU-FORMER DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT SEN. IKE EKWEREMADU -FMR DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT SEN. AYOGU EZE SEN. ENYINNAYA ABARIBE SEN. CHUKA UTAZI SEN. EMMA ANOSIKE SEN. UCHE EKWUNIFE SEN ANNIE OKONKWO SEN NURA ABATEMI USMAN SEN MIKE AJEGBU SEN UGOCHUKWU UBA SEN OSITA IZUNASO SEN GIL NNAJI SEN CHRIS ADIGIJIE SEN EMMA AGBOTI SEN UDO UDOMA SEN ANTHONY AGBO SEN MUSA ADEDE SEN COLLINS NDU SEN HAD. ABUBAKAR SIRIKA SEN GBEMISOLA SARAKI SEN. BEN OBI SEN ANNIETE OKON SEN EHIGIE OZAMERE SEN. PETER NWAOBOSHI

MINISTERS/FORMER MINISTERS HON GEOFFRY ONYEAMA HON ADAMU ADAMU HON OTUNBA NIYI ADEBAYO HON UDECHUKWU SAMSON OGAH PROF ABC NWOSU HON TIM MENAKAYA HON CHIEF TOM IKIMI DR OKEY ENELEMAH PROF. ONYEBUCHI CHUKWU HON PROF CHINEDU NEBO PROF BARTH NNAJI HON PRINCE JOHN EMEKA PROF OSITA OGBU HON FRANK NWEKE JNR CHIEF CHUKA ODUM CHIEF GABRIEL ADUKU AIR VICE MARSHAL CANICE UMENWALIRI CHIEF SHARON IKEAZOR HON DUBEM ONYIA AMB FIDELIA NJEZE PAST/PRESENT MEMBERS FROM FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. RT HON PATRICIA ETTEH FMR SPEAKER. RT HON TUNDE AKOGUN RT HON MARTINS OKEH HON EMMA IBESHI HON JONES ONYERERI HON NDUDI ELUMELU HON PRINCE CORNELIUS NNAJI HON CHRIS AZUBOGU HON PRINCE OFOR CHUKWUEGBO HON NNOLI NNAJI RT HON IFEANYI IBEZIM RT HON FRANK UGWU AMB FIDEL AYOGU RT HON OGBUEFI OZOMGBACHI PROF HON SAM OYOVBAIRE HON PATRICK ASADU HON PEACE NNAJI HON GAB AGBO HON CHIJOKE EDOGA HON MARTINS OKEH PRINCESS STELLA NGWU

POLITICAL LEADERS PRINCE UCHE SECONDUS –NATIONAL CHAIRMAN PDP ALHAJI BASHIR TOFA CHIEF OLISA METUH CHIEF BEN OBI ALHAJI IDI FAROUK CHIEF NWEKE GBAZUAGU NWEKE CHIEF OKECHUKWU EZEA (IDEKE) CLERGY MOST REV. PROF GODFREY ONAH- CATHOLIC BISHOP OF NSUKKA MOST REV. CALLISTUS ONAGA- CATHOLIC BISHOP OF ENUGU MOST REV. JOHN OKOYE- CATHOLIC BISHOP OF AWGU MOST REV. PAULINUS EZEOKAFOR- CATHOLIC BISHOP OF AWKA MOST REV. SOLOMON AMATU- CATHOLIC BISHOP OF OKIGWE MOST REV. DR EMMANUEL CHUKWUMAANGLICAN BISHOP OF ENUGU MOST REV. ALEXANDER IBEZIM- ANGLICAN BISHOP OF AWKA MOST REV. ALOYSIUS AGBO- ANGLICAN BISHOP OF NSUKKA MOST REV. SOSTHENES EZE- ANGLICAN BISHOP OF NGWO PRIEST OF ENUGU AND NSUKKA DIOCESE REV. SISTERS OF ENUGU AND NSUKKA DIOCESE CONGREGATION OF ST PETERS &MOTHER OF CHRIST PARISHES, UKEHE

CHIEF ADEBANJO –AFENIFERE PROF GEORGE OBIOZOR –OHANAZE ROYAL FATHERS HRH IGWE NNAEMEKA ACHEBE-OBI OF ONITSHA HRH IGWE. AMB. LAWRENCE AGUBUZU –CHAIRMAN ENUGU STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS HRH ETUBOM JUSTICE CHARLES EFANG ARCHIBONG HRH IGWE CHRIS OGAKWU MEMBERS, ENUGU STATE COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS WOMEN LEADERS PROF MRS UCHE AZIKIWE DAME BEATRICE EKWUEME BARR. MRS VIVIENE ENWEREM OTHER LEADERS GEN. CHRIS GARUBA AMB. GEN. CHRIS EZE. MAJOR GEN. VICTOR EZEUGWU BRIG. GEN. J.O.J OKOLOAGU BRIG. GEN. FRED EZE BRIG. GEN. GODWIN UGWOKE

CHIEF OGBONNA ONOVO _FMR IGP CHIEF MIKE OKIRO- FMR IGP CHIEF CHRIS OFFOR CHIEF GEORGE UWECHUE MR EMEKA ODENIGWE MR STEVE IKENGWU ENGR BEN. O. NGWUOCHE DR STEVE OKOLO IN-INLAWS OBA DONALD NWANDU OBAYIS, ONUGUS, ISICHEIS, ASOGWAS. CHIEF NDUKA EYA NWANKWUS, OWELLES, AZINGES WAKELEY JONES, EKPANG, ZAKARIYA, OYOGUS CHIEF VINCENT ANIGBO CHIEF BEN EZEUGWU CHIEF FESTUS ODUMEGWU DIPLOMATIC COMMUNITY CLAIRE PERANGELO , CONSULAR GENERAL US CHIEF FERDINAND AGU CHIEF VICTOR AGU EMBASSY CHIEF ENGR CHRIS OKOYE CORPORATE COMMUNITY CHIEF IKEJE ASOGWA HIGH CHIEF RAYMOND DOKPESI CP LAWRENCE ALOBI CHIEF TONY ELUMELU CHIEF ABEL NWOBODO CHIEF ABC ORJIAKOR CHIEF MATTIAS OMEH DR COSMAS AGU DR DAN SHIERE JUDICIARY. ENGR DAMIAN IFEANYI EZE DR BASIL ONUGU JUSTICE C.C. NWEZE-SUPREME COURT CHIEF ENGR VITA ABBA CHIEF SN OKEKE JUSTICE RALPH AGBO- COURT OF APPEAL CHIEF SAM ONYISHI (PEACE MASS TRANSIT) CHIEF DAN ULASI JUSTICE UZO NDUKWE -ANYANWU CHIEF ONYEMUCHE NNAMANI (AUTORSTAR) CHIEF JOHN UDEAGBALA JUSTICE PRISCILLA NGOZI EMEHELU-CHIEF CHIEF FESTUS OSHABA ( FEROTEX) HON SOLOMON ONAH JUDGE OF ENUGU STATE. HON PRINCE EMEKA MAMAH(IFESINACHI HON SIMON ATIGWE JUSTICE A.N NWANKWO MOTORS) HON KINGSLEY EBENYI JUSTICE J.G.O. ANEKE CHIEF IFEANYI OKOYE (JUHEL) CHIEF OKEY NWADINOBI CHIEF CHRIS UCHE SAN CHIEF EVARISTUS NNAJI (ODENGENE) CHIEF REX ONYEABOR CHIEF FERDINAND ORBIH, SAN CHIEF ANAYO ONWUEGBU (OMEIHUKWU) CHIEF CHINYEAKA OHA CHIEF ANTHONY IKEMEFUNA IDIGBE SAN CHIEF CELESTINE NWALI CHIEF MIKE OZEKHOME SAN ACADEMIA CHIEF NIJI ADELAGUN CHIEF SEBASTINE HON. SAN PROF CHINEDU NEBO CHIEF AINA DAISI CHIEF ARTHUR OBI OKAFOR, SAN PROF PAT UTOMI CHIEF SOLOMON ARASE LOUIS NNAMDI MBANEFO SAN PROF SIMON ORTUANYA (SSG ENUGU STATE) CHIEF MAC ORUCHE PROF EPIPHANY AZINGE SAN PROF CHARLES ILEGBUNE SAN CHIEF CHARLES ODUNUKWE MIKE AJOGWU SAN PROF OFILI UGWUDIOHA CHIEF VEN ONWUAGHALU ALL THE JUDGES OF ENUGU STATE JUDICIARY REV. FR EMEKA NGWOKE DR & MRS NGOZI EZI ENUGU STATE BAR ASSOCIATION LATE PN OKEKE FAMILY PRO. MAURICE IWU LATE M I OKPARA FAMILY PROF AUGUSTINE NWEZE POLITICAL LEADERS LATE IGWE ILOEJE FAMILY PROF ATHENSIUS EZE PRINCE UCHE SECONDUS- NATIONAL PROF DAMIAN OPATA CHAIRMAN OF PDP GROUPS PROF FABIAN AJOGWU SAN ALHAJI BASHIR TOFA UKEHE TRADITIONAL RULERS &UKEHE PEOPLE. PROF CLETUS AKUBUILO DR DOYIN OKUPE NSUKKA LAWYERS ASSOCIATION, NLAN PROF SIMON ASOGWA CHIEF OLISA METU NSUKKA JOURNALISTS FORUM, NJF PROF LAWRENCE OCHO UKEHE LAWYERS PROF HILARY EDOGA PAST /PRESENT MEMBERS OF STATE ASSEMBLY. PROF MALACHY UKWUEZE WAWA LAWYERS FORUM HON UCHENNA UBOSHI - SPEAKER ENUGU NSUKKA GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROF AUGUSTINE NWEZE STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. PROF CYPRIAN ONYEJI HON FESTUS UZO HOPE FOUNDATION NIGERIA PROF DENCHRIS ONAH HON OGBONNA CHARLES ASOGWA ADA NSUKKA ASSOCIATION PROF ELOCHUKWU AMUCHEAZI HON JONATHAN CHUKWUMA KNIGHTS/LAUX OF ST JOHN HON EUGENE ODO BETA SIGMA FRATERNITY NIGERIA ETHNIC LEADERS CHIEF EK CLARK –PANDEF

SIGNED:

H. E DR OKWESILIZE NWODO FOR THE FAMILY

40

THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY JULY 8, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, JULY 8, 2021

NEWSXTRA

24 Killed as Boko Haram Fighters Raid Communities in Adamawa Daji Sani in Yola No fewer than 24 persons have been killed by gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram terrorists in Dabna, a farming community three kilometres

away from Gahara, the hometown of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha.

The community is said to have come under attack in the early hours of yesterday, with insurgents shooting

sporadically and setting houses and shops ablaze.

Sources within the affected areas revealed that the terrorists, came in large numbers shooting sporadically to scare the security forces in those areas to pave away for them to carry out their heinous crimes of killing

and also looting of food items and other valuables.

It was gathered that the terrorists first stormed Dabna village near Gahara the village of the Mustapha, before attacking the other communities.

One of the sources said the terrorists continued their attacks to Kwapre

village and other hamlets in Hong LGA. The affected areas are about six to 10 kilometres to the dreaded Sambisa Forest, the enclave of the terrorists.

Witnesses said residents scampered into the nearby bushes for safety even as the gunmen proceeded to invade

a neighbouring community.

As at noon yesterday, sources say the Boko Haram fighters were still operating within the area.

However, a joint security task force comprising of the Army, Air Force, and the police, have been drafted to the embattled communities.

I Didn’t Sponsor Bill to Criminalise Protests, Says Lawmaker Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The member of the House of Representatives representing Ahiazu Mbaise and Ehinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Emeka Chinedu has said that he didn’t sponsor a bill criminalising protests in the country.

In a statement he issued yesterday, the lawmaker clarified that his bill which passed the first reading on Tuesday was twisted and misinterpreted, saying it was not seeking to jail protesters.

Chinedu said as a product of democracy he would not sponsor any bill that would criminalise protests and protesters.

“Having been inundated with calls and messages over a misconception gone viral, I wish to state that I am the PDP House of Representatives member representing the good people of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal

Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly, whose Bill that passed first reading on the floor of the chamber was twisted and misrepresented.

“The caption of the Bill that went viral was never my intent or opinion, neither was it an embodiment of the Bill I sponsored that passed the first reading on the floor of the National Assembly on Tuesday, July 6, 2021; hence, a clear case of misunderstanding, misconception and misrepresentation of the facts.

“As a representative of the people, whose political idealogy is rooted in democratic tenets, I can never be a party to a system that seeks to stifle or cripple dissenting voices whose right to freedom of assembly, expression and protest is guaranteed by the combined effort of section 39 and 40 of 1999 Constitution as amended, as well as Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Right to freely assemble.

Court Jails 12 Students for Two Years GATHERING SUPPORT FOR AMNESTY… over Internet Fraud in Enugu Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Enugu Zonal Office, yesterday secured the conviction of 12 students before Justice IM Buba of the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on charges bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining money from unsuspecting foreign nationals under false pretences.

A statement by EFCC said they were prosecuted on one-count charge.

The charge preferred against one of the defendants reads, “that you Mbanugo Ifeanyi on or about the 10th Day of March 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court fraudulently impersonated one Ornale Sylvestermanda and

Venita, through a fake Telegram account, with intent to obtain money from unsuspecting foreign nationals and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 22(3) (a)(b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition, Prevention ,Etc) Act,2015 and punishable under section 22 (4) of the same Act”.

The convicts: Izuchukwu Chukwuemeka Goodness,Okechukwu Ifeanyichukwu, Nwabueze Ifeanyi,Egbo Chijioke Gerrard, Ekene Oputa, Iloegbunam Justine, Edeh Chukwuebuka Michael, Edeh Izuchukwu Dominic, Iloegbunam Paschal Onyeka, Ogu Chukwuebuka Kingsley, Mbanugo Ifeanyi and Edeh Emmanuel pleaded guilty to the separate one-count charge.

Justice Buba convicted and sentenced them to two years imprisonment with an option of N1 million fine each.

House Okays Bill Seeking to Reserve 5% of Gencos Revenues for Host Communities Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives at the plenary yesterday passed for second reading a Bill seeking an amendment to the Electric Power Sector Reforms (EPSR) Act 2005 to provide for the reservation of five per cent of all revenue accruing from power generated by all power generating companies in Nigeria for the development of the host communities. The proposed legislation, which was read for the first time on February 23, 2020, is sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson.

Leading the debate on its general principles, Benson said the purpose of the amendment is to lawfully provide for the development of communities hosting power generating companies across the country.

He said when passed, the bill will help to ameliorate the untold hardship and infrastructural degradation often suffered by communities hosting power generating firms as a result of the adverse climatic, livelihood and public health effect of their activities.

According to him, the revenue referred to shall be received, managed and administered by a trustee to be appointed by the GENCOs and

representatives of the host communities, upon agreement between the host communities and the GENCOs on one part and the trustee on the other part.

He explained that the monies accruing from this fund will be applied to sustainable infrastructural development projects, job creation, improvement of education, empowerment and skills acquisition for youths, women and other vulnerable groups, provision of medical facilities and personnel and any other developmental project agreed to consequent upon a needs assessment.

Benson said: “Setting aside five per cent of revenue generated by GENCOs for developmental projects in host communities will further promote peaceful and harmonious coexistence in these communities.

In line with the recommendations by this honourable House for five per cent of oil companies operating expenses (OPEX) to be allocated to host communities in oil-producing states as contained in the PIB, a law requiring that a similar five per cent of expenditure by GENCOs be allocated to their host communities will engender equity, fairness and even development in similar communities across Nigeria.

Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (left), and the Interim Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), during the interim administrator’s visit to the Defence Headquarters in Abuja…recently

Malami: No Illegality in Re-arrest of Kanu The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, has defended the arrest of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, saying there was no illegality in the manner of arrest of the IPOB leader.

He has also described the views of the Solicitor General of Alberta in Canada, Mr. Kelechi Amadi, regarding the arrest of Kanu as an “outrageously ignoramus opinion that is eccentric and weird”.

Malami stated this yesterday in a statement that was issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Office of the AGF, Dr. Umar Gwandu.

“Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,

Abubakar Malami (SAN) has described the ideas attributed to one Kelechi Madu as outrageously ignoramus opinions that are eccentric and weird to the legal profession.

“It is unfortunate for someone who claims to be a lawyer of a status of a Solicitor General of a provincial state of Alberta in Canada to fault the internationallyrecognised manner through which Nnamdi Kanu who jumped bail was re-arrested and brought back to face trial,” the statement said.

Malami also insisted that there was no illegality in the arrest of Kanu.

“It was abundantly clear that bench warrant was lawfully and judiciously procured through

judicial process by a competent court of law, whose bail condition Nnamdi Kanu breached with impunity. There was no illegality in the entire process and the question of illegality does not even arise.

“It is a common principle of the law that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.

Malami wondered why Madu never spoke up when Kanu was inciting violence against Nigeria.

“Where was the so-called Madu when Nnamdi Kanu was inciting violence against the country? Why, as a lawyer, would Madu support a fugitive who jumped bail and accused of terrorism and treasonable felony? What stopped Madu from voicing out dissent on the atrocities of Kanu and their group?” he asked.

The AGF said it was important to educate Madu that both Nigeria (his country of birth) and Canada where he practises law, are signatories to the Multinational Treaty Agreement where, among others, fugitive fleeing justice in nations with similar agreement could be brought back to face justice.

“It is a pity that as a Solicitor General of a province, Madu failed to keep himself acquainted with the provisions of general laws of the country where he stays as well as international laws,” said Malami.

The AGF urged the Canadian public officer to go back to educate himself in matters of the law, adding that Madu only left for Canada after failing to succeed in his country of birth.

Akpabio: 12,128 Abandoned Projects Uncovered by Forensic Auditors Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The ongoing forensic audit of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has uncovered 12,128 abandoned projects without a trace of contractors who the jobs were awarded to, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godswill Akpabio, has disclosed.

The minister said the interim report of the forensic verification exercise has been revealing, adding that the “Interim reports of the

forensic verification exercise have been revealing, adding that, “the process has been transparent, we listed 9,080 projects to be considered in the verification process but in less than three months the report so far shows that 12,128 projects has been discovered as abandoned projects with no specific ownership attached to.”

Akpabio who made the disclosure while hosting the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, Hajia Amina Mohammed, who paid

a courtesy visit to his office, maintained that, ““most of these abandoned projects have become sanctuaries to criminals. Projects were embarked on without consultations.

“There was no initial coordination. So, as part of its mandate, the Ministry has adopted a program called “Strategic Implementation Work plan” which will coordinate the activities of development partners and stakeholders to prevent duplication of projects in the region.”

The minister revealed further that, “since the discovery of crude oil in the region 1956, several interventionist agencies had been set up to address the social and environmental degradation of the area, but they all failed to provide the needed succor to the people. In other to address the situation, the present administration decided to set up a forensic auditing process to access and evaluate the achievements that have been made by NDDC in the region since its existence”.

Nami: FIRS Generated N650bn Revenue in June James Emejo in Abuja The Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami, yesterday disclosed that over N650 billion was generated as tax revenue in June by the agency.

He said the amount represented the highest revenue realised in a single month since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that it was also the

biggest revenue haul since the assumption of office of the current management of the agency.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Director of Communications and Liaison Department, FIRS, Mr. Abdullahi Ahmad, Nami attributed the performance to the efficiency and effectiveness of the technology, TaxProMax solution deployed notwithstanding the challenges and resistance faced in the early stages of its adoption as well as the downturn occasioned by slow economic recovery.

He pointed out that as part of its

efforts at modernising tax administration in the country, the FIRS recently introduced the solution for ease of tax compliance.

According to him, the technology “enables seamless registration, filing, payment of taxes and automatic credit of withholding tax as well as other credits to the Taxpayer’s accounts, among other features. It also provides a single-view to Taxpayers for all transactions with the service”.

He further reminded taxpayers of the one-off one-month extension granted earlier this month for the

filing of Company Income Tax (CIT) returns with December 31, 2020 accounting year-end whose statutory tax returns were due not later than June 30, 2021.

Nami also encouraged them to take advantage of the extension as it “provides an opportunity to all taxpayers whose company Income Tax returns were due in June 2021 to file up to the July 31, 2021” The TaxProMax platform, which took off on June 7, is a channel for filing naira-denominated tax returns in the country.

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Tambuwal Signs Legislative, Judicial Financial Autonomy Bill into Law The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday signed into law the legislative and judicial financial autonomy passed by the state House of Assembly.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, the governor reiterated the

commitment of Nigerian governors to the independence of the judiciary and legislature.

He explained that no governor in Nigeria is against the legislative and judicial autonomy.

Tambuwal disclosed that over some

PDP Chieftain Kidnapped in Edo, Abductors Demand N20m Ransom Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) identified as Ugbo Iyiriaro, has been reportedly kidnapped on the Benin-Abraka road in Edo State.

The incident, as gathered, occurred last Tuesday between Ugo and Ugboko community in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of the state.

It was learnt that the victim left Benin-city last Tuesday to attend to an urgent issue in his community when the journey was aborted half

way by the kidnappers.

According to a source, who pleaded anonymity, Iyiriaro was driving to his community in Umoghunokhua with plan to return to Benin-city shortly before he was intercepted by criminals.

The source disclosed that the kidnappers had already made contact with the family of the victim, demanding N20 million ransom.

When contacted on the phone, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Bello Kontongs, did not answer the several calls made to his mobile phone as at the time of filing the report.

months, there was unsubstantiated claimed against the governors that they were against the judicial and legislative financial autonomy, which he said is not true According to him,“The public was misled because they decided to hear from the other side, not from us.”

The governor, who faulted order 10 issued by President Muhammadu Buhari, stressed that the order is unnecessary.

“The issue is a constitutional matter; since we revert back to

democracy in 1999, no president has ever issued executive order, it only happened during Buhari’s reign,” the governor added.

He maintained that the president was ill-advised, noting that the governors are challenging the order in court.

Tambuwal noted that the controversial order 10 is not part of their agreement with the legislative and judicial workers before they suspended the strike.

The governor said:“Just some days

ago, I received a memo from the state attorney-generals; commissioners of finance, and budget and economic planning of the 36 states relating to some gray areas about our agreement with judicial and legislative workers in order to resolve some issues.”

Tambuwal congratulated the Speaker and members of the state House of Assembly for passing the gender based violence bill, challenging them to also pass the Child Rights Act. He further thanked the members

of the Assembly for their cordial relationship with the executive, which he said enable him to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Earlier, the Speaker of the state Assembly, Muhammad Achida, thanked the governor for the cordial working relationship with the Assembly irrespective of political divergence, as he promised to give the governor the full support in order to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

Nasarawa Fixes LG Elections for October 6 Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) yesterday fixed October 6, 2021, for the conduct of both chairmanship and councillorship elections across the 13 local government areas and 147 wards of the state.

The tenure of the 2018 local government council elected officials ended on May 28, 2021, thereby creating leadership vacuums in the 13 LGAs of the state.

However, the Chairman of the NASIEC, Ayuba Wandai Usman, disclosed at a press conference yesterday that the electoral body has voted over N600 million to conduct the local council election in the state.

The NASIEC chairman said: “The commission has, therefore, by the powers conferred on its fixed October 6, 2021, for chairmanship and councillorship elections across all the 13 LGAs and 147 electoral wards across the state.

“Ideally, elections to immediately replace the out-gone council officials would have since been done, but logistics issues and many more unforeseen factors combined together to make the elections impossible,” he stated.

Usman concluded that all things being equal, the commission was set to exercise her statutory responsibility of organising, undertaking and supervising elections into local government areas as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and other relevant laws.

Court Orders Oyo to Pay N61m Debt to Nigeria Railway Corporation Tobi Soniyi In a bid to satisfy a judgement sum of N61million, a Lagos State High Court at the Tafawa Balewa Square has ordered that N61million belonging to the Oyo State Government domicile in Polaris Bank be paid to the Railway Property Management Company Limited, and the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

The order of the court was sequel to an application filed and argued before the court by a Lagos lawyer, Dr. Francis Chuka Agbu SAN on behalf of Railway Property Management Company Limited and NRC. In an affidavit in support of the application sworn to by a legal practitioner, Caesar Anyeabosi, the deponent averred that Railway Property Management Company Limited and NRC instituted a legal action against the governor of Oyo State, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the state Commissioner for Lands and Housing-all defendants-before the High Court of Oyo State, upon which a consent judgement was entered in favour of the applicants.

The Oyo State High Court among other things ordered the defendants to pay the sum of N60million to the applicants but the defendants failed to comply with the said order of the court following which a garnishee proceeding was initiated against them.

The judgement was transmitted by the registrar of the Oyo State High Court to the registrar of the Lagos State High Court; consequently, the judgement was registered by the Lagos High Court, which thereafter granted the applicants’ application to

enforce the judgement in Lagos State.

However, the defendants refused to pay the judgement sum of N60 millions being the compensatory amount evaluated by both parties to be paid to the applicants.

The applicants’ lawyer argued that the defendants maintained bank accounts with the 23 commercial banks listed before the court, and then urged the court to issue an order giving effect to the consent judgement as the defendants have not appealled the judgement sought to be enforced by the garnishee proceeding, neither has any application for stay of execution been filed.

In her ruling, the trial Judge, E. I. Alakija (Mrs.), ordered that the sum of N60 million held in any current, savings, revenue or investment accounts in whatever form or name with the listed banks belonging to or being operated by the Oyo Sate Government be attached however named or styled in satisfaction of the judgement debt owed to the applicants.

The court also directed the defendants to pay the sum of N1million as the cost of the garnishee proceeding.

The court had initially granted a decree nisi asking the Oyo State Government to show any cause why the order should not be made absolute.

When the application to make the order absolute was filed and argued by the defendants’ lawyer, it was opposed by the counsel to the defendants, who is also the Director of Civil Litigation and Advisory Services to the Oyo State Government, Mr. S.O. Adeoye.

Justice Alakija rejected the defendants’ arguments and consequently made the order absolute.

CONGRATULATIONS… L-R: Former Vice Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed; Ebonyi State Governor, Mr. Dave Umahi; Vice Chancellor, King David University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Prof. Jesse Uneke; and deputy Executive Secretary, NUC, Mr. Chris Maiyaki, celebrating the approval of King David University of Medical Sciences by the NUC in Abuja ...recently

Niger School Girls’ Abductors Slash Ransom to N50m Laleye Dipo in Minna Abductors of the 156 female pupils of the Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School, Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have slashed the ransom demanded from the parents of the girls to N50million.

The bandits, who abducted the girls or over a month ago, had initially demanded the sum

of N200million ransom to set them free.

Two weeks ago, N20million was reportedly taken to the bandits, which was collected, but they refused to release the abductees on the ground that the money was short by N2million.

THISDAY was however told that the bandits and their contacts got in touch with the head teacher of the school during which they

disclosed that they have reduced the ransom to N50million.

The bandits, according to the source, vowed that they would not release the girls unless the amount is paid.

“We are prepared to hold the girls till eternity if the money is not paid; we will continue to feed them, and you will pay for the feeding,” the source quoted the bandits as telling the head teacher.

The source, said one of the abductees was made to talk to the head teacher in which she allegedly complained that: “We are suffering, please come and rescue us.”

When contacted, the school Head Teacher, Alhaji Alhassan Abubakar, confirmed the story.

He said: “We are hoping on God for something to happen, which will lead to the release of our children.”

Protest Hits Ibadan over Raid on Igboho’s Residence Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan Loyalists, supporters and family members of those arrested during the raid on a Yoruba activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho), residence last Thursday by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) yesterday thronged major streets in Ibadan, Oyo State, demanding the release of the arrested persons.

The DSS, which confirmed the raid, disclosed that 13 people were arrested.

But the family members and relatives of those arrested during the protest staged yesterday at the Soka area of the Ibadan residence of Igboho, called for the release of their kinsmen, describing the arrest as illegal.

The protesters, who were dressed in black attires, called on the DSS to release the arrested persons.

The family members, who later moved to the Lagos/Ibadan expressway, also blocked the road for some minutes before moving

to Sanyo and Soka areas of the Oyo State capital.

They later moved to Challenge and Molete areas, demanding for the immediate release of the arrested persons.

The protesters at the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government and the DSS to immediately and unconditionally release the arrested persons.

The protesters, while addressing the monarch, also demanded the

sum of N500 million as compensation for Igboho from the federal government and DSS as requested by his counsel, Chief Yomi Aliyu (SAN).

The monarch, however, urged the protesters to stop spreading rumours on social media accusing traditional rulers of collecting money from the federal government.

Oba Adetunji, who spoke through his Media Aide, Adeola Oloko, assured them that the demands have been noted and would be sent to the appropriate quarters.

Kwara APC Threatens Disciplinary Action against Information Minister Adedayo Akinwale in Abua The Kwara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that it may take disciplinary actions according to the party’s constitution against the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Mohammed recently claimed that he sponsored the political campaigns of the state Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, in 2019, which has been denied.

The APC Caretaker Chairman

in the state, Mr. Abdullahi Samari, disclosed this in an interview with journalists yesterday in Abuja.

Samari said: “Like I said earlier, I still see the minister as a member of our party, because he has not formally told us that he is moving out of the party, which I doubt he will do. He is a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with APC is as the ruling party.

“So I would not think he will want to move out. But from those utterances he made, the party has a structure and guidelines over

issues. If we feel that what he said publicly amounts to disrespect or is causing acrimony within the party, honestly, we are going to make sure the rules of the party are applied against him and any other person alike.”

Samari explained that if sanctions would be applied, there are steps to be taken in accordance with the constitution of the party.

The party chairman said the step would start from the ward level to the local government and then to the state.

He said whatever decision that is taken at the ward, local government and state level would then be forwarded to the national leadership for ratification.

Asked whether the minister would be suspended from the party, Samari said: “Well, there are guidelines like I told you. If the offence is commensurate to suspending him, or any other, definitely the rule of the party would be applied because no one is above sanction. We want to have sanity in the party.”

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Insecurity Worsens in Enugu as Gunmen Kill SEDI DG Gideon Arinze in Enugu The state of insecurity in Enugu, the Enugu State capital has worsened as the Director-General of Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI), Enugu, Prof. Samuel Ndubuisi was yesterday murdered in Enugu by unknown gunmen.

The killing of SEDI DG is coming barely 48 hours after the Chief Executive Officer of AutoEase Limited, Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke, was also

killed by suspected assassins about two kilometres away from the scene of yesterday’s incident.

Okeke was shot dead by gunmen on Sunday night, while on his way to his house located at Brick Estate,

by Ekweremadu Drive, Independence Layout, Enugu.

He was said to have been killed in the presence of his seven-year-old son who he had gone to pick from a barbing salon.

According to report, the assailants were said to have hit his car from

the back and when he came out to investigate, they ordered him to lie down on the floor, and shot him on the leg and stomach.

Ndubuisi and his police orderly were shot dead along the Centenary City Junction axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

The driver of the vehicle reportedly sustained injuries and had been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Enugu State Command, Mr. Daniel Ndukwe confirmed the incident.

Ndukwe, however, said that information concerning the incident was still sketchy.

According to the PPRO, the incident happened at about 1600hrs.

Ndukwe said: “Information surrounding a shooting incident today, 07/07/2021 at about 1600hrs, along

Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, said to have led to the death of a man and his police orderly is still sketchy.

“Meanwhile, a preliminary investigation has commenced.

Further development will be duly communicated, please,”Ndukwe said.

Court Orders Arrest of Defence Counsel in Unilorin Student Rape Case Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State High Court in Ilorin, the state capital, yesterday, ordered the arrest of Mr. Sikiru Solagberu, counsel to one of the suspects standing trial for alleged rape and murder of a 300-level student of the University of Ilorin.

The court accused Solagberu of exhibiting conduct unbecoming of a lawyer after last Monday’s court proceeding by making uncomplimentary remarks in some television stations and social media platforms.

The suspects, Abdulazeez Ismail, Ajala Moses Oluwatimileyin, Oyeyemi Timileyin Omogbolahan, Abdulkarim Shuaib, Kareem Oshioyemi Rasheed, Abdullateef Abdulrahman, Daud Bashir Adebayo, and Akande Taiye Oladoja, were brought to court for alleged rape, murder and armed robbery.

The first three suspects are stand-

ing trial for alleged rape and murder of one Olajide Blessing Omowumi, a student of Unilorin in Tanke area of Ilorin early last month.

The other five, including Dauda Bashir Adebayo, were charged with receiving proceeds of armed robbery items.

The trio were said to have “conspired to rape one Omowumi also known as ‘Wumi (now deceased) armed with offensive weapons, including a black wooden pistol, towel, rope, leather belts, and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Kwara State.”

However, at yesterday’s proceeding, the prosecution counsel, who is also the state Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Salman Jawondo, told the court that he received a letter from Solagberu (counsel to seventh defendant) indicating his withdrawal from the case.

CSOs Sue Buhari over Onochie’s Appointment as INEC Commissioner Chuks Okocha in Abuja A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has instituted a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari over the nomination of Mrs. Lauretta Onochie, as Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Onochie was nominated as an INEC’s commissioner by President Muhammadu Buhari since October 2020, but the Senate President, Mr. Ahmad Lawan, read the presidential letter of nomination only last month.

The CSOs, in the suit that was filed before the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, with suit FHC/ABJ/CS/604/2021, were seeking the order of court to determine whether the president “can nominate a card-carrying member or members of his political party or any other political party in Nigeria, as a national commissioner or resident electoral commissioner for the independent national electoral commission”, contrary to Sections 14 (2a), 14 (3), 14 (3b), 14 (4) and Section 154 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended in 2011).

In the originating summons that

was made available to THISDAY, the groups were seeking a declaratory order of the court to declare the nomination of “Lauretta Onochie, a well-known member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and current serving personal assistant on social media to the 1st defendant (Buhari), as a national commissioner for the INEC”, as “wrongful, illegal, null and void and same nullified.”

Other reliefs sought included an order “restraining the 3rd and 4th defendants (the senate and Kabiru Gaya) from referring, considering, screening, deliberating or confirming the nomination of Ms. Lauretta Onochie.” According to an affidavit that was deposed by a board member of the incorporated trustees of the YIAGA Africa Initiative, Mr. Ezenwa Nwagwu, in support of the originating summons, the plaintiffs submitted that considering the close affinity with Buhari and his administration, “Onochie cannot be a fair and unbiased umpire to serve in the INEC. “That her criticism and constant denigration of political opponents cannot allow such opponents to be at ease seeing a member of another political party presiding as a supposed unbiased umpire.”

House Okays N74bn Budget for Police Trust Fund Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives has approved the sum of N74,773,601,916 billion as the 2021 budget for the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.

The approval followed the consideration and adoption of a harmonised report by the Senate and House Committee on Police Affairs during plenary yesterday.

In his presentation, Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Bello Usman Kumo said the fund should expedite action on the implementation of the 2021 budget for the enhancement of policing and tackling the security

challenges for the benefit of the nation and its citizenry.

He explained that the sum of N988,279,006.05 is for Personnel Cost; N10,027,610,310.25 for Overheads Expenditure; N11,015,889,316.30 for Recurrent; and N63,757,712,600.00 for Capital Expenditure.

Also, the House gave approval for the establishment of a Nigeria Police academy as a degree-awarding institution to provide academic and professional training.

The approval followed the consideration and adoption of a report presented by Hon. Mohammed Monguno, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, Chairman Navy Hon. Gagdi Yusuf.

IMPACTING KNOWLEDGE… L-R: Book reviewer, Dr. Monday Philips Ekpe; former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu; Social crusader, Hajia Hadiza Mohammed; and former Military Administrator of Kogi State, Col. Paul Omeruo (rtd), during the launch of ‘The Singularity Clause,’ written by Dr. Elvis Enyioko in Abuja…recently

Ghanaian Speaker Urges Nigeria to Review List of Banned Items Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Speaker of the Ghanian Parliament, Hon. Alban Bagbin, has called on the Nigerian Government to review the prohibition list banning the importation of specific commodities into the Nigerian market from other countries, including Ghana.

He said the request underscored by the resolution as captured in the communique of May 31, 2021, following the efforts by the leadership of Ghana and Nigeria parliaments to pursue parliamentary diplomacy towards finding a lasting solution to the trade impasse between some Ghanaian and Nigerian traders in Ghana.

Bagbin made the request yesterday

while addressing members of the House of Representatives in Abuja.

He said the visit of Ghanaian lawmakers was sequel to the invitation by the leadership of the House to host them and to continue with efforts to actualise the vision.

The Ghanaian Speaker commended the Nigerian Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for his cuttingedge parliamentary diplomacy and visionary initiative of cementing the already great and cordial historic diplomatic relations between Ghana and Nigeria.

Bagbin said he was in Nigeria to help bring finality to the impasse, while pledging his commitment and that of the Parliament of Ghana to contribute in every way possible to end the impasse between traders

of the two countries.

He added that the Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act under his leadership of the Parliament of Ghana has appointed a seven-member committee as Ghana’s delegation to the Joint Committee of Eminent Persons of both legislatures.

Bagbin noted that the committee would interact with their Nigerian counterparts towards passing the ‘Ghana-Nigeria Friendship Act’.

He said the Act would set up the proposed ‘Ghana-Nigeria Business Council’, which is intended to provide the legal and institutional framework to sustain the continued friendship and business interests of the people.

The Speaker stated further that: “We are making progress in resolv-

ing the concerns of the Nigerian traders in Ghana. It has been a joint effort between our two countries.

That is always the way to go if we are interested in the peace and development of our countries. I am confident that the intervention of our two legislatures in this effort will yield results.

“To this end, it will be highly appreciated if the government of Nigeria will review the prohibition list banning the importation of specific commodities into the Nigerian market from other countries, including Ghana.”

Bagbin stressed that the coming into being of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) signals that Ghana is open for business and mutually beneficial investments.

NBET Board to Hold Emergency Meeting over N7.68bn Budgetary Allocation Iyobosa Uwugiaren in Abuja The Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc board is expected to meet this Friday (tomorrow) to discuss what an insider described as “strange” N7.68 billion budgetary allocations to the company in the 2021 budget.

An insider told THISDAY last night that the emergency board meeting was called as a result media report that alleged that ‘’the company was being used as a conduit to siphon public funds’’, especially when it was discovered

that NBET Plc was allocated N7.68 billion in 2021 budget – for projects outside its mandates.

It was alleged that there was N630 million in its 2021 budget to buy transformers; a budget for “electrifying communities across the country” — a project that ought to have been handled by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) charged with the responsibility of electrification of rural and unserved communities.

In the same budget, the NBET also allegedly proposed to provide 500KVA transformers for Uwan and selected communities in

various states at the cost of N150 million; supply and installation of transformers in selected areas of Gombe North senatorial district at the cost of N100 million; N50 million for provision of 500KVA/11 and 300KVA/11 at different locations in Dawakintofa/Rimin Gado/Tofa, Kano State.

Other items NBET allegedly got approval for in 2021 budget to execute include, electrification of Nasarawa Toto, North Central zone at the cost of N30 million and electrification of Gudus, Nyalun, Kunkyam, Yuli and other selected communities in Plateau State at the

tune of N300 million.

THISDAY gathered that even though these projects were outside NBET’s mandate, the company was alleged to have requested the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to approve the award of the contracts.

However, one of the board members told THISDAY that some of them got to know about the issues through an online newspaper report, and wondered how those items got into the budget of a company with only mandate of buying power from the generating companies (GenCos) and selling to the distribution companies (DisCos).

Envoy Hosts Nigerian Professionals in UK Says country’s problems surmountable Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Ambassador Sarafa Isola, has hosted a group of Nigerian professionals in the country, promising them that Nigeria’s problems are not insurmountable.

While welcoming the group called the British Power Listers, the Nigerian envoy to the UK, noted

that the meeting was part of efforts to boost relations and create linkages between Nigeria and its citizens in the country.

During the meeting, which held at Abuja House, the official residence of the Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK, Isola told the group, the majority of whom are British-Nigerians, to see themselves as persons who have a duty to contribute to the growth of Nigeria.

A press statement issued on the event, described the group as consisting of influential individuals who have all been recognised by the annual power list (Britain’s most influential people of African and Caribbean heritage).

Isola encouraged them to strengthen their cultural ties to Nigeria and partner the high commission in the UK to bridge the economic and industrial gap

between both countries.

“Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa and we have to pull together to develop our country. Our challenges are surmountable, hence the need to come together and work for the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“I hereby challenge the power list members and other British Nigerians to chart the way forward,” the ambassador stated.

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Lagos to Tackle Gridlock with Traffic Management Solution Segun James Determined to ease the perennial traffic gridlock that has made movement a nightmare to motorists in Lagos State, the state government has introduced the Traffic Management Solution (TMS), the state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, has disclosed.

According to him, the solution will help to address the controversial

issues surrounding operations of law enforcement personnel as well as putting alleged traffic violations to rest.

Oladeinde, while speaking on the introduction of the device at a joint press conference with the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Toyin Fayinka, pointed out that the hallmark of the new device is transparency, which would further ensure seamless traffic congestion in

the state.

The TMS is a technologically-driven device to reduce human interface, eliminate traffic congestions on the roads and manage violations of traffic laws.

The commissioner said the device, which would be used by both the

Lagos Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA), and the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) in their renewed operations, is linked to the control room where every activity would be monitored and captured.

Oladeinde said residents would experience transparency at its peak

with the use of the TMS as it would expose in detail the violations with the provision of video and picture evidence to aid the resolution process and give specific financial penalties within the ambit of the law.

He added that the recently launched body camera for law enforcement

operatives would also compliment the new device.

Accordingly, he said: “The TMS is a traffic law compliance initiative that allows the real-time capture of picture and video evidence of road traffic and vehicle compliance violations as they occur with the use of handheld devices.

Ganduje Urges Media to Promote National Integration, Unity among Nigerians Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano Kano State Governor, Mr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, yesterday urged the Nigerian media to continue to promote national integration and unity among Nigerians.

Ganduje made the appeal at the Kano State Government House shortly after presenting keys of vehicles, which the state government donated to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), state Council and the Correspondents’ Chapel.

The governor also donated another vehicle to the association of blind people.

According to him, “Now that we are at crossroads in Nigeria, unity is so important, and the journalists are the ones to promote it.

“Our diversity should be regarded as an opportunity to make us more united and stronger.” The governor said journalists needed to be supported to promote the much needed unity and national integration.

Ganduje further assured them that the government would continue to support journalists to carry out their constitutional responsibility.

He extoled journalists in the state as intelligent, describing them as committed professionals to the development of the country.

The governor stated that he observed the level of concern and commitment displayed by the journalists in the last parley he had with them a few weeks ago “where they displayed their commitment to issues of importance to the state.”

Fayemi Urges Successful Ekiti Entrepreneurs to Invest at Home Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has urged successful Ekiti entrepreneurs to join forces with his administration in transforming the socio economic lives of the people by investing the state.

Fayemi stated yesterday during the commissioning of a new ultra-modern Victoria Manhattan hostel that was built by an indigene of Oye Ekiti, Mr. Goke Egunjobi, for students of Federal University, Oye Ekiti.

He commended Egunjobi for situating the edifice in Ekiti and said that it would complement government’s effort in tackling infrastructural challenges in the area.

The governor said that the building, which is equipped with state of the art facilities, would contribute in no small measure to providing

conducive accommodation for students of the university.

Fayemi said: “I am glad that I am here, particularly that our brother did not choose to build this in Lagos where he resides. He would have probably made more money, if this is sited along Akoka, UNILAG student area, he would have made more money but he chose to come here to also establish his own presence back home.

“If all of us who are successful outside Ekiti, put back into the community, because government cannot do it alone, we would have totally transformed our state even beyond the level it is now.

“That is what this sort of institution does for the development of the community. That is why every Ekiti community wants an establishment of government because they know the multiplier effect of such establishment.

Ekiti APC is an Indivisible Family, Says Governorship Aspirant Vanessa Obioha A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Kayode Olubunmi Ojo, has dismissed the perceived crisis rocking the party in Ekiti State, stating that the party in the state is an indivisible family.

Ojo, who is also vying for the governorship position in the state for the second time, said the party’s main focus is to win the next election, and as such, the only solution to the perceived fragmentation in the party is to bring everyone together.

According to him, “The APC is an indivisible family. But you know that politics is about interests, and every politician trying to vie for an office will create an advantage to get the electorate to get the position.

It always happens in politics but at the end of the day, everybody will come together.”

Describing himself as a peaceful person, Ojo said he can easily access members and encourage them to shove their individual differences aside and unite for the peace of the party.

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY… L-R: Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the Kwara State governor, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim; Founder of She-4-She Foundation, Mrs. Oyanbo Peace Owei; Founder of DA Garden of Love Foundation, Mrs. Dorcas Owei; during the handover of food items to a beneficiary of the Foundation, Mrs. Halima Shuaibu, at the 7 Items for Item 7 Outreach in Gishiri, Abuja…weekend

Ugwuanyi, PDP BoT Members in Closed-door Meeting Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday held a closed-door meeting with members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by the Chairman, Senator Walid Jubrin, at the Government House, Enugu.

The meeting, which lasted for four hours was also attended by notable members of the party’s BoT, such as the former President of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former Governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo; Senator Stella Omu; Chief Rex Onyeabo; Hon. Garba Shehu; Mrs. Laurentia Mallam and Ambassador Justina Eze. Others were: Ambassador Fidelia Njeze; Hajia Hassana Dikko; Sena-

The meeting was focused on fostering peace and national unity among the northerners and their host communities.

The BoT Chairman, who described Ugwuanyi as a “frank, sincere and simple man,” commended the governor for promoting peace, national integration and unity in Enugu State and beyond.

Jubrin urged northerners in Enugu State, to continue to cooperate with the governor and live in peace and harmony with the indigenes of the state, stressing that the unity of Nigeria is paramount to its progress and corporate existence.

“I am the Sarkin Fulani in Nasarawa State. I am their leader in the real tradition. I am controlling

all kinds of people. I have gone to Abia State and spoke to our people.

I have gone to Owerri, I spoke to our people. Anywhere I go, I brief our people and they are intact.

“That is why they told me that they are going to be with you (Ugwuanyi).

“I told them that you (Ugwuanyi) are a very simple man; you are very frank and sincere”, the BOT chairman said.

In their separate responses, leaders of the northern community in Enugu State told the PDP BOT chairman that Ugwuanyi has continued to foster peace and national unity in the state through his uncommon leadership qualities, stressing that the governor has been good to them.

Declare Emergency on Health Sector Manpower Shortage, Stakeholders Tell FG Onyebuchi Ezigboin Abuja The federal government has been urged to declare state of emergency on the shortage of workforce in healthcare sector in Nigeria.

A current statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO), showed a low ratio of doctor – patient relationship across the country.

It also showed that there are less than 100 oncologists for over 100,000 cancer patients in Nigeria and many of the available healthcare workforce lacked appropriate training to provide optimal care.

These facts were revealed yesterday by the healthcare professionals during a press conference that was organised by the Project Pink Blue with support from the ACT Foundation in Abuja.

Speaking on the state of healthcare and oncology workforce development in Nigeria, Runcie Chidebe said that the current ratio of physicians to a patient is four per 10,000 patients and 16 nurses per 10,000 patients, which were less than the WHO’s recommendations of one doctor to 600 patients and the critical threshold of 23 doctors, nurses and Midwives per 10,000 patients.

Chidebe said: “It is estimated that Nigeria will approximately need 149,852 doctors and 471,353 nurses by 2030, but only 99,120 doctors and 333,494 nurses will be available based on the growth rate”.

He said that based on the WHO’s data, Nigeria would have a shortage of 50,120 doctors and 137,859 nurses by 2030 translating to 33.45 percent and 29.25 percent gap in the supply of doctors and nurses respectively.

“The stark reality of this report stares us in the face and has become a legitimate cause for concern. Attracting and retaining healthcare workers is a greater concern. The

mass migration of healthcare workers to foreign countries in recent years has only worsened the inequitable distribution of healthcare workers,” he said.

He noted that the migration of Nigerian healthcare workers abroad is having adverse impact on the country, adding that at present, 9 out of every 10 doctors are desperately seeking for ways to go abroad.

He explained that the federal government loses at least N3.8 million for subsidising the training of physicians who would eventually leave the country to high income countries abroad.

Mining Cadastre Generated N11.573bn in Six Years, Says DG

Foundation Flags off Malnutrition Intervention Programme in Lagos

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Oladele Fajemirokun Foundation, a community-focused non-governmental organisation, in collaboration with AIICO Insurance has flagged off the ‘Sustainable Malnutrition Intervention programme (SMALINT)’ to fight malnutrition in children in Lagos State.

According to the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs.

The Mining Cadastre Office (MCO) yesterday hinted that it has so far generated the sum of N11.573 billion in six years.

This is even as it added that it has also generated the sum of N2.016 billion in the first half of 2021.

The Director-General, Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office (MCO), Simon Obadiah Nkom, made the disclosure yesterday during

Lawumi Fajemirokun, who was represented by the Programme Manager, Mr. Kenechukwu Egbue, at the flagging-off ceremony in Lekki, Lagos, the SMALINT programme seeks to improve the nutritional profile of children from six months to five years through the provision of protein-rich foods, food demonstration classes, sensitisation and community dialogue sessions.

tor Ngiji Ngele and Prof. Adewale Oladipo.

Briefing journalists after the closed-door meeting, Wabara, who spoke on behalf of the BoT Chairman, Jubrin said that the deliberation was “very successful”.

He disclosed that they “discussed national issues and the way forward for the peace and unity of the country”.

Shortly after the meeting, Jubrin, who is the Sarkin Fulani of Nasarawa, met with leaders of the northern community in Enugu State, led by His Royal Highness, Sarkin Abubakar Yusuf Sambo, at the Government House, Enugu, in company of other BoT members and Ugwuanyi.

a media round table chat with selected journalists in his office.

Nkom noted that when it comes to revenue generated, “in 2019, N2.580 billion was generated for the federation account, and for 2020, which was the period of the pandemic, we surprised everyone by generating N2.303 billion, which was the second highest we have had despite the lockdown, and in the first half of this year 2021, we have generated N2.016.”

The MCO boss, while given the

breakdown of revenue generated within the period of six years by the office, stressed that the sum of N1.15 billion was generated in 2016, and that it rose to N2.13 billion in 2017, but drop sharply to the sum of N1.55 billion in 2018.

According to him, in 2019, the office was able to raise N2.58 billion, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, its revenue generation stood at N2.303 billion.

He, however, said so far, within January to May 2021, it has been

able to rake in N2.016 billion.

On mineral titles, Nkom observed that: “Presently, 6,588 are active, if I give you an overview of the entire statistics from inception, I think it will guide us by giving us a picture of what we are talking about because statistically, over 34,000 applications have been received from inception.”

He added that 15,483 applications were rejected, 4,997 were revoked and 6,588 active titles are presently in existence.

46

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

E UR O 2020...EUR O 2020...EUR O 2 0 2 0 . . .

It’s England, Italy Final as Kane Snatch Winner against Denmark England's 55-year wait to reach a major ęnal is over at last after 2-1 victory against Denmark in the Euro 2020 last four, on a night of

nerve-shredding tension then unconęned joy at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate's side were on a mission to travel one step further than any

England side has done since the 1966 World Cup ęnal win against West Germany and they ęnally achieved the long-cherished goal as they

came from behind to beat Denmark after extra time.

In front of 66,000 fans and in a frenzied, thunderous atmosphere this newer

England’s players celebrating Harry Kane’s winning goal in the 2-1 defeat of Denmark...last night

Buhari to Hand over Team Nigeria to NOC on Monday in Abuja Olawale Ajimotokan ÓØ ÌßÔË President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to play host to Team Nigeria at the Presidential Villa on Monday where he would hand the Tokyo 2020 Olympicsbound athletes to the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) in line with age long tradition.

According to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development,

Sunday Dare, “we are keeping to the tradition of unveiling the team to the President who will in turn hand them over to the Nigerian Olympics Committee.

Dare also confirmed that the President was going to unveil the official wear / equipment of the team at the ceremony.

“The unveiling of the official wear / equipment of the team will be done by Mr. President at the ceremony. This is a very

symbolic event meant to officially sent forth the team to the Games.

“This should also inspire the athletes and to reinforce the fact that the Federal Government and the entire country are behind them,” observed the minister yesterday.

Earlier on Monday, Nigeria’s preparations for podium outing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games began with

Runsewe’s Book on Golf in Nigeria for Launch October 1 The Patron of Nigeria’s most exotic golf club, The Golf Garden Waterfront (GGWF) in Wuse, Abuja, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has broken new grounds with the release of a book on the history of golf in Nigeria.

The 210-page book which is expected to be released to the Nigerian public on October 1, the nation’s Independence day, dwelled extensively on the nation’s golf sojourn for over 150 years, especially from years the white merchants who were dealing in rubber started the game in Sapele, Delta State, through the years the white tin miners in Jos, Plateau State, further exposed

the game to Nigerians.

Clearly motivated by his experience in several trips to world’s ‘golf shrines’ like the Ancient and Modern St. Andrews, the world’s golf headquarters and the Professional Golf Association (PGA) of America, Runsewe indeed painted clear pictures of how the game of golf evolved in Nigeria and those individuals who made selĚess sacrięce to ensure golf was forced from the tight grips of the white seĴlers and passed on to all Nigerians who wanted to play it.

The book equally dwelled on reasons cultural golf attires are being introduced to

millions of Nigerians who play the game and prominent Nigerians like Oba Ewuare 11 of Benin and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong who are already adorning the aĴires.

“We have a long and rich history of golęng in Nigeria”, Runsewe, who is presently the Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture said. “I hold this belief that if we cannot write our own golf history, nobody will do it for us.

This is why I embarked on this project and I must tell everyone it was such a thrilling experience,” he concluded.

the departure of the first batch of the country’s contingent to Japan from Abuja.

Although the Games are not due to kick off until July 23, the first batch of Team Nigeria athletes left the Federal Capital City for the Far East nation to acclimatize ahead of the Games.

According to the Director, Federation of Elites Athletes of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development , Dr Simon Ebhojiaye, members of the canoeing team, Ayomide Bello and her coach, Ebenezer Ukwunna, Esther Toko and her coach, Regina Enofe alongside Secretary General of the Rowing and Canoeing Federation, Olubunmi Oluode, departed for Tokyo through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja by Ethiopian Airline.

Also in the first batch of Team Nigeria team for the Games was Mary Onyali, former African record holder in the sprint and twice Olympic medalist who is Special Adviser to the Minister of Sport.

Same Monday, an advance team of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development departed for Tokyo via the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos to prepare ground to receive the Nigerian contingent.

Wembley has not experienced be oreǰ n land baĴled their way out of adversity to secure a meeting with Italy in the uro ŘŖŘŖ ęnal at the same venue on Sunday.

ow ngland had to ęght for victory against this steely Denmark with an inspired keeper in Kasper Schmeichel, especially after conceding their ęrst goal of the tournament to Mikkel Damsgaard's stunning free-kick after 30 minutes.

England, crucially, replied quickly as Denmark captain Simon Kjaer turned in Bukayo Saka's threatening cross six minutes before the break.

Schmeichel was Denmark's hero as England sought the winner, saving brilliantly from Harry Maguire and Harry Kane as the game went into extra time and the prospect of penalties loomed large.

The moment the nation has waited for so long eěectively arrived with Wembley's giant screens showing 103 minutes and captain Kane standing over a penalty after Raheem Sterling had been fouled by Joakim Maehle.

In keeping with England's long and tortuous history, it was not straightforward as the normally ice-cool Kane saw an awful penalty saved by Schmeichel - but the rebound fell at his feet for him to score.

Wembley went wild with deafening noise and wild celebrations as ęnally, after all the years of hurt, England have the golden opportunity to ęnally claim a major crown on Sunday.

Speaking after leading the Three ions to their ęrst ęnal since 1966, England manager Gareth Southgate says he is "so pleased for our country" after they booked their place in the Euro Ř0Ř0 ęnal - a ęrst in a men's major tournament for 55 years.

"The atmosphere... I don't think I've heard the new Wembley like that," Southgate told BBC Sport.

"We know what our

country, like others, has been through and to continue that happiness and the journey for another few days - we're are so happy.”

Forward Raheem Sterling also praised England's response after they conceded their ęrst goal in the tournament.

"It was a top performance.

We had to dig in deep," said Sterling, who won the penalty which Kane converted at the second aĴempt.

"It was the ęrst time we conceded (in the tournament) but we responded well and showed good spirit. We knew it would be diĜcult.

"We stayed patient and we knew with the legs and aggressiveness we have in the team we'd be okay. It's another step in the right direction.

"We have to focus on the weekend now. We know what football means to this country. Now we have Italy.

We will celebrate a liĴle bit then focus on Italy."

Skipper Kane added: "We dug deep and we got there when it maĴered. We reacted really well and we're in a ęnal at home. What a feeling.

"We know it's going to be a very tough game against Italy.

We've had a great tournament so far. One more game to go at home and we can't wait."

EURO 2020

England

2-1 Denmark

COPA AMERICA

Argentina

4-3 Colombia

AITEO CUP

Smart City 2- 4 Kano Pillars Gateway Utd 1 - 0 Akwa Utd Katsina Utd 0 - 0 El-kanemi Warr.

(5-3 on penalties) MaiUnguwa 0 - 2 N. Tornadoes Sunshine Stars 1 - 1 Kogi Utd (6-5 on penalties) Abia Warr 5 - 0 Zamfara Utd Yobe Desert 0 - 1 Lobi Stars Ekiti Utd 0 - 0 Heartland FC ( 4-5 on penalties) Rivers Utd 2- 1 Sokoto Utd Rangers Int'l 0 - 1 Bayelsa Utd Green Berets 5 - 4 Warri Wolves (on penalties)

Eagles Blame Lack of Faith in Home-based Players for Loss to Mexico A member of the senior national team of Nigeria who was part of the team that suěered a humiliating 0-4 defeat to Mexico in Sunday’s friendly game insisted that their case wasn’t helped by pre-match comments by Nigerians.

Speaking to OwnGoalNigeria. com upon arrival in Nigeria earlier yesterday from Los Angeles, USA, the player who spoke on the condition of anonymity blamed the Nigerian populace for not having trust in them ahead of the game.

He said right from when they were in camp in Abuja all what was said about the game was centered on how many goals they will concede with no one

giving them a chance to spring surprise." " We listened to several radio stations while in camp in Abuja and all they were saying was the amount of goals we will concede. No one gave us a chance and it aěected the mentality of the team,” he said.

“In our hearts we were defeated even before a ball was kicked. The pre-match criticism where we were called no match for the Mexicans destroyed our morale and the result is the 0-4 bashing. We have however learnt a valuable lesson from the trashing”, concludes the player who is a key element for his team in the Nigerian topĚight league.

47

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹

THURSDAYSPORTS Emiliano Martinez was the hero for Argentina as he saved three times in a penalty shoot-out to take his team into a Copa America ęnal match-up with Brazil after early hours of Wednesday’s second semi-ęnal against Colombia ęnished 1-1 at regulation time.

Martinez, who tried to distract Colombia’s players in the shoot-out with a barrage of trash talk, saved from Davinson Sanchez, Yerry Mina and Edwin Cardona.

Lionel Messi, Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Martinez

Argentina Set up Brazil Copa America Final Clash

scored for Argentina as they booked a spot against the host nation in early hours of Sunday’s ęnal at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.

“I’m speechless,” said Argentinian goalkeeper

Martinez. “They took us to penalties and that’s a question of luck, today it was my turn for glory.”

Both sides had chances to win in an intense, end-to-end match punctuated by 46 fouls

...Jesus to Miss Final in at Maracana

Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus will miss the Copa America ęnal after he was handed a two-game ban on Tuesday by South American football's governing body CONMEBOL. The Manchester City's Jesus was dismissed for a foul on Eugenio Mena in Brazil's 1-0 quarter-ęnal win over Chile on Friday.

He sat out the tournament hosts' 1-0 semi-ęnal win over

Peru on Monday but is now set to also miss the ęnal against either Argentina at Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracana stadium.

He was also ęned Ǟ5,000, CONMEBOL announced yesterday.

Jesus, 24, was shown a red card on 48 minutes, just two minutes after Lucas Paqueta gave the Selecao the lead against Chile.

Paqueta was also the

match-winner against Peru, where Everton took Jesus's place.

and 10 yellow cards.

Argentina are seeking to win their ęrst major international title since lifting the Copa America in 1993 and once again Lionel Messi was the star man, notching up his ęfth assist of the tournament to add to his four goals.

Taking a superb pass from Giovani Lo Celso after six minutes, Messi rolled the ball to Lautaro Martinez to ęre home a low shot and give

Argentina the lead.

Colombia found their feet soon after and hit the woodwork twice in a minute towards the end of the ęrst half when Wilmar Barrio’s deĚected shot struck the post and then Mina watched his header hit the bar from the resulting corner.

Their equaliser came on the hour mark when Luis Diaz ęnished from a tight angle to complete a surprise

counter-aĴack.

Argentina are now unbeaten in 19 games, with their last loss coming to Brazil in the semi-ęnal of the 2019 Copa America. They were also the last team to beat Brazil, in November 2019 when Messi got the only goal of the game in a friendly in Saudi Arabia.

Since then Brazil who beat Peru 1-0 on Monday to reach the ęnal, have won 12 and drawn one.

Barca Apologise over Griezmann, Dembele Viral Video Barcelona have apologised for the recent video of Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann which appeared to show the pair mocking Asian hotel staě.

The clip was recorded back in 2019 prior to the club's preseason tour of Japan, though only recently surfaced on the club's YouTube channel and then social media.

The pair could be seen laughing at a group of Asian hotel staě who were appearing to try to ęx a television, but both players have since apologised and claimed there were no racial connotations behind their jokes.

Barcelona have now had their say on the incident, taking to their oĜcial website to release a statement apologising to anyone who may have been oěended by the video, adding that they reserve the right to take internal action against Dembele and Griezmann.

"FC Barcelona deeply regret the displeasure amongst Japanese and Asian fans and partners of our club caused by a video that appeared a few days ago on social media in which two ęrst team players (Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann) displayed a lack of respect in their aĴitude towards several employees in the hotel in which they were

staying," the statement read.

"This aĴitude in no way coincides with the values that FC Barcelona represents and defends.

"The values of the club and its sponsors should be something that FC Barcelona protects, and this belief is present at all levels of the organisation, from the board of directors and executives to the players in the club’s various sporting teams.

"The club is commiĴed to improving its education on questions of race, discrimination and diversity. At FC Barcelona there is no place for racism or discrimination.

"FC Barcelona would like to apologise publicly to all the club’s fans and partners who feel unhappy about this event from the summer of 2019, a time when the club’s responsibilities fell to a board directors and executive team previous to the current.

"The board of directors that today manage the club are commiĴed to making sure episodes of this nature do not repeat themselves.

"The players have already shown their regret and have apologised to Japanese fans and partners, something that the club values. Nevertheless, FC Barcelona reserve the right to take the internal measures that it considers appropriate."

Argentina players celebrating after defeating Colombia in shootout...yesterday

WIMBLEDON 2021:

Federer Knocked out in Straight ǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱ Ȃę

Roger Federer's bid for a ninth Wimbledon title lay in taĴers after he was stunned in straight sets by Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-ęnals.

The Swiss lost 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 to the 14th seeded Pole, who reached his ęrst Grand Slam semi-ęnal.

It is the ęrst time 20-time major champion Federer has lost a set to love at the All England Club.

Hurkacz will play MaĴeo BerreĴini or Felix Auger-Aliassime for a place in Sunday's ęnal.

"It's super special for me," said Hurkacz, only the second Polish man to reach the semięnals at a Grand Slam.

"Playing here and the special things [Federer] has done here, it's a dream come true."

Hurkacz, who was six when Federer won his ęrst title at SW19, is the ęrst player to win a set to love against the Swiss since Rafael Nadal in the 2008 French Open ęnal.

Federer, at 39 years and 337 days, had been bidding to become the oldest man to reach the Wimbledon semięnals in the Open era.

But defeat marked his ęrst straight-set loss at Wimbledon in 19 years.

Meanwhile, defending champion Novak Djokovic had too much quality for Hungary's Marton Fucsovics as he reached

the Wimbledon semi-ęnals with a focused display yesterday.

Djokovic, 34, was far from his best, but still won 6-3 6-4 6-4 against 29-year-old Fucsovics, who was contesting his ęrst Grand Slam quarter-ęnal.

The Serb will play 10th seed Denis Shapovalov on Friday after the Canadian beat Russian 25th seed Karen Khachanov.

Djokovic is now two wins from a record-equalling 20th

men's major.

After winning the Australian Open and French Open titles already this year, another triumph at the All England Club will mean he equals the tally jointly held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Nadal did not play at SW19 this year.

Five-time champion Djokovic had dropped just one set on his way to the Wimbledon quarteręnals and never looked like losing another against world number 48 Fucsovics.

That was despite the Serb playing less cleanly and conędently than in any of his previous four wins.

Spain's Luis Enrique Salutes Players after Loss to Italy

Spain coach Luis Enrique has said he had no complaints over his side's Euro 2020 semi-final exit after a penalty shootout defeat to Italy on Tuesday, insisting he will only be congratulating his players for their efforts in the tournament.

Alvaro Morata's well-taken finish dragged Spain back into the game after Federico Chiesa had brilliantly fired Italy into the lead in the second half at Wembley.

But after neither side could find a winner following extra time, Morata's miss in the shootout proved crucial, as Jorginho's spot kick sealed a place in the final for the Azzurri.

"It is not a sad night for me, not at all," Luis Enrique told a news conference. "Of course there is some disappointment but that is elite football. You have to learn to win and lose.

"We talked a lot about how we wanted to play, the players

believed in it and I can only congratulate them, I have no complaints.

"We have shown that we are a team. Now it is important to recover and then we will meet again ahead of the World Cup qualification."

The former Barcelona coach singled out 18-year-old Barca midfielder Pedri for special praise.

Spain's Pedri completed all 56 of his passes in the 90

minutes of normal time at Wembley - only France's Samuel Umtiti has ever completed more with 100% passing accuracy in a European Championship match since 1980.

"No 18-year-old has done what he has," Luis Enrique added. "His performances, his interpretation of the role, how he finds free space, his quality, his character... I have never seen anyone do what he does, it is devoid of all logic."

Roger Federer...knocked out of Wimbledon 2021

Thursday July 8, 2021

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UT H

& RE A S O

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Price: N250

MISSILE Babagana Zulum to Southern Governors Six or seven years ago, APC had zoned the presidency to northern Nigeria based on the agreement that in the year 2023, the presidency should go to the south. But again, this is politics. We are supposed to meet and discuss this issue among ourselves, among the political class. This statement that people are saying that the president must go to the south, I want them to remove the word must —Borno State Governor affirming support for power shift to the south but not under duress

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

One Nation, Multiple Destinies…1 FLASHBACK: 5th February, 2015:

W

ithin the last one week, I have been to Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State twice. Last Friday, when I left Yenogoa, Bayelsa State, I drove straight to Amafor-Imerienwe to spend a few moments with my friend, Dr. Sam Amadi, chair of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) who was burying his late mother that day. Then on Sunday evening, I was back to Owerri to join the Imo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial campaign train of Hon Emeka Ihedioha that was to hit his Aboh-Mbaise-Ngor Okpala Federal Constituency the next day.

Now, I need to state quickly that I am neither a PDP member nor member of any other party.

I simply went to identify with the aspiration of my friend. With the exception of the 2011 general election when I was not in the country, I have since 2003—when he made his first foray into the House of Representatives—always spent at least a day on Ihedioha’s campaign train as a show of solidarity. On Monday, I was part of the team that included Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, former Governor Achike Udenwa, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Dr. Kema Chikwe, Dr. Douglas Acholonu, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu, Prof. Jude Njoku, Major General Eugene Nwanguma (rtd), Air Commodore Luke Ochubor (rtd), Chief Austin Papa Nwokorie, Hon. Jones Onyesiri, Eng. Ebere Udeagu, ace footballer, Kanu Nwankwo and several others.

Throughout the day filled with pomp and drama, full tradition was on display. Igbo rituals including kolanut breaking added colour to the occasion at every stop from Ngor Okpala to Aboh-Mbaise. However, the major highlight of the campaign for me was not the endorsement of Ihedioha by the various PDP bigwigs but rather the passion with which they campaigned for President Goodluck Jonathan. I have never seen such genuine support and affection for the president anywhere, not even among his Ijaw kinsmen.

It all started at the Umuneke, headquarters of Ngor Okpala where traditional rulers were gathered to receive the team. Iwuanyanwu said that being a son of the area, support for Ihedioha should be taken for granted: “the real case I want to make here today is for the man who is not here and I am talking about our beloved son, President Jonathan who is contesting against Buhari. Just this morning, I was shown a story where Buhari was quoted on BBC Hausa Service that we Igbo people hate him because of Biafra and that given another chance, he will do what he did again. That is a declaration of war on Igbo people. How can we support such a man?”

I have read different versions of the ‘BBC Hausa Service interview’ referred to by Iwuanyanwu on WhatsApp but when I did a Google search, I

couldn’t find the story. This means it may have been fabricated to give the APC presidential candidate a bad name among Igbo people. Yet on Monday, where Iwuanyanwu stopped, others took over with Senator Anyanwu saying rather vehemently that in this election, as far as Igbo people are concerned, “there is no alternative to Jonathan.” When it was her turn, Mrs Chikwe asked the question that became her singsong throughout the day: “What should happen to any Igbo man who votes for another candidate other than President Jonathan?” The crowd responded: “Holy Ghost fire!”

Overall, it is not that the Igbos I met at the campaign train in Imo State hate Buhari; it is that they don’t believe he has the predisposition to deal fairly with them if he becomes the president of Nigeria. I can understand their fears. Igbos are carrying many scars and a deep memory from Nigeria’s struggles to create an equitable country. The Igbos have traversed our diverse country and are to be found settled all over Nigeria. Most of them, however, seem to doubt if the APC presidential candidate can guarantee a modern democratic state that protects the equality of citizens. Only Buhari and the APC can determine whether they have done enough to allay such fears.

However, with a brutal insurgency in the North-east, chronic inter-communal strife in the North-central; and militancy in the South-south, it is not surprising that several parts of our country are asking for assurances as to how to restore their sense of belonging and co-ownership of Project Nigeria. Should he win, Buhari will have a huge task persuading the widest spectrum of Nigerians to see him as someone who can protect the rights of all citizens wherever they may live, whatever section of the country they come from and regardless of the religion they profess. That way, he may eventually win over the Igbo people, majority of whom for now do not trust him. ==================================

T

he foregoing excerpts from my 5th February 2015 column, ‘Buhari, Ndigbo and Yoruba Agenda’, at the time the current president was aspiring for power reveal quite clearly that the mutual distrust between him and Igbo people did not start today. Nor has the passage of time over the past six years healed wounds. His July 2015 Washington DC declaration, following his election (“I hope you have a copy of the election results. The constituents which, for example, gave me 97% [of the vote] cannot in all honesty be treated on some issues with constituencies that gave me 5%”) which was in response to a question on the Niger Delta has been appropriated by the Southeast without any conscious attempt to change the narrative in the way and manner opportunities are distributed.

However, the real concern is that opposition to the president is also growing gradually in the Southwest where he secured the votes that got him over the line in his fourth attempt. As I often argued, there is no worse place to be for a politician than when their opponents and

Sanwo Olu...Lagos State Governor

supporters are singing from the same hymn book. That exactly is where President Buhari is today, given the communique released by Southern Governors Forum after their meeting in Lagos on Monday.

Let’s begin with some political arithmetic.

Of the 17 Southern states, eight of them are controlled by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC): Five in the Southwest (Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Osun), one in the Southsouth (Cross Rivers) and two in the Southeast (Imo and Ebonyi States). Two of these states (Cross River and Anambra) were not represented at the Lagos meeting. One belongs to APC, the other to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Despite the huge presence of APC governors, the forum still came up with a statement that could be seen as confrontational to the federal government controlled by their own party. Before I make my point, it is important to examine a few issues in their resolutions.

Given how previous administrations have failed in their attempts to enact the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), one would have thought the governors would first congratulate President Buhari and the National Assembly before making whatever amendments they seek. Rather, what they did was to rehash the populist lines from social media on what the bill means. Is the proposed PIB perfect? Certainly not. Can the Niger Delta have a better deal than what was proposed? Yes. Is the proposition of a “funding mechanism of thirty per cent (30%) of NNPC Limited’s profit oil and profit gas as in the production sharing, profit sharing, and risk service contracts to fund exploration of frontier basins” about favouring the North and is it too much? No, by my understanding. Many of the terms in the oil industry are technical so the question that ought to have been asked is, 30 percent of what? And for what purpose?

Once those questions are answered—and the southern governors ought to have sought clarifications on them—all the brouhaha will disappear. For readers who are open-minded,

I will recommend a twitter Thread that sums up what the issues are: https://twitter.com/ femolevsky/status/1412331220730630145.

The governors also expressed their “commitment to the politics of equity, fairness and unanimously agrees that the presidency of Nigeria be rotated between Southern and Northern Nigeria and resolved that the next president of Nigeria should emerge from the Southern Region.” This means that southern governors can also play the game, as we saw in the prelude to the 2015 general election when Northern governors, including those in the then ruling PDP, were vehement that power had to shift from South to North.

Six years later, has the material condition of people in the North been made better because ‘their son’ is in power? I leave readers to answer that question.

To “consolidate our democracy and strengthen the electoral process”, the southern governors also reject the removal of the Electronic transmission of the election result from the electoral act. I wonder why the National Assembly, including lawmakers from the 17 southern states (except they were all drinking kaikai while their northern counterparts were supposedly putting this clause), would endorse such proposition. I understand from some Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials that the Z-pad technology was used to upload results to the commission’s view portal, real time, from all polling units, wards and local government areas during the Edo State gubernatorial election last year. That prevented a situation in which anybody could have tampered with the results and aided the transparency of the process. National Assembly members (from North and South) are quite aware of this, their motive can only be to circumscribe the conduct of credible polls.

Since President Buhari will never be on the ballot again in Nigeria, this should not be his problem.

The governors also talked about the creation of state police on which there seems to be a national consensus among them. Whatever the resolution that “if for any reason security institutions need to undertake an operation in any State, the Chief Security Officer of the State must be duly informed” may mean, let’s leave that one. A timeline of 1st September, 2021 is set for “the promulgation of the anti-open grazing law in all member States”. This is a direct response to President Buhari’s call for a gazette that would reopen the old grazing routes for cattle. On this, we can also put the governors’ reaction down to Isaac Newton’s third law of motion: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

This series will continue, especially as we move towards the 2023 general election so I can deal with the substantive issues that are tied to our politics. But in all, what I see from the communique of the southern governors is that they are buying into the local sentiment within the environment in which they operate. And this is where the problem lies for Aso Rock. For a president in his seventh of eight years’ tenure, Buhari should be concerned about his legacy.

NOTE: This piece is concluded on page 15

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