MONDAY 19TH JULY 2021

OPEC+ Resolves Impasse, to Boost Production by 400,000bpd PIB will take care of host oil communities, secure environment, says Buhari Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja After over a two-week stalemate, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, known as OPEC+,

yesterday resolved to gradually add more inventory to the oil market, as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) finally put aside their differences.

With the new agreement,

the oil cartel will boost supply by as much as 400,000 barrels per day each month from August until all of its stranded output due to its decision to curb production last year, following the twin impact

of the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia and COVID-19 pandemic, has been restored.

The breakthrough came just as President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the

Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will take care of agitations by host oil communities and ensure that the environment is protected from harm.

According to the new deal, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq,

Kuwait and Russia have now been given new baselines against which their production cuts are measured from May next year.

Continued on page 48

Osinbajo Canvasses Inclusive Trade to Boost Sub-regional Economy...Page 10 Monday 19 July, 2021 Vol 26. No 9597. Price: N250

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HONOURING THE LATE EMILY AIG-IMOUKHUEDE...

L-R: The widower, Pa Frank Aig-Imoukhuede; son of the deceased and Chairman, Coronation Capital, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; daughter of the deceased, Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede; another daughter, Kemi Balogun; son-in-law, Mr. Bolaji Balogun; and a former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, at the outing service for the late Pastor Emily Aig-Imoukhuede, at Our Saviour's Church, Lagos...yesterday

PDP Asks Supreme Court to Sack Matawalle, Defected Zamfara Lawmakers Seeks protection from removal from office for deputy governor Demands apex court's approval to replace defectors Names Lawan, Gbajabiamila, APC, INEC, others defendants

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a legal battle at the Supreme Court to reclaim its mandate from Zamfara State Governor, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, as well as

federal and state lawmakers that defected along with him to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The new suit, filed solely by the PDP as the petitioner/ plaintiff, is different from the one filed at the Federal High

Court in Abuja by members of the PDP in Zamfara State, seeking to the removal of the governor.

The suit is supported by a 26-point affidavits deposed by the National Secretary of PDP, Senator Umar Tsuari.

The party, in the suit filed

by Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), joined Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; the Chief Judge of Zamfara State and the Speaker of the Zamfara

State House of Assembly, as defendants.

Other defendants are the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Matawalle, who last month joined the APC, became governor after the Supreme

Court had annulled the victory of the APC, which won the 2019 general election in the state, and declared the party (PDP) with the second largest lawful votes as winner.

Continued on page 48

Eid-el-Kabir: IG Orders Police Chiefs to Beef up Security Nationwide...Page 8

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

Eid-el-Kabir: IG Orders Police Chiefs to Beef up Security Nationwide

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja Ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration scheduled for tomorrow and Wednesday, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, yesterday ordered Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) in charge of zonal police commands and the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the 36 states to beef up security in their various commands.

A statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, said the IG ordered the CPs in all the states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and their supervisory AIGs to prevent any incident in their areas of responsibility that could mar the celebration of the Islamic festival.

In compliance with the directive, the Federal Capital

Territory Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bala Ciroma, has ordered uninterrupted patrols, stop-and-search operations and coordinated intelligence-based crime fighting strategies within the FCT during the celebration.

The IG assured the nation of sustained efforts by the police in fighting crimes and improving public safety and security nationwide.

The IG directed the zonal AIGs and state command CPs to take measures to ensure a secure, peaceful and incident-free celebration.

"They are to amongst other things, deploy human and other operational assets to carry out confidence building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, residential and industrial areas, vulnerable points, places of worship, other places of public resort and around all

critical national infrastructure," the statement said.

The IG also warned that personnel deployed must be professional and mindful of the fundamental rights of the citizens, and discharge their responsibilities with all sense of decorum and alertness.

The IG, while congratulating Muslims on the occasion of the year 2021 Eid-el-Kabir celebration,

reiterated that the police would continue to improve on the recent gains achieved in stabilising security order in parts of the country, protecting lives and property of citizens, and denying space for crimes and criminality to thrive.

He urged citizens to celebrate and enjoy the beauty of the Eidel-Kabir while remaining security conscious and compliant with the

COVID-19 prevention protocols.

Meanwhile, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bala Ciroma, weekend ordered uninterrupted patrols, stop-andsearch operations and coordinated intelligence-based crime fighting strategies within the FCT during the celebration.

A statement by the spokesperson of the FCT Police Command, Mariam Yusuf, an

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said in view of the upcoming Sallah celebration, the FCT Police Command had taken steps to provide security within the city, especially at strategic places such as recreational parks/centres, worship centres and major highways, among others to ensure that residents enjoyed a hitch-free celebration.

At Sallah, Southern Senators Preach against Insecurity, War Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Members of the National Assembly, under the aegis of Southern Senators' Forum, have appealed to Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue in settling differences, rather than threatening division and war.

They said the country's diversity had been its greatest strength, respect and reckoning in the global politics, adding that Nigeria has immeasurable dividends to savour in staying united than disintegrating.

The senators, in an Eidel-Kabir message yesterday by the forum's Chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, representing Ekiti Central, congratulated Muslims on the occasion.

He warned that the country has nothing to gain with the war drums being beaten over agitations in some quarters, saying such demands can still be achieved through dialogue, understanding and mutual respect.

Bamidele urged Muslims to pray for Nigeria as they celebrate Sallah for Allah to rescue the nation from the kidnappings, carnages of multifaceted dimensions and threat of secession.

"This is not the time for blame game or exchange of tantrums on the basis of ethnicity, politics and religion that can exacerbate already tensed condition and stoke the embers of disunity amongst our diverse ethnic nationalities.

"The combined effects of the COVID-19 and insecurity have affected our economy adversely.

Food inflation is crippling the economy and the masses are groaning in excruciating pains.

"We need collective efforts to save the nation from this parlous situation. Our Muslim brothers have made huge sacrifices and this time offers another opportunity to help the country further with their prayers," he stated.

Also, a former deputy governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Sikiru Tae Lawal, who is a governorship aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Ekiti 2022

governorship election, urged Muslims to be obedient and generous, particularly to the less-privileged, as commanded

by Prophet Mohammed.

On security, he expressed disappointment over the increasing criminal activities in the country, with the attendant impact on the socio-economic lives of the people.

ON THE HUSTINGS… L-R: Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairmanship Candidate for Obafemi/ Owode Local Government, Mr. Adesina Ogunsola, at a rally of the party, in Owode-Egba...yesterday

Presidency Tackles Kukah, Says His Disparagement of Nigeria Disappointing Deji Elumoye in Abuja The presidency yesterday took issue with the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, over his submission to the United States Congress that nothing really works in Nigeria.

It described as unfortunate and disappointing the position of the "so-called" man of God painting his country in bad light before a foreign parliament.

Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, said in a statement that it was unfortunate, and disappointing for Nigerians to bear witness to one of their churchmen castigating their country in front of representatives of a foreign parliament.

The presidency stated that it is familiar with overseas political tours that opposition politicians take - visiting foreign leaders and legislators in the United States, United Kingdom and Europe, saying the argument goes that if they are heard seriously abroad, then Nigerian citizens back home should surely listen to them too.

It said: "But in order to be heard at all, and to maximise media coverage back home for their activities, inevitably these visits involve painting the worst possible picture of our country before their chosen foreign audience.

"Soon enough we inescapably hear an identical list of racist tropes against Northerners, how one religion dominates

governance above all others, how the government is doing nothing to address herderfarmer disturbances, and how the government spends money on infrastructure to benefit everyone but the group and religion of the speaker. Of course, in order not to disappoint their western audience, regardless of fact, the list is always the same-and always slanted for whoever wishes to cross-check”.

The statement added that Nigerians expected such position from the opposition, stressing that it is troubling when a "so-called" man of the church copies the worst excesses of those seeking personal advancement in public office.

The presidency also explained steps taken so far by the present administration to tackle herderfarmer disturbances, saying "only this government has put forward the first and singular plan in nearly a century to address herder-farmer challenges - a fact recognised by international NGOs, including the International Crisis Group".

It punctured Kukah's position that the Buhari-led government has done nothing in six years.

"To declare to a foreign audience that this government does nothing is an incredible falsehood," the statement added.

Rather than the investment in infrastructure between Nigeria and Niger Republic being wasteful and biased as erroneously said by Kukah,

the presidency said a similar infrastructure project between Lagos and Benin Republic had revolutionised the two neighbouring economies to the advantage of both countries.

According to it, there is religious balancing in government appointments notwithstanding that the 1999 Constitution never stipulated ethnic or religious leaning in appointments into public office.

"There is no bias in this government when the president is Northern and Muslim, the vice president Southern and Christian, and the cabinet equally balanced between the two religions.

But neither is there anything in our constitution to state that political posts must be apportioned according to ethnicity or faith. It takes a warped frame of mind for a critic to believe ethnicity is of primary importance in public appointments. It is yet more troubling to hear a churchman isolating one group for criticism purely on ethnic lines," it added.

The presidency also faulted Kukah's position that only Christian schools were being attacked by bandits and terrorists, saying bandits and terrorists had in the past attacked both Christian and Muslim schools.

It said: "With due respect to the esteemed position he holds, the bishop’s assertion that only Christian schools are being targeted by bandits or terrorists is not supported by

the facts on the ground. It is sad to say but also true that victims of crime, kidnapping, banditry and terrorism cut across all strata of the society.

"Sad but true that Kankara students in Katsina State were stolen by bandits of the same Islamic faith as those they took away. The same may be true of those who are still holding the 134 students of the Islamic School at Tegina in Niger State. The nation witnessed the sad incident of the female students abducted by bandits at Jangebe in Zamfara State and the over 100 predominantly Muslim students of the Federal Government Girls College, Birnin Yauri, in Kebbi State who are currently in captivity- and the nation’s security agencies are hard at work to release them unharmed.

"The attack on Christian students is sad and unacceptable; so also is the abduction of students of other faiths. The claim that only Christian schools are being targeted is totally untrue.

"As a nation and a people, we must together define evil as evil. We must not allow our religious differences to divide us. No one gains but the evil doers when we divide our ranks, according to ethnicity and religion in confronting them. The bandit, kidnapper and terrorist are the enemies of the people who should be confronted in unison."

The statement also quoted copiously from the Bible to

support its claim on ethnicity and racialism.

"To be clear, the Bible is definitive on matters of ethnicity and racialism: In Romans 2:9-10, it says: ‘There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good’.

"And in Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’

Whether Christian or Muslim, we stand by these beliefs and are steadfastly committed to them in governance."

The presidency flayed the cleric for disparaging Nigeria before a foreign audience.

It said: "There is no place in mainstream civil discourse for those who actively, negatively, and publicly label an individual ethnic group, especially before a foreign audience.

"These are not the views expressed or opinions held by the vast majority of the citizens of Nigeria. For all our challenges as a nation, nearly all of us seek to live together in harmony, celebrating differences, and finding common ground as Nigerians above all. But people like Kukah are doing their best to sow discord and strife among Nigerians.

"More than any other set of people, leaders - in politics or religion who preach respect for truth have a duty to practise it. It is a moral and practical responsibility.

"Going by the history of the church as is well known, it will stand up publicly for the truth.

It is time others did the same."

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Osinbajo Canvasses Inclusive Trade to Boost Sub-regional Economy Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has stressed the need to drive more inclusive trade initiatives and expand intra-regional trade in the ECOWAS sub-region going by the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.

Osinbajo spoke at the weekend in Abuja at the inaugural gala of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Trade Promotion Organisations (TPO) Network.

According to him, the TPO Network, established with the support of the International Trade Centre (ITC), is an initiative of the ECOWAS, trade promotion organisations in the ECOWAS community.

He added that the network needs to present a trustworthy

platform for cross learning and the sharing of knowledge and information assets.

Osinbajo said: “The vision of our heads of state and governments in resolving to establish this network (TPO) is to build a more robust and broader economic space for trade and investment. A major part of that effort is that the network serves as a platform for businesses and trade promotion agencies in our sub-region to share knowledge and business opportunities, and develop trade capacity in our sub-region.”

Osinbajo stated that the network has world-class human resource capacity to succeed in achieving its set objectives.

“The combined experience of the TPOs that form the network is mind boggling. Second is our confidence in your resilience and commitment, which assures

us that beyond the tunnel of those obvious challenges lies the bright light of a new era of trade prosperity for the people of the West Africa region and, indeed, the continent,” he said.

Commending the ECOWAS and the TPO network for the

success of the launch and its first annual general assembly, the vice president noted that there is the imminent task of enabling the region benefit maximally from the AfCFTA and other intra and extra regional export opportunities.

…Accuses UNIJOS of attempting to sell product to staff members Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerian researchers in the nation’s ivory towers and other herbal medicine practitioners to desist from parading unverified medicinal products as suitable for curing COVID -19, without NAFDAC’s approval.

It accused the University of Jos (UNIJOS) of trying to sell such unverified herbal products to its members of staff, warning that no herbal medicine has been approved for the treatment of COVID-19.

The agency also cautioned against the excessive consumption of onions and garlic, saying that both do not cure COVID -19.

In a statement yesterday in

L-R: Pastor, Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Peace Assembly, Victoria Island, Pastor Cyprian Orakpo; Ms Rebecca Olanrewaju; the celebrant, Apostle Folorunso Alakija; and Mr. Razaq Ogbara; during a thanksgiving service to celebrate Alakija's 70th birthday, in Lagos...yesterday

APC Releases Timetable, Guidelines for July 31 Ward Congresses The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the schedule of activities and guidelines for the conduct of its ward congresses, scheduled for Saturday July 31, 2021.

The National Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the purchase of nomination forms for ward, local government/area councils and state congresses will take place from July 19 to August 28.

He said screening of aspirants for the ward party positions would hold from July 29 to July 30, while ward congresses would hold July 31. Appeals arising from ward congresses will hold from August 2 to August 7.

Akpanudoedehe stated that each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will, for the purpose of the party’s 2021 congresses, have a committee of seven persons, to be selected based on their proven integrity and they would be appointed and

supervised by the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

He said the committee would be referred to as the Ward Congress Committee (WCC), adding that members of the committees would be posted to places outside their states of recruitment.

The secretary said the committee would be composed of a chairman, secretary and five other members; one of whom shall be a woman where possible.

He added that the committee would be responsible for the conduct of the ward congress exercise in their place of posting.

Akpanudoedehe said: "In line with Article 11:A subsection (i-xiii) and article 16(i) of the party's Constitution (as amended), the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be organising its congresses across the 36 states and FCT to elect its wards, local governments and states officials. Only wards and local government areas stipulated in Sections 156 of the Electoral Act and in part I&II of the First Schedule to

Guy M'Bengue.

According to the ECOWAS, the TPO Network is a publicsector led entity and will work in partnership with the ECOWAS commission to drive inclusive trade development initiatives within West Africa and beyond.

NAFDAC Warns against Use of Unverified COVID-19 Herbal Medicine

MARKING 70TH BIRTHDAY WITH THANKSGIVING…

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The President of ECOWAS TPO Network is the Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Segun Awolowo; while the Vice President is the CEO of Cote d’Ivoire Export Promotion Organisation, Mr.

the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as Amended) are recognised.

"The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party, in a bid to ensure open, credible and fair congresses that reflect the sanctity of internal democracy in the party, issues a guiding regulation for the nationwide congresses of the party. It is binding on all persons coordinating and participating in all congresses."

He said aspirants to party positions in the wards would be elected at the various congresses and must be persons with the highest degree of good character, competence, and capacity. They are to pay the specified fees for the party's nomination form.

The party said aspirants for the position of ward chairman would purchase forms at the cost of N10, 000, while forms for ward vice chairman, secretary and treasurer positions cost N5,000 and other offices cost N2,000.

It added that all delegates would pay N1,000 for the form.

Akpanudoedehe said the election venue would be the

APC ward offices where they exist, adding that where none exists, or the existing one for any reason, becomes unsuitable, the Ward Congress Committee (WCC) will identify a convenient and conducive venue for the congress (provided it is not a private residence or place of worship or office).

According to him, the public must be notified of the venue at least 12 hours before the commencement of the congresses.

Akpanudoedehe said the caretaker committee reserved the right to cancel any election in areas where irregularities or violence in the conduct of the election occurred.

He noted that the committee has the final appeal authority in all election disputes.

"Any aspirant that is indicted of any irregularity, violence or electoral malpractice shall, subject to a fair hearing, be either suspended or expelled from the party and shall forfeit his/her right to participate in any future elections of the party for any position," Akpanudoedehe added.

Abuja by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the Director-General of the agency, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, said NAFDAC had submitted proposals for some herbal medicines to receive federal government's grants for clinical trials.

She said it was improper for anyone, whether a researcher in the university or a herbal medicine practitioner, to parade unverified herbal medicine which is yet to go through clinical trials as a remedy for COVID-19.

She added: "There is no single medicine that has been identified today to cure COVID -19. But there are herbal medicines that could alleviate symptoms of COVID -19.

"As far as NAFDAC is concerned, we have not approved any medicine to treat COVID -19.

We have approved medicines that they said can alleviate symptoms and relieve people of some symptoms of COVID -19.

"When the product is listed then clinical trial may start. I used ‘may’ because it’s expensive; it takes a lot of money to do clinical trial."

According to her, the University of Jos has been given approval for its product, Silymarin, to commence clinical trial but that the process is yet to commence.

"University of Jos said that there was a herbal medicine, whether its tea or whatever, that can cure COVID-19. They linked it with treatment of COVID -19.

They did the packaging.

"We did a letter to warn them that they cannot claim something unless it has gone through our listing process. They were trying to sell it to their staff. That is violation of our own regulatory policies. Nobody should say that this one can cure this or that without going through NAFDAC listing process," she stated.

According to her, the research into herbal medicine by the academia is normal.

She, however, stated the academia should also recognise the national regulatory authority established to safeguard the safety of Nigerians by ensuring that the product that they are working on has to go through NAFDAC if they want to make it available for human consumption.

Adeyeye warned that any attempt to market or distribute unapproved herbal medicine is a violation of the regulatory authority's regulation and protocols.

While giving an insight into the reason why no locallyproduced herbal medicine has yet been approved by the agency in the treatment of COVID -19 in Nigeria, Adeyeye said that no single herbal medicine had gone through full clinical trial.

According to her, when NAFDAC approves medicines

for listing, it means that it has been tested and is deemed safe to use.

"NAFDAC cannot say herbal medicine can treat COVID-19 until clinical trial is done. “Right now, there is no single herbal medicine that has gone through full clinical trial the way clinical trial is supposed to be done.

"To do official clinical trial, you must write a protocol, you must pass it through the National Health Research Ethical Committee (NHREC); you have to pass it through NAFDAC. We have not received any like that,” she added.

However, Adeyeye said the agency had approved some herbal medicines that the makers claimed could alleviate some of the symptoms of COVID-19, stressing that some of them are immune boosters that can increase the immune level of people.

She said many herbal products had been submitted for federal government’s grants because most of the herbal practitioners lacked the required wherewithal to do clinical trial.

"As we speak, many of these herbal products are being subjected to review by different agencies of government in the country. In terms of going through clinical trial official protocols, none has come through yet. That doesn’t mean they will not because the process is still on,” she said.

The NAFDAC DG explained that the agency will also do some physical testing, and some piezochemical testing on the products.

"We will find out whether it has other components that may be used to alleviate some symptoms. We will also go to the manufacturing site to establish its level of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliance. If it does, then we take samples’," she said.

Adeyeye stated that listing means temporary approval for two years and renewable as a prelude to the clinical trial process.

She also warned Nigerians against excessive consumption of onions and garlic with a view to curing COVID–19.

She said: ‘’If you eat too much, your breath will be smelling and nobody will want to stay by you’’.

She stated that onions or garlic or any of the natural fruits that people take have antioxidant and nutrients that could help the users feel better. ‘’People might have been using it and they get better. But if it is not documented, it cannot be recognised by NAFDAC for COVID – 19. They work on our cells to keep people healthier, but not to cure COVID–19. They help our body to function better.

There is no cure for COVID-19 yet,’’ she added.

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Lawan: Endorsing e-Transmission of Election Results Would've Alienated 50% of Voters Deji Elumoye in Abuja President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday took on critics of the National Assembly conditional approval of the electronic transmission of election results.

Lawan said at the weekend during a visit to his Yobe North Senatorial District, that a full approval of electronic transmission of election results, as preferred by a cross-section of the public, would have disenfranchised 50 per cent of voters.

He spoke against the backdrop of the criticisms that have trailed the National Assembly's decision to circumscribe the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy electronic transmission of election results.

However, Lawan said a conference committee would be set up by both the Senate and the House of Representatives to harmonise their positions on the Electoral Act( Amendment) Bill 2021.

The Senate, on Thursday, while considering the bill, had voted that "The commission(INEC) may consider electronic transmission of results, provided the national coverage is adjudged to be adequate and secure by the National Communications Commission (NCC) and approved by the National Assembly."

On its part, the version of the controversial Section 52 (3) of the bill as approved by the House says: “The commission may transmit results of elections by electronic means where and when practicable.”

Lawan explained that the Senate voted the way it did in defence of about half of the electorate whose votes may not be counted with immediate deployment or application of electronic transmission of election results.

He expressed joy that the Senate was able to pass the amendment bill even though some people are complaining of what was passed in the Senate and probably what the House of Representatives also passed.

According to him, the fact that most senators voted against the immediate application or deployment of electronic transmission of results from the polling units, didn't mean they do not believe in electronic transmission of election results.

He stated that all the 109 senators once believed that the electoral process must deploy electronic transmission so that it eases and enhances the electoral process and give it more credibility and integrity.

Lawan called for caution as the nation has not reached the stage where it could electronically transmit election results from every part of the country.

He added that irrespective of the criticisms, Nigeria cannot have a situation whereby about 50 per cent of the voters are not participating or not getting

their votes counted in elections and people will say it doesn't matter.

He said: "We know the evils of not transmitting results electronically but compare the evils of electronically transmitting just half of the electoral votes from Nigerians and say you have elected a president with 50 per cent only. And others have voted but their results or their votes could not be electronically transmitted.

"This is disenfranchising Nigerians and we are not going to support this kind of thing because essentially, we are supposed to be fair to every part of Nigeria and when we voted, every part of

Nigeria voted for and against (the amendment).

"What I mean here is that, you have senators from Northern part of Nigeria who voted for electronic transmission. Maybe that is their belief or their environment is ready for electronic transmission.

And you have senators from Southern part of Nigeria who voted against immediate deployment of electronic transmission but they support that the electronic transmission of results should be allowed after certain conditions are met and the conditions are simple: The National Communication Commission(NCC) had provided the technical

information that only NCC could give - that only about 50 per cent of the Nigerian environment, the polling units, in the country could possibly have their results electronically transmitted.

"So what happens to the other 50 per cent? So, we believe that all of us in the Senate were aiming at the same target but chose to go through different routes and that is why in my concluded remarks in the Senate after the debate and voting, I said there was no victor, no vanquish because we all meant well."

Lawan urged those who still feel that electronic transmission of election results should have been allowed

not to feel bad about how it turned out, saying this is how democracy works.

"Democracy is to allow those minority views to be expressed and democracy provides that the majority views will always prevail," he added.

He said it was wrong to conclude that senators who voted for electronic transmission with conditions did not like the results transmitted electronically.

He added: "I want to take this opportunity to debunk that insinuation or outright castigation of senators that voted against immediate deployment of electronic transmission that they don't like electronic transmission.

It is not true.

"Even though I didn't vote, I believe that what my colleagues did is binding on all of us in the Senate. Twenty eight against 52."

He stated that a conference committee will be constituted by the two chambers of the National Assembly to harmonise their positions on the bill before submission to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

He said: "l believe that what we have done requires that the Senate and the House will each constitute a conference committee. What we call harmonisation for the two sides. When we harmonise, then we will send it to Mr. President."

HONOURING ACHIEVERS...

L-R: Immediate Past President, EXMAN, Mr. Tade Adekunle; Group Managing Director, Cosse Ltd, Mr. Funmi Onabolu, who was honoured with the LifeTime Achievement Awards; ETOP UKUTT Chairman, Troyka Group, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo; and APCON Registrar, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, at the EXMA0N Awards 2021 presentation ceremony in Lagos....recently

To Stop Alleged Assault Probe, CCT Chairman Sues Senate, Others Deji Elumoye in Abuja Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Mr. Danladi Umar, has filed a suit at the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, to stop his ongoing probe by the Senate for alleged assault.

The Senate had instituted the probe following an allegation that he assaulted one Clement Sargwak last March in Abuja.

Also joined in the suit as stated in the originating summons, dated July 13, 2021, are the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Chairman and members of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami.

Umar, in the suit with File No: FHC/ABJ/ CS/671/2021, is challenging the Senate's constitutional power to conduct investigation and the purpose for which it is exercisable.

He is asking the court to interprete the constitutional powers granted the Senate or House Committees on Ethics and Public Petitions

- whether it covers public assaults, which as averred by his attorneys , are part of the constitutional functions of the police and the courts.

Copies of the originating summons and suit signed

by Sunday Edward and other attorneys from Abuka and Partners on behalf of Umar, listed him as the plaintiff while the Senate; President of the Senate; Senate's Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions and the Attorney - General of the Federation were named as defendants .

Umar, in the originating summons, seeks the court’s interpretation of the powers of the four defendants to investigate the case of assault against him.

The summons read in part: "Whether the purported case of assault, which allegedly took place at Banex Plaza on March 29, 2021, forms part of the matters the 1st defendant is constitutionally empowered to investigate.

"Whether the 1st defendant and its committee, that is, the 3rd defendant , are competent to investigate and/ or invite the plaintiff in relation to the investigation of the allegation

of assault levelled against him.

"Whether the powers of the 1st defendant to conduct investigation are not by and / or subject to provisions of sections 88 and 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and are not exercisable for the purposes of making law and exposing corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution of administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by the 1st defendant.

"Whether the 1st defendant's move to conduct investigative hearing on the petition before it is not unconstitutional and does not amount to an unwarranted usurpation of the functions of the police and of the courts of competent jurisdiction."

Among the reliefs he is seeking is for the court to compel the Senate to discontinue the investigative hearing, as the alleged victim of the assault (Clement Sargwak) has been sued.

"We write to inform you that the case between our

client and Clement Sargwak is now before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (suit no FCT /HC/ CV/ 1544/2021 Mr. Danladi Umar vs Clement Sargwak) and the issue as to whether or not Clement Sargwak had discontinued and / or withdrawn his petition before your honourable committee is equally sub judice.

"We trust that Senate, as the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, will respect due process and refrain from delving into a matter that is before a court of competent jurisdiction", the letter reads.

Umar was alleged to have assaulted Sagwak at the Bannex Plaza in Wuse 2, on March 29, 2021.

In seeking redress, Sagwak filed a petition against Umar to the Senate, which it gave its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition to investigate.

The CCT Chairman had on invitation appeared before the committee once but shunned other invitations thereafter.

He has at the sitting of the Committee last Tuesday informed the members through his attorneys that he

was already in court against the investigation, which the committee kicked against and ordered him to appear before it unfailingly on July 27, or risk being issued with warrant of arrest on him.

But after receiving the originating summons and the suit filed against Sargwak

by Umar, the Committee Chairman, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, told journalists that with the court summons, it was clear that Umar would not appear before his committee next Tuesday, adding that his action will be challenged in court by legal department of the National Assembly since no arm of government is empowered to stop another from carrying out its constitutional duties or functions.

He said: "Investigation on the assault meted out to a fellow Nigerian by the CCT chairman had already commenced before he ran to court but his move will also be challenged by the legal department of the Senate.

He may not come, but the committee will still have a session on the matter and other petitions before it next week Tuesday."

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COMMENT

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

RAISING THE BAR OF EXCELLENCE

Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu is harnessing the state potential for economic growth, writes Femi Salako

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f taken as a country on its own, Lagos would be amongst the largest economies in Africa. It has been able to diversify its economy and to considerably reduce its dependence on oil allocations. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration has been able to harness the huge potential in the state by also investing in skilled labour force, reducing its bureaucratic hurdles and adopting an inclusive development approach which has continued to reposition the state for more economic growth amongst its counterparts.

Lagos has a rich history of economic growth and transformation. The state may cover only 0.4th of Nigeria’s territorial land mass, making it the smallest state in the country, yet its socio-economic significance is so huge that Nigeria cannot do without Lagos. It accounts for over 60% of industrial and commercial activities in the nation. Lagos is financially viable, generating a large chunk of its revenues independent of federal grants derived from oil revenues. It generates the highest internal revenue of all states in Nigeria While the reality of the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic has solely affected the economic wit of many states in the federation, making it impossible for many states’ governors to meet up with many financial demands of their states, Lagos has continued to thrive and grow in all areas. This reality has been made possible through the efforts of the Lagos State government under the leadership of Governor Sanwo-Olu who upon assumption of office recognized the immense potential of the state and in return created a viable economic road map that will see the state unlock its various potential at its disposal.

Lagos is unique in many ways. It has airports, seaports, several beaches, an array of headquarters of banks, telecommunications and manufacturing companies, the biggest breweries, the biggest flour mills, football stadia, several tertiary institutions, a thriving entertainment universe, high grade hotels, a vibrant night life – Lagos never sleeps – a major media hub, loads of highly trained human beings.

It is also an exuberant economic and political vortex with exceptional vitality, perspicacity, creativity; a city that is constantly reinventing itself. Kaye Whiteman who published the book “Lagos: A cultural and historical companion,” described it as the “true city of imagination” while the

EVEN THOUGH NONE OF THE 35 STATES CAN BE LIKE LAGOS THEY CAN PICK UP A FEW LESSONS IF THEY ARE READY TO BE DILIGENT STUDENTS

famous poet Odia Ofeimun extols it for its “citiness.” Lagos makes money from land, air and water.

Now, rail has come into the mix. Even though none of the 35 states can be like Lagos they can pick up a few lessons if they are ready to be diligent students. Let’s look at the IGR trajectory of Lagos: 1999 (14.6 billion), 2007 (83.06 billion), 2015 (276.6 billion), 2020 (418.99 billion). Those figures show an upward swing from 1999 till date. Last year, the closest was Rivers State with N117.19 billion while the second runner-up was Delta at N59.73 billion. There are several reasons why most of the states are not doing excellently well It is no gainsaying today that Lagos is leading the pack when it comes to economic development and growth, while other states depend heavily on the already dwindling monthly Federal Allocation, it has been able to create and sustain an economy that is not oil dependent, one that does not depend on the federal government intervention to manage its economic affairs.

While this has been the culture for Lagos over the last few decades, it has also gotten better as the incumbent governor of the state has also ensured that this culture is sustained by creating an enabling environment for small and medium scale enterprise to growth, for private and foreign investors from various nations of the world to make Lagos State their economic choice in Nigeria.

Just recently, Reckitt – a global leader in hygiene, health and nutrition, and the company behind brands like Dettol, Mortein, Durex, Airwick and Jik – opened its sub-Saharan head office in Lagos. The British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn-Jones, who opened the office said the citing of Reckitt’s sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) head office in Lagos is an indication that Lagos is “future in terms of investment and trade”.

Also the immense industrial cum infrastructural development of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration is another contributing factor which must be highly commended. Lagos leads the way today because it has a system that works, thanks to an exemplary leadership provided by Governor Sanwo-Olu. Salako is the Publisher Triangle News Media

MICROFINANCE IN THE AGE OF DISRUPTION Adegoke A. Adegbami outlines measures to keep the business sustainable

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arly in 2021, I granted an interview to a media platform. The last question of that interview session was about my advice to the operators and regulators of the microfinance subsector in Nigeria. Of course, my answer was practically an outline from the work I did for our internal use back in 2020 at the peak of the COVID 19 pandemic in Nigeria.

I only outlined the points from that internal document as much as I could remember. I stumbled on one of the publications of that interview recently. After reading through again, I felt that my response to the last question of the interview can be useful even for other nonmicrofinance businesses.

Even though I think that the question regarding operators shouldn’t be directed to me because I am an operator and I need to listen to non-operators to advise us. However, since I was asked the question, I will make an attempt to highlight some of my thoughts on sustainability strategies for microfinance in the age of disruption.

First, I believe it is very important for a Microfinance Bank (MFB) to drive liquidity aggressively. With the level of disruption and uncertainty that we have, survival and ability to withstand shocks depends on the level of liquidity available.

Liquidity can come from any or all of capital, deposit, debt, grant, technical support, donations and profit. A blend of all or many of these is better.

Liquidity for a bank also has two sides. One is the availability and the second is management. A bank can close shop not only because the liquidity is low but also because it is not properly managed.

Product type and the segment of the market chosen to serve are supposed to be largely determined by the type of liquidity available. It should also determine the type and level of risk that an operator is ready to take.

Again, for operators, I will make it clear: don’t do it simply because that is what your next door neighbor is doing. We all know the importance of liquidity to our type of business, but the experience of COVID 19 has made it more important.

Secondly, all of us must prioritize risk management and corporate governance. We are not talking of only credit risk, but all the risks we are exposed to as MFBs. Risk environments are becoming more sophisticated and we must respond accordingly.

Right staffing and training are very important here.

All stakeholders must imbibe the right discipline.

Also, discipline must be supported by clearly defined rules that are well communicated to stakeholders. Compliance to regulation and internal policies are very important for growth and sustainability. They should not be done just to please the regulators and counter parties. They are important for the long-term survival of the organization.

Thirdly, we must improve on our brand awareness. We must all be deliberate in investing money and other resources in creating awareness of the good work we are doing. Banking is a business based on trust and confidence. We must continue to do this in order to boost and sustain public confidence in us. You don’t need a huge budget like a commercial bank, but you must deliberately invest in this line based on your level and capacity.

Fourthly, we must all embrace and deploy appropriate technology. Deployment of hardware and software is very important but it must align with the internal culture of the organization and the quality of people. The phrase digital transformation can be misleading. Digital alone does not transform. Technology alone cannot transform, it must go with the right culture, right skills and right people. And the customer must be the focus of any technology deployment.

Number five, there must be efficient cost management. Ensure you only spend on essential things that will directly or indirectly bring the money back to you. Things don’t necessarily have to be expensive for them to be good and effective. The key is to set your priority properly.

Cost saving does not mean we should not spend.

It only means we should spend rightly. And we have to be very careful to balance views properly here. There are people who believe that as a microfinance operator you must look hungry always.

If they see you drive Toyota Camry that is not smoking, they will say you are copying commercial banks. They will tell you that microfinance operators ride bicycles in Bangladesh. They forget that microfinance like most other businesses is highly localized. If you wear a suit that is not second hand or okirika, they say you are copying commercial banks. That can only become a problem if you don’t get your priorities right.

The key thing is to know your level per time and abide by that level, while you make efforts to change level. You remember the saying that ‘life is in stages and men are in sizes’. Live your size per time. High cost can kill your business. Low cost can also retard the growth of the business. And any business that is not growing is dying. Six, we all need to be deliberate in driving or beefing up our capital base from profit and external sources.

The key word here is being ‘deliberate’. The issue of capital should go beyond being the requirement of the regulators. It must be a business priority.

Seven, there must be good performance management. Staff and management productivity is a major problem we all face daily. We must work towards a point where every staff delivers some quantitative value to the organization. The value must be measurable. You cannot continue to keep any staff or executive at a subsidy for too long. This is even more important considering our size of businesses and lean business margin.

The eight point is that we must be sure we deploy the right product. Most of us still run on generic products. We need to invest in tailor made products that deliver specific values to specific people or market.

Number nine is leadership. All of us at the decision-making levels of our different organizations must do our best to continue to improve our leadership skills. We have the critical role of managing both the internal and external customers. We have to efficiently manage both the human and non-human resources. All these require high level of management. Each of us must develop what is now called ‘Agile Mindset’. We need the ability to internalize problems and complexities. At

the same time, we must continue to communicate hope, clarity and direction. Boards are to be ready to invest in developing leadership capacity of their business managers and executives. This will certainly involve financial commitments and priorities. Each of us at management levels also need to take personal responsibility. Don’t spend all your salary on consumption.

Use part of it to develop yourself. If you effectively increase your learning, you will invariably increase your earning. This is regardless of the peculiarity of your organization. Because there are some of us that will refuse to invest in personal development since they know their organizations, boards or shareholders don’t appreciate it. The truth is that if you put in the right investment on personal development, the return will definitely come in a matter of time. If it does not come from your present organization, it will come from somewhere outside of it. Let me also mention the fact that board members also need training and development. Management must deliberately budget for board training and development.

Ten, we need to continue to adjust our business models and the way we conduct our businesses and serve our customers to align with the reality of today. We have to continue to move gradually away from our brick and mortal business models.

By brick and mortal I don’t mean only the physical structures. Brick and mortal is more of mindset than physical structure. There is no substitute for efficient organizational structure. All our investment cannot go to only loan creation. We must consciously invest in building quality organizational structure. At the end of the day, the business is about three things - the structure or system on which the business runs, the people behind the business and finally the market or the customers.

These three are not in any particular order. Let me stop by saying that what I have mentioned here are not in any particular order. There may also be other important points I didn’t mention here for time constraint.

Adegbami is the MD/CEO of Mainstreet Microfinance Bank

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EDITORIAL CONTENDING ISSUES IN THE PIB There is need for genuine conversation on this critical bill

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ike the Electoral Act, certain provisions in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) are also generating controversy along delicate fault lines.

Unfortunately, Nigeria has dug itself into a hole on the comprehensive piece of legislation meant to reform and improve the productivity of the country’s oil industry. That the bill is still viewed from the prism of politics and ethnicity underscores the fact that our lawmakers and other critical stakeholders are blind to current reality. Not passing the PIB into law for more than 20 years after it was first introduced means that so much time has been lost. Contemporary dynamics in the global energy market suggest that right now, the passage of the bill is at best about managing what has become a bad situation.

For as long as the PIB tarried, the country’s oil industry needlessly lost value which would be hard to fully recover while the current political brickbats and sabre rattling are not about the welfare of THE REAL DEBATE the common man. At SHOULD GO BEYOND THE PROVISIONS ON FRONTIER the risk of derailing genuine conversation EXPLORATION AND HOST about the PIB, recent COMMUNITIES public discourse on the passed bill has focused on two issues – the 3% host community and 30% frontier exploration funds, which were proposed in the bill to take care of host community issues and exploration for new oil finds.

For political reasons, we are not surprised that the debate on the bill is focused on the familiar sharing of oil royalties. But the 30% frontier provision is still assuming that hydrocarbons have a future in the global energy picture. Which is why nobody is thinking about dedicating part of that money to research and investment in alternative energy sources that will replace oil. Meanwhile, we subscribe to the view that provisions for host community should be

Letters to the Editor

substantially increased to cater for environmental impact costs and other losses to the communities.

However, we need a genuine conversation on this very critical bill. The industry is poorly governed, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) acting as both a piggy bank to those who hold the levers of political power at the centre and pseudo-regulator in the sector. The same applies to the DPR and PPPRA, two regulatory agencies with little value to the industry.

I 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 TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com

ndustry players have complained about Section 317 (8) (2) of the senate version which deals with licence to import any product shortfalls. The provision seeks to create a protective environment for Nigerian local-based refineries by restricting importation which is not necessary because the major raw material (crude oil) is present in the country in large quantities. The provision sets the stage for establishment of yet another monopoly on the downstream industry, an act that goes against the push towards a deregulated and free market downstream. We share the view that this provision is restrictive and does not encourage a level playing field in the industry nor does it enhance market efficiencies and inclusiveness and should be done away with.

Although late in the day, the main objective of the PIB is to help the industry find its competitiveness in a challenging era. Nigeria needs to attract investments in her oil industry, and it can only do this by providing governance certainty which is what the PIB is mostly about. Right now, Nigeria does not have the luxury of time on oil sector reforms. Hence, fixing the tenuous downstream sector which has immense potential for value addition in terms of job creation and energy security, addressing environmental devastation in Niger Delta, attracting more investment to revive a declining industry, and engendering good governance system should be part of the public discourse on the PIB. The real debate should go beyond the provisions on frontier exploration and host communities.

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.

COVID-19 DELTA VARIANT: TIME TO ACT IS NOW “The highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 is the fastest and fittest coronavirus strain that will ‘pick off’ the most vulnerable people. It has the potential ‘to be more lethal’ because it’s more efficient in the way it transmits between humans,” –Dr. Mike Ryan, of the World Health Organization

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n December 2019, WHO was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan City, China. A novel coronavirus was identified as the cause by Chinese authorities on 7th January 2020 and was temporarily named “2019-nCoV”. Ever since, the world has never been the same.

Going by startling statistics available on WHO news dashboard confirmed global cases stand at more than 18.8m with confirmed deaths at over 4.05m while the vaccine doses have so far been administered on about 3.5bn people worldwide.

But just when those of us still lucky to be alive were about celebrating victory against the excruciating pandemic, the news is that of the emergence of the Delta variant. It has come from India via the mutant of the earlier version of the coronavirus, cutting short our dancing steps. For now, it is jolting us to a clarion call to brace up for a more dehumanizing and asphyxiating variant.

The doubting Thomases should consider these screaming headlines: “Most of UK Revises COVID-19 Travel Lists Amid Rising Case Fears”. “Pop Star, Olivia Rodrigo Pushes Biden’s Youth Vaccination Drive.” “Nigeria Records COVID-19 Spike with 161 New Cases”.

In fact, WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, stated in a recent speech on the health body’s website that: “Delta and other

highly transmissible variants are driving catastrophic waves of case, which are translating into high numbers of hospitalisations and death”. He went further to caution the world against the false hope of vaccines as being a quick fix to the virus. He therefore, wants world leaders to put in collaborative efforts to stop the spread of the new variant around the globe.

What are the symptoms of the Delta variant? That is the all- important question. According to WHO the symptoms are quite similar to those seen with the original coronavirus strain and other variants, including a persistent cough, headache, fever, and sore throat.

Yet, it has now spread across 104 countries! Though by June 1, it had spread to 62 countries, some two weeks later, it had been found in 80 countries and by July 4, the number had risen to 104.

Kazakhstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Namibia, Oman and Sierra Leone are the latest countries to confirm the presence of the Delta variant. Sad to say that Nigeria has since joined the fray!

Recent media reports stated that Oyo COVID-19 Task Force urges vigilance as it had uncovered the virulent Delta variant of coronavirus in the state. The State Incident Manager and coordinator of the Emergency Operations Centre, Dr. Olabode Ladipo, has confirmed this development On his part, Governor Sanwo-Olu has ordered religious gatherings and event centres to cut down to 50% capacity. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Nigeria is increasing rapidly following daily report by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital accounted for the highest number of cases in the country. Health officials are already raising concern over shortage of oxygen to patients suffering from

acute respiratory illnesses.

Explaining the trajectory of the COVID-19 incidents, Sanwo-Olu stated that: “From the beginning of July, we started to experience a steep increase in the number of daily confirmed cases, with the test positivity rate going from 1.1 per cent at the end of June 2021 to its current rate of 6.6 per cent as of July 8, 2021. The rapid increase within a week gives great cause for concern”. He has therefore, called for greater vigilance ahead of the gatherings in mosques ahead of the Sallah celebration.

Though the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Chris Bode of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) has debunked viral reports on social media that Block B Wards have been reopened for COVID-19 and the wards are full of patients there must be preparation ahead of eventualities. The shock on individuals, communities, countries, continents as well as public and private institutions has become the trigger for salient questions all begging for urgent answers.

The public should be sensitized on what really the Delta variant of COVID-19 is. Where did it emerge from? What are the symptoms and what efforts are being made to curtail its spread, globally?

Significant too is that we have to know, as concerned citizens in specific terms what our dear country Nigeria and its NCDC are doing to clip the virus’ wings?

This time around there must be mass public enlightenment on what it all entails, through all arms of the media. NCDC must be transparent in all its dealings with the victims. And the governors should not wait for any mass protest as it was with the #ENDSARS to distribute palliatives to the helpless citizens. It should borrow a fresh leaf from the Paul Kegame-led Rwanda.

Ayo Oyoze Baje, Lagos

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 19, 2021

Group Politics Editor NSEOBONG OKON-EKONG

POLITICS

Email: nseobong.okonekong@thisdaylive.com 08114495324 SMS ONLY

M O N D AY D I S C O U R S E

Federal Lawmakers are Divided Between a Long Knife and a Short Sword Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that disagreement on electromic transmission of election results appear to be the only clause that has caused a sharp division among federal lawmakers along partisan lines and increased hostility over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021

Buhari

Lawan

Gbajabiamila

Abaribe

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n a clear hint at the direction of the 2023 national elections, different organs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly its legislators in the National Assembly began a serious nationwide campaign to mobilise Nigerians against the attempt by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to have least guiding conduct of elections fashioned to achieve certain predetermined goals.

Legislators from the main opposition PDP leaked what was described as surreptitious moves to include clauses outside what they claimed was discussed and approved by committees. In the Senate, the Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chaired by Senator Kabiru Gayahad a difficult time trying to explain a ‘stranger clause which sought to whittle down the powers of the electoral umpire. Since the matter had not yet been brought to the floor, Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan was quoted as dismissing the stringent calls from civil society groups, the opposition and other influential groups and individuals as rabble rousing.

But he had underestimated the power of the people. The APC legislators lost

the case in the court of public opinion and missed the chance to explain and win understanding for its stance. The prevailing public perception which weighed heavily against the APC was captured by THISDAY Newspapers in its lead Front

Page story, ‘Afraid of Defeat in 2023, APC Senators Weaken e-Transmission of Election Results’. According to the Newspaper, Senate spokesman, Senator Ajibola Basiru, the lawmakers supported electronic transmission of election results,

It is just sad because all that we are observing and witnessing is law makers substituting public interest for their private and self-serving interests and it is unfortunate for our democracy and I hope that as a people we will continue to hold our legislators to account for some of their actions that are at variance with the will of the people . It is clear from this whole debacle that some legislators are not interested in free and credible elections and because electronic transmission of results will deepen the integrity of our elections look at the shameless proposal passed by the Senate which is unconstitutional and to some extent null and void; although the House of Representatives took a different position and retained the proposal by the Committee but this whole controversy is needless

but provided the network is adequate as adjudged by NCC, subjected to approval of the National Assembly. He added that all over the world, there is no where there is total network coverage Attacks on electromic transmission of election results appear to be the only clause sharply divided the federal lawmakers along partisan lines and increased hostility among them. The Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2021, contains 154 clauses. Only Clause 52(3) of the bill, that provides for electronic transmission of election results appears to be in contention.

But Mr. Solomon Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, a leading election monitoring group thinks there are other consequential amendments in the electoral Bill that bother on electronic transmission of election results. He said, “You have some sections that needs to be amended. It is not enough that you amend Section 52 (2,3) without amending those sections because even if you retain this section as proposed by the committee you have got to change some sections that deal with collation of results and things like prescribed forms. Those are issues that will come up. It is clear that the 2023 elections is going to be a

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MONDAY DISCOURSE

Itodo

Nwankwo

Ajulo

Yakubu

war between Nigerians and the political class that want to seize political power at all costs and they don’t care whether the election is a reflection of the will of the people. All they care about is whatever will give them power. And they are willing to lay down their lives to ensure that they get the power.”

A high ranking member of the APC and an aspirant for the party’s governorship ticket in Anambra State who is also the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu maintained that perception may not always be the reality.

He reaffirmed believe in the promise of President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to refrain from anything that will frustrate the process of a credible election.

Mr. Clement Nwankwo, Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) stated that, “there is a lot of disappointment among election stakeholders and Nigerians generally, that the National Assembly failed to use the opportunity of the new Electoral Bill, to give to the country, an improved electoral legal framework. The Senate Bill that subjects the use of electronic transmission of election results to NCC and NASS approval, is not only retrogressive but also unconstitutional and unacceptable. Manual transmission of election results is at the root of electoral fraud and violence in Nigeria and the Senate ought to have risen to the occasion and made an Electoral law that serves the country and elevates our elections to a respectable level.”

Does INEC have the capacity to cope with electronic transmission of election results? Responding to various enquiries from the media, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye said, “INEC has the capacity to transmit election results from the polling units to the Registration Area Collation Centres to the Local Government Collation Centres, the various state, federal and senatorial district collation centres, and the state and national collation centres.

“The Joint Technical Committee constituted by the commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission and made of telecommunication operators met on March 9, 2018, and the consensus was that the requirements for the electronic transfer of results proposed by INEC is practicable. The meeting, therefore, agreed that the solution that INEC wants to deploy is possible. Presently, all the registered political parties upload the list and personal particulars of their nominated candidates electronically.”

Making an important observation Moghalu said that while satisfying the requirements of other processes electronically can be continued elsewhere, in the event of network failure, this may not be possible in the case of voting where polling units and wards are clearly delineated. He explained, “I can leave my community in Nnewi, for instance, to continue a failed financial transaction on another electronic platform in another community, but that can’t be

done in the case of voting or transmission of election results. Somebody will go to court and upturn the whole thing because elections are supposed to hold and be concluded within a particular geographical location.”

The ambivalence of the Senate leadership regarding the call for the Electoral Act to provide for e-transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is lampoonable when juxtaposed with the fact that just about every other parastatal of state and agency of government as well as trade unions are able to employ technology in the conduct of their elections and other briefs, from JAMB to NLC, from NECO to NBA, from TUC to NMA, argued Mr. Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr, Convener, CountryFirst Movement, He posited that the call for e-transmission of results is a movement demanding prompt compilation and computation of election results, for more credible elections and ease in the entire electoral process, therefore the seeming objection to it by the leadership of the Senate and indeed the ruling party is worrisome. Nwaokobia concluded, “I humbly implore the prevalence of reason as we seek a new regime of credible and transparent elections through the deployment of technology ditto the etransmission of election results come the 20202geGeneraelection as such is the way to go.”

However, Mr. Kayode Ajulo, a popular Abuka-based lawyer reasons that the debacle at the National Assembly over electronic transmission of election results is all about barefaced partisanship.

“It’s all politics, interest is beclouding our sense of reasoning,” he affirmed.

“Maintainimg his stance, Ajulo continued, “It’s now either North Vs South or APC vs PDP. This’s now the national currency. Believe me on this, had it been that APC pressed for e-voting, I’m sure PDP will insist on manual voting; vice versa. There’re some things that should go beyond interest, but based on principle and for the good of the nation. That’s the antecedents since the advent of this

administration. Check it out can’t you see one instance where PDP overlooked party line to aligned with APC. None.

Even on issues of security that affect us all, both parties love singing discordant tunes. It’s worrisome and tragic.”

The media was awash last week with information on how the senators voted on the Bill. Already, there are many calls shaming the federal lawmakers in the upper legislative chamber who voted against electronic transmission of election results. To some members of the civil society groups, this is one of the ways to hold the lawmakers accountable and impress on them the need to act according to the will of the people.

Itodo agrees that the debacle was unfruitful and retrogressive. He described it as “not just horrifying but disappointing that at a time when we have got an opportunity to deepen the integrity of our elections using technology, some law makers are trying as much as possible to shy away from taking responsibility to pass progressive legislations that will protect our democracy. It is just sad because all that we are observing and witnessing is law makers substituting public interest for their private and selfserving interests and it is unfortunate for our democracy and I hope that as a people we will continue to hold our legislators to account for some of their actions that are at variance with the will of the people . It is clear from this whole debacle that some legislators are not interested in free and credible elections and because electronic transmission of results will deepen the integrity of our elections look at the shameless proposal passed by the Senate which is unconstitutional and to some extent null and void; although the House of Representatives took a different position and retained the proposal by the Committee but this whole controversy is needless. The excuses being made about coverage and vulnerability of these machines or platforms clear shows that to a large extent a cross section of legislators don’t understand how electronic transmission works. In any case, the structure of our result collation process

is different. When you hear electronic transmission of results, it’s not like there is a centralised point where all results actually come to. Already, the law creates different stages of collation of results.

First, if you look at our elections, for instance, constituency elections results are declared at the constituency level where you have a state constituency comprising, you have local governments that have two state constituencies the results are declared at the aggregate ward level for legislative elections Senate or even House of Representatives results are declared at the constituency level. Some are declared at the local government level. This discentralised process will even make the work very challenging for any fo of manipulation because electronic transmission of results is to complement the manual transmission of results.

When I hear people talk about hacking results, the manual process us already hacked because from the polling process politicians compel and compromise the electoral officials to alter figures. But this particular process will help to deepen the integrity of our democracy and I think arguments about coverage isn’t accurate because if you check the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been deploying electronic transmission of results. They did it for Edo and Ondo. From 2011, INEC started exploiting electronic transmission of results. How come they are able to transmit results from over 90 percent of polling stations, whereas the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), I would say, sought to mislead. There is just a concensus on the part of the ruling political class to stop any form of technology that will sanitise and deepen the electoral process.

It is just sad that after Nigerians, whom they claim to represent demanded for electronic transmission of results, it ends up with amendments that seem to be at variance with the will of the people. We have a huge challenge before us. Both Chambers of the National Assembly will have to harmonise their position.

We urge them to maintain the proposal by the committee which is to the effect voting and transmission of results shall be by a procedure determined by INEC.” According to Nwankwo, “INEC has gone way ahead of the Electoral Bill that the Senate proposes. At this stage, we are hoping that given the progress that INEC has made with the use of technology in our elections, that the least the Harmonization Committee on the Bill will do will be to accept the House version of the Bill that gives INEC the discretion to determine the method of conducting elections. That way, given that INEC has made so much advancement in its use of technology throughout the country, it can continue in that direction without the draw back that the Senate version of the Bill could portend for our elections.”

The last has certainly not been heard about the controversial Clause 52. The days ahead promises more interesting revelations. When the two Chambers of the National Assembly finally harmonise their position, the ball would have been passed to President Buhari’s court.

It is not enough that you amend Section 52 (2,3) without amending those sections because even if you retain this section as proposed by the committee you have got to change some sections that deal with collation of results and things like prescribed forms. Those are issues that will come up. It is clear that the 2023 elections is going to be a war between Nigerians and the political class that want to seize political power at all costs and they don’t care whether the election is a reflection of the will of the people. All they care about is whatever will give them power. And they are willing to lay down their lives to ensure that they get the power

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T H I S D AY ˾ MONDAY JULY 12, 2021

POLITICS

How the Partisans Crippled the Electoral Act, PIB Udora Orizu writes that the consideration of Electoral Act and Petroleum Industry Bill reports at the Senate and House of Representatives were characterized by partisan, ethnic sentiments and altercations among the lawmakers

Wase

Elumelu

Gaya

Akpan

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Lawan (APC/Tobe), to rule in favour of Senator Sabi’s clamour was rejected by the Minority Leader, Senator Abaribe and some Senators who rose from their seats despite repeated calls by the leadership of the Senate for calm.

Flowing from this, and to douse tension, the Senate President called for a executive session.

Soon after the closed door session that lasted for about 40 minutes, the Senate Minority Leader, insisted on Order 73, which called for division of the upper chamber to enable single voting on the issue by individual Senators on whether the Senate would adopt either of the amendments

by Senator Bassey or Senator Sabi.

Following Senator Abaribe’s call for division, Ali Ndume (APC Borno South) called for caution, warning that lawmakers must be wary of anything that would affect cohesion in the Red Chamber.

Opposing Senator Bassey’s amendment, Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu cautioned Abaribe over demands for electronic transmission of election results.

He claimed that the South East state had neither stable electricity or sufficient telecommunication coverage to guarantee efficient transmission of results.

Others who voted against Bassey’ move argued that Nigeria was not ripe for electronic voting and transmission of result.

Though the Leader of the Senate, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (APC Kebbi North) and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele ( APC Ekiti Central), separately made spirited efforts to make Abaribe withdraw his motion on division but Abaribe stood his ground for the division and physical counting of votes .

Before the physical voting done by calling the Senators one after the other per state, the President of the Senate explained to them that those in favour of amendment made by Senator Sabi Abdullahi should say No, while those for the counter amendment made by Senator Albert Bassey should say yes .

After the explanation, the Clerk of the Senate, Ibrahim El-Ladan presided over the election by calling the Senators one after the other on the basis of state by state.

At the end of the physical voting which lasted

for about 40 minutes, a total of 80 Senators voted, out of which 52 voted for the amendment made

by Senator Sabi Abdullahi and 28 voted for original provision of the clause.

As announced by the Clerk, 28 Senators were absent during the division and voting session .

While all the 52 Senators who voted for the amendment belonged to the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC) , 26 out of the 28 Senators who voted against the amendment belonged to the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), indicating party line of voting.

All the three Senators from Anambra and Ogun States, were not at the start of the physical voting, the same way two out of the three Senators from Oyo State left the chamber before the commencement of voting.

On the basis of Yes and No voting for the original provision of the clause those who voted No were Senators Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), Ishaku Elisha (Adamawa North), Dahiru Aishatu Binani (Adamawa Central), Jika Daudu Haliru (Bauchi Central), Bukachuwa Adamu Muhammad (Bauchi North) and Degi Eremienyo (Bayelsa East).

Others were Senators Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), Shettima Kashim (Borno Central), Ali Ndume (Borno South), Stephen Odey (Cross River North), Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta Central), Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North), Francis Alimikhena (Edo North) and Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central).

Also voted No were Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Amos Bulus (Gombe South), Alkali Saidu (Gombe North), Frank Ibezim (Imo North), Hadeija Hassan Ibrahim (Jigawa North East ), Abdul - Kwari Suleiman (Kaduna North ), Uba Sani ( Kaduna Central), Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) , Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North ), Mundiya Bello (Katsina South) and Abdullahi Barkiya ( Katsina Central).

Others are Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), Abdullahi Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) , Oseni Yakubu (Kogi Central), Smart Adeyemi (Kogi West ), Isah Jibrin (Kogi East ), Lola Ashiru (Kwara South), Yahaya Oloriegbe (Kwara Central), Remi Tinubu (Lagos Central) and Olamilekan Adeola ( Lagos West), Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa

West), Tanko Al -Makura ( Nasarawa North) , Akwashiki Godiya (Nasarawa South), Mohammed Sani (Niger East), Abdullahi Aliyu Sabi (Niger North), Bima Enagi (Niger South), Robert Boroffice (Ondo North) Basiru Ajibola (Osun Central), Adelere Oriolowo (Osun West ), Dimka Ayuba( Plateau Central ), Ibrahim Gobir ( Sokoto East ), Yusuf Yusuf (Taraba Central), Isa Shuaibu Lau (Taraba North), Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed (Yobe South), Sahabi Ya’u ( Zamfara North ) and Lawali Hassan Anka (Zamfara West).

ast week, the leadership of the Ninth National Assembly contrary to their promise to Nigerians as listed in their legislative agendas, failed to live up to that promise as they allowed political party and ethnic interests muddle their judgement in the passage of two key legislations, the Electoral Act and the Petroleum Industry Bill.

The passage of the two landmark bills which would have transformed the electoral process and oil and gas industry of the nation were muddled in party politics and ethnic bias rather than the desire of the citizens whom they represent.

At the plenary, lawmakers in both chambers became charged as they debated the reports of the legislations especially the clause that provided for electronic transmission of election results in electoral act and the 3 percent granted as equity fund for host communities in PIB. The outcome of that debate (electoral act) was a clear indication that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate and the House of Representatives, support future elections being delegitimized.

Electoral Act Debate at Both Chambers Clause 52(2) of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 tore Senators and House of Representatives members across party lines apart in the course of considering the clauses of the entire report.

The contentious clause saw the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Senators and Reps members rejecting the calls for electronic transmission of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members voted for electronic transmission of poll results.

Presenting the report of the committee, at the Senate plenary, Chairman of INEC Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaya said their mandate was to holistically address all issues affecting the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe (PDP Abia), during the clause by clause consideration of the report, had called for a division of plenary to enable Senators vote on Clause 52.

Abaribe’s move was sequel to calls for amendment of the section by Senators Abdullahi Sabi (APC, Niger North) and Albert Bassey (PDP Akwa Ibom North East).

Senator Sabi had sought an amendment to Section 52 (3) which read inter alia “The Commission may transmit results by electronic means where and when practicable.”

The Senator had prayed the Upper Chamber to amend the section to read, “that the Commission may consider electronic transmission of election results provided the network coverage in the area concerned is adjudged to be conducive for transmission of results, by the National Communication Commission (NCC).”

Senator Bassey, on the other hand, had sought an amendment to reflect that INEC may allow for Electronic Transmission of results where and when practicable.

Attempt by the Senate President, Ahmad

Lawmakers in both chambers became charged as they debated the reports of the legislations especially the clause that provided for electronic transmission of election results in electoral act and the 3 percent granted as equity fund for host communities in PIB. The outcome of that debate (electoral act) was a clear indication that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate and the House of Representatives, support future elections being delegitimized

Those who voted Yes were Senators Adenugba Fadahunsi, Clifford Ordia Matthew Urhoghide, Kola Balogun ,Gyang Istifanus, George Sekibo, Biodun Olujimi, Mpigi Barinada, Betty Apiafi, Abdullahi Danbaba and Philip Aduda.

Others are Chukwuka Utazi, Abdullahi Ibrahim Danbaba , Francis Onyewuchi , Danjuma La’ah, Patrick Akinyelure, Enyinnaya Abaribe.

In his remarks after election, the Senate President explained that the 28 absentees were on official oversight functions in national interest.

He said: “We have gone through probably the most rigorous process we ever had. We had at a point had to go through a division, but that is democracy. No hard feelings and I’m sure that Nigerians will appreciate the debt of concern by all of us here. Those who voted for amendments and those who voted against, each one of us did so out of conviction for what we believe will be better for this country. In this case the Electoral Amendment Bill has now been passed by the Senate and we expect that the House of Representatives, our counterparts will do the same.”

At the House, Lawmakers Engage in Verbal and Physical Blows As expected, the clause-by-clause consideration of the Electoral Act amendment Bill in the House of Representatives led to the physical combat among lawmakers. Following the heated argument that ensued among the lawmakers, the plenary activities were halted for about four times.

It was during the stormy session that lawmakers threw caution to the wind and engaged in physical combat. especially between Hon. Ifeanyi Momah (APGA/Anambra) and Hon. Shehu Koko; Yusuf Gagdi (APC/Plateau) and Hon.Mark Gbillah (PDP/ Benue).

The clause-by-clause consideration was almost enjoying smooth sailing in the House until they got to Section 52(2) of the proposed legislation which gives discretion to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adopt electronic voting or any other method of voting in any election it conducts as it may deem fit.

To amend the section, Hon. Shehu Koko (APC/ Kebbi) moved a motion that under Section 52(2), accreditation and voting should be done electronically, while collation and violation should be done manually, but lawmakers shouted No! to the motion.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

22

FEATURES

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

Concerns over Ijora-Apapa Bridge Lately, experts have expressing concerns over the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty trucks on the Ijora-Apapa bridge, saying it risks collapse if nothing is done urgently by the government, Davidson Iriekpen writes

A

ll over the world, bridges are built or constructed over roads, railroads or rivers to facilitate movement of people and vehicles from one side to the other. This was exactly why the Ijora-Apapa bridges and flyovers were constructed by the federal government - to facilitate vehicular movement into and out of the ports. But today, these bridges and flyovers have turned parks for heavy-duty trucks and tankers carrying dry and wet cargoes in and out of Apapa on a daily basis.

Experts have estimated that over 5,000 container-laden trucks, petroleum tankers and other articulated trucks move on the bridge every day. They noted for instance that the total weight of 25 stationary trucks on a bridge could be around 450,000 kilogrammes.

For this reason, they have been expressing fears and calling on the government not to allow these heavy-duty vehicles to park on the bridge anymore.

In the last eight years, these container-laden trucks, petroleum tankers and other articulated trucks are seen parking and awaiting for their slots to enter Apapa to either convey or discharge goods at the ports. Sometimes, some of the trucks spend as much as four days on the bridge without challenge from the authorities.

Due to the total collapse of the OshodiApapa Expressway, especially from the Mile 2 axis so much pressure has been put on the Apapa-Ijora bridge. This is why observers have described the neglect of the all-important bridge which is a major gateway to the nation’s major seaports and second largest revenue earner for the government as baffling.

Lately, at the risk of sounding alarmists or prophet of doom, these experts renewed their call on the government to permanently stop these heavy-duty vehicles from parking on the bridge.

Another problem they pointed out on the bridge is the number of craters and potholes on it. They, therefore, called for the total resurfacing of the entire bridge with asphalt.

For instance, an engineer, Philip Edegbai, said the Apapa bridges are at risk of collapse because of the weight of parked heavy-duty trucks on them. He added that the bridges are under great stress from immobile articulated vehicles, a situation worsened by recurring gridlocks and the deplorable state of roads leading to ports and tank farms.

Taking time to break it down, Edegbai said: “An empty 20-feet container weighs 2,000 kilogrammes. A 40-feet container doubles the kilogrammes. With an average truck weighing about 14,000 kilogrammes, the total weight of 25 stationary trucks on a bridge for instance, could be around 450,000 kilogrammes. This is besides the weight of other vehicles. The implication is that the bridges in Apapa could be carrying several million kilogrammes of weight daily.”

Also, a consistent campaigner for the rehabilitation of the bridge, Afolabi Adedeji, called for urgent federal government attention if a disaster of monumental dimension is to be averted. Adedeji, managing director of Ethical Business and Management Associates, warned that the continued delay in attending to the dilapidating bridge has made it a disaster in the waiting. According to him, the bridge is one that requires regular checks and maintenance because of pressure coming from the volume of traffic it carries. He warned that Lagos, having evolved from capital city to economic nerve centre of West Africa, the economy of Nigeria would be at risk “if the bridge was allowed to get to a point of failure. If this happens in the morning, the casualty figures will be unimaginable,” Adedeji warned, adding that it was time the Federal Ministry of Works urgently stepped in.

A structural engineer and former President of the Nigerian Institution of Structural Engineers (NIStructE), Victor Oyenuga, said: “It is not right for trucks and tankers

Apapa gridlock

Articulated vehicles on Ijora Bridge

to park on bridges because the bridges were not designed as parks for them.

When these vehicles are stationary on the bridges for a long time, they have negative impacts. These include deterioration, bridgefatigue, damage or even collapse.

“There is also the risk of fire outbreak.

If any of the articulated vehicles catches fire, there would be a chain reaction, which can cause severe damage to the bridge. We are sitting on a keg of gunpowder because the bridges are weakening by the day, as tankers, trucks and articulated vehicles park on them due to traffic congestion. The load on these bridges, not originally designed to host heavy static vehicles, and a lack of consistent and thorough maintenance could spell tragedy”.

The past president of NIStructE who noted

PHOTO: Google

that bridges are designed for movement of goods and services said, “So, as structural engineers, we condemn this indiscriminate parking of trucks and tankers on bridges. It is not advisable, and we urge the government to address the issue. Something should be done to stop it very fast because of the negative effect on the infrastructure and possible disaster in the event of a collapse”.

Also commenting on the situation, past president of NIStructE, Dr. Samuel Ilugbekhai, said the state of the bridges is one of gross structural abuse, stressing that they were not designed to bear enormous weight from static trailers and tankers, and warned that their life spans could be shortened. Urging government to put more effort into solving the problem, he noted the difference between buildings that house car parks and bridges.

I have travelled round the world, nowhere have I ever seen thousands of container-laden trucks, petroleum tankers and other articulated trucks parking at the same time on a bridge and they are unchallenged except in Nigeria. This is not only lawlessness taken too far, it is equally very dangerous. When the bridge comes down, Nigerians will begin to apportion blame as they usually do

While multi-storey parks are designed for the specific purpose, bridges are intended to carry transitional loads within seconds.

“They are not designed to retain loads for one hour, two hours, days or weeks,” Ilugbekhai said.

Last Sunday, during a courtesy visit to the Lagos office of the News Agency of Nigeria, the Society of Energy Administrators (SEA) raised the alarm over threat of collapse of several Lagos bridges due to the weight of articulated vehicles parking indiscriminately on them. SEA executives, led by its President, Dr Yekeen Adeboye, said several bridges risk collapse due to long time menace of indiscriminate parking.

He also lamented that most of the bridges had been burnt by fire on several occasions causing the government to invest so much in repairs with the threats still existing.

“Any of the bridges could collapse at any moment. We are always relying on God, what are we doing about it?’’ he said.

He also called for community and border security to ensure safety in Lagos State and its infrastructure were well policed to guide against encroachment, vandalism and destruction.

“Under the bridges are not supposed to be inhabited by anyone, living in a place where you are not supposed to be is a crime,“ he said.

The SEA members called for fortification of the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA’s) Electronic Call up System to tackle the menace while appealing to the federal government to give incentives to the private sector to construct truck parks. The members took turns to proffer other solutions which included reintroduction of night movement for articulated vehicles in Lagos and other parts of the country to reduce daytime pressure on highways.

A Lebanese businessman in Apapa who begged not to have his name in print, exploded as he wondered why the government would allow heavy-duty trucks to be parking on the bridge everyday, every night and every month. He added that besides parking, the entire stretch of the bridge needs to be resurfaced with asphalt for easy drive.

“I have travelled round the world, nowhere have I ever seen thousands of containerladen trucks, petroleum tankers and other articulated trucks parking at the same time on a bridge and they are unchallenged except in Nigeria. This is not only lawlessness taken too far, it is equally very dangerous. When the bridge comes down, Nigerians will begin to apportion blame as they usually do.”

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T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

FEATURES

Advancing Gender Equality Globally As part of the Generation Equality Forum convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $2.1 billion over the next five years to advance women’s economic empowerment, strengthen women and girls’ health and family planning, and accelerate women’s leadership, Chiemelie Ezeobi reports

Melinda Gates

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lobally, women have been subject to significantly fewer opportunities in education, employment, and political representation. But despite the marginalisation, they have continued to make incredible progress in different facets of life.

Most times, women have been told that womanhood equates weakness and incompetence, thus they do not deserve a seat at the table in any area of life. These days, those stereotypes have been trampled upon as women have continuously broken the glass ceiling. They have shown truth, resilience and determination in challenging the status quo.

However, much still needs to be done to further unlock this transformative potential.

This is because giving women and girls the opportunity to succeed is not only the right thing to do - it can also transform societies and economies. This has been backed by research that if there is gender equality, societies would develop further.

Essentially, reducing inequality strengthens economies and builds stable, resilient societies that give all individuals – including boys and men – the opportunity to fulfil their potentials.

Causes of Gender Inequality The causes of gender inequality have been identified by humanrightscareer.com, as uneven access to education as around the world, women still have less access to education than men; lack of employment equality as only six countries in the world give women the same legal work rights as men; job segregation as one of the causes for gender inequality within employment is the division of jobs; lack of legal protections as according to research from the World Bank, over one billion women don’t have legal protection against domestic sexual violence or domestic economic violence or harassment in the workplace, at school, and in public.

Another cause is lack of bodily autonomy where many women around the world do not have authority over their own bodies or when they become parents as accessing birth control is frequently very difficult; poor medical care which states that in addition to limited access to contraception, women overall receive lower-quality medical care than men; lack of religious freedom because when religious freedom is attacked, women suffer the most; and lack of political representation given that of all national parliaments, despite progress in this area over the years, women are still grossly underrepresented in government and the political process.

It also includes racism given that it would

Bill Gates be impossible to talk about gender inequality without talking about racism as it affects what jobs women of color are able to get and how much they’re paid, as well as how they are viewed by legal and healthcare systems; and societal mindsets as beliefs about gender run deep and even though progress can be made through laws and structural changes.

Generation Equality Forum It was to bridge these gaps that the Generation Equality Forum was born. Typically, what the Generation Equality Forum will do is to advance women’s economic empowerment, strengthen health and family planning, and accelerate women in leadership as women suffer disproportionately from the pandemic Thus, on June 30, 2021, as part of the Generation Equality Forum convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a commitment of $2.1 billion over the next five years to advance women’s economic empowerment, strengthen women and girls’ health and family planning, and accelerate women’s leadership.

The forum took place in Paris from June 30 to July 2, 2021, thus bringing together governments, the private sector, and civil society partners to commit to specific actions and announce financial, political, and programmatic commitments that will accelerate gender equality and advance women’s rights.

According to the foundation, not since the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, when 47,000 participants and activists traveled to Beijing, has the world come together to take ambitious action that will have a transformational impact for women and girls.

“The world has been fighting for gender equality for decades, but progress has been slow. Now is the chance to reignite a movement and deliver real change. The beauty of our fight for gender equality is that every human being will gain from it. We must seize this moment to build a better, more equal future," said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation.

The foundation noted that the forum took place at a critical inflection point, adding that "while we have seen progress over the past quarter century, nowhere on Earth are women on equal footing with men. Waves of opposition to women’s rights have emerged, and structural barriers to gender equality and women’s health still exist".

Commitment Essentially, the foundation’s $2.1 billion commitment over the next five years will advance

activity in three areas: economic empowerment, health and family planning, and accelerating women in leadership. The funding includes economic empowerment to the tune of $650 million over five years, which will witness an expansion of the foundation’s existing work on women’s economic empowerment, this funding will support women’s empowerment collectives, strengthen the care economy, improve women’s financial inclusion, and reduce barriers to paid work.

Secondly, the funding covers Family Planning and Health to the tune of $1.4 billion over five years, which reaffirms and expands the foundation’s commitment to family planning and women’s health, with a focus on increasing options and access to contraceptives and support for a network of family planning partners, including UNFPA Supplies Partnership, Family Planning 2030, the Global Financing Facility, and the new Shaping Equitable Market Access for Reproductive Health initiative.

Thirdly, the funding will accelerate Women in Leadership to the tune of $100 million over five years / $230 million over 10 years. According to the foundation, this is an all-new funding commitment to accelerate women’s inclusion in leadership roles, primarily in health, law, and economics. It includes a contribution to a new fund by Co-Impact that aims to dismantle systemic barriers to gender equality and women and girls’ leadership around the world.

Prioritising Gender Equality “Gender equality must be at the center of the world’s efforts to make progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation.

“Prioritising gender equality is not only the right thing to do, it is essential to fighting poverty and preventable disease. The Generation Equality Forum is an opportunity to hold leaders accountable so that we can ensure that all people, everywhere, have the opportunity to live healthy, productive lives".

Concerns over Pandemic-driven Inequality Although gender inequality has been an issue over the decades, it got worse at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequent lockdown.

Corroborating, Gates Foundation released new data that show pandemic-driven inequality is growing at an alarming pace, driven by disruptions to women’s health services, job losses in sectors where women are overrepresented, and a sharp increase in caregiving needs and other unpaid work. “Ripple effects of the pandemic have conspired to rob women and girls of opportunity," said French Gates.

Quoting the International Labour Organisa-

tion, they posited that "unemployment for women rose by 9 million in 2020 compared to 2019 and is projected to increase another 2 million in 2021. This pattern is not true for men, who are projected to see unemployment decrease in 2021.

Total global female employment in 2021 is expected to remain 13 million below its 2019 level. By contrast, total male employment is expected to return to close to its 2019 level, exacerbating existing inequalities in the workforce."

Also quoting new data by Eurasia Group, they highlighted that gender-equal policies can fuel the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic by providing access to childcare for women around the world who currently lack it could deliver up to $3 trillion of additional GDP each year by enabling them to participate in the labor force; instituting cash transfer programs globally could lift up to 100 million women out of absolute poverty, which is defined as living on less than $2 per day.

“Women and girls already faced unique barriers to their full participation in social and economic life, and the latest data show that the pandemic has only sharpened gender disparities,” said Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation. “Each data point represents a woman fighting for a better future, and this funding reflects our longstanding commitment to support all women in their fight for a fairer and more equal world.”

The Foundation Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.

Also, the foundation has been committed to family planning and women’s health since it began more than 20 years ago. For almost a decade, it has been supporting partners around the world to break down structural barriers that women and girls face and to advance women’s economic empowerment.

Gender equality is core to the foundation’s work, and the Gender Equality division is focused on accelerating progress toward a more gender-equal world.

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MONDAY JULY 19, 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

ͯ ʹ ˜ Ͱ ͮ Ͱ ͯ MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

REPO 4.75 4.50

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

S & P INDEX 4 6 10

INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

S & P INDEX 535. 53% 0.10% 0.48%

1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

EXCHANGE RATE 0.48% -20.10%

Ͳͯͮ˛ͱͶ˹˹ͯ ̩ ̩

Quick Takes Afreximbank, Others Honour Mahamadou

RUBBING MINDS

L-R: MD/CEO eTransact, NiyiToluwalope; MD/CEOWema Bank, Ademola Adebise; HeadVAS Banking Abimbola Reis, and Chief Digital OfficerWema Bank, Olusegun Adeniyi, during a meetingattheWemaBankTowersinLagos…recently

TheAfricanContinentalFreeTradeArea(AfCFTA)Secretariat,theAfrican Union (AU), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) have announced the unveiling of a statue in honour of former President of the Republic of Niger and African Union Champion of the AfCFTA, Issoufou Mahamadou, in Accra, Ghana. The statue was in commemoration of Mahamadou’s pivotal leadership and Pan-African vision in driving the realisation of the AfCFTA. A statement explained that his achievements in this respect included successfully leading the conclusion of the AfCFTA negotiations as AU Champion for AfCFTA; its entry into force; the launch of the operational phase of the AfCFTA; the 1st January 2021 start of trading under the AfCFTA; thus being pivotal in placing industrialisation, market liberalisation, economic diversification and economic integration at the centre of the African Union’s agenda.

Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, Wamkele Mene said: “His Excellency Issoufou Mahamadou went to great lengths to lead and oversee the establishment and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“This statue provides a lasting commemoration of his pivotal role both for today’s and for future generations of Africans. It represents a symbol for the collective effort and courage of African leaders in achieving that landmark.

“The AfCFTA provides Africa with immense opportunities for the industrialisation, diversification and economic development that will rapidly accelerate our continent to truly global competitiveness across multiple sectors.”

DPR: Without Alternative Energy, Petrol Airline Supports Nigeria Olympics Team Price Will Rise on Subsidy Removal Peter Uzoho

ENERGY

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has warned that the pump price of petrol in the country may rise up to as much as N1000 per litre when petrol subsidy regime comes to an end without an alternative energy source.

The DPR stated this just as some oil and gas experts have advocated for a measure from the government that will ensure that Nigeria gets commensurate value from its abundant oil and gas resources like its fellow oil producing nations.

The Director of DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, said this while responding to questions and comments

generated by a paper he delivered in Lagos, recently, at the Second Quarter, 2021 Business Dinner of Petroleum Club Lagos.

The topic of the paper was, “A Discussion on the Future of the Nigerian Petroleum Industry.”

The questions and comments came from a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mr. Funsho Kupolokun; political economist and Founder of Centre for Values in Leadership, Prof. Pat Utomi; Production Geologist at Shell Nigeria, Mr. Adedoyin Orekoya; and Chairman of AA Holdings, Mr. Austin

Avuru; amongst others.

Responding to the subsidy concerns and the disparity in the petrol consumption figures given by NNPC and the DPR, as raised by Orekoya, Auwalu, acknowledged that Nigeria was spending so much on petrol subsidy.

He said eliminating it would require making alternative fuel available to Nigerians and that failure to do that will plunge Nigerians into paying higher petrol prices when subsidy is removed.

He stated that Nigerians may be paying as high as N1, 000 to buy one litre of petrol in the country when subsidy on petrol is removed and when the

alternative energy or autogas gas policy becomes fully operational.

He, however, said the alternative fuel regime comes with initial cost as it will lead to spending $400 to convert one vehicles from running on petrol or diesel to running on either Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Auwalu maintained that converting eight million public vehicles currently present in Nigeria to gas-powered will cumulatively cost $3.2 billion to achieve.

He said: “So, to eliminate subsidy, they don’t call it subsidy anymore now, it’s under-recovery of purchase. So, to eliminate under-recovery, what you need is Continued on page 26

Trading Value Falls as Investors Adopt Cautious Trading Goddy Egene Both volume and value of trading at the stock market fell last week as investors continued with profittaking and cautious approach while waiting for the release of half year corporate results.

The volume of trading fell by 25 per cent from 1.348 billion shares worth N12.140 billion to 1.008 billion shares valued at N10.923 billion. Also the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited All-Share Index (ASI) declined by 0.12 per cent to close at 37,947.18, while market capitalisation shed N24.5 billion to be at N19.771 trillion.

After declining the previous week, the bearish sentiments persisted last week for the second consecutive week, as investors

ECONOMY booked profits on bellwether stocks. They were also cautious by investors as they await the release of Q2-21 earnings. However, while investors are eagerly waiting for the performance of companies, United Capital Plc on Wednesday announced its results for H1.

The investment banking firm defied the volatile financial markets to grow profit by 65 per cent, a development that raised investors’ hopes of seeing more improved results.

Specifically, United Capital Plc’s revenue rose to N6.853 billion, from N4.447 billion in the corresponding period of 2020.

Total expenses printed at N3.113 billion, compared with N2.179

billion in 2020. Profit before tax jumped by 65 per cent to N3.740 billion, up from N2.268 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) rose from N1.913 billion to N3.142 billion in 2021.

Analysts added that apart from waiting for H1 results, some investors adopted cautious trading because of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Bond auction scheduled for this week.

“We believe the outcome of the bond auction will shape market sentiments. As a result, we expect investors to trade cautiously while taking positions in stocks with attractive dividend yields ahead of H1-21 dividend declarations, which intermittent profit-taking activities would match.

“Notwithstanding, we advise

investors to take positions in only fundamentally justified stocks as the unimpressive macro story remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings,” analysts said.

A look at the turnover activity showed that the Financial Services Industry led the activity chart with 732.418 million shares valued at N7.213billion traded in 9,131 deals, thus contributing 72.6 per cent and 66.04 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively. The Conglomerates Industry followed with 52.931million shares worth N170.271million in 656 deals, while the third place was ICT Industry, with a turnover of 52.716million shares worth Continued on page 26

Ethiopian Airlines has wished Nigeria’s team in the Olympics taking place in Japan the best of luck. The airline’s Manager in Abuja Senait Ataklet, recently joined other dignitaries in Abuja to see off the Nigerian Team leaving for Japan; along with the Chairperson of the Nigerian Olympic Committee Ahmed Gumel and the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria.

The second batch of Nigerian Athletes departed on July 13th, for Japan aboard Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines is the airline of choice for Team Nigeria for theTokyo Olympics. Ethiopian Airlines is the only African airline that flies to Japan straight from Africa.

According to media reports, the Nigerian Team would be competing in many sports. The Nigerian Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare was quoted as saying “as of today, Nigeria has qualified 61 athletes across nine sports for the Olympics and 22 athletes in four sports for the Paralympic Games, which are: Athletics-22, Badminton-3, Basketball-24, Canoe sprint-1, Gymnastic-1, Rowing-1, Taekwondo-1, TableTennis-1, Wrestling-1 which sums up to 61 and for Paralympic Games we have; Para Athletics-5, Para Powerlifting-10, power rowing-1, Para Table Tennis-6 summing up to 22.”

Kunda Unveils New Books

Kunda Kids has added two new books to its collection.

One of such books is “Queen Moremi Makes a Promise”, a story written by Ayo Oyeku, inspired by Queen Moremi a legendary Yoruba queen and folk heroine in the Yorubaland region of present-day southwestern Nigeria.

The other book which was written by Sokhna Ndiaye is titled, “King Alboury Cooks the Best Jollof” inspired by King Alboury, the last king of the great Jolof Kingdom of Senegal, and which celebrates the popular African dish jollofricewhichoriginatedfromSenegal. Kudainastatementsaidonlytwo per cent of recently published children’s books in the UK feature a black main character. Kunda Kids, it added, believes in championing children’s access to books and educational content, “which is why it collaborates with a variety of international initiatives and partners to ensure that all children, especially those in remote or disadvantaged communities can have access to Kunda Kids content and materials.”

Co-founder,KundaKids,DeleOlafuyiinthestatementsaid:“Withthesenew additions,wearemakingacontinuousefforttowardsbridgingthediversity gap in children literature to help preserve African history and culture in the minds of kids in Africa and the diaspora. This is why we continue to partner with creative storytellers who can tell informative and engaging stories that make children feel represented and introduce them to new people and places that they can enjoy learning about.”

“The vision of our Heads of State and Governments in resolving to establish this Trade Promotion Organisations is to build a more robust and broader economic space for trade and investment”

Vice President,

Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

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BUSINESSWORLD DPR: WITHOUT ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, PETROL PRICE WILL RISE ON SUBSIDY REMOVAL alternative fuel. Without alternative, you will subject people to higher prices and that is why we go for price freedom.

“As at today, there are 22 million cars in Nigeria. Eight million are for public use. Imagine if you want to convert every car into gas, the average cost of conversion is $400. Converting eight million cars requires $3.2 billion. To do that, there are a lot of environmental investors which can invest and recover from the sale of gas and we are encouraging that.

“Once that is achieved, you will see that PMS can be sold at N1000. After all, the average distance covered by one gallon equivalent when you compare it with LNG or CNG with respect to energy for mobility, is 2.7 against one. One for PMS, 2.7 for LNG or CNG. “ So, with that advantage, you will see that it creates opportunity for this industry again. The issue of subsidy, volume will all vanish and that is what we are working towards.”

TRADING VALUE FALLS AS INVESTORS ADOPT CAUTIOUS TRADING

N1.806 billion in 701deals.

Trading in the top three equities namely Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc and Zenith Bank Plc by accounted for 261.741million shares worth N5.813 billion in 3,498 deals, contributing 25.9 per cent and 53.2 per cent to the total equity turnover volume and value respectively.

Meanwhile, 29 equities appreciated in price during the week, lower than 44 the previous week, while 32 equities depreciated in price higher than 22 equities the previous week. FTN Cocoa Processors Plc led the price gainers with 20.6 per cent, trailed by NCR (Nigeria ) Plc with 20.5 per cent.

Capital Hotel Plc and Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc garnered 10 per cent apiece among others.

Conversely, Ikeja Hotel Plc led the price losers with 18.8 per cent, trailed by Consolidated Hallmark Insurance Plc with 15.7 per cent.

Unity Bank Plc went down by 8.4 per cent.

NEWS

CBN, NSDC Mull Special Funding for Sugar Industry James Emejo in Abuja

Obinna Chima

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe

Eromosele Abiodun The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Zone A, Ikeja, has disclosed that it recorded total of 144 seizures with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of N3.3 billion in June 2021.

It said the seizures were smuggled into the country through unapproved routes by criminal minded persons who, according to him, are hell bent in sabotaging the nation’s economy.

Customs Area Controller,

The Director General of the World Trade Oranisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has declared that all is set for the thorny negotiation for an agreement on fishery subsidies, which had been delayed for 20 years.

Okonjo-Iweala made the declaration recently, during a media briefing to acquaint members of the public on the outcome of the virtual ministerial

semi processed woods.

He said 28 units of exotic cars valued at N258.61 million were also seized within the same period.

He wondered why someone would risk smuggling a car of over N50 million through the land borders, knowing full well that it would be seized.

According to him, “The period under review, recorded a total of 144 seizures with a Duty Paid Value of N3.3 billion. We also arrested 23 suspects in connection with the seizures.

“Out of the 23 suspects, 12 have

secured administrative bail, while 11 are still in our custody. Two of the suspects had attempted to smuggle in cannabis sativa also known as Indian hemp.

“From the foregoing, you will all agree that smugglers are undaunted in their nefarious activities to cripple the economy with the magnitude of the seizures showcased. With the series of seizures, one would have expected a reduction in their activities.

“Nevertheless, we have the capacity and capability to render

smugglers in this zone miserable.

Whatever is the driving force behind their activities, we will continue to make it unprofitable for them.”

He added, “We have also been having confrontation with smugglers especially in the volatile areas like Idiroko axis, where smuggling is considered a legitimate business. However, such confrontation will never deter our operatives from carrying out their statutory responsibility. Smugglers must desist from engaging in smuggling activities.”

conference of WTO’s member states on the text of the document that provided the platform for the long awaited negotiations on fisheries subsidies.

She said: “We got the political guidance and support to move forward on the basis of an agreed text. We got all of that today.

So, it has been a successful day.

“For 20 years, there has not even been an agreed text. So, for the first time we have had a text that the ministers have agreed

on. That is what we have got today. Therefore, what is new is that we are going to move into line by line negotiations on the text.

“We couldn’t have wished for a better outcome. Because it means that we can now move to the next steps.”

Okonjo-Iweala also said the ministers’ conference also showed determination to move away from the status quo towards, “a positive direction that would

yield a good, balanced and quality agreement.”

She also stated that there was no objection to granting special and preferential treatment to poorer countries with regard to artisanal fisheries.

“Every minister recognised the importance of differential treatment on fisheries for developing countries, especially the least developed countries. They (ministers) are supportive of special and differential treatment with

regard to artisanal fisheries.

There were of course caveats to make sure that this managed in a way that is sustainable.

“There is this emphasis on importance of technical and financial support for developing country members to develop their fisheries management expertise and capacity for the purposes of being able to implement the agreement. This will contribute to their ability to manage their fisheries sustainably,” the director

NECA Advocates PPP Framework for Infrastructure Devt.

The President of Nigeria Employers’ Consultation (NECA), Mr. Taiwo Adeniyi, has said the solution to the infrastructural challenges hurting competitiveness of businesses in the country is the development of sound Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework. Adeniyi made the

Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Usman Bello Yahaya, while giving a breakdown of the seizures said it included 14,789 bags of 59kg rice, 727 cartons of unregistered drugs, 2,784 cartons of frozen poultry products, 28 units of smuggled used vehicles, 116,000 litres of petrol (4649 jerricans) , 237 bales of second hand cloths, six sacks of secondhand clothing, 20 cartons of Tramadol, 885 prices of used tyres, 10,400 cartons of alcohol beverages, 84 different kinds of vehicles laden with 50kg bags of rice and 5×29 ft containers of

WTO Secures Consensus to Commence Negotiations on Fisheries Subsidies

Correspondents

Reporters

forum of sugar producing states because by the land use act, you know that all the land in the country resides in the governors “We need the collaboration of governors of all these sugar producing belts to come together and help us resolve the problem of land and community hostility.”

Customs Seizes Smuggled Goods worth N3.3bn in One Month

Dike Onwuamaeze

Chinedu Eze (Aviation) Eromosele Abiodun (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy)

hectares of land.

He said: “There is no way we won’t be consuming villages in our sugar belt and you know the implications of taking over peoples’ lands - the ancestral attachment that people have to the land.

“It is our intention to have a

CAPACITY BUILDING

Senior Correspondent

Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising)

use 23 per cent interest facility to produce. So, it requires special intervention to actually do.”

On land access, he point out that to achieve self-sufficiency in sugar and to produce 1.7 million metric tons which is the estimated domestic consumption, the country needed a minimum of 238,000

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is currently collaborating with the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) to provide special funding support to the sugar sector.

The aim is to fastrack the realisation of the national sugar development master plan.

This was disclosed by newly appointed Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Zacch Adedeji, during an interaction with journalists in Abuja.

He pointed out that issues of funding, land access and community hostility, ports congestion, human capital among others currently posed a threat to the realisation of the country’s target towards self-sufficiency in local sugar production. However, in a determined effort to resolve the land access problem, Adedeji said the council, working with other stakeholders, planned to organise a forum with state governors in the sugar producing belt adding that the state chief executives remained critical to a peaceful resolution of land related challenges.

In the area of funding, he said:”We’ve worked in the last few days with the CBN in making establishing the kind of funding structure that we want to put in place to resolve all these funding issues that we have.

“And they (CBN) are helping us and collaborating well to make sure ChairmanSenateCommitteeonBanking,InsuranceandOtherFinancialInstitutions,SenatorUbaSani(left)andManagingDirector,NDIC,BelloHassan, that all the funding requirements duringthe2021SenateRetreatheldinKaduna…recently

Dike Onwuamaeze

Group Business Editor

that we need is met through special intervention in CBN.” According to him, sugar production remained both technical and capital intensive with long gestation period.

He said: “The kind of funding that is required to actually develop the sugar estate is not what we

recommendation recently, during the 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NECA in Lagos, where he expressed hope that the Nigerian economy would end the year in a positive and higher growth trajectory.

He said: “As we have reiterated in many fora, a successful PPP structure is required to bridge the infrastructural gap that will

enhance the competitiveness of the nation in the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

Exploring alternative financial sources, such as the PPP framework, would be required to accomplish this.”

He enjoined government agencies entrusted with the successful Nigeria’s participation in AfCFTA to, “take this as an urgent national

assignment that demands extreme commitment and sacrifice. All efforts should be directed at strengthening domestic value chains, particularly the agro-allied industrial base.”

Adeniyi also urged the federal government to develop and implement more friendly investment driven policies, most especially in the manufacturing and telecommunication sectors, to enable the

economy achieve higher growth levels.

He said: “In the months ahead, we expect the positive economic trend to continue in the remaining quarters, but at higher rates. We believe that the economy should end the year in a positive and higher growth trajectory, if the areas identified are given adequate attention.

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‘Government Support, Effective Policies, Key to SMEs’ Growth’ A new research by Mastercard has highlighted the important role of government support in helping small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across the Middle East and Africa (MEA) to recover, position for growth, and contribute to economic prosperity.

In the inaugural Mastercard MEA SME Confidence Index, government support and implementation of effective policies was highlighted as ‘important’ by 88 per cent of the region’s SMEs, 50 per cent of which rated this point as a ‘must-have’ essential.

This sentiment was especially pronounced in the Middle East

and North Africa (MENA) (92%) and Sub-Saharan Africa (90%) regions. In addition to looking for effective regulatory support from governments, 92 per cent SMEs in MEA stated that they are also looking for support in up-skilling of their teams, and 88 per cent highlighted the importance of improved telco infrastructure – pointing to opportunities to effect positive change in wide-ranging areas from education and skills development to systems and infrastructural progress.

“Public-private partnerships are crucial for effective development and implementation of initiatives

that advance financial inclusion and inclusive growth. To achieve this, governments and the private sector must play a joint role in enabling a safe and secure operating environment,” the report added.

It noted that Mastercard works closely with governments and the wider business community to advance SME inclusion into the digital economy through tailor-made digitisation strategies, cutting-edge technologies, insights, and policy advice.

Furthermore, the report showed that across MEA, 51 per cent of SMEs stated that government-led

initiatives could have a positive impact in supporting their businesses. These, it revealed, included the UAE, where Dubai Government launched a third stimulus package to support small and medium enterprises maintain business continuity by reducing operational costs, while the Abu Dhabi Executive Council allocated AED 3 billion to the SME Credit Guarantee Scheme.

“Furthermore, SMEs in the region recognize the great potential of public-private partnerships (PPP), and 63 per cent think private sector initiatives and partnerships will benefit businesses

and the markets in which they operate.

“One in three SMEs (32%) think that collaborating with governments and businesses outside their markets could impact their growth. In Southern Africa this was especially pronounced, with over half (56%) agreeing.

The need for the public and private sectors to work together to create a better environment for small businesses has been outlined in a public policy paper titled: ‘Reimagining Support for Small Businesses,’ released by the Mastercard Policy Center for the Digital Economy in partnership with

global consulting firm Kearney.

The paper outlined a number of strategic recommendations which highlight how effective policy and innovation can address many of the challenges faced by business-to business SMEs. “This is why it’s so important that we prioritize public-private partnerships for SME growth, and why we’re putting our technology, expertise and global network to work, helping to develop the infrastructure to connect more people – and more small businesses,” Senior Vice President, Core Products Middle East and Africa, Mastercard, Valerio Murta said.

BAGAIA Adopts Safety Regulations 2021 Chinedu Eze Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA), has adopted the BAGAIA Safety Regulations 2021 to help member states in the sub-region to be compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Anne 13 which deals primarily with accident investigation.

The safety regulations presented to member states in March 2021, aims to ensure that all signatories use a common set of regulations for the protection of safety data with purpose of accident investigation and not assignment of blame.

Commissioner of BAGAIA, Charles Irikefe Erhueh, said the adoption was part of some resolutions reached at the sixth Commission Meeting of the BAGAIA, which held in The Gambia, from July 12th to 14th, 2021, with theme: Strengthening BAGAIA through effective Regional Collaboration to keep the focus on solving some of those issues. While thanking member state for their resilience, the BAGAIA Commissioner said, “The feat achieved in these few days won’t have been possible without your cooperation, and resilience. To mention but few

such as the adoption of BAGAIA Safety Regulations 2021, resolution on the recruitment of the Technical Support/Training Director, Legal, Admin, Finance and other staff of BAGAIA because, we need people to assist in the smoother running of BAGAIA. He also acknowledged some listed challenges in different areas presented by respective investigative organisation and where solutions were proffered in the course of the deliberations but stressed that for BAGAIA, funding seems a major challenge calling on countries yet offset the outstanding contribution to BAGAIA in the 2021 budget to do so. He said, “We are now at the second phase of the year nothing has been done. BAGAIA is a Banjul Accord Group… we need to own as I have reiterated this on several occasions in the meeting. Also, calling on every other state to do the needful in looking at modalities as suggested during our meeting in clearing off outstanding.”

Commissioner, Ghana Aircraft Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau, A.A. Prempeh in his presentation reeled out the achievement of the agency in Ghana but stated that there were challenges.

Firm Launches Instant Delivery Services App James Emejo in Abuja Technology start-up, Ekeneze Technologies Limited, has said it will today launch the first instant delivery services aggregation technology in Lagos State.

The company’s Managing Director/Chief Executive, Chikodi Anele, said the Inyinya Delivery App is a mobile phone platform which enables users of instant delivery services to be able to hail bicycle, motor cycle, car and van delivery riders and drivers at comfort and affordably on their mobile phones.

Much like a taxi hailing app, the technology eliminates the expenditure of time, cost and effort on phone calls and the internet in search of suitable motor cycle delivery riders, as currently obtains in the country.

He pointed out that unlike the numerous existing delivery companies in the country, the App’s unique offering works as an aggregator platform for existing delivery companies and individual dispatch riders who may own from one to several delivery vehicles like motorcycles and vans in their fleet.

Anele said the delivery service companies who are on-boarded on the Inyinya App may not need to maintain expansive and expensive offices, as the technology of the app will send customers’ delivery bookings direct to the drivers and riders within the coverage areas.

He said: “The InyinyaApp technology also makes it possible for instant delivery needs in local communities, in particular, around the emerging large residential estates in Nigeria’s big cities to be fulfilled by youths on both pedal and motor cycles.

“As is the trend in countries around the world, developed and developing alike, last mile and instant deliveries on bicycles have become a substantial source of employment for young people and students and will be a welcome development for Nigeria, a country reputed for its runaway youth unemployment of more than 14 percent as at 2020, according to the country’s Bureau of National statistics.”

The UK-based IT entrepreneur, also urged successful Nigerian entrepreneurs abroad to commit to creating employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the country.

BUSINESS EXPANSION

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Wakanow, Ladi Ojuri; Chief Commercial Officer, Adenike Macaulay; Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Adedeji; and Deji Ojo, at the opening of the Wakanow Experience Centre in Lekki, Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

Standard Chartered to Commit $200m to COVID-19 Vaccine Acquisition Programme The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Standard Chartered have announced an agreement for Standard Chartered to provide $200 million of notfor-profit funding towards Afreximbank’s structured framework to help finance the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines for African nations.

A statement explained that the collaboration between Standard Chartered and Afreximbank would help ensure that 55 countries across Africa have access to COVID-19 vaccines.

In addition, the facility would play a part in ensuring that Africa can achieve its COVID-19 strategy, which targets vaccinating a minimum of 60 per cent of Africa’s population.

This facility is part of the Advance Procurement Commitment

(APC) framework structured by Afreximbank in collaboration with the African Vaccines Acquisition Task Team (AVATT), under which Afreximbank provided a guarantee of USD 2bn to vaccine manufacturers to secure access to COVID-19 vaccines for African countries.

Over the last year, Afreximbank has also launched a number of facilities to support its Member Countries. These include the Pandemic Trade Impact Mitigation facility (PATIMFA), under which the Bank has disbursed over USD 6.5bn to mitigate and manage the financial, economic and health impacts of the pandemic. In addition, Afreximbank put in place a USD 1.5bn Collaborative Covid-19 Pandemic Response Facility (COPREFA), working with partners to support African

economies during the pandemic.

The funding is part of the Standard Chartered’s $1 billion financing commitment that was launched in March 2020, which aims to tackle the pandemic by financing vital equipment such as personal protective equipment, ventilators and now vaccines. To date, $900 million of this have been allocated and over $700 million disbursed to clients.

Commenting on the partnership, President of Afreximbank, Prof.

Benedict Oramah said: “We are delighted that Standard Chartered has committed $200 million to support the ongoing work of Afreximbank and AVATT in helping African countries secure access to COVID-19 vaccines. “Having an effective financing solution for vaccine procurement in place for Africa is of paramount importance

to ensure we are not left further behind in the ongoing race.

“This agreement demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Afreximbank and Standard Chartered to helping Africa overcome the challenges of the pandemic.”

On his part, the Chief Executive, Corporate, Commercial, and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered, Simon Cooper, said: “The speed of vaccine rollout is not only a healthcare issue but is increasingly a differentiator of near-term, post pandemic economic recovery for African nations. “We are acutely aware that Africa accounts for under two per cent of vaccines administered worldwide; we welcome Afreximbank’s efforts to tackle this and we want to use our $1 billion facility to help.”

EEDC Takes Safety Awareness to Schools The Enugu Electricity Distribution Plc (EEDC) has embarked on massive stakeholders’ education/sensitisation campaign in schools within its franchise area.

The campaign is aimed at orientating school children who are seen as the, “leaders of tomorrow” at the early stage of their lives on electrical safety and electricity distribution operations.

The Head, Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, was quoted in a statement that the Disco’s officials visited Lady Ibiam Girls Secondary

School, Enugu, to engage the students. According to him, the children revealed that they had witnessed illegal activities going on within their environment, and are already growing up, seeing these illegalities as normal.

“As a result of this, our organisation decided to adopt the approach of, “training up a child in the way he/she should go, so that when he/she grows, he/she will never depart from it.

“We need to train and educate our children in the right direction on the use of electricity, especially

for their safety anywhere they are,” he added.

Ezeh said the campaign is also an avenue for the children to understand how the electricity they make use of works, how it is generated and transmitted, among others.

“EEDC embarks on this campaign annually, though the activity was greatly affected last year due to the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic and the attendant lockdown measures.

“So far, the campaign train has visited Trans-Ekulu Girls Second-

ary School, National Grammar School Nike, Government Secondary School, Government Technical School, Uwani Secondary School, New Haven Secondary School and Citadel Schools, Maryland, Enugu, with many other schools yet to be visited,” the statement added.

According to the statement, the students were enthusiastic and exhibited much interest in the program, expressing happiness over what they were taught. The teachers were also not left out as learning is a continuum.

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NEPZA, Sokoto Partner to Stimulate Economic Devt

Traders Protest Demolition of Market David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka Traders in Nkwo Umunze market Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State at the weekend grounded economic activities in the area with over 3,000 women joining in the protest.

The traders locked the entire market and protested on the streets of Umunze, over the demolition of some sections of the market and forceful relocation to a new site.

They called on Governor Willie Obiano to intervene in the matter and also help release the chairman of the market, Mr. Obioma Okoli who was arrested on trumped up charges.

Leaders of the market including Izuchukwu Nwankwo, Okey Nzebafor, Ikechukwu Anichebe, Gladys Nzekwe and Uchendu Emenike who spoke to journalists, said a developer, Mr. Ben Oranusi who is building a new market was responsible for their woos, alleging that he wants to forceful relocate them to his market.

One of the traders, Izuu Nwankwo said: “We (traders) are not against having more markets in the this town, but this traditional market that was established about 50 years ago should not be demolished just because a new one has been built.

“If the new ultra modern market becomes fully occupied today, will the developer be happy if another one is built later, and his own demolished?

He should allow us carry out our business here, while new people can occupy that one.”

Another Trader, Okey Nzebafor, who was a one-time chairman of the market, said market leaders and the town union leadership had reached an agreement with representatives of the state government for the two markets to coexist but the developer was going contrary to that agreement.

He said “Some of us are ready to take up shops at the new market when completed, other people from other towns will come to trade there too and it will be a big market, so let the developer complete it first because as it is now, nobody can trade there.”

The woman leader in the market, Mrs Gladys Nzekwe urged Obiano to wade into the troubles in the market and also help release the market’s chairman.

“They came and arrested our chairman, saying that he came with guns and all manner of dangerous weapon to attack Ben Oranusi in his house. For close to two weeks now he has been in detention.

“Even members of the executives of this market were also invited to the police station for the same allegation, but they later withdrew the invitation.”

When THISDAY sought the reaction of Oranusi, he denied allegations of arresting anyone or even demolishing a section of the market. He also said there was no truth in the allegation that he was coercing the traders to move to Umunze Utramordern market.

James Emejo and Folalumi Alaran in Abuja The Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) has said it is diligently deploying the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) scheme to stimulate and revolutionise the the Sokoto State economic space.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the authority, Prof.

Adesoji Adesugba, disclosed this while taking delivery of Certificate-of- Occupancy of 503.8 hectares of land for the proposed world-class special economic zone to be sited in the state.

The document was delivered to him by the state governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal in Abuja last week. Adesugba, pointed out that the state had been deliberately positioned to attract the right investments,

adding that investments could only be locate where they were welcomed.

He said NEPZA was aware of the great efforts put in to make Sokoto to occupy the second position of the recent national survey on the Ease of Doing Business by the governor, adding that the state through that singular effort had worked its way to becoming a global business hub.

Adesugba, further explained that the federal government was applying the scheme to yield the desired result, pointing out that the new administration in NEPZA was assiduously pursuing its mandate of using the free trade zone to galvanize the business environment.

In a statement issued by Head, Corporate Communi-

cations, NEPZA, Mr. Martins Odeh, the NEPZA boss said: “We are convinced that with diligent application of the principles of the scheme, we shall have the same benefits as countries like China, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt that have also greatly leveraged on this scheme.

“I am particularly enthused with the way and manner Egypt has greatly turned around its economy using this scheme.

“We are happy that Sokoto and a number of states in the country are now prepared to embrace this global economic innovative model that easily propels growth.

“We therefore, congratulate the Sokoto Government and the good people of that state for joining the league of cities

with special economic zones.”

Earlier Tambuwal, had explained that the business ecosystem of the state was now ready for exploitations by the private sector, adding that it was incumbent on the administration to stimulate commerce in greater measure for the benefit of the people.

He also said the collaboration with NEPZA to help drive industrialisation of the state through the zone scheme was remarkable, as according to him, the proposed Sokoto State Economic Zone when fully operational would improve all growth and development indices.

The highpoint of the event was the agreement by parties to set up an implementation committee for the take-off this laudable project.

NGX, Greenwich Securities, Africa Prudential Educate Retail Investors Goddy Egene The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Greenwich Securities Limited and Africa Prudential Plc last week hosted a webinar as part of efforts to promote investor education in the nation’s capital market.

The event was themed: ‘Realising income from your investments, dividends to coupons and everything inbetween.’

In his opening remarks, the Divisional Head, Trading Business, NGX, Mr. Jude Chiemeka said: “NGX is hosting this event in continuation of our commitment to providing relevant and strategic information targeted at equipping investors with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively leverage the investment opportunities in the capital market.

“It is important that investors understand capital market investments and investment mechanisms, as only then will they be empowered to make sound investment decisions.

“We are, therefore, pleased to collaborate with two institutions that represent important stakeholders in the Nigerian capital market ecosystem - Greenwich Securities Limited and Africa Prudential Plc - representing the brokers and registrar busi-

nesses respectively. Looking ahead, the exchange through its Retail Investor Coverage Department will continue to roll out initiatives designed to encourage retail investor involvement in the capital market.”

Speaking on the topic, ‘Realising Income from Investment,’ Acting Managing Director, Greenwich Securities Limited, Ms. Eniola Osula, took participants through the various investment instruments available to retail investors on the NGX platform. On her part, the Deputy Registrar/Chief Operating Officer, Africa Prudential Plc, Ms. Catherine Nwosu, shed light on the topic, Investment: Innovations in the Registrar Space, highlighting the efforts of registrars to ease the investment process endto-end. The event culminated in a presentation from the Head, X-Academy, NGX, Ms. Ugochi Obi on the learning opportunities NGX provides to deepen knowledge about the capital market.

According to the NGX, it continued to respond to the growing need for increased retail participation in the market through its products and services, advanced strides in the use of technology and more frequent engagements across touchpoint.

RENDERINGACCOUNTTOSHAREHOLDERS

L-R:GroupChairman,WAICAReinsuranceCorporationPlc,Mr.KofiDuffuor;GroupManagingDirector/CEO,Mr.AbiolaEkundayo,andDirector,Mrs.Senor Thomas-Sowe,duringthecorporation’sannualgeneralmeetingheldinLagos…recently

Experts Harp on Increased Awareness on Estate Planning Goddy Egene Financial experts, legal practitioners and economists recently stressed the need to increase awareness on value of estate planning (EP).

The experts, who spoke at a webinar hosted by Proshare with support from Meristem Securities Limited, United Capital Plc, WebTV Limited and Olisa Agbakoba Legal (OAL) addressed salient questions regarding EP, Wills and Trusts and the role of the individual, trustees and beneficiaries, as well as the processes involved before and after the death of such individual. Speaking about the importance of the event, Chief Economist and Managing Editor, Proshare, Mr. Teslim Shitta-bey, explained that planning for death is as essential to living and it is necessary that mortality is adequately planned for.

“Planning should not be done tomorrow as you should plan

ahead for tomorrow, planning is for today” he noted.

He mentioned however that, despite the importance attached to planning, there are challenges with intergenerational transfer of wealth and assets globally which needs to be addressed.

The Trust/Legal Officer at Meristem Trustees Limited, Mr. Ibidapo Olufade, who spoke on EP facts, fear and fiction, asserted “as the world becomes more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) so is wealth management particularly the way assets/ wealth are transferred, or broadly speaking EP.” Olufade added that digitalisation, robotisation artificial intelligence, and tech in general have impacted how estates are to be planned, stressing that amidst all these, new facts, fear and fiction have emerged thus the need to trenchantly discuss them.

According to him, EP involves the acts/processes which relate to arranging a person’s wealth and assets in an orderly manner, such that they are properly guided on the most effective methods of transferring these assets.

He explained that it also affords individuals (not the court) the opportunity to give what they own to persons of their choice, such that their legacy is preserved, noting that other EP tools asides wills and trusts include life insurance, special purpose vehicle(SPV) and Nomination (funds).

He said before EP, transfer of wealth and assets can only take place when there has been an accumulation and preservation of assets, saying that these processes further allow for transfer of assets through estate planning and legal planning.

Olufade mentioned that some of the fears that held people

back from planning is the fear of cost and control as well as planning for death, noting that the mythical thoughts are such that planning is meant for rich people and young people do not need it.

He further elaborated on the facts, fears and fictions of estate planning adding that fears include the D word, Control, Cost and Family ties, while fiction include the assumption that EP is only for the rich and young people don’t need it, and the belief that if one dies your spouse automatically gets everything.

On her part, Managing Partner, OAL, Mrs Yvonne Ezekiel, emphasised the need to consult a lawyer to provide legal advice as some of the common mistakes made in writing a will is drafting a will without legal advice, improper execution and attestation of the will and not keeping the will at the probate registry.

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Managed Labor Migration Can Help Unlock Nigeria’s Unrealised Economic Potential Shubham Chaudhuri When the world was desperate for a COVID-19 vaccine, one breakthrough came from a collaboration between the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and the German firm BioNTech. Their vaccine proved to be 94.5 percent effective in preventing the impacts of COVID-19.

One of the key figures involved in the development of the vaccine was Dr. Onyema Ogbuagu of Yale University, a Nigerian national who had completed his medical training from University of Calabar in Nigeria and had interned at the Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, before moving to New York to work at the globally renowned Mount Sinai School of Medicine. “Nigerians contribute to the world in so many ways. Our hats off to Dr. Onyema Ogbuagu at Yale who helped develop a Covid-19 vaccine,” read a statement from the US Embassy in Nigeria.

Nigerians are not only creating a vibrant and dynamic society within Nigeria but are also leaving their footprint across the globe. Despite the noteworthy accomplishments of Nigerians abroad, international migration has become a contentious issue of late. Much of this is due to the rise in irregular migration from Nigeria. Worsening economic conditions have contributed to young Nigerians taking perilous journeys to search for greener pastures abroad. But aspiring migrants are often forced to return empty-handed, suffering the scars of abuse and exploitation in the process, and often heavily indebted to human smugglers and criminal networks even after they return.

Irregular migration in all forms and shapes must be discouraged. To that end, the Government of Nigeria, with the support from international partners, has put stronger border control measures in place.

It has also raised public awareness against the ills of irregular migration. But focusing solely on curtailing irregular migration without also presenting aspiring and qualified youth with legal avenues for regular migration is a missed opportunity.

Many high-income countries, such as those

Buhari in Europe, are facing skills shortages and rapid decreases in their working-age population. At the same time, low- and middle-income countries, such as Nigeria, are facing a youth bulge, with the population growth outnumbering the available jobs in the economy. Solving these spatial mismatches in the availability of labor can lead to improved outcomes for both countries of origin and destination. But in order to facilitate this, Nigerian jobseekers need to be equipped with skills that are in demand in countries of destination, and the migration management systems in Nigeria need to be able to support their mobility.

Working with stakeholders from Nigeria and abroad, the World Bank, with support from the Center for Global Development (CGD), recently assessed Nigeria’s policy and institutional frameworks

aiming to support international labor migration and explored the feasibility of expanding new and innovative labor migration partnerships with countries of destination in Europe, culminating in two recently published reports.

Despite making significant recent improvements to its managed migration framework and continuing to draw on the support of stakeholders for policy making and implementation, Nigeria has not been able to enter into labor agreements with countries of destination to provide overseas employment opportunities to their growing youth population.

In comparison, Nigeria’s peers such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines have benefitted from such structured agreements for many decades.

The labor migration management system is also hampered by weak oversight of Private Employment

Agencies, who are in charge of negotiating with foreign employers on behalf of the migrants, absence of Labor Attaches in countries of destination to promote the welfare of Nigerian migrants, and the high cost incurred by Nigerian migrants to send remittances back to Nigeria. Lack of timely, disaggregated data on those who travel abroad further adds to the cloud in policymaking and fuels misinformation. These gaps need to be filled.

Nigeria also stands to benefit from entering into migration partnerships with countries of destination, providing jobseekers with the opportunity to migrate safely, regularly, and orderly while also catering to the needs of Nigeria’s labor market. We outline the feasibility for one such modality, the Global Skill Partnership. Countries of destination would provide technology and finance to train potential migrants with targeted skills in Nigeria, prior to migration, and get migrants with precisely the skills they need to integrate and contribute best upon arrival. Nigeria agrees to provide that training and gets support for the training of non-migrants too – thereby turning “brain drain” into “brain gain”.

These ideas need to be piloted, adapted, and scaled depending on the needs in both Nigeria and abroad. But it does offer an alternative to the current discourse of focusing solely on irregular migration.

The economic and demographic context in Nigeria firmly highlights the limited job opportunities in the domestic economy. While the majority of Nigerian youth entering the labor market will need to be supported through domestic job creation initiatives, it is important to acknowledge the growing migratory pressures and to find innovative solutions to address it. Managed international labor migration can be one of the many strategies that can help unlock unrealized gains for Nigeria’s economy.

Afterall, without the option of safe, orderly, and regular migration, Dr. Ogbuagu and many others industrious Nigerians like him would not currently be plying their trades abroad, and the world might still be looking for a COVID-19 vaccine. t$IBVEIVSJ JT UIF 8PSME #BOL $PVOUSZ %JSFDUPS GPS /JHFSJB

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Customs Agents Commend NSC on Digitalisation of Ports’Operations Eromosele Abiodun The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has been applauded over efforts to enthrone an efficient trade facilitation in Nigeria through automation of ports operations.

The Chairman, Tin Can Island Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Mohammed Mojeed, said the Council has been able to get both the shipping service providers and consumers to have an interface through digitalisation.

Mojeed, who spoke to newsmen at the weekend said his members were pleased about efforts of the ports economic regulator considering the positive impact at the ports.

He said since the Council became the lead agency on the Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM), which is all about enforcing ease of doing business at the ports by the federal government, there has been a lot of awareness creation by the Council on the need for digitalisation among customs agents. He commended shipping companies and other service providers for their increasing level of digitalisation.

He said many shipping companies have increased their level of online services for the process of clearing goods at the ports.

According to him, those who had issues or were slow in digitalisation have now improved, explaining that this was through the efforts of the NSC. Mojeed said his members have also keyed into the digitalisation agenda, saying a lot of training is being organised for ANLCA members.

He disclosed that the national executive of ANLCA apart from training members had advised that they bring their secretaries or representatives for online training for the purpose of everyone being part of ports automation.

He also disclosed that members had earlier offered training by the ports economic regulator as part of the moves to ensure an efficient ports services.

The ANLCA Chairman had during the chat said his association has been battling the issue of multiple alerts at the ports as among the reasons why there is delay in clearing of goods at the port. He said issues of manual examination and multiple alerts combine to cause delays and lead to demurrage at the ports, adding

that those who benefit over this were the terminal operators.

He described as painful the issue of multiple alerts, adding that most times it is discovered to be frivolous and just to extort customs agents.

He also said it had been discovered that such alerts were initiated by some younger customs officers mainly to extort importers and their customs agents.

He disclosed that his association had met with the Tin Can Island Customs Controller, Mr. MBA Musa, over the issue of multiple alerts, who had to intervene about three months ago and told officers that there should be genuine reasons before any alert is issued on any consignment.

He said since then the issue of multiple alerts has drastically reduced and everything becoming better at the port.

He also condemned the issue of Task Forces staying close to the ports gates as against 40 kilometer away as provided by the Customs and Excise law.

He described this as simply for the purpose of corruption, as customs agents are compelled to settle those at the checkpoints before the goods could be allowed to move.

CSR: Airtel Reaffirms Commitment to Building Communities Raheem Akingbolu and Nosa Alekhuogie Airtel Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering and uplifting vulnerable people, building communities and creating value for all its stakeholders as it announces the commencement of the sixth edition of its flagship CSR intervention, ‘Airtel Touching Lives 6’ Speaking in Lagos, during a media launch of ‘Airtel Touching Lives 6’, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said a strong sense of purpose was driving Airtel Nigeria’s relentless focus on sustainable initiatives that can positively impact the various communities where it operates in.

According to Ogunsanya, purpose is powerful as it does not just define an individual or an entity, but drives its every action and decision.

“In 2001, Airtel procured its operating license in Nigeria and in 2021 it has renewed the same operating license for another 10-year-period. While it is possible to procure and renew an operating license, you can only earn a social license.

“A social license is the love, loyalty, friendship and affection you get from the communities where you operate as well as from your different stakeholders. “While Airtel has renewed its operating license to provide telecommunications services, it is committed to its purpose of empowering and uplifting people and making a positive and lasting impact in the lives of its stakeholders, thereby earning its social license.

“To realise this vision, the Airtel Touching Lives initiative was created to offer relief and hope to the underprivileged and downtrodden and also inspire the strong and the wealthy to

support the vulnerable and the poor.”

The Airtel CEO also noted that Airtel Touching Lives 6 will continue to focus on the overall philosophy of the programme while taking cognizance of key events such as the global pandemic that has made life difficult for many people.

“In the last 16 months, our lives have dramatically changed with Covid-19 and its many variants and waves.

“In our approach for Season 6, we will pay attention to Covid-19 but we will also focus on education and other areas and we will not deviate from seeking out indigent and medically challenged persons who desperately need help,” he said.

Ogunsanya urged the public to be part of the initiative by nominating projects, persons and communities that require support.

Coca-Cola, BAF’s Tech Project Impact 24,000 School Pupils Raheem Akingbolu The Tech Relevant Teacher (TRT) Project, an education intervention in Nigeria sponsored by The CocaCola Foundation, has impacted 24,000 school pupils. The project, executed by implementing partners, Bunmi Adedayo Foundation (BAF), to ameliorate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on low- and middle-income schools through virtual teaching skills and tools training for school leaders and classroom teachers, concluded recently Launched earlier this year, the Tech Relevant Teacher Project was developed following concerns around the increased digital divide in education, especially

within low-income communities.

Multiple sources state that about 11 million children in Nigeria were out of school due to the attendant effects of the pandemic, as the economic downturn disrupted the purchasing power of millions of families with fragile income streams.

As a result, the project focused on key activities and courses such as the School Leadership and Sustainability Conference (SLSC); 4-week Advanced Content Creation Classes held virtually; 8-Module Course on the BAF Learning Management System 4-week Mentoring in Math and English Research; Pedagogy; Content Development and Advanced Content

Digitisation.

Through the TRT project, Coca-Cola sought to increase the digital learning competencies of teachers across select public and private schools in Nigeria.

The project, which spanned a seven-month period, recorded impressive numbers as over 24,000 children have been provided access to quality virtual education in their schools as a result of the training. Additionally, 648 school leaders and classroom teachers drawn from 216 schools benefited from the intervention, as they attempted their first digital lessons enabled by over 2,000 hands-on interactive learning contents created in adaptive formats.

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Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun (right) presenting the All Progressives Congress flag to Lateef Salami, the party’s candidate for Yewa South local government in next week’s election at Ilaro…recently

L-R: Facilitator, Mr. Adedayo Ayodeji; Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr. Monsurat Adeleke; Peer Educator & Psychosocial Counselor, Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Organization (ALCO), Mr. Sheriff Kannike; Member, Lagos State Youth Parliament, Miss. Anthonia Dunkwu at the 3-Day Peer Education Training on HIV Prevention for the Lagos-Abidjan Corridor Intervention Organized by LSACA in Lagos…recently

L-R: Chairman, Benue Investment and Property Company Limited (BIPC), Hon. Mike Mku; Chief Technical Officer, Cosgrove, Engr. Bala Kalli; Deputy Governor of Benue State, Engr. Benson Abounu; and Managing Director, BIPC, Alex Adum, during the official groundbreaking of BIPC Cosgrove Smart estate, Mabuchi, Abuja ...recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

Director, Vivian Fowler College for Girls, Mrs. Olufunke Fowler-Amba and Head Teacher, Mrs. Krishnan Niyatha (middle), flanked by some students of the college, after finishing their preparation for the forth-coming VEX Robotics World Championship 2021 in KBH Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, US in Lagos…recently PHOTO: ABAYOMI AKINYELE

L-R: The Spiritual Head, Shafaudeen in Islam Worldwide, Prof. Sabit Olagoke; General Coordinator, Alhaji Yusuf Olayiwola; and Director of Administration, Bilkis Olagoke-Adediran, during a press briefing on state of the nation in Ibadan…reently

Members of House of representatives in a rowdy session over electronic transmission of voters result of elections at National Assembly in Abuja…recently PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina (left) and Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, at the weekly press briefing on the activities of the ministry at the State House in Abuja…recently

L-R: Former Tourism Editor, Daily Times. Adebisi Tijani; Ms Omoshalewa Keji Ogunde; Chief Co-ordinator, Tourism Club, Segun Ola-Oyedeji; Patron, Mts Mojisola Balogun and Miss Florence Akinto during the launching of Lagos Tourism Klub at Jordam Fm, Lagos…recently PHOTO: ABIODUN AJALA

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L-R: Director of Information, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Hajia Larai Bode; Director of Energy, Mr Yunana Malo; Director-General, Mr Alex Okoh; and Director of Finance and General Services, Mr Ignatius Ayewoh, during the Director-Genera’s breakfast meeting with newsmen in Abuja….recently

Editor, ‘Our Moment Newspaper, David Olanrewaju (left) and Former Super Eagles Catain/La Liga’s’ Ambassador in Nigeria, Mutiu Adepoju during the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Adepoju in Lagos... recently

L-R: Past President, National Council, The Nigerian Stock Exchange /Group Chairman, Board of Directors, Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group) Plc, Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo; Past President, National Council, NSE, Oba Otudeko; Former Federal Director of Culture/Widower, Mr. Frank Aig-Imoukhuede; Past President, National Council, NSE ,Mr. Pascal Dozie; Past President, National Council, NSE, Mr. Goodie Ibru; Past President, National Council, NSE/President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Past President, NSE /Chairman, Coronation Capital, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, during a condolence visit to Aigboje on the death of his mother Mrs. Emily Aig-Imoukhuede in Lagos…recently

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left) and the Managing Director/CEO of Union Bank, Emeka Okonkwo, during the latter;s paid visit to the Governor at Government House Owerri…recently

L-R: Cross River State Governor, Sir Ben Ayade with South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Kim YoungChae, during a meeting in Abuja…recently

L-R: Assistant Governor Rotarian, Mr. Monye lucky; President Rotary Club of Gwarinpa, Mr. Jerry Adie; Rotary District Governor, Mr. Ayoola Oyedokun and Head Teacher Primary School Gwarinpa, Mrs. Hafsat Isah; during the commissioning of Sick bay donated by Rotary club of Gwarinpa to the primary school in Abuja...recently PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

L-R: Group Head, Media and Technical, Trinity House, Mr. Robert Omole; Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Olajide Ighodalo; and Head , Welcome and Hospitality, Trinity House, Grace Ikani at the Church 11th years Anniversary Press Conference, held at the Church Auditorium in Lagos…recently PHOTO: SUNDAY ADIGUN

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CITYSTRINGS

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

Preparedness for Harbour, Base Defence The Western Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy last week kicked off Operation Awkward in its areas of responsibility by engaging its aerial, surface and underwater elements.

Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that it was to assess the response of men and assets to defend the harbour and base against any threat or emergency

FOC WNC, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa (fifth right); WNC Chief Staff Officer, Rear Admiral Halilu Duka Zakaria (sixth left); WNC Chief Operations Officer, Commodore DN Mathew (first right); Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Bashir Mohammed (fourth right); NNS BEECROFT Base Operations Officer, Commander Andrew Zidon (fourth left), and several others

The NN air wing carrying out aerial reconnaissance during the operation

Divers examining for undewater threats

I

t was on Wednesday, July 14, 2021 when the stillness of the air at the Western Naval Command (WNC), Apapa, Lagos, was broken by the wailing of sirens emanating from ships and vessels anchored at the jetty.

To the untrained, it was a move to panic but for the several officers and men of the command and by extension, the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS BEECROFT), it was a signal to kickstart the drills, which are part of the stimulation to herald the 2021 Operation Awkward.

Objectives For the navy, Operation Awkward, also known as Operation Oluso, is an exercise that reinforces their determination to keep their fleet and harbour secured and safe. Also, it serves as an opportunity to assess ships and the establishment’s readiness to carry out emergency tasks at short notice, as well as to check the state of ships, boats and other platforms under the command.

Therefore, in line with the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo's Strategic Guidance of "improving the operational efficiency of NN’s fleet in terms of sea readiness and its availability for operational deployments to speedily boost the navy’s capacity to meet its statutory maritime commitments", the WNC kicked off its harbour defence exercise tagged "Operation Awkward" in its areas of responsibility (AOR).

According to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), WNC, Rear Admiral Jason Gbassa, the objectives include to assess the capacity and operational readiness of WNC ships in harbour defence; assess the capacity and readiness of WNC bases and units in the conduct of base security; practice the participating units in the use of MDA

which in turn conveyed the injured person to a waiting helicopter for onward movement to the hospital. Also, divers went underwater to check for possible threats.

While all these were ongoing, communication was key as all those involved kept base with each unit, thereby ensuring an almost seamless process.

The paramedics carrying out a medical evacuation assets in surveillance, threat assessment and op engagement; identify possible shortcomings in the capacity, training and doctrinal practices in NN harbour defence/base security procedures; and demonstrate to the public the capacity, reach and poise of the NN in defending its ships and establishments against external aggression.

Stating that in this operation, there were air, surface and underwater elements, he noted that they were involved to ascertain the state of readiness of all assets, adding that "the objectives of the exercise is to work up the men, the ship's company, that is every department that comprises the constitution of a ship, to see the state of readiness of all our assets.

"In this operation there are air elements, surface

elements, underwater elements which were all involved. So we need to test to see how ready we are in the case where there is a threat to the security of the base. One thing that must be made clear is that all military operations are based upon intelligence so there is no exception with this, but there is no practical intelligence to show that this base is under attack," he added.

Kick off At the kick off, the drill first started with the sirens from the vessels before the boats and helicopters did the tactical manoeuvres and habour patrols. The medical wing was not left out as an evacuation was carried out by the paramedics and the rescued person rushed to the ambulance,

Assessment At the end of the operation, the FOC, who assessed the entire process, adjudged the command prepared for any threat, just as he rated the personnel high.

He said: "I would score the men very high.

The response was impressive starting from the divers that went underwater to check around the underwater aspect of the ship as well as the surface elements that man the boats alongside the boats that sounded alarms to make sure that any intruder does not have a free reign to access the ships, to the air elements of the helicopter's response to the reaction of the medical team in the case of eventualities. We are prepared as it is now incase there is any threats."

Essentially, the FOC added that "all together, the entire base was involved starting for NNS BEECROFT that provided the support we needed and to every ship alongside out to the Air Base in Ojo", thus signalling its state of readiness to defend establishments under its AOR. From the sirens to the aerial and water manoeuvres to the underwater search by divers to the medical evacuation carried out by paramedics, the stimulation was started and completed in record time, thus signalling the readiness of the command to defend its habour and base.

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CRIME&SECURITY

Teens Can Code Sensitises Students on Online Security Chiamaka Ozulumba

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owards driving awareness of online security among secondary school students across Nigeria, Teens Can Code has embarked on a new initiative tagged “Virtually Safe” that would provide a wide range of resources to help young users stay safe online.

As part of its plans to reach a sizeable population of students, Teens Can Code is working with partners and volunteers to reach over 300 schools through a National School Tour.

The campaign will touch three out of the six geo-political zones across the country. Some of the activities outlined by the organisation to help it connect with the students are Online Safety Art Challenge, Online Safety Debate Competition, Online Safety School Clubs, and the launch of a dedicated website http://www.virtuallysafe. org to provide access to online safety resources, engagement, and games for young people.

Teens Can Code’s new campaign comes after the organisation got selected by Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org among 26 organisations across Africa to receive grants from its $1,000,000 Africa Online Safety Fund.

Administered by Impact Amplifier and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, the Google campaign was designed to tackle the challenges related to hate, extremism, disinformation, and child

The beneficiaries of the Teens Can Code new initiative tagged “Virtually Safe”

safety, both online and offline in Africa Over the years, the Internet has become an integral part of humanity with over 3.9 billion users. Its potential has been exploited as a tool for communication, entertainment and information-gathering.

Experts have identified young people as the epicenter of driving internet usage and tech culture. However, the

explosion of internet growth has been threatened by online bullying, phishing and scamming among others.

Speaking about the new initiative, the founder of Teens Can Code, Isaac Damian Ezirim commented about the goal of Virtually Safe “As an organisation helping to expand access to technology education, we understand the impor-

tance of online safety for young people and this is why we are launching the Virtually Safe project to provide young people with the skills and give them the confidence to engage safely and smartly while using the internet "For many of today’s children, they were born with phones and internet access in their hands and they are comfortable surfing the web and we can’t take it away from them, therefore, the onus lies on us as individuals, governments and organisations to provide a framework that ensures children have equal and equitable access to the internet along with a safer online environment for young people.”

Also lending her voice, Teens Can Code’s Program Manager, Rachael Balogun explained, “Our mission is to empower online users especially young people with the information they need to keep themselves safe and secure online while encouraging a culture of online responsibility, and this is why the Virtually Safe project is so important, young people should be empowered to safely exploit the benefits of the Internet.”

The Virtually Safe initiative, according to Balogun has other projects on the pipeline and will launch soon including a mobile app and a toll free number to support young people’s digital wellbeing.

She revealed, “a report will be launched soon on an ongoing research on young people’s online behaviour, risks and vulnerability to harm.”

Insecurity: Betsy Obaseki Leads Edo Women to Pray for Peace in Nigeria Adibe Emenyonu

T

he wife of Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Mrs Betsy Obaseki has held prayer sessions with women across the state for the peace and security of the country.

The prayer sessions were held at Government House in Benin City and the Benin Central Mosque where the women prayed against the insecurity and criminality in the country.

Mrs Obaseki while addressing the Christian women prayer session at the Government House expressed optimism that Nigeria is on the path to greatness in spite of her current challenges.

She therefore called on women to remain steadfast in their faith, believing the blissful prophecies spoken concerning the nation.

The Edo State First Lady also made a call for repentance from destructive vices that precede the doom of a people and called for national unity in the place of prayers.

To buttress her assertion was a scriptural reading by the Wife of the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Cecilia Kure from 2nd Chronicles 7:14, which stressed the need for humble supplication and repentance as necessary for the restoration of a people.

In a similar prayer session by Muslim women at the Central Mosque in Benin, President of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Hajiya Rabi Abiri in an interview, shortly after the prayers, described the gathering as a good and welcomed development.

She said Mrs Obaseki's call to prayer confirmed the mutual disposition of the groups in attendance, towards the general good of the people.

She also reiterated the appeal for repentance and request for God's mercy and subsequent supplication of peace to Nigeria.

The prayer meetings were held in response to a national requests by the Nigerian Governors' Wives Forum (NGWF).

Mrs. Obaseki

Security Watch Africa Condoles the Army on Death of Former Provost Marshal Chiemelie Ezeobi

S

ecurity Watch Africa Initiatives has condoled the Nigerian Army on the death of Major General Hussaini Ahmed, the former Provost Marshal.

Ahmed was killed by gunmen who shot at his vehicle along Abuja-Lokoja Expressway and afterwards abducted his sister.

The joint statement was signed electronically on behalf of SWA Board of Trustees by the duo of Chairman, Security Watch Africa Initiatives' Board of Trustees, General Joseph Nunoo-Mensah (Rtd), who also doubles as the former Chief of Defence Staff, Ghana Armed Forces and former, National Security Adviser to the Republic of Ghana, as well as Prof. Henri Fouche, who is the

Late Major General Ahmed

Chairman, Security Watch Africa Conference Faculty and Associate Professor, Stellenbosch University,

South Africa.

The statement read thus "It is with deep shock; we at the Security Watch Africa received the sad news of the death of an Officer and gentleman, Major General Hussaini Ahmed, the former Provost Marshal of the Nigerian Army.

"Therefore, we wish to condole his family, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and in particular the Nigerian Army and indeed all Nigerians over the passing away of this quintessential gentleman and senior military officer.

"This is most painful because the late Gen. Ahmed embodied the best in human character, intellectualism, professional excellence and unrepentant patriot.

"He embraced the Afrocentric movement to find solutions for the myriad of security challenges facing

the African continent, as championed

by Security Watch Africa Initiatives.

"He chaired an insightful session of presentations and discussions at our 16th Africa Security Watch Awards & Conference held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, in 2019.

"With this death which we believe is one - too many, considering how his vibrant and productive life was cut short, we urge the governments across Africa to provide security for the citizens.

"We are encouraged by the legacies that the late Maj. Gen. Hussain Ahmed left behind both as a responsible family man and a thorough-bred officer."

They further prayed that God gives his immediate family, the Nigerian Army and Nigeria, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

38

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͷ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Emefiele Named ‘Public Sector Icon of the Year’ The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor has been named the ‘Public Sector Icon of the Year’

by Vanguard Newspapers.

The CBN Governor was honoured alongside other eminent personalities at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 2019, 2020, held in Lagos at the weekend.

In his citation, the organisers of the awards noted that in the course of Emefiele’s tenure as governor, the central bank has introduced critical interventions such as the Nigeria Electricity Market Stabilisation Facility, the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading-Payment Assurance Facility, the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, and the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility, to

directly support enterprises with huge potential for job creation, conservation of foreign exchange, import substitution as well as ensure financial system stability.

“When he assumed office as the tenth indigenous Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, in June 2014, the CBN, under Emefiele’s leadership, has had to come up with new strategies to navigate the Nigerian economy through hurdles such as the challenge of foreign exchange inflow, the exchange rate, the economic recession, stagflation, financial inclusion and the gap in the value chains of majority of crops in Nigeria.

“With the advent of the coronavirus came global health and economic challenges, which

Nigeria was not immune from.

“However, like every other proactive central bank in the world, the CBN stood up to be counted. Some of the measures taken by the Emefiele-led team to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on households and businesses were: Mobilisation of key stakeholders in the Nigerian economy through the CACOVID alliance, which led to the provision of over N27 billion in relief materials to affected households, and the set-up of 39 isolation centers across the country, the creation of N100 billion Target Credit Facility, for affected households and small and medium enterprises through the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank, among others,” the newspaper added.

FirstBank Empowers Firstmonie Agents with N100bn Loans Barely a year after the launch of its agent credit scheme, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced that it has economically empowered its Firstmonie agents with the sum of N100 billion.

The bank revealed that it currently has over 114,000 Firstmonie agents spread across 772 local government areas in the country.

The agent credit scheme was created by the banking giant to promote and expand the business activities of its foremost agent banking platform – Firstmonie Agents – whilst putting them at an advantage to positively impact their immediate environment.

“Firstmonie Agents have been integral to bridging the financial exclusion gap, providing convenient banking services that are easily accessible, thereby saving time and travel costs for

individuals in the suburbs and remote environments that have no access to financial services.

“The bank’s financial inclusion activities are in line with the mandate of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure the availability of affordable financial products and services to all individuals and groups of people in the country, irrespective of location, literacy levels, familiarity with technology and accessibility to modern infrastructural facilities,” a statement explained.

It stated further that the Firstmonie Agent is amongst the bank’s many initiatives to expand financial access in the country. Reiterating the bank’s role in deepening financial inclusion in the country, its Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, Chuma Ezirim, was

quoted to have said, “we are truly excited about the tremendous impact of the agent credit on the performance of our Firstmonie Agents nationwide. Since the introduction of the Agent Credit to support our ‘Human ATMs’ as we fondly call our Firstmonie Agents, they have recorded immense growth in their businesses, at levels they never envisaged in such a short period.

“Our key goal is to continue to deliver financial services to the underserved and unbanked populations, employing modern technology for processing of real time transactions and in doing so, contribute to building capacities and learning new skills in information technology, cash management and relationship management for our FirstMonie agents.

Stanbic IBTC Restates Commitment to SMEs Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc recently hosted a webinar where it reiterated its commitment to assisting SMEs in Nigeria.

The webinar with the theme, ‘Scaling Your Business in Challenging Economic Times,’ was attended by entrepreneurs looking to overcome the economic challenges currently faced by their businesses.

In his opening remarks, the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Wole Adeniyi, listed the COVID-19 pandemic, dearth of innovative solutions and lack of access to adequate business finance as some of the challenges that have plagued the SME sector in Nigeria in recent times.

Adeniyi said: “As a business entity, Stanbic IBTC understands

that running a business is not a bed of roses and that challenges differ from one business ecosystem to another. For this reason, Stanbic IBTC Bank is always in search of solutions to solve business challenges as they arise.”

Adeniyi also advocated for the diversification of the economy through policies that will be aimed at driving commercial growth in various sectors as SMEs are vital to the vast business ecosystem of any economy.

According to him, this would boost economic growth and lead to an improved standard of living for the citizenry. He further advised SMEs to monitor their expenditure and make the necessary adjustments closely.

Speaking on how the pandemic affected SMEs and the outlook of the post-pandemic era, Ayodele Ojosipe, Head, Enterprise Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, explained that challenges faced by SMEs during the lockdown still have profound effects on their businesses to date. He added that whilst these challenges have resulted in increased costs of doing business, the inability of most SMEs to pass these costs to their customers has led to margin compression and outright losses in most cases thereby threatening their business sustainability. Ojosipe stated further that despite the fluctuation and devaluation of the currency which has culminated in capital inadequacy for most SMEs in Nigeria.

Wakanow Opens New Centre in Lekki Chinedu Eze Wakanow, an online travel agency in Africa has opened an experience center in Jubilee Mall, Admiralty way, Lekki, Lagos, as it positions to deliver unparalleled immersive travel experience in a warm and relaxing atmosphere.

The COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the travel and tourism industry particularly in 2020, at the peak of global lockdowns with most countries closing their borders to non-essential travel forcing airlines to heavily reduce capacity globally.

The management of the company said Wakanow was able to scale through this period due to the hybrid model of being an offline and online agency further solidified by the massive investment, it has made in technology over the years enabling business sustainability through the pandemic.

During this same period, Wakanow was the only travel the agency running 24/7 customer service center operations which enabled it to take care of teeming customers during the upheaval in flight operations.

According to the Chief

Executive Officer, Mr. Bayo Adedeji, “Wakanow was able to weather the pandemic storm due to its innovative approach in the development of new complementary products and the unwavering commitment of the staff to the customer which has paid off hugely in customer retention and service uptake in the wake of travel restrictions.”

He noted that 2021, has seen the resurgence of interest and demand in travel, with airlines steadily increasing capacity offered to Nigeria and even the launch of new domestic and international airlines.

Emefiele

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 ˜ ͯͳ ͰͮͰͯ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $73.15 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $75.29 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).

39

T H I S D AY ˾ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Lagos State to Raise $2bn for Agriculture, Food Security The Lagos State Government is set to raise $2 billion by floating Agricultural Commodities Notes in partnership with the Lagos Commodities and Futures Exchange (LCFE), in a strategic move to revolutionise agriculture, especially, food production and guarantee food security.

As part of preparations some top officials of the state government held engagements with the management of LCFE, the second

in the series.

Speaking at the meeting, Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, explained that the state had determined to end food scarcity by transforming Agriculture through capital injection.

According to her, a large expanse of land had been developed to create central logistics as hubs in the key locations of the state.

“To catalyse its five-year Agricultural Road map, Lagos

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

State is prepared to raise $2 billion from private sector participation in partnership with the LCFE by floating Commodity Notes. The state has strong capacity to raise medium and long-term funds to execute developmental projects.

“It had raised huge amounts from the financial market over the years without default. The government is fully committed towards total transformation of Agriculture in order to boost food production. We shall

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

place premium on capacity building among others to drive our agricultural revolution,” Olusanya said.

Also speaking, , the State’s Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had re-affirmed his administration’s commitment towards Agricultural Commodities.

Olowo lamented the poor contribution of Agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product of

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

Lagos State and the need to reverse the trend.

“We have a new road map to transform agriculture. We need to raise funds for this at the LCFE. The contribution of Agriculture to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Lagos State is less than two per cent. This is not heartwarming and we have to change the narrative. The good thing is that payback of the money we intend to raise is not contingent on sinking fund.

O F

The project will re-appraise itself.

We shall work with competent financial advisers,” Olowo said.

The Managing Director, LCFE, Mr. Akin Akeredolu-Ale, expressed optimism that LCFE shall provide opportunities for Lagos State Government to meet its financial obligations.

“The Lagos State Government estimates the population of Lagos at 22 million which is rapidly growing, calling the urgent need for food security.

1 6 / 0 7 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

40

MONDAY JULY 19, 2021 • T H I S DAY

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 15Jul-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 155.89 157.44 -3.64% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.75% Nigeria International Debt Fund 317.62 317.62 -21.27% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 111.57 111.57 -0.47% 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 4.51% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.24 3.40 -4.54% 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 3.32% Anchoria Equity Fund 133.89 135.42 0.66% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.09 1.09 -17.71% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Discovery Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Ethical Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Eurobond Fund ($) N/A N/A N/A ARM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.17 105.17 3.40% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,008.75 1,008.75 0.88% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 133.11 133.77 5.39% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.67% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 6.82% Paramount Equity Fund 16.39 16.69 2.48% Women's Investment Fund 135.82 137.39 2.06% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.19% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 117.22 117.96 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.21 107.21 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.97% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.18 1.19 -1.98% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.36 1.36 -14.26% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 5.72% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 4.40% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,130.61 1,143.91 -1.89% 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 1,388.16 1,388.16 11.46% FBN Balanced Fund 189.88 191.19 1.17% FBN Halal Fund 111.17 111.17 8.19% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.38% 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

126.10 156.36

126.10 3.59% 158.53 3.43% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.95 1.57 1.18

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 4.68% 3.95 2.17% 1.60 2.87% 1.18 3.77% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 3,671.03 3,358.16 100.00

Offer Price 3,722.17 3,358.16 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn -1.98% 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 7.55% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.88 2.94 0.85% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.37 151.65 -2.65% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.27 1.31 0.87% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 0.64% 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 1,134.99 1,134.99 4.59% 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 11.39 11.44 8.72% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 8.29% 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 N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 132.74 135.02 8.56% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 10.10% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,234.50 3,266.21 0.67% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 231.31 231.31 2.87% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.20 1.22 2.54% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 304.19 304.19 3.23% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 220.23 223.52 0.91% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.64% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,276.49 10,422.11 -2.08% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.26 1.26 2.96% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 114.77 114.77 3.32% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 102.27 102.27 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 1.29 1.31 0.81% United Capital Bond Fund 1.90 1.90 3.55% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.88 8.15% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.30% United Capital Eurobond Fund 118.92 118.92 3.92% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 3.57% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 5.64% 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 12.88 12.99 8.50% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.11 14.24 15.50% Zenith Income Fund 24.18 24.18 0.84% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 5.55%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.34 51.61

10.09% 2.31%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.26 125.20 99.04 18.01 17.98

13.36 128.21 101.14 18.11 18.08

0.29% 4.08% -0.21%

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

3.92 5.90 17.35 1.00 19.14 151.05

3.96 5.98 17.45 1.00 19.34 153.05

3.69% 3.75% 6.90% 4.80% -6.71% -31.03%

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.

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PAGE FOURTY-EIGHT PDP ASKS SUPREME COURT TO SACK MATAWALLE, DEFECTED ZAMFARA LAWMAKERS Others on the PDP legal team include Mr. Edward Obiokor, M.S. Agwu, Miss O.J. Iheko, Dike Udenna, Okechukwu Omeodu and Reginald WB Nnwoka.

The first defendant in the new suit is the INEC while the APC is the second defendant.

Lawan is the third defendant and Gbajabiamila is the fourth defendant.

The speaker of the state House of Assembly, Matawalle and the state chief judge are the fifth to seventh defendants respectively.

In the suit, the PDP asks the Supreme Court to declare vacant the seats of all its members in the National Assembly and Zamfara State House of Assembly that defected to the APC. The party sought accelerated hearing of the suit, saying the matter should be determined within 30 days after the service of summons on them, inclusive of the day of such service.

It said the apex court should cause the defendants for an appearance to be entered for them upon the receipt of the summons.

In court documents obtained

by THISDAY at the weekend, the PDP is seeking a declaration that "sequel to the decision of the Supreme Court in SC. 377/2019: All Progressives Congress (APC) and Another v. Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and 179 others (2020) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1721) 383, only members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the plaintiff herein, are entitled to occupy or hold the office of governor, deputy governor, or member of the House of Assembly of Zamfara State or occupy any position or seat as a senator or a member of the House of Representatives of the Nigerian National Assembly for the purpose of representing any senatorial district or electoral constituency in Zamfara State for the period beginning from May 29, 2019 and ending on May 28, 2023.

"A declaration that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, having expressly held in SC. 377/2019: All Progressives Congress (APC) and Another v. Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and 179 others (2020) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1721) 383 at 433 that “a party that has no candidates in an election cannot be declared the winner of the election”, that all the votes credited to the alleged candidates of the All Progressives Congress “in the 2019 general elections in Zamfara State are wasted votes” and having “ordered that candidates of parties other than the 1st appellant (the 2nd defendant herein) with the highest votes and the

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required spread stand elected into the various offices that were contested for in Zamfara State in the 2019 general elections, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are foreclosed and debarred from occupying or holding the office of governor or deputy governor of Zamfara State, or the membership of the House of Assembly of Zamfara State or senator in respect of any senatorial district of Zamfara State or membership of the House of Representatives in respect of any constituency in Zamfara State for the period of May 29, 2019 until May 28, 2023.

"A declaration that in view of the decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Faleke v.

INEC (2016) 18 NWLR (Pt. 1543) 61 at 158, all the votes cast for the candidates of the plaintiff in 2019 general elections in respect of the offices of governor and deputy governor of Zamfara State, in respect of membership of the House of Assembly of Zamfara State, in respect of senatorial seats in all the senatorial districts in Zamfara State and in respect of membership of the House of Representatives for all the constituencies in Zamfara State, are votes cast for the plaintiff and the said votes are transferable at the instance of the plaintiff to its candidates."

The PDP, based on its submissions, is seeking “an order of mandatory injunction "compelling the 1st defendant by itself or by its servants, or agents to accept the list of the plaintiff’s candidates issued by the plaintiff for the purpose of holding and occupying the office of governor of Zamfara State, members of the House of Assembly of Zamfara State, members of the Senate in respect of the senatorial districts in Zamfara State and members of the House of Representatives in respect of constituencies in Zamfara State and to issue certificates

of return to each of the said candidates for the purpose of holding and occupying the said offices now purportedly occupied by members of the 2nd defendant in defiance of the decision of the Supreme Court in SC. 377/2019: All Progressives Congress v. Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and others for the unspent electoral term of office of May 29, 2019 to May 28, 2013.

The main opposition party also wants the apex court to issue "an order of injunction restraining the 3rd defendant by himself or by his servants or agents from recognising or continuing to recognise any member of the 2nd defendant (All Progressives Congress), claiming title to or purporting to represent any senatorial district in Zamfara State for the term of office of May 29, 2019 to May 28, 2023 or in any manner whatsoever denying recognition to or withdrawing recognition from the plaintiff’s candidate representing the senatorial district.

"An order of injunction restraining the 4th defendant by himself or by his servants or agents from recognising or continuing to recognise any member of the 2nd defendant (All Progressives Congress), claiming title to or purporting to represent any House of Representatives constituency in Zamfara State for the term of office of May 29, 2019 to May 28, 2023 or in any manner howsoever denying recognition to or withdrawing recognition from the plaintiff’s candidate representing the constituency.

"An order of injunction restraining the 5th defendant by himself or by his servants or agents from recognising or continuing to recognise any member of the 2nd defendant (All Progressives Congress) claiming title to or purporting to represent any constituency in Zamfara State

for the term of May 29, 2019 to May 28, 2023 or in any manner howsoever denying recognition to or withdrawing recognition from the plaintiff’s candidate representing the constituency.

"An order of injunction restraining the 5th, 6th and 7th defendants by themselves or by their servants, agents or associates from initiating any impeachment proceedings against the member of the plaintiff, (Mahadi Aliyu Mohammed) being the deputy governor of Zamfara State or to deny him of any right or privileges attaching to the office of Deputy Governor of Zamfara State or in any manner howsoever denying any member of the plaintiff holding office or occupying the position of member of the House of Assembly of Zamfara State his due rights and privileges attaching to or accruing to his office as a member of the House of Assembly."

The PDP further wants the apex court to determine the following questions: "Whether upon a correct interpretation of the provisions of Section 1(2), 287, 221, 177(c), 106(d) and 65(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and upon giving due effect to the decision of the Supreme Court in SC. 377/2019: All Progressives Congress (APC) and Another v. Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and 179 others (2020) 6 NWLR (Pt. 1721) 383, any member of a political party other than members of the Peoples Democratic Party (plaintiff), being the political party who won the highest votes in all the elections in the 2019 general election in Zamfara State is entitled to occupy or hold the office of governor, deputy governor, member of the House of Assembly of Zamfara State or occupy any position or seat as a senator or as a member of the House of Representatives of the

Nigerian National Assembly for the purpose of representing any senatorial district or electoral constituency in Zamfara State for the period beginning from May 29, 2019 and ending on May 28, 2023?

"Whether upon a correct interpretation of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) and 68(1) (g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), 2nd defendant, who were originally elected to the House of Assembly of Zamfara State on the sponsorship and platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (plaintiff herein), namely; (1) Hon. Zaharadeen M. Sada, (2) Hon. Anas Sarkin Fada, (3) Hon. Nura Dahiru, (4) Hon. Nasiru Mu’azu, (5) Hon. Musa Bawa Musa, (6) Hon. Aliyu Namaigora, (7) Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Naidda, (8) Hon. Shafiu Dama, (9) Hon. Kabiru Magaji, (10) Hon. Nasiru Bello Lawal (11) Hon. Yusuf Alhassan Muhammad, (12) Hon. Yusuf Muhammad, (13) Hon. Shamsudeen Hassan, (14) Hon. Aminu Yusuf Jangebe, (15) Hon. Tukur Jekada B/Tudu, (16) Hon. Faruk Musa Dosara, (17) Hon. Nasiru Atiku, (18) Hon. Abdulnasir Ibrahim (19) Hon. Mansur Mohammed, (20) Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed Bukkuyum, (21) Hon. Sani Dahiru or elected to the Senate as representing senatorial districts in Zamfara State on the sponsorship and platform of the plaintiff, namely; (1) Sen. Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u, (2) Sen. Hassan Muhammad Nasiha, (3) Sen. Lawal Hassan or elected to the House of Representatives as representing electoral constituencies in Zamfara State namely; (1) Hon. Shehu Ahmad, (2) Hon. Bello Hassan Shinkafi, (3) Hon. Ahmad Muhammad Bakura, (4) Hon. Sani Umar D’Galadima, (5) Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar Gumi, (6) Hon. Kabiru Amadu Gusau, having vacated their seats by reason

of becoming members of the 2nd defendant, another political party other than the political party on whose platform they were elected, the 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th defendants are entitled to continue to recognise or accord recognition to them as members of the Senate of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, or the House of Assembly of Zamfara State?

"Whether upon a correct interpretation of Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the 5th, 6th and 7th defendants can initiate removal proceedings or cause removal proceedings to be initiated, receive and/or entertain any notice of allegation from any member or members of the 2nd defendant purporting to be members of the House of Assembly of Zamfara State but who have vacated their seats by virtue of the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the constitution or to take any step whatsoever, including appointing a panel of seven persons by the 7th defendant for the purpose of removing the member of the Peoples Democratic Party, (plaintiff); Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed, from office as the deputy governor of Zamfara State?

"Whether upon a correct interpretation of Section 221 of the constitution and upon giving effect to the decision of the Supreme Court in Faleke vs. INEC (2016)18 NWLR (Pt. 1543) 61 the plaintiff can be denied the right to submit a list of candidates to replace the governor of Zamfara State, members of the Senate, members of the House of Representatives and members of the House of Assembly of Zamfara State who were originally elected on the platform and sponsorship of the plaintiff but who are now members of the 2nd defendant?"

OPEC+ RESOLVES IMPASSE, TO BOOST PRODUCTION BY 400,000BPD The baselines, which were set using October 2018 production volumes, are used by the OPEC+ alliance to set output quotas, so a higher baseline for a country would result in a more generous allocation.

The UAE had said that the way its quota was calculated was unfair because it didn’t reflect a costly expansion in the country’s industry. Now seemingly convinced by the country’s presentation, the baseline was increased yesterday to 3.5 million barrels per day, below the 3.8 million it initially demanded but well above the previous level of 3.2 million.

One of the immediate impacts of the new agreement is that it will ease a looming supply shortage and reduce the risk of an inflationary oil-price spike as well as end the division with the OPEC group.

Back home in Nigeria, it is also expected that the truce will lead to some relief for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), whose Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, recently raised the alarm over the rising oil price.

Kyari hard warned that a rising oil price was bad for resource-dependent nations like Nigeria since buyers of the nation’s crude would either resort to buying less or start the search for alternatives.

Kyari put the oil price band with which Nigeria would be comfortable at between $50 to $60 per barrel. The price of the commodity hit $77 recently before falling to between $73 and rising again to $75 during the last week.

With certainty now restored to the market, consumers now have a clear line of sight as to how quickly OPEC+ will restore the 5.8 million barrels a day of production it is still withholding.

A statement after the 19th OPEC and nonOPEC Ministerial Meeting (ONOMM), held via videoconference, stated that the ongoing strengthening of market fundamentals, with oil demand showing clear signs of improvement as economic recovery has continued in most parts of the world with the help of accelerating vaccination programmes.

OPEC welcomed the positive performance of participating countries in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC), especially their overall conformity to the production adjustments which was out 113 per cent in June.

The statement said OPEC resolved to “Adjust upward their overall production by 0.4 mb/d on a monthly basis starting August 2021 until phasing out the 5.8 mb/d production adjustment, and in December 2021 assess market developments and

participating countries’ performance.

“Continue to adhere to the mechanism to hold monthly OPEC and nonOPEC ministerial meetings for the entire duration of the Declaration of Cooperation, to assess market conditions and decide on production level adjustments for the following month, endeavouring to end production adjustments by the end of September 2022, subject to market conditions.”

Effective May 1, 2022, OPEC further agreed to adjust the baseline for the calculations of the production adjustments and reiterated the critical importance of adhering to full conformity and taking advantage of the extension of the compensation period until the end of September 2021 and fixed the next meeting for September 1, 2021.

While Nigeria’s reference oil production up to the end of April 2022 and effective May 2022 stayed at 1.829 million barrels per day, countries that had theirs raised included Iraq, which was increased from 4.653 million bpd to 4.803 million bpd, while Kuwait’s was raised from 2.809 million bpd to 2.0959 million bpd.

Also, Saudi Arabia’s baseline was raised from 11 million bpd to 11. 5 million bpd, UAE had theirs raised from 3.168 million bpd to 3.5 million bpd and Russia’s was put at 11.5 million bpd from

11 million bpd.

But it is unclear how quickly additional supplies can be delivered to the market as August sales volumes are largely locked in and most Gulf countries are preparing for an Islamic holiday that will close government offices and businesses for most or all of next week.

Buhari: PIB Will Take Care of Host Oil Communities, Secure Environment Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will take care of agitations by host oil communities and ensure that the environment is protected from harm.

In an exclusive interview in the just-released OPEC bulletin, which was dedicated to Nigeria, the president stated that when it becomes law, the legislation will reinvigorate the oil and gas industry.

He said: “The Nigerian oil and gas industry needs reinvigoration in the presence of the global uncertainty and the threats surrounding the industry. This is the purpose of the PIB. We need more investment to be able to derive optimal benefits from these natural resources.

“We need a better enabling environment for growth in

the industry. We need to take better care of the host communities. We need to be more environmentally conscious. And so the PIB is focused on all these, and more.”

He lauded the oil cartel for the role it has consistently played in the industry, saying that is important because without OPEC the oil industry would have been in a chaotic situation where the winner takes all.

He added: “Many countries, like Nigeria, would not have been able to develop their oil industry due to stiff competition. However, the good collaboration between OPEC member countries has made it possible to accommodate both the weak and strong players in the oil production industry. This has been very important, and a catalyst, to the development of Nigeria’s oil industry.”

According to him, the country must constantly look ahead and plan for the future to ensure that it does not get caught off guard, reason it has to keep investing and strengthening its local capability, both in technology and human resources.

He stated that being a member of OPEC has facilitated closer relationships and fostered bilateral cooperation in other fields and industries as members seek areas where they can be of help to one another.

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NEWSXTRA

Police Kill 10 Bandits, Lose Two Officers in Niger Laleye Dipo in Minna A police Inspector and a Sergeant were at the weekend killed by bandits in Kundu town in the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State during a gun battle with the police special unit, Operation Puff Adder, where 10 suspected bandits

were also killed and several others injured. The incident, according to a report, occurred last Saturday when the bandits invaded the camp of the Special Task Force.

The injured bandits, according to the report, escaped into the bush while one of those killed was suspected to be a female bandit.

The criminals, said to be about 100 in number, and reportedly rode on 30 motorcycles, used a maize farm as cover to launch the attack on the police camp.

It was gathered that the casualty on the part of the security team would have been heavier but for intelligence which put them on alert.

An eyewitness said the shootout between the security team and the bandits lasted for almost three hours with the policemen having the upper hand.

While the battle lasted, it was gathered that some of the bandits were moving the remains of their fallen colleagues as others engaged

the security men in the shootout.

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, yesterday, accompanied by heads of security agencies in the state, visited the scene of the attack, where he assured the security agents of government supports in the fight against banditry in the state.

The governor commended the “resilience and braveness” of men of the Operation Puff Adder in repelling the attack on the village, disclosing that the state government has ordered for some equipment that will make the fight against those he described as “criminal elements” easier.

WAEC Concludes Arrangements for 2021 WASSCE as 1.6m Candidates Register Segun James At least 1.6 million candidates will participate in this year’s West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) scheduled to begin on August 16.

The Head of National Office of West African Examination Council (WAEC), Mr. Patrick Areghan, gave the figure yesterday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Areghan said that the council was working to accommodate some schools still bothering it with late registration.

He said that the development was taking its toll on the council’s operations.

Areghan said ahead of the conduct of the 2021 WASSCE, the council was working with relevant stakeholders to ensure

a hitch-free WASSCE for school candidates, in spite of some challenges. ”As I have always said, conducting examination is not a tea party. It is a huge task and requires collaboration of all critical stakeholders, including the media. ”It requires a lot of preparations and even more, especially in the face of the rising cases of insecurity and the resurgence of Coronavirus pandemic in the country ”In conducting this examination, we also want to ensure that the lives of all those involved, including council’s staff, and materials are properly secure. ”Our arrangement for the successful conduct of our upcoming examination, therefore, is in top gear as we are ensuring that we do not leave any stone unturned,” he said.

WORTHY HONOUR… Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), receiving ‘Vanguard Personality of the Year Award’ from a former Minister of Industry, Dr. Nike Akande in Lagos …weekend

NDLEA Arrests Anambra Drug Kingpin, Nabs Five Suspected Kidnappers Notorious Traffickers in Adamawa, Benue Burnt to Death in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city

Five persons suspected to be kidnappers have been reportedly burnt to death at the weekend on the Afuze-Uokha road in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The five armed suspects were said to have attacked and abducted some travellers and took them into the forest.

According to a source from the area, luck, however, ran against them when they were apprehended by vigilantes in the area who smoked them out of the forest.

The source disclosed that the locals, on sighting the criminals, took them from the vigilance group

and burnt them to death.

According to the source, “The kidnappers took the travellers into the bush not knowing that the vigilantes had got wind of the incident and mobilised to arrest them.

“The kidnappers would have been contacting the families of the abducted travellers to ask for ransom if not for the bravery of the vigilantes, while locals, who were fed up with the criminal activities of these kidnappers set them on fire.”

Spokesman of the state Police Command, Kontongs Bello, confirmed the incident, saying investigation into the matter was ongoing.

Obiano, Oye, Umeh Lead Soludo’s Campaign for Anambra Election Despite the exclusion of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, from the list released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the November 6 Anambra State governorship election, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has gone ahead to constitute his governorship campaign team.

In the approved list of the campaign council signed by the National Chairman of APGA and made available to THISDAY yesterday, the state Governor, Willie Obiano, chairs the Soludo National Campaign Council while

APGA National Chairman, Victor Ike Oye, is the deputy.

Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu is the director-general of the council, while Primus Odili is the campaign secretary, Finance and Administration.

In the statement, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Tex Okechukwu, said the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke; National Secretary, Dr. Labaran Maku; former National Chairman, Senator Victor Umeh; former state Deputy Governor, Chinedu Emeka, all members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and all current members of the National Assembly, are members.

Michael Olugbode in Abuja A major illicit drug kingpin in Anambra State, Mr. Okeke Chijioke, 44, has been arrested by the operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

He was caught with 548,000 tablets of Tramadol branded as Tarkadol stored in his warehouse at 3 Atunya street, Maryland Estate, Nkwelle, Oyi Local Government Area in Anambra

State.

A statement issued yesterday by the spokesman of the NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi revealed that Okeke’s arrest on Saturday, July 10, 2021, followed credible intelligence and surveillance, which confirmed that he stocked his warehouse with the illicit drug.

Babafemi disclosed that after the search of his warehouse, 548,000 tablets of Tarkadol weighing 302.500 kilogrammes

were recovered.

He said the suspect accepted ownership of the substance recovered, adding that preliminary investigation has established that Tarkadol is a brand of Tramadol that has just been introduced into the market to evade attention.

Babafemi further revealed that the substance has also tested positive to amphetamine.

He said the recovered drug was equally labeled 100 milligrammes pain reliever on its

packs to avoid scrutiny, but laboratory tests confirmed it’s a 225- milligramme drug.

He said it was further discovered that the drug was manufactured in India and smuggled into Nigeria without NAFDAC number or certification, adding that during the search on the warehouse, a double-barrel pump gun with three live cartridges, which licence expired since 2019, was also discovered and recovered.

Comply with COVID-19 Protocol, Sanwo-Olu Appeals to Lagos Residents Segun James Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pleaded with residents of the state to adhere strictly with the COVID-19 protocol, as the third wave of the pandemic is already raging in the country.

According to the governor, the state has reopened it pandemic centres as new patients are being

admitted daily, adding that red alert has been placed on Lagos, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and five other states by the federal government.

The alert followed the confirmation of the Delta variant of COVID-19 and the rising number of infections and hospitalisation in the country.

Sanwo-Olu made the disclosure during the presentation of the

party flag to all the chairmanship candidates on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming local government election taking place on July 24.

He assured the state that the government would continue to do its best to manage the situation, but urged the citizens to play their part by adhering strictly to the protocol.

According to him, “We are

monitoring the positivity rate; we are also doing two things, and even as we don’t want to unnecessarily scare people, at the same time, we will ensure that we are very proactive.

“On a daily basis, we are checking the rate of positivity of the virus, and we are managing it.

“But everybody is expected to act responsibly, to protect themselves and their families.

APC Candidates Receive Party Flags for LG Elections in Lagos Segun James The All Progressives Congress (APC) has handed over the party flag to 20 local government area chairmanship candidates and 37 local council development areas candidates for the July 24 elections in Lagos State.

At the presentation held at the party secretariat in Ogba, the state Chairman of the party, Tunde Balogun, said the party expects the candidates to be victorious in the election, even as he warned them against changing the names of councillorship candidates thereby causing trouble in their council areas.

The state Governor, Babajide

Sanwo-Olu, who performed the flag handing-over ceremony, urged the candidates to deliver, adding that he is certain that they would make the party proud.

He admonished the candidates to take their campaigns to the grassroots to ensure the party succeeds in the forthcoming election.

“We just handed over the party

flag to the chairmanship candidates and we admonish them to do deliver. Some of them were returned because they did very well in their councils,” he stated.

At the ceremony, 37 former chairmen were returned while 20 are new candidates. Also, 377 councillors were handed the party flags.

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NEWSXTRA

Nigeria’s Unity Remains under Threat, Says PGF DG Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, has lamented that Nigeria’s unity is under threat on a large scale due to the inability of political leaders to reach an agreement or lack of commitment to implement agreement reached.

He added that the ongoing

campaign for power shift, which is about writing or respecting the rules, should be handled within the structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lukman made this known in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, saying the inability of Nigerian politicians to facilitate political negotiations and consensus building is responsible for the current difficulties facing all the geo-political zones of the country.

He said undoubtedly, there are efforts by successive political leaders, especially since the end of the civil war, to facilitate institutionalised processes of consensus building in the country.

The APC chieftain noted that whether those processes have produced agreements among the constituents’ parts of the country is also a challenge.

According to Lukman, “However, the fact that national unity remained under threat, even on a bigger scale, is indicative of either the absence of agreement or lack of commitments by political leaders to implement agreements.

“Part of the growing challenge is that commitment of political leaders from all parts of the country to facilitate processes of consensus

building is more diminishing.

How can we as a nation push our political leaders to be more dedicated to facilitating processes of consensus building and at the same time become more committed to implementing agreements reached?”

The forum director-general stressed that difficulties in developing or strengthening initiatives

to facilitate national unity in the country have engendered situations whereby all sections of the country are contemptuous of one another.

Lukman pointed out that high contempt for one another has also created unhealthy dynamics such that when initiatives for national unity are introduced, they become additional incentives for sharper divisions in the country.

Electronic Transmission of Results: No Plan to Rig 2023 Poll, Says Ojudu Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Special Adviser to the President on Political matters, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu, has reacted to the legislature’s rejection of transmission of results electronically by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying that there is no plan to rig the 2023 general election.

Ojudu said the issues raised by the federal lawmakers before voting against the electronic transmission of results should be considered.

Ojudu was addressing journalists shortly after presenting an award to a former governor of Edo State, Mr. Lucky Igbinedon, at International Conference Centre, Abuja, during an investiture of the 12th President of Rotary Club of Abuja Metro, Dupe Abosede.

He said: “Well, I don’t know why that happened, but I guess listening to the debate on the floor, listening to the NCC officials who came, it could just be as a result of technical considerations.

“They are saying that in some parts of the country, connectivity could be very slow, connectivity could be very unreliable, and if you have to move the results to another area where there is connectivity, something could happen on the way.

“And I think they also raised the issues of hackers, that even in America, with its technological perfection, hackers hacked results in some parts of America during the last election. I think that could have been the consideration for that. I have no personal opinion about that, but that is their decision.”

Ekiti Assembly Condemns Rising Cases of Kidnapping, Promises Legislative Action Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Ekiti State House of Assembly has promised legislative backings to the state Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and security agencies to contain the rising wave of kidnapping in the state.

The Assembly’s Chief Whip, Hon. Bunmi Adelugba, stated this in Emure Ekiti, Emure Local Government Area of the state, last Saturday when he inaugurated some projects in the town.

Some of the projects built and donated by Hon Adelugba to Emure community included two blocks of classroom to Emure

Government Science College; Skills and Entrepreneurial centre and an ultra-modern toilet facility donated to the Emure Police Station.

Adelugba, who represents Emure state constituency in the Assembly, said the 26 lawmakers in the Assembly are resolute in supporting Fayemi to improve the standard of living and ensure security of lives and property of the citizens in the state.

“This entrepreneurial centre was built and equipped with sewing machines, gas cylinders, cabinets, knitting machines and other training tools for our youths to acquire skills for self-employment.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has denied asking the Chairman of the Cubana Group Chairman, Mr. Obi Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana, to loan money to Nigeria.

The Ministry of Information and Culture on its verified Facebook page yesterday placed a ‘Fake News’ stamp on a news item claiming that the minister made the statement.

The news which was published by an online medium read in part, “Obi Cubana has this kind

L-R: President, Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Dr. FE Benson Idahosa II; Minister of State for Power, Dr. Goddy Jedy Agba; Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Philip Shuaibu; and Vice-Chancellor, BIU, Prof. Sam Guobadia, during conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Administration, Honoris Causa, on the minister by BIU in Edo State…recently.

SERAP Threatens to Sue FG over Gag Order on Reporting of Terrorist Attacks Udora Orizu in Abuja Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has sent an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari urging him to instruct the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to withdraw the directive banning journalists and broadcast stations from reporting details of terrorist attacks and victims across the country.

NBC had in a letter dated

of money and Nigeria is borrowing money from China. Cubana should borrow us money, Nigeria is collapsing -Lai Mohammed”.

Obi Cubana has been trending on social media for the last four days for hosting a lavish funeral for his mother in Oba, a town in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Several videos emanating from the event show people spraying money indiscriminately while a concert was held after the burial and was attended by musicians Davido, D’Banj, and Phyno, among others.

July 7, 2021, issued a directive asking journalists, television and radio stations in Nigeria to stop giving too many details on the nefarious activities of terrorists and kidnappers in their daily newspaper reviews.

SERAP in a letter signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, said failure of the government to withdraw the order within 24 hours would push them to take all appropriate legal actions in the public interest.

The organisation said the contents of the directive by the NBC are entirely inconsistent and incompatible with Nigeria’s obligations under article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The letter read in part: “The vague and overbroad definitions of ‘too many details’, ‘glamourising’, ‘divisive rhetoric’, and ‘security issues’ also raise concern that the NBC directive

unduly interferes with the rights to freedom of expression and information, and is disproportionate to any purported legitimate governmental aim.

Allowing the media to freely carry out their duties is essential to building a secure society and leaving no one behind. Conversely, imposing impermissible restrictions on broadcast stations, journalists and other Nigerians undermines the security that builds a healthy and vibrant society.

21 Robbers, 18 Suspected Fraudsters, 140 Thugs Arrested in Kano Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Information Minister Denies Asking Cubana to Loan Nigeria Money Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

CONGRATULATIONS…

The Kano State Police Command said it arrested 225 suspects accused of committing various offences between June 1 to July 16, 2021, during a clearance operation.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna,

disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday.

He said the suspects included 21 robbers, seven kidnappers, 23 drug dealers and 18 fraudsters, five motor vehicle thieves, 11 cattle rustlers and 140 hoodlums.

Haruna said on July 7, a suspect, Ado Shuaibu, of Malaku village, in the Doguwa council area of

the state, called the complainant, Yakubu Abdu, of Shere village, demanding N2million or risk being kidnapped.

“The team immediately swung into action and a covert operation was conducted at the pickup point, which eventually led to the arrest of the suspect.

“The suspect was shot in his

right leg while trying to flee, and was rushed to the Doguwa General Hospital and treated.

Exhibits recovered from him were a wooden carved pistol, a Tecno phone with the SIM card he used in threatening the complainant, one machete, and a black polythene leather (to put ransom),” he said.

NAF Debunks Report of Another Jet Crash The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) yesterday denied report that another of its Alpha jet crashed in Kaduna.

There were reports yesterday evening that a jet that left the NAF Base in Yola, the Adamawa State capital for an anti-banditry operation crashed in a village in Kaduna.

It was also reported rescue parties have been dispatched

to search for crew members, including the pilot.

The alleged accident would be the fourth NAF jet to have crashed this year, including that which killed former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers in Kaduna two months ago.

On April 2, another Alpha jet crashed in Borno during an operation while there was

the Minna-bound Beechcraft KingAir350i crash of March 21, that killed all seven people onboard.

According to reports, there have been 11 military plane crashes in Nigerian since 2015 that killed no fewer than 33 officers.

These include the NAF plane crash, which killed seven onboard on August 29, 2015; F-7NI jet crash on October 10, 2015 and

Augusta Westland crash in Makurdi on November 15, 2015.

But the NAF denied any of its jets crashed in Kaduna.

NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information (DOPRI), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the headquarters had not received any operational report of crash of its aircraft and that no alpha jet left Yola for Kaduna.

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NCC: We Have Not Renewed Airtel’s Operating Licence Emmanuel Okonji The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has said the operating licence of Airtel Nigeria was still undergoing the process of renewal.

The Commission, in a statement by its Director of Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, noted that unless the process had been completed, it would be premature to say the licence had been renewed.

It debunked a publication credited to the Managing Director/Chief Executive Office of Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun Ogunsanya, to the effect that the mobile operating license of Airtel has been renewed by the Commission for another period of 10 years.

Ogunsanya reportedly made the statement while speaking in Lagos on last Wednesday during the media launch of Airtel’s corporate social responsibility programme ‘Touching Lives 6’.

“The Commission wishes to state that while Airtel Nigeria has applied for the renewal of the

Unified Access Service Licence (UASL) granted to it by the Commission, the application is

yet to be approved as it is still undergoing required regulatory process”, the NCC stressed.

He added the clarification was “issued for the guidance of our stakeholders.”

Eurafric Energy Debunks DPR’s Claims, Alleges Bias Peter Uzoho Eurafric Energy Limited has debunked claims made by the Director of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr. Sarki Auwulu before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions regarding the revocation of the Dawes Island marginal field and the decision to re-award the asset to Petralon 54.

While reacting to some of the claims by Auwulu who was also speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipreye Sylva, Eurafric disclosed that there is no pending court case on the matter.

The company also disclosed that it had produced over 62,000 barrels of crude at the time of the revocation.

It accused the petroleum minister and Auwulu of disregarding a clear directive from President Muhammadu Buhari, to reinstate the field to the JV. The company carpeted the regulatory agency for failing to notify Eurafric of the said petition submitted by Petralon 54, adding that this established a clear case of bias exhibited by Sylva and Auwulu.

“It is also noteworthy that the then petroleum minister (Dr. Ibe Kachikwu) to whom the 2018 petition was submitted, disregarded it for being baseless and speculative,” the company added.

It noted that DPR claimed the expenses were on sole-risk basis, and still went ahead to justify the award of the field to Petralon based on its unsubstantiated claims, while disregarding that of Eurafric and Tako.

Eurafric pointed out that the claim that the field was inactive for 17 years was an attempt by DPR to deceive less discerning persons.

The company clarified that two Force Majeure events of about 10 years cumulatively severely affected field development activities from licence award till date.

The company noted that since the revocation of the licence, it has solely funded security cover for the crude oil in storage at the field.

Eurafric also disclosed that the Dawes Island Marginal Field was never part of the last Marginal field bid rounds as erroneously claimed by DPR. On DPR’s allegation of non-performance, the company explained that the DPR Director, Auwalu concealed the fact that Eurafric in Joint Venture with Tako and Petralon produced 62,000 barrels of crude oil from the Dawes Island marginal field, after collectively expending considerable funds Eurafric described the claim that it had no financial or material investment in the asset as unfounded and grossly misleading, noting that it has funded 75 per cent of all expenses on the field till date.

I Warned about this ‘Evil’ Govt in 2015, Says Oyedepo The Founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo, has recalled his warnings in 2015 about the current administration in the country.

Speaking yesterday during a sermon at the church’s headquarters, Canaanland, Ota in Ogun State, Oyedepo described President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as evil filled with wilderness.

Oyedepo, who was speaking on the power of prophecy, said he warned Nigerians in 2015 prior to President Buhari’s victory, stressing that some

people, who were angered by his prophecy, are now faced with the reality.

“I am privileged to be among the few God shows things long before they happen.

“Some fellows were upset with me when I was talking against this evil government.

“I told this Nation, you are heading for trouble: 2015. Are they in trouble or in turbulence?

Turbulence.

“I saw the wickedness of the wicked being forced on the land.

Now no direction, no motion.

“When a Prophet speaks, he speaks the heart of God”.

PROMOTING SUB-REGIONAL TRADE… L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Cote D’Ivoire Export Promotion Agency and Vice President, ECOWAS Trade Promotions Organisation (TPO) Network; Mr. Guy M’Bengue; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; and President, ECOWAS TPO Network, Mr. Olusegun Awolowo, when the ECOWAS TPOs’ CEOs were received by Gambari on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, at the State House, Abuja…recently

Oyo NUJ Launches Journalists Estate, Names Streets after Makinde, Ladoja, Ajimobi, Alao-Akala, Others Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council will on Wednesday, July 21 launch its novel Journalists Estate located at Alapako village on Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

The ground breaking event will be climaxed with a N100million launch with one of the Union’s Patrons, Mr. Dotun Sanusi, the Chairman, Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort as Chief Launcher, while a US-based Tax Consultant, Dr. Oludare Akande would be the Co-launcher.

The event holds at the Dapo Aderogba Hall, NUJ Press Centre Iyaganku Ibadan by 11am.

Some of the eminent Nigerians being expected to grace the proj-

ect’s launch are: Mr. Seyi Makinde, the Governor of the State; his deputy, Mr. Rauf Olaniyan; the Agba-Oye of Ibadanland, Chief Kola Karim who will Chair the occasion; the Father of the Day, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja; another ex-Governor, Mr. Adebayo Alao-Akala will be the special guest of honour while the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji will be the Royal Father of the Day. Others being expected are the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Dauda Makanjuola Akinola; three serving Senators in the State, Teslim Kolawole Folarin; Abdulfatai Buhari and Kola Balogun, including members of the House of Representatives; Hon. Shina Peller, Hon. Stanley Adedeji Olajide; Hon. Musiliudeen Olaide

Akinremi; Hon. Adigun Abass Agboworin; the NCC Chairman, Prof. Adeolu Akande; the National Chairman, PTD of NUPENG, Chief Salimon Oladiti; Mr. Joseph Tegbe; Dr. Olusola Ayandele; Senator Soji Akanbi; Chief Bayo Adelabu; Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, (SAN); Mr.Yusuf Ali (SAN); Chief Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli; Chief Adegboyega Adegoke; Dr. Yinka Ayefele; Mr. Zacch Adedeji; and Chairman/ CEO Beedel Constructions, Mr. Bukola Odeleye, among others.

Tagged Legacy Project of Ademola Babalola-led NUJ leadership in the state, the Journalists Estate was conceptualised to host housing estates, recreational facilities, schools, health Centre, police station, hospitality havens and a host of others.

The event will also witness the NUJ 2021 Public Lecture titled: Nigerian Journalists and the Search for National Unity. It will be delivered by the Editor, THISDAY Newspaper who doubles as the Vice President, West of the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi.

The surveying and other master plan of the 30-acre land was done in a way to accommodate both the journalists and friends of the media, including politicians, captains of industries, professionals and a host of others to erect structures of their choice.

The road networks within the sprawling Estate would be named after Makinde; and four former Governors, Ladoja, Alao-Akala, late Abiola Ajimobi and late Alhaji Lam Adesina.

Benin Group Faults Position of Igun-Igbesanwan-Owina Descendants on Custody of Looted Artefacts Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city A socio-cultural group, Benin Solidarity Movement (BSM) worldwide, has tackled the IgunIgbesamwan-Owina descendants on their position over the custody of the expected looted artefacts from the palace of the Ovbuoramwen N’Ogbasi, the Oba of Benin Kingdom in 1887.

The Igun-Igbesanwan-Owina Descendants Cultural Movement of Europe and America in an open letter to the federal government, through the Minister of Information

and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had demanded that the proposed return of the artefacts should not be taken to the palace of the Oba of Benin but to those who originally carved them.

The group’s position, which was contained in the letter titled: ‘Open Letter on the Return of Benin Court Arts Now Referred to as Benin Artefacts’, and endorsed

by Erhauyi Isokponwu and Adolor Oviasu-Oreoghene, claimed that thousands of looted artefacts to be returned from Germany were looted from their ancestral shrines in their quarters at Igun,

Igbesamwan and Owina, located outside the ancient palace.

But the BSM in a statement signed by its President, Curtis Eghosa Ugbo, and Mrs. Esohe Adun, the group acting secretary, which was made available to journalists in Benin-city, Edo State, condemned the position of the Igun-Igbesanwan-Owina Descendants Cultural Movement of Europe and America, saying they lack the knowledge of Benin history.

According to BSM “Our attention has been drawn to a publication in some daily newspapers by a

proxy group-Worldwide members of Igun-Igbesanwan-Owina Descendants Cultural Movement of Europe and America-over where the proposed looted Benin artefacts should be housed.

“Firstly, we want to know if the group is registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and also to know the identities of the individuals that signed the publication so as to set the record straight for them to understand the history of the Benin Kingdom, which they seem not to be familiar with, according to their publication.”

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House Minority Leader Seeks Faster Process for Removal of Public Officer Holders Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu, has called for faster democratic procedures for the removal of office holders who manifest incompetence or abuses in the delivery of the mandate vested on their offices.

Elumelu made the call while delivering a public lecture at the weekend during the 5th biennial convention of the class of 84 of his school, St. Pius Grammar School, Onicha Ugbo in Delta State.

Speaking on the topic: ‘The Role of Enhance Electoral Awareness in Improving the Quality of Leadership In Nigeria’, Elumelu said the desired quality of leadership can only be achieved if

the electorate are adequately enlightened and mobilised to make informed choices relating to the electoral worthiness of candidates at elections The minority leader in a statement issued yesterday lamented that Nigerians are being short-changed by incompetent, corrupt, and selfish leadership in various sectors of the national life.

Elumelu recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari was reelected in 2019 with 15.2 million votes representing about 18 percent of the 84 million registered voters; 13.2 percent of the estimated 115 million voting age population and about 7.6 percent of the total population of the country by 2019.

He said such indices couldn’t have represented the desired preference of 200.9 million people,

COVID-19: Jigawa Suspends Durbar Celebration Jigawa State Government has announced the suspension of traditional durbar in the five Emirate Councils of the state during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Adamu AbdulKadir, stated this in a statement signed yesterday by the spokesperson, Office of the SSG, Isma’il Ibrahim, in Dutse, the state capital.

Abdulkadir said the state government has also directed for the decentralisation of Eid prayers to neighbourhood mosques as

well as limitations of all indoor gatherings.

He said the directive followed a circular from the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, which put six states and the FCT on red alert, as part of preventive measures against a third wave of the pandemic The measure, he said, was to ensure safe Sallah celebrations in the state.

While wishing the Muslim faithful happy Eid celebrations, Abdulkadir urged them to be mindful of the possibility of the wider spread of the virus during large gatherings.

NSCDC Deploys 1,750 Personnel to Kano Ahead of Eid-El-Kabir Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Kano State Command, last weekend expressed commitment to intensify security services in the state ahead of upcoming Eid-el Kabir celebration.

In a statement made available to THISDAY yesterday which was signed by DSC Ibrahim Idris Abdullahi, the state command confirmed the development.

Abdullahi said the Kano State NSCDC Commandant, Abu Abdu Tambuwal, also approved the deployment of 1,750 personnel to provide security in some strategic

places in the state.

According to him, the places to be guarded include Eid grounds, palaces, monuments, event and recreational centres across the state.

“The NSCDC has been expanding its intelligence network with a view to nip in the bud any security threat in the state during the festive period,” he stated.

He stated that the Corps would remain at alert and poised to deal decisively with any miscreant who may wish to foment trouble and disrupt public peace in whatever guise before, during and after the Sallah.

and cannot guarantee the shared pursuit of the collective aspiration of such a population of people.

The lawmaker said:“Statutory provisions for impeachments and recalls of elected office holders should be made more democratic

and enforceable as a way to make elected leaders more answerable to the people.

“Provisions should be added in the constitution to empower the people, through the elected representatives in the legislature,

to enforce the removal of ministers, commissioners and other executive appointees with established cases of incompetence or gross misconduct.”

Elumelu also called on the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) to make the electoral procedures less cumbersome, while also recommending stiffer punishments for INEC officials, politicians and political parties found culpable for electoral offences.

WELL- DESERVED AWARD… Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Lee Engineering and Construction Company Limited, Dr. Leemon Ikpea (left), receiving Vanguard’s 2019 ‘Businessman of the Year Award’ from a former Minister of Industry, Dr. Nike Akande, at the newspaper’s 2019/2020 Award Night in Lagos…weekend

Two Nigerians Become Partners in American Law Firm David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka An international law firm, McDermott Will & Emery, said to be the largest law firm in the United States of America (USA), has announced the addition of two Nigeria lawyers, Emeka Charles Chinwuba and Nexus Uzoma Sea as partners in the firm.

While Chinwuba will work in its Transactions Practice Group, Uzoma will work in its Litigation Practice Group based in New York.

McDermott Will & Emery, which has over 1,200 lawyers in its employ, partners leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets.

Its team works seamlessly across practices and industries to deliver highly effective solutions that propel success.

The two Nigerians are expected to provide strategic counsel in the areas of project finance and complex litigation to some of the most esteemed enterprises around the world, including Fortune 500 multinationals and institutions with Africa-based operations.

“In the spirit of continued innovation and truly comprehensive

client service, we’re thrilled to add Emeka and Nexus to our Transactions and Litigation teams.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, clients face increased legal hurdles spanning different areas of law. Having collaborated together for years, Emeka and Nexus are a tried and true team, providing streamlined legal counsel addressing cross-practice client needs,” said Mr. Michael Poulos, McDermott’s Head of Strategy.

Uzoma and Emeka are founding members of “1844,” an association of African-American lawyers, founded in 2014 as a vehicle to address the challenges of industry representation and to promote collaboration, business development and mentorship.

The name ‘1844’ highlights the year the first African-American, Macon Bolling Allen was admitted to practice law in America. The work of 1844 positively impacts hundreds of diverse law firm summer associates through its annual Summer Associate Panel Discussion, and it similarly benefits middle and high school students through its collaboration with Legal Outreach.

Tony Upshaw, Miami-based Litigation partner and Global Chair of the Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, said: “In addition to superior technical knowledge in their respective practices, Emeka and Uzoma are pioneers in the fight to knock down unfair barriers for people of color in the legal industry.

“The core principles of 1844 align with our commitment to enhance diverse talent in law and leadership, which will be accelerated by these outstanding lawyers. We’re thrilled they have chosen McDermott to continue this important work.”

In his speech, Uzoma said they were incredibly excited to join the McDermott team, assuring that they would join forces to deliver best-in-class legal services to shared clients.

Nexus and Emeka were both previously elected as President of the Nigerian Lawyers Association at separate points in their careers.

Also, Emeka recently received a Congressional Recognition as one of “30 Black Stars” at the Face2Face Africa Conference and Awards. He is a debt lawyer focusing on project finance

transactions in the power and infrastructure space, including conventional and renewable energy, acquisition financing transactions and US publicprivate partnerships. His work has covered complex financing projects in the US, South America, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.

He had worked for an extended period in the United Arab Emirates, where he advised on the development and financing of renewable energy projects in the MENA region. He also covers general bank finance transactions, mezzanine and investment grade financings and asset-based lending transactions.

On his part, Uzoma is a seasoned litigator and rising star trial lawyer representing high-profile companies in complex commercial litigation, product liability and financial services matters in both state and federal courts.

His clients include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions and pharmaceutical companies.

His practice focus also includes the emerging area of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on existing product liability regimes.

Bauchi FRSC Deploys 533 Personnel to Ensure Accident-free Sallah Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi State Command of the Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) has deployed a total of 533 personnel in the state to ensure free flow of traffic during the Eid-El Kabir celebrations.

The Sector Commander, Yusuf

Abdullahi, made the disclosure last Saturday while briefing journalists on the preparations of the Corps toward ensuring an accident-free celebration.

He explained that for the special operations during the festivities period, the Command would deploy 20 operations vans,

10 ambulances, 10 recovery/towing vans and one help area/road side clinic on the Bauchi-Alkaleri road to take care of the ever busy Bauchi-Gombe road.

According to the sector commander, the programmes to be undertaken during the period include traffic control, aggressive

public enlightenment, radio and television talk shows and subtle enforcement.

Other activities, according to him, are breathalyzer/alcohol test, installation of red flags on the highway at some identified RTC prone locations as well as other programmes that will ensure that

accidents are minimised during the programmes to ensure a safe celebration.

He disclosed that the toll-free numbers to call in the case of emergency are FRSC: 122 and National Emergency: 112, which he said remain active, requesting road users to call them in case

of emergency.

The FRSC sector commander also advised commercial drivers to as much as possible avoid overloading, over-speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol just as he urged them to make sure that their vehicles are roadworthy.

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MONDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Special Bonuses Await Team Nigeria Medalists at Tokyo 2020 Sports minister insists athletes and officials have enough kits for games

Duro Ikhazuagbe Ahead of Friday’s opening ceremony of the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, a special motivation bonus package has been laid out before Team Nigeria athletes in the quest for them to achieve podium finish in their events.

Sports Minister, Sunday Dare revealed yesterday that the bonus package has been approved for the team and that some of the athletes are already being rewarded even before the start of the games.

He also revealed further that corporate organisations have assured him of hefty packages for the athletes who excel in Tokyo.

“The adopt-an-athlete initiative has made it possible for the athletes to get their rewards for serving Nigeria immediately.

The corporate organisations that adopted these athletes have put up a reward system that will take care of our ambassadors before and after their events.

“We know how important the welfare of these special class of Nigerians are and have, therefore, ensured that

they are relaxed and in the right frame of mind to excel in Tokyo,” observed the minister in a statement issued by his media office.

While dismissing the report that Team Nigeria athletes and officials arrived Tokyo in all shades of colours different from the uniforms produced by its sportswear partner, AFA Sports, Dare insisted that nothing of such happened.

''We have distributed the full kits to the federations, who have in turn shared them among the athletes. Every pack has 12 different wears for different occasions and the athletes have enough of the bags to serve them even beyond Tokyo,'' he stressed.

Tokyo 2020 has been described as the likely turning point for Nigerian sports after 13 years of failure in the Olympic Games.

With some of the best athletes in various events in Nigeria’s team, followers of world sports say this is the right time for Africa’s biggest nation to return to the podium.

Nigeria returned without a medal at the 2012 Olympis held in London while five years ago, the bronze medal won by the football team was the country's lone medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Aruna Makes Top 15 in Seeding List of Table Tennis TOKYO OLYMPICS 2020

THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Morikawa Holds off Spieth to Win Claret Jug on Debut Nerve-less Collin Morikawa the cut in all four of this year's shot a scintillating bogey-free men's majors finished as the top final round yesterday to clinch four in Sandwich. the Claret Jug on his Open It was a fitting finale at Royal Championship debut as returning St George's as the venue belatedly fans soaked up the victory at a got to hold the 149th edition of sun-drenched Royal St George's. golf's oldest major after last year's The American wrestled hold championship was cancelled of the lead with three birdies to because of the Covid pandemic. finish the front nine and held Shane Lowry's victory at Royal off the charging Jordan Spieth Portrush two years ago was to win by two strokes on the beginning to feel like it hailed Kent coast. from a different era when sport The 24-year-old, who won was locked down and, while six his first major on his US PGA majors have since been played Championship debut last year, in the US, this was the first to be becomes the first Open debutant staged on this side of the Atlantic to win since Ben Curtis did so Ocean since the Irishman's iconic at this course in 2003. victory in 2019.

Morikawa's four-under 66 saw him win on 15 under, with 2017 champion Spieth also recording a final-day 66 to finish as his fellow American's nearest challenger.

US Open champion Jon Rahm birdied four of his last six holes to card a 66 and finish joint third on 11 under with overnight leader Louis Oosthuizen, who closed with a 71.

Up to 32,000 spectators flooded through the gates on Sunday and were treated to a blockbuster final round Collins Morikawa wins the British as the only players to make Open on debut yesterday

Zenith Bank's Delta Principal’s Cup to Return in September Bank proud of support to D’Tigers, D’Tigress After missing hosting the annual Zenith Bank Delta Principal’s Cup in 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, the fifth edition of the competition designed for secondary schools within the stage will stage a return in September.

According to a statement, the competition is scheduled to run between Tuesday September 28 to Thursday November 25, 2021.

A press conference to herald the competition has been scheduled to take place on September 28at the Conference Hall, Olorogun Felix Ibru Secretariat, Asaba while the kickoff will be taking place on October 7, at St. Patricks’ College, Asaba.

The third place match and the final are billed for November 25at the Stephen Keshi UltraModern Stadium, Asaba.

School of Commerce Warri emerged winners of the 2019 Zenith Bank/Delta Principals’ Cup after defeating Zappa Mixed School, Asaba 2-1.

Meanwhile, the management of Zenith Bank has expressed its joy in contributing to the expected success of the country's basketball teams at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Zenith Bank alongside other banks in the country, Access Bank and GTBank donated $200,000 to the two basketball teams, D'Tigers and D'Tigress for their Olympic Games preparation.

“We believe the team to the Tokyo Games is capable of surpassing the six medals feat which included two gold medals achieved at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA. “Our athletes have been ranked in the top three in their respective events and will be competing against the same athletes they have been competing against in the last four, five years.

Quadri Aruna....seeded 15th in the men’s singles at the Tokyo Olympic Games

Usain Bolt Confident His World Records Won’t be Broken in Tokyo The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt is ‘very confident’ his world records won’t be broken by sprinters heading to Tokyo 2020 In a lengthy Instagram Live interview with@Olympics, Usain Bolt predicted that the 100m Olympic final will be fast but not at a world record pace.

Usain Boltthinks his famous athletics world records will remain intact during Tokyo 2020in 2021.

“I'm very confident,” Bolt stressed with confidence.

“I'm not saying it's not going to happen. But I don't think the crop I'm watching; I don't think they're there at a level (to run times of) 9.58s or 19.19s. So, we'll see what happens.”

In 2008, Usain Bolt went to Beijingas the favourite to win the 100m title on the athletics track in the iconic Bird’s Nest Stadium.

He won individual Olympic titles in the 100m and 200m at world record paces and became a global phenomenon.

The current 100m and 200m world records were set a year later at the World Championships

in Berlin, Germany.

The 100m record stands at 9.58s with the 200m at 19.19s.

The favourite for the 100m title at Tokyo 2020 appears to be USA sprinter Trayvon Bromell.

He set a world leading time of 9.77s on June 5.

“He's really stepped up and show that he's ready and he's is fit,” Bolt said of the American sprinter.

“As long as he stays good, he should be on top.”

The 100m is a notoriously brutal race with tiny margins marking the difference.

“Mentally, it's tough on you and making one mistake (in the) 100m finals. It can be (your) downfall. So, let's see what happens.”

Defeated Gatlin in Rio 2016 Games.

Jamaica's Usain Bolt won gold for the third time in a row in the men's 100m, defeating 2004 Olympic champion Justin Gatlin from the USA at the Rio2016 in Brazil which was his last outing at the Games.

Bolt is excited with the

introduction of the mixed relays which will provide another opportunity for 400m runners to take an Olympic medal.

Bolt was reluctant to provide any predictions for the winners directly.

“But I think Great Britain and the US really have strong teams.

So, let's see how that goes.”

Team Nigeria Captain Quadri Aruna has been listed among the top 15 seeded players in the men’s singles of the table tennis event of the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Being the highest rated African in the world, Aruna has been seeded number 15 behind Frenchman Simon Gauzy seeded 14 among the 65 players competing in the men’s singles.

The Nigerian star who was considered as one of the top players to watch out for in table tennis by Reuters is hoping to exceed his quarterfinal finish at Rio 2016 in Japan.

Qualified to Tokyo based on his world rating, Aruna will be awaiting his first round opponent when the draws hold this week with Egypt’s Omar Assar seeded 28 while Aruna’s compatriotOlajide Omotayo is seeded 49 in the men’s singles.

In the women’s singles, sixtime African women champion Egypt’s Dina Meshref has been seeded 19th while Nigeria’s Offiong Edem is seeded 53 among the 70 athletes competing in the women’s singles event.

Seven-time Olympian Olufunke Oshonaike is 60th.

Meanwhile, China’s Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng have been unveiled as the top-seeded entries for the men’s and women’s singles categories.

Making his first appearance on the Olympic stage in Tokyo, Fan Zhendong, 24, is bidding to become the sixth Chinese player to take home men’s singles gold.

Fan’s compatriot and defending champion Ma Long, who has been named as the number two seed, will attempt to recapture the magic of five years ago as he defends his highly sought-after title at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

NPFL

Usain Bolt...believes his world records ‘untouchable’ in Tokyo

(MATCH DAY 33) Enyimba 2-1 Jigawa GS Rivers Utd 1-1 Akwa Utd Nasarawa 1-0 MFM FC Plateau 4-0 IfeanyiUbah W'Wolves 1-0 Kwara Utd Adamawa 0-0 Sunshine Katsina Utd 1-1 Lobi Stars Heartland 2-1 Rangers K'Pillars 2-0 Dakkada Wikki 1-0 Abia Warriors

55

MONDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

AND NOW,THE ‘HOLLOW-MPIC’ GAMES…

T

eam Nigeria unceremoniously have departed for Tokyo, Japan in batches for the Olympic Gomes. The team which a lot of people agree may be our most talented in a long time had camped in Abuja amid uncertainty.

Uncertainty caused by a spreading virus.

The Olympics originally scheduled to hold in 2020 was postponed by a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was hoped that within that year the virus would have been better understood, contained and vaccines would have been widely administered.

So the world put forward the celebrations of the greatest sport show by a year in hope.

However, things have not been going as expected. While Africa seemed to get the low end of the pandemic for various reasons, the West finally started getting a vaccination programme rolling but Asia, especially South Eastern Asia where japan is, has been having it rough recently with the virus.

Across the region, clusters have been found in places where defences are weakest: hospitals, quarantine facilities and border crossings. Lapses in those places allowed infections to spread more widely. Moreover, the virus has mutated over the past year, and the variants spreading now are more transmissible.

That includes b.1.617 (The Delta variant), first identified in India, which has appeared in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Japan

Members of Team Great Britain check in at Heathrow Terminal 5 before they depart London for Tokyo last Friday And with the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in Japan, the fans started protesting against the Summer Games.

The Japanese Government announced a state of emergency in the country. The fans carried banners on the streets of Tokyo.

In fact, when IOC chief, Thomas Bach arrived in Tokyo ahead of the Summer Games, he was welcomed with #BachGoHome.

The slogans also read, "‘Go back IOC’ & ‘No Olympic 2020."

The fans are against the idea of hosting the games at this juncture. Especially when only 15 percent of the population has been vaccinated. Also, Japan recorded over 920 cases on July 7, 2021. This was a record high number since mid-May. The fans are urging the Government to keep public safety in mind before conducting the games there. The Japanese Prime Minister, Yoshihide Suga even

mentioned that more cases of the Delta variants have been detected within the country.

The India Todaynewspaper reports that the protesters are worried that with so many people coming in from different parts of the world, it will increase the risk of spreading the virus further. In fact, they are scared of some of the most contagious variants that might spread in the country. Moreover, the amount of money that is being allocated to a sporting event when people are suffering around the world can be used for healthcare or Covid-relief funds in the country.

The Japanese Government is really handicapped here.

The Host City contract signed really does not empower them to unilaterally cancel the Games. The IOC has to have the say there. And they are determined to make the

Games go on. The Government has since announced a ban on international fans coming to watch the Games. It was a measure taken to try and control the spread of the coronavirus.

Other measures include not more than 10,000 spectators and venues only to be at 50% capacity max. Also competition bubbles were to be created for the athletes to prevent interaction with locals. This was in addition to compulsory vaccination and frequent testing.

However, Olympics Minister, Tamayo Marukawa confirmed that fans will be banned from all Olympic venues in Japanese capital Tokyo in response to the new coronavirus state of emergency.

Organisers had planned to allow 10,000 fans or 50 per cent of a venue's capacity, but this was under the assumption that Tokyo would not even be under

FIFA Plans to Reduce Football Matches from 90 to 60 Minutes World football governing body FIFA is considering bringing in a host of controversial changes to the current football system with one of such which will see games reduce from 90 minutes to 60 minutes.

According to Mundo Deportivo FIFA is looking for ways to improve the game and is trialling a series of different rules in the ‘Future of Football Cup’ youth tournament.

Under-19 sides from PSV, AZ Alkmaar, RB Leipzig and Club Brugge are all partaking in the experiment, which features five key regulations.

Firstly, instead of 90 minutes, games will be made of two 30 minute halves – with the idea of shortened match believed to have been taken from basketball and futsal.

In April, Real Madrid President, Florentino Perez, had hinted at shorter games in the European Super League before its almighty collapse.

The referee will stop his watch whenever the ball gets out of play in attempt to crack down on persistent time-wasting and there will be kick-ins, instead of throw-ins.

Normally, teams are allowed to make three subs – that has of course been extended to five in recent times due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Should these plans go ahead, unlimited substitutions will be permitted across the board.

And then finally, yellow cards will result in a sin bin similar to what is seen in rugby.

The offending player would be temporarily suspended for a five-minute period

and forced to watch from the sidelines before returning to the pitch.

It is important to note that this is just a trial phase at present and FIFA will assess the success of the changes and decide whether to discuss things further with International F o o t b a l l Association Board (IFAB), the body that determines the laws of the game of association football.

Lionel Messi savoring the joy of his first trophy in Argentina colors at the last Copa America 2021. If FIFA succeeds, matches in the next Copa America may be played in just 60 minutes

Team Great Britain Thrown into Chaos as Six Athletes Test Positive

Six Team GBtrack and field team athletes are isolating after a passenger on their flight to the Tokyo Olympics tested positive for Covid-19.

Sportsmail understands that the group does not include medal hopefuls Dina Asher-Smith, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, Laura Muir, Jemma Reekie, Adam Gemili, Andy Pozzi, Elliot Giles, Keely Hodgkinson or Dan Rowden.

Two members of staff have also been affected.

The group were on a flight that landed in Japan on Friday.

The news comes as a huge

blow ahead of Friday’s Opening Ceremony and raises further questions over the decision to host the Games during a pandemic.

It is thought that those affected may be able to train should they return two negative tests in 48 hours.

A spokesperson for the British Olympic Association said: “The BOA can confirm that six athletes and two staff members from the athletics team, who through no fault of their own have been identified as close contacts of an individual – not from the Team GB delegation – who

tested positive for COVID-19 on their inbound flight on 15 July 2021.

“This was identified through Tokyo 2020’s reporting service and the group have since started a period of self-isolation in their rooms at the BOA’s Preparation Camp, in line with Tokyo 2020’s Playbook protocols.

“The group all tested negative at the airport and have continued to test negative upon arrival into the country. They are under the supervision of the Team GB medical team, led by Chief Medical Officer Dr Niall Elliott.”

a quasi-state of emergency, and they have performed a U-turn following the announcement that Tokyo will be under a state of emergency for the duration of the Games.

This is coming amid a fresh spike in COVID-19 infections in Tokyo and on the day International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach arrived in the city.

Tokyo's state of emergency is provisionally set to end on August 22 - two weeks after the conclusion of the Olympics and two days before the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympics.

This new policy was agreed on at a meeting attended by Bach and representatives from the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee, Tokyo 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Japanese Government.

The decision to ban spectators comes as Japan lags behind Western countries in rolling out vaccines. Only 15% of its population are fully vaccinated, compared to 47% in the United States and nearly 50% in the UK, according to CNN's global vaccine tracker. Japan has recorded at least 814,315 cases and 14,865 deaths due to coronavirus since the beginning of the pandemic as of the first week of July.

Already North Korea has pulled out of the Games citing COVID risks, and there were calls in Australia to skip the Games. About 10,000 of the 80,000 volunteers who had stepped forward to help with next month’s Tokyo Olympics have quit the Games organization.

The White House reaffirmed its support for US athletes traveling to Tokyo. “The President supports the Tokyo Olympic Games and the public health measures necessary to protect athletes, staff, and spectators. He has pride in the US athletes who have trained for Tokyo Games and will be competing in the best traditions of the Olympic spirit,” White House Press Secretary, Jen Psaki told reporters.

So while the virus rages on, the human quest for power and superiority over one another would go on. There would be stiff competition. Sporting battles would happen. There would be mixed emotions of joy, ecstasy and anguish but there would big a big absence of the razzmatazz, the glitz and the glamour that usually comes with the Olympic Games. It’s going to be taking place in empty, hollow arenas.

But despite the delays and the obstacles, the Games Must Go On! (Additional information from Insidethegames.biz)

S’Africans First to Test Positive for Covid at the Games Village Two South Africa footballers have become the first competitors to test positive for coronavirus in the athletes' village in Tokyo - five days before the start of the Olympic Games.

South Africa's Football Association yesterday confirmed Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi as the cases.

Video analyst Mario Masha tested positive on Saturday and the team is in quarantine pending more test results.

Another athlete from outside the village also tested positive on Sunday.

"We have three positive cases of Covid-19 in the camp here, two players and an official," said South Africa Team Manager, Mxolisi Sibam.

"There is daily screening which included taking temperature and saliva testing, Masha and Monyane reported high temperatures and positive saliva tests and were then taken to do the nasal test, which we all had initially taken and they unfortunately tested positive for Covid through that test.

Mahlatsi is the latest player to go through the same process," added Sibam.

Monyane, a right-back with Orlando Pirates in his homeland, posted on social media when the team arrived in Tokyo.

South Africa Sevens rugby coach Neil Powell also tested positive on Sunday on arrival in Japan and is now isolating in Kagashimo, where the squad is based for a pre-Games training camp.

In total, organisers yesterday reported 10 new cases connected to the Olympics including media, contractors and other personnel. That compares with

TOKYO OLYMPICS 2020 15 new cases on Saturday.

Infection rates are rising among the general population of Tokyo, topping 1,000 new cases for four consecutive days. Polls show many Japanese people oppose holding the Games with the influx of overseas visitors it entails.

Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya said the three cases were from the same country and sport". They are "isolated in their rooms and Tokyo 2020 is delivering meals to them", he said, adding that the rest of the team - which has not been identified - have also been tested.

Speaking on Saturday, Games chief, Seiko Hashimoto said: "Athletes who are coming to Japan are probably very worried.

I understand that.

"We are doing everything to prevent any Covid outbreaks.

If we end up with an outbreak we will make sure we have a plan in place to respond."

Australia's entire athletics team for the Tokyo Olympics were quarantined in their rooms on Saturday at their pre-Games training camp in Cairns, following a Covid-19 scare.

An inconclusive test had been returned by an official but subsequent tests were negative, the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirmed on Sunday.

Athletes have since been permitted to compete in a warm-up event "My understanding is (Athletics Australia) applied an abundance of caution," said David Hughes, the AOC's chief medical officer.

Monday July 19, 2021

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MISSILE

Kukah to Buhari “The whole of the North is being invaded by armed bandits that are launching attacks at will. The president has shown nepotism in his appointments as he is appointing only people that share the same religion with him into key political offices like the security chiefs,” – Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Fr. Matthew Kukah, accusing the Buhari administration of nepotism

ALEXOTTI WhoAreYouToAskMeQuestions?

OUTSIDE THE BOX

alex.otti@thisdaylive.com

“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything” Albert Einstein

O

ne of the imperatives of democracy is that the citizens must always be able to engage their representatives in government, asking them questions and holding them to account at all times. In fact, leadership should report to its true employers, the people. Where this is the case, leadership is beholden to the people, knowing fully well that it can be ‘fired’ by its employers.

Unfortunately, the scenario painted above is hardly the case in many African countries.

What we find here is that in many cases, leadership turns itself into sit tight despots, threatening, insulting and bullying anyone who dares to ask questions and wants to hold it to any form of accountability. In the course of doing so, it believes that it would silence the people and plunder the patrimony without responsibility and with no consequence. It is, however, instructive that once the people keep quiet, they wittingly or unwittingly consent to the plundering of its resources and therefore are vicariously culpable, like Albert Einstein aptly stated above. The reason why leadership seems not to care about the people is because it can perpetuate itself in power by hook or crook irrespective of what the people do. One of the ways to do this is through a compromised electoral process using compromised members of the society. But that is a story for another day.

A few weeks ago, the immediate past Commissioner for Finance in Abia State, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, was invited and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the heels of a petition filed before the Commission by a Company called Ziplon Nigeria Ltd, over a contract entered by the State government in 2014, which the government apparently breached. Also invited was his predecessor, Mr. Phillip Nto. The details as released by Mr. Oriaku, is that the former Governor, T.A.Orji, had signed a consultancy contract with two companies, Ziplon Nigeria Ltd and Mauritz Walton Nigeria Ltd, to be paid 20% and 30% fees respectively, on Paris Club refunds received from the Federal Government.

This means that for any money received under this heading, 50%, yes, half of the money realised, would be paid out as fees to these consultants! He further revealed that before he was appointed a commissioner in 2015, some N8.2b was received as Paris Club refund by the previous government. Strangely, there was no record of what happened to the money.

Under his watch, he went on, the government received N22b, out of which the consultants were asking for N11b as fees. According to his account by implication, he refused to pay the said sum and for that reason, he was dragged before the EFCC. In my own capacity as a responsible citizen and key stakeholder in the state, when I waited for about ten days and there was no word from the Government of Okezie Ikpeazu on the matter, I issued a press release where I raised pertinent questions and made demands that I expected the government to respond to.

In the release titled “Abia Paris Club Refund: Stealing At An Industrial Scale” I wanted to know the following:

Obaseki 1. What was the role of a consultant, and in this case, consultants, in the process of the federal government making refunds to state governments?

2. If there was any other place in the country where consultancy fees were more than 5% of refunds and wondered why anybody would ordinarily sign away 50% of their money as fees to consultants?

3.That granted that the agreement was signed by the previous government, what effort the present government made to cancel the vexatious contract, since if that was done, the contractor wouldn’t have had the legal basis to institute an action in court nor petition the EFCC? 4. What effort the government was making to confirm what the previous government did with the N8.2b refund which the former Finance Commissioner claimed he did not see any record of how it was used?

5. That the government should take more than passing interest in the matters before the EFCC and the High Court to ensure that the matter was not only muddled up but expanded to include recovery of looted funds from the treasury of the state.

Upon the issue of my press statement, Governor Ikpeazu immediately let loose his attack dogs on me simply for daring to ask questions. His Chief Press Secretary went agog and took to the media, abusing me and calling me all sorts of names. A few hours later, his Commissioner of Information took over, lampooning and insulting me for daring to ask his boss questions about his stewardship and social contract with the people. Interestingly, they said practically everything except that they failed to answer the simple questions I posed.

Since those questions remain unanswered till date, they will continue to be asked and the public will continue to wait for their answer.

Abia is a state that has been very badly

governed since the return of democracy in 1999. Matters have been made worse since this administration started in 2015. The tragedy is that Abia is also a state that receives so much in federal allocation as an oil producing state.

In spite of its relatively huge earnings from oil proceeds every month, Abia’s debt profile, according to the Debt Management Office, has more than doubled from N33.53b in 2015 to N70.57b by March 31,2021. This has been under Ikpeazu’s notorious watch. Despite the bail out funds and Paris Club refunds from the federal government all totalling over N36b, the state has taken its record of indebtedness to its workers to an unconscionable high. For instance, as at June 2021, the following Abia State government institutions have outstanding salaries as follows: 1. Abia State Polytechnic, Aba -27months 2. Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu- 31months 3. Abia State primary school Teachers- 28months 4. Abia State Secondary School teachers18months 5. Abia Health Management Board, 13months 6. Abia Local Government Workers- Between 3-7 months 7. Abia State University Teaching Hospital19months 8. Abia State Pensioners- 28 months With teachers’ salaries, both at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels outstanding for several months, one wonders what the government is expecting from the educational sector of the state. What kind of products are we expecting from schools whose teachers are not being paid? It is sad that this is happening in a State that owes its past glory to huge investments in education and manpower development.

Another serious concern is the non-payment of salaries to medical workers in the state even during this period of medical emergency, where health workers elsewhere are paid extra allowances to keep them focused on saving lives.

Just a few days ago, the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, threatened to terminate the training of medical students at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, over protracted industrial action. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the first Vice President of NARD, Dr. Aromo Adejo, in an interview disclosed that NARD would instruct all relevant agencies to stop training medical doctors at Abia Teaching Hospital and withdraw their accreditation forthwith.

Dr. Adejo asked a very pertinent question namely, that “if Doctors are always on strike, who is training its medical students?” Again, in the tradition of the Ikpeazu government, one would not expect that the issues raised by Dr. Adejo would be addressed, but the vuvuzelas of the government will take to the media in their kneejerk fashion, to attack the gentleman and rain all sorts of abuses on him.

Now, compare the case of Abia to that of Edo state where one Laba Lawani did a video and posted same on social media with respect to a poor road construction going on in Igarra, Akoko- Edo Local Government of the state. In the video, Mr. Lawani exposed the shoddy construction going on as he used his bare hands to remove the asphalt already poured on the road and also dismembered the drains with his bare hands. While doing so, he asked that if the government was not ready

to build quality roads, it should not bother at all. This was said to be just a 200-metre road attracted by the Member representing the Akoko-Edo constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Peter Akpatason at the cost of N360m. The video naturally went viral. While attempts were made by Mr. Akpatason to defend himself, the governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, stepped in quickly. He dispatched his deputy for an on-the-spot assessment of the road. He further directed that the state agency take over the construction of the road as he agreed that the construction was indeed substandard. He did not stop there. He ordered the arrest of the contractor for frittering away public funds and asked that the EFCC and ICPC should investigate the scam. He also thanked Mr. Lawani for blowing the whistle on the contractor, without it, the government would not have known. He encouraged citizens to ask questions about the quality of service the government is giving them as it is their right to do so.

From the foregoing, it is evident that Abia and Edo are two administrations in the same country approaching the issue of governance differently. One does not need a soothsayer or analyst to determine that they would achieve different results. The first point to note here is that leaders must realise that they are accountable to the people. Power, they say, belongs to the people. When you muzzle the people or intimidate them such that they cannot ask questions of the government, then the collapse of that Administration is near.

Secondly, it is by asking questions that the attention of government is drawn to issues that it might not have paid attention to. It also encourages dialogue and communication.

Except in a despotic government, people must be allowed to express their opinions. The saying that “when you drive people away from the arena where opinions are expressed, they only go to converge at the cellar where revolutions are born” cannot be more apt in the Abia situation. It is also in this light that one fails to see the reason behind all attempts being made by government to regulate the social media and all other forms of communication.

Opinion must be free, and people should be allowed to express them. Again, throughout history, attempts to focus on the messenger and not the message has not worked and cannot work in this instance. The only thing is that those who attempt, temporarily take away attention from the subject while the subject refuses to go away.

I must therefore commend Governor Godwin Obaseki for encouraging his citizens to participate in his government by asking questions and also for swiftly dealing with the subject matter. On the other hand, I am still asking Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to provide answers to my questions about the Abia Paris Club refunds. I also will like to draw his attention to the unlikely event of a court pronouncement compelling the government to make those payments since there is an existing contract signed, despite its unreasonableness. This is the reason why he must put up a serious appearance at the court and assure Abia Citizens that no such judgement would be procured by the so-called contractors.

Permit me to use this opportunity to wish my Muslim readers a happy Eid-el-Kabir as they observe the Sallah Celebrations this week.

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