WEDNESDAY 12TH AUGUST 2020

34 Applicants Request for N90bn from CBN’s Healthcare Research Grant Obinna Chima The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has received over 34 applications requesting for a total of N90 billion out of its healthcare research grant.

The Director, Development Finance, Mr. Yila Yusuf, while

featuring on The Morning Show, a breakfast programme on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said about 90 per cent of the applications were from Nigerian universities.

He said: “As we speak, as at today, we have received

over 34 applications asking for N90 billion. What is exciting is that 90 per cent of those applications were from our universities.

“So, we are looking at how we can quickly get those proposals to the body of experts, they look at that,

and then we can disburse the funds.”

Yusuf added that a body of experts to review the applications and make recommendations to the CBN was inaugurated two weeks ago by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

(SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha.

The group is led by the Director-General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, and consists of independent specialists and government research institutions.

He also said the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the National Pharmaceutical Research Institute, the Centre for Medical Research, are also part of the body of experts.

Continued on page 10

NNPC: $2.8bn AKK Gas Project Won’t Fail Like Others... Page 8 Wednesday 12 August, 2020 Vol 25. No 9256. Price: N250

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More Weapons, Aircraft Coming for Battle against Boko Haram, Says Buhari Assures military has resources to fight insurgents Govs demand security bailout Politicians exploit insecurity for personal gains, Zamfara gov alleges Omololu Ogunmade, Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Nigeria is expecting to take delivery of military weapons and aircraft from Jordan, China and the United States to reinvigorate its anti-terror war, President Muhammadu

Buhari said yesterday.

The president at a virtual meeting with the Security Committee of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), represented by one governor from each of the six geopolitical zones of the country, however, urged Nigerians to Continued on page 9

Showdown Looms in Edo, 17 Lawmakers Insist on Sitting They are not legislators, their decisions will not bind us, says Obaseki Alex Enumah in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Tension has gripped residents of Benin City, the Edo State capital, following the insistence yesterday by a factional group of 17 members of the state House of Assembly opposed to the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to sit in the legislative

premises despite the ongoing renovation of the complex.

However, the state police command has pledged to be neutral in the political crisis rocking the state, which arose from the disagreement between Obaseki and his predecessor, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of Continued on page 9

MATTER OF SECURITY...

L-R: Director-General, Department of State Services, Mr. Yusuf Bichi; Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu; National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.); Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; and Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Mr. Ahmed Rufai, during a virtual meeting of Nigerian Governors’ Forum Security Committee with President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja…yesterday

Catholic Bishops Urge FG to Stop Killing of Nigerians... Page 5

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

Catholic Bishops Urge FG to Stop Killing of Nigerians

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has urged the federal government and Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, to take urgent steps to end the incessant killing of Nigerians.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja and jointly signed by its President, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze, and Secretary, Most Rev. Camillus Umoh, the clergymen said their hearts were bleeding over the massacre presently going on in Southern Kaduna.

"Our hearts are bleeding, and we are more troubled when we hear of the massacre presently going on in Southern

Kaduna. We want all the people suffering the incessant attacks in Southern Kaduna to know that all Catholics in Nigeria are praying for them.

"We call on the federal government and the government of Kaduna State to bring a complete stop to the killing of innocent people. The loss of the life of any Nigerian does not help to further the agenda of any religious ideology or the ambition of any politician," said CBCN. The bishops added that the perpetrators of the killings must be brought to justice.

It added: “Where there is no justice or justice is not seen to be done, there cannot be peace.

Where there is no peace, there

cannot be development. Any government, state or federal that wants peace must work for justice for everyone.

"We, the members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria have been following the recent events in Nigeria closely. We continue to hear of insecurity and unabated acts of increasing terrorism in Northern Nigeria.

"We are all tired of this situation. We do not want any politician to politicise the killings of Nigerians. There should be one response from everyone, and that is: the killings must stop. There will never be sustained development built upon bloodshed of innocent people brutally murdered by religious fundamentalists without any recourse to justice

for the victims. “We need not remind Nigerians that the present federal government came to power, promising Nigerians, the eradication of corruption, a guarantee of security to life and property, and rapid growth in the economy.

"The creation of jobs, and an enabling environment that engenders growth of the private

sector; a significant increase in the supply of electricity to Nigerians, affordable and quality health care to Nigerians, and the revamping of the educational sector were the promises the government continues to make.

"Many Nigerians, irrespective of political party affiliation, will affirm that these promises have remained a far cry."

INEC Fixes October 31 for Senatorial, Federal Constituencies By-elections Chuks Okocha in Abuja At last, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed October 31 for outstanding senatorial, House of Representatives and State House of Assemblies by-elections.

This is contained in a statement by National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr. Festus Okoye.

The by-election will take place as a result of death, resignation and court nullification of the former occupants.

By the harmonised timetable, the commission said that it would give the Notice of Election on August 17, 2020 while political parties will conduct their primaries to nominate candidates between August 24 and September 8, 2020.

INEC said in the statement that the submission of forms and personal particulars of candidates will commence on September 9 and close at 6 p.m. on September 13, 2020.

The commission said the timetable and schedule of activities for the by-elections have been uploaded on the commission’s website and social media platforms.

According to INEC, the byelections will take place in the following senatorial district and federal constituencies, Bayelsa Central Senatorial District; Bayelsa West Senatorial District; Nganzai State Constituency, Borno State; Bayo State Constituency, Borno State; Cross River North Senatorial District and the Obudu State Constituency, Cross River State.

Other bye-elections will take place in Imo North Senatorial District; Lagos East Senatorial District; Kosofe II State Constituency, Lagos State; Plateau South Senatorial District; Bakura State Constituency, Zamfara State;

and in Ibaji State Constituency, Kogi State.

The INEC National Commissioner said that the attention of the commission had been drawn to the existence of vacancies in the following state constituencies: Isi-Uzo State Constituency in Enugu State and Bakori State Constituency in Katsina State.

But, it said that the vacancies have not been formally declared by the speakers of the affected state assemblies.

The commission implored concerned stakeholders, particularly political parties to take note of the timelines in the schedule and adhere to them strictly.

Okoye said that the vacancies occurred in both Federal and State Legislative Houses as a result of resignation or death of members, affecting 12 constituencies across 8 States of the federation.

The commission explained that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission decided earlier to suspend the conduct of all bye-elections until it is satisfied that the elections can be conducted in a safe and conducive environment.

Accordingly, it said: "Since then, the commission has developed its Policy on Conducting Elections in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic, revised its regulations and guidelines and engaged with health authorities and stakeholders on conducting elections in an environment that guarantees both credibility and public safety."

The commission explained that it has also successfully conducted the by-election to fill the vacancy in the Nasarawa Central State Constituency and is going ahead with the conduct of governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States on September 19 and October 10 respectively.

Consequently, it said that it is now in a position to schedule to conduct the by-elections where other vacancies occurred.

NANOTECHNOLOGY POLICY...

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Mohammed Umar; Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr. Mohammed Abdullah; the Minister, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; Member, National Steering Committee on Nanotechnology Policy, Prof. Abubakar Sambo; and Chairman of the committee, Mrs. Stella Igwilo, during the presentation of the committee’s report to the minister in Abuja…yesterday enock reuben

US Donates 200 Ventilators to Help Nigeria Fight COVID-19 WHO to validate Russia’s vaccine Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Martins Ifijeh in Lagos The United States yesterday redeemed its pledge to assist Nigeria to combat the COVID-19 pandemic with the donation of 200 ventilators.

This is coming as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said it will subject Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine to rigorous review before approving it for human use.

While presenting the ventilators to the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms. Mary Leonard, said Washington donated the over 200 ventilators to support Nigeria’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said: “This donation, and the many other health and humanitarian assistance programmes offered from the American people over the years, is just one component of the strong cooperation between our two governments.

“I laud Nigeria’s efforts in taking early action to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. I hope to see Nigeria continue this trajectory, as an example for other African nations to follow.”

Leonard said the ventilators were compact, deployable, and would provide Nigeria with flexibility in treating COVID-19 patients.

"As the US Ambassador to

Nigeria, I remain proud of the strong friendship between our two countries. Working together in partnership with this country’s government and its citizens, the American people are committed to working with Nigeria to implement effective disease surveillance efforts," she said.

Earlier, while commending the US government, Ehanire had urged Washington to support global efforts to find efficacious therapeutics and vaccines to neutralise the threat of COVID-19 to the global community and to guarantee fair allocation to all countries and people.

"The speed and the ease with which COVID-19 has spread across the globe clearly shows that it is a threat to mankind.

Without the full collaboration of all nations, the threat of the pandemic to any one part of the world is a threat to all," he said.

Meanwhile, WHO has said it will subject Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine to rigorous review before approving it for human use.

Russia’s President, Mr. Vladimir Putin, had earlier yesterday said the country had become the first in the world to approve a COVID-19 vaccine offering ‘sustainable immunity’ against the virus.

But at a press briefing held

later yesterday in Geneva, the spokesman of WHO, Mr. Tarik Jasarevic, said the global health body would only approve any COVID-19 vaccine after subjecting it to a rigorous safety data review.

He said: “We are in close contact with the Russian health authorities and discussions are ongoing with respect to possible WHO pre-qualification of the vaccine. Pre-qualification of any vaccine includes the rigorous review and assessment of all the required safety and efficacy data.”

According to him, every country has a national regulatory agency that approves the use of vaccines or medicines on its territory, adding that “WHO has in place a process of pre-qualification for vaccines but also for medicines.”

Manufacturers ask to have the WHO pre-qualification because it is a sort of stamp of quality.

“To get this, there is a review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data that are gathered through the clinical trials. WHO will do this for any candidate vaccine.”

The pandemic has seen an unprecedented mobilisation of funding and research to rush through a vaccine that can protect billions of people worldwide.

“We are encouraged by the speed by which several candidate vaccines have been developing and as we have been always saying, we hope some of these vaccines will prove to be safe and efficient.

Accelerating progress does not mean compromising on safety,” he said.

Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine has been developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute in coordination with the country’s defence ministry.

A total of 165 candidate vaccines are being worked on around the world, according to the latest WHO overview produced on July 31.

Of those, 139 are still in pre-clinical evaluation, while the other 26 are in the various phases of being tested on humans, of which six are ahead, having reached phase three of clinical evaluation.

The Gamaleya candidate being produced in Russia, which is among the 26 being tested on humans, is listed as being in phase one.

The Head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund, which finances the vaccine project, Kirill Dmitriev, said phase three trials would start today, industrial production is expected from September and that 20 countries have pre-ordered more than a billion doses.

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NNPC: $2.8bn AKK Gas Project Won’t Fail Like Others Mulls raising 15% stake in infrastructure Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday assured stakeholders that the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project will not go the way of other such mega infrastructure in the country that failed in the past.

Speaking yesterday during a web conference tagged: “Economic and Investment Opportunities of the AKK Gas Pipeline,” the Managing Director of the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), a subsidiary of the NNPC, Mr. Seyi Omotowa, noted that all stakeholders involved in the project had put in place measures to ensure its completion on schedule.

President Muhammadu Buhari had officially launched

the construction of the project, which is a section of the TransNigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) with a capacity to transport about 2.2 billion cubic feet of gas per day.

It is being financed through an 85 per cent debt and 15 percent equity with a loan facility from the China Export & Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) with a 12-year repayment plan and completion period of 24 months.

Omotowa added that the corporation was considering increasing its 15 per cent equity share of the project so as to reduce the loan burden.

He said from experience, all the factors responsible for failure of such projects in the past, including poor scope definition, optimistic scheduling, issues around

Stamp Duty Yields N3bn Weekly, Says FIRS Boss James Emejo in Abuja The Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami, yesterday disclosed that it currently generates N3 billion weekly from stamp duty collection.

He said the revenue had been generated weekly from May 2020 till date from Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).

The FIRS boss spoke when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance to resolve the face-off between the FIRS and Nigeria Postal Service (NIPOST) over stamp duty collection, and the fate of the N58 billion revenue generated from February 2016 to April 2020.

Nami said the FIRS was able to generate such a huge amount of revenue from a single stream of stamp duty collection from DMBs because the service had deployed a new technology to track and capture

such revenue straight into the federation account.

He explained that the Application Programming Interface (API) technology solution, which is online real-time technology, makes the collection of stamp duties easier.

He said since his assumption of office in December 2019, the FIRS had discovered over N30 billion in the NIPOST Stamp duty account with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), adding that the account was opened in 2016 specifically to warehouse revenue from stamp duty collection.

He pointed out, however, that by April 2020, the balance in the account had grown to N58 billion because of the deployment of the API by the FIRS, stressing that the money in the stamp duty account by May 2020 was transferred to the federation account following instructions given to the CBN by the FIRS.

changes that occur during execution and poor contractor selection processes had been resolved.

Omotowa said: "We believe that from the experience we will bring along with other partners in construction technologies of the consortium, it will help in achieving the timeline for completion.

“Things are being done differently on the AKK project, by the application of the transparency, accountability and performance excellence initiative. There's AKK project governance in place at the moment.

“This is the first time an NNPC project is having a steering committee led by the GMD, comprising top management of NNPC and key external stakeholders from the office of the chief of staff, representatives of Ministries of Justice, Finance and National Planning, CBN, Debt Management Office as well as NEITI.”

Omotowa stated that the presence of all the agencies and parastatals of government on the committee overseeing the project would ensure transparency and compliance with rules and regulations.

“So, the steering committee oversees the overall delivery of this project, a monthly meeting is being held with the aim of having full visibility so that issues are promptly resolved, challenges are sorted out to ensure we keep to schedule,” he added.

On the funding of the project, he said: “For financing, it’s not the federal government that is taking the loan, it’s NNPC that is taking the facility. "Government is only providing a sovereign guarantee in the event of any failure.

“The NNPC is even considering increasing its equity contribution to reduce the loan burden. So, ultimately there is a plan to repay this loan and it’s not the federal

government that is paying.”

In his remarks, the Technical Adviser to the Minister of Petroleum on Regulation, Mr. Umar Gwandu, said with about 203 cubic feet of gas and potential for about 600 cubic feet in the future, the need to develop the gas market in the country had become imperative.

“The AKK project is meant to create a gas hub and that’s a domestic segment of the master plan. There is a pricing issue, domestic supply issues because there is a contraction of companies due to supply issues.

“It is meant to spur development all over the country. The industries in Kano are moribund because of a lack of energy. The AKK is an enabler of development.

The plan is to supply to local and international markets.

“To build infrastructure, you need financing. The government doesn't have that kind of fund. The Chinese

have processes and procedures before they can agree as long as the project can pay back and make some profit for them, ” he said.

Rector, Kaduna Polytechnic, Prof. Idris Bugaje, in his intervention said if huge projects like the AKK were taken seriously in the past, the current insurgency in the North would not have happened.

“If we had AKK 25 years ago, Boko Haram, banditry and other cases of insecurity would probably not have happened because these issues are fuelled by poverty, high-level unemployment, etc.

“The project should be finished within the shortest possible time. Companies in Kano are collapsing, AKK will help revive them.

“The armed forces are not able to completely weaken the insurgents because we are not looking at the other side of this insurgency, like the economy, industry, etc,” he stated.

NEW INFRASTRUCTURE...

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), and the Managing Director, Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, Ms. Abimbola Akinajo, during the inauguration of the Oshodi-Abule Egba BRT infrastructure in Lagos…yesterday

Importers to Save N1.7bn Annually as FG Stops Containers’ Deposit Eromosele Abiodun The federal government yesterday announced plans to stop the N1.7 billion being paid by shippers to shipping companies annually as containers’ deposit before the end of the first quarter of next year.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello, stated this on the sideline of the meeting of heads in Lagos.

Container-deposit, also known as a deposit-refund system, is a monetary deposit paid by importers on containers at the point of sale.

When the container is returned to an authorised redemption centre, the deposit is partly or fully refunded to the redeemer.

Bello told reporters that shippers pay N1.7 billion yearly as containers’ deposit, which he said, has added to the cost of doing business in the country.

Bello who blamed lack of holding bays and the gridlock at the port premises for the issue said the council was already in talks with National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria (NAICON) to get insurance for the shippers to cover the cost of containers.

According to him, "Shippers pay N120,000 per container as the container deposit; that is about N1.7 billion every year and this is adding to the cost of doing business and this is not the fault of the shipper but because he cannot return the container within the specified time; the roads are clogged, the holding

bays are not working; So, how can he bear that risks?

"We want indemnity system and we have already talked with NAICON; there must be insurance penetration.

We could extend the marine insurance to cover containers.

And by the first quarter of next year there will not be payment of containers’ deposit,” he said.

Earlier, Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, had said that the deep blue project expected to address Nigeria's maritime security issues should be operational latest by October.

"Exactly one month ago, we commenced the meeting of the heads of maritime agencies to deliberate on a common area of challenges. Today, one of the issues discussed

is the port community system.

We have agreed to set up a committee that will look into the operationality of the port community system.

"We also discussed the 24 hours operation of our ports. We observed that port efficiency and effectiveness cannot be achieved without 24 hours port operation. We have also agreed that at the next meeting, we will have an action plan which will come with deliverables and key performance indicator to see how our ports will run on a 24 hours basis.

"The issue of multi-modal means of cargo evacuation was also discussed, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has been mandated to ensure professionalism in the movement of cargoes by

barges,“ he said.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala-Usman, also said the NPA was working with the presidential task team on Apapa gridlock to identify their jurisdiction in order to avoid overlapping functions.

"I'm curious as to the specific areas where there has been a lack of cooperation between NPA and the presidential task force. What we sought to do with PTF is to identify that they have jurisdiction with the port access roads but not the ports. If there are any overlapping functions they would take actions to curb them. However, it is important for PTF to understand that the role of port operations still domiciles with the Nigerian Ports Authority," she said.

She added that no port

system can be efficient with multimodal transport system, noting that the traffic gridlock that characterises Nigerian port access roads will continue until there are sufficient linkages with railways, inland waterways and piping to complement the road mode.

"No matter what PTF does to address the traffic gridlock, if all port stakeholders and the government do not recognise the need to deploy multimodal transport system, the gridlock would remain," Usman said.

The NPA boss also noted that part of the deliberations during the meeting centered on the possibility of using barges to move containers of some port users, especially those importing thousands of containers and willing to convey them via barges to Onitsha.

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PAGE NINE MORE WEAPONS, AIRCRAFT COMING FOR BATTLE AGAINST BOKO HARAM, SAYS BUHARI be patient and not to expect a dramatic change in the ongoing efforts to combat insurgency because fighters and pilots to operate the new weapons and aircraft must first be trained.

Buhari also dismissed assumptions that Boko Haram was better equipped and funded than the armed forces, saying that the military has greater resources to fight the terrorists even though they may need more.

During the meeting, the governors demanded security bailout from the president, citing the $1 billion they allowed him to withdraw from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) to procure weapons as a justifiable reason for their demand.

In a related development, Zamfara State Governor, Mr. Bello Matawalle, has accused politicians of being responsible for the insecurity facing the country, saying they cause it to advance their political interests.

Buhari’s meeting with the governors was also attended by service chiefs and other heads of security agencies.

The three-hour meeting came barely 24 hours after Buhari presided over a security meeting attended by North-east governors and security chiefs where the governors implored the president to equip the police in the North-east to bridge the gap in the military's handling of the war against Boko Haram.

A statement by presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, said the governors told the president about their contributions to fight insecurity by giving the federal government the nod to withdraw $1 billion from the ECA. The governors, therefore, urged the president to appreciate their gesture by giving "security bailout" to the 36 states to enable them to address the enormous security challenges confronting the states.

The statement added that during the submissions of the governors, coordinated by NGF Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode

Fayemi, the governors listed factors fuelling insecurity in the country to include: poverty, unemployment, the trust deficit between the military and civilians as well as the inflow of small arms into the country.

"In their submissions anchored by their Chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, the governors highlighted the problems of poverty, unemployment, trust deficit between the military and civilian populations and the inflow of small arms into the country.

"The governors also pointed to the problem of coordination among military and security chiefs and played up their own security roles, which included $1 billion they allowed the president to withdraw from the Excess Crude Account for weapons procurement two years ago.

“They, therefore, urged the president to consider a “bailout” for security for the states in view of the enormity of the resources they now expend in support of the military and the police," the statement added.

However, Buhari dismissed assumptions that Boko Haram was better equipped and better funded than the armed forces, saying the military has greater resources to fight the terrorists, even though they may need more.

The president's clarification came barely 24 hours after he had blamed the lingering insecurity challenges in the North-east on lean resources of the federal government, which he said had been compounded by the outbreak of COVID-19.

But at the meeting with the governors, the president clarified that terrorists are not better equipped than the armed forces neither are they richer than the federal government, noting that the terrorists are “mere scavengers desperate for food, raiding shops and markets and killing innocent persons in the process.”

The president said: "We have said enough on the need for them to rejig their operations.

I am glad that there is better synergy and cooperation which are very important. I have directed the service chiefs to meet among themselves inbetween the National Security Council meetings.

"The services have resources; yes, they need more, and mobility, and are doing their best, but there is a need for better gathering and interpretation of intelligence.

Our intelligence-gathering must be improved.”

The president expressed concern that despite the closure of borders with neighbouring countries, bandits and terrorists have continued to acquire small weapons.

He added: “These terrorists are in the localities. How is it that they are not short of small arms?”

Buhari said he was satisfied with the level of support Nigeria was getting from neighbouring countries in the war against terrorism.

"On Boko Haram, we are making progress with Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon,” he added.

He restated that intelligence gathering must improve if small arms would be tracked in the North-west, North-central and North-east states.

The president said he was also satisfied with the level of naval operations in the Gulf of Guinea, with the deployment of newly-acquired equipment, "but demanded that hard-toreach areas of Lake Chad where Boko Haram terrorists have found new havens, as well as the forests now inhabited by bandits must be accessed and rid of nefarious elements."

Buhari was also quoted as saying: "The Chief of Defence Staff has spoken about their study of the forests and their potential danger to security. We must make sure we follow the bandits and terrorists, but there must not be deforestation in view of the climate situation."

The meeting ended with calls for a joint strategy to tackle insecurity within a limited time frame, with a further resolution that field commanders would take measures to protect

SHOWDOWN LOOMS IN EDO, 17 LAWMAKERS INSIST ON SITTING the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The 17 lawmakers comprise five that were hitherto in the governor's camp, who were joined by 12 others that were surreptitiously sworn in last week, more than a year after those loyal to the governor were inaugurated.

The 17 are presumed to be loyal to Oshiomhole.

The speaker of the faction loyal to the governor, Hon. Frank Okiye, had earlier declared the seats of the 12 lawmakers-elect vacant.

But the governor played down the lawmakers' action, saying the decisions arising from any of their sittings would not be binding on him and the state government.

Also yesterday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court ordered the National Rescue Mission (NRM) to paste the court processes of the suit seeking to disqualify the APC governorship candidate, Mr. Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his running mate, Mr. Audu Ganiyu, on the party's national headquarters in Abuja.

At their sitting last week, the 17 pro-Oshiomhole lawmakers had claimed to have elected Hon. Victor Edoror,

representing Esan Central State Constituency, as speaker and Hon. Emmanuel Agbaje, representing Akoko-Edo I, as deputy speaker.

However, the governor, Okiye, with the seven other members, and the Deputy Governor, Hon. Philip Shaibu, had prevented the takeover of the Assembly by the 17 lawmakers, saying the place is under renovation.

The roof of the building was removed while heaps of sand and gravels for the renovation were dumped at the entrance gate of the Assembly.

The governor and his camp also described the actions of the pro-Oshiomhole lawmakers as illegal, adding that the matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction.

But Edoror yesterday said they would sit today and also continue to sit even if the entire building was taken away.

He told THISDAY on the phone that the House of Assembly belongs to the people, adding that being the custodian of that arm of government, he is duty-bound to provide the leadership and choose where to sit.

"Even when that part of the chamber has been bulldozed, we will continue to go there,” he said, adding: “Whether

they destroy all of it or not, we will take our sittings there.

No man born of a woman can prevent us.”

Reacting to the allegation that they planned to remove the governor, Edoror accused the governor of destroying the building to prevent them from accessing the premises.

He said: "But let me tell you, we are not there to remove anybody. We only want to access the place so as to give our people quality representation and good governance.

"Removal of the governor is not a tea party and it is not even part of the agenda except they want to make it so. What they are doing is to prevent us from sitting on the pretext that we want to remove the governor. That is far from the truth.

"That Assembly was renovated two years ago under Hon. Kabiru Adjoto's leadership. How can it now go for another renovation exercise?

It is all geared towards causing confusion."

But Obaseki dismissed the plans by the pro-Oshiomhole lawmakers to sit today, saying they are not members of the legislature and no decision taken by them will be accepted.

The governor's Special

civilian communities as a confidence-building mechanism between the military and the communities.

It expressed hope that when the loss of trust between both parties is restored, there will be improved cooperation in intelligence gathering and sharing.

The meeting also resolved that at the root of security challenges facing the country are poverty and youth unemployment and hence, the agreement to address them with greater vigour by all tiers of government.

The meeting focused on the country’s security policies and approaches in tackling the internal security challenges bedeviling the country with a charge that intelligence gathering and sharing must be intensified to enhance the security of the country.

Present at yesterday’s meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.); and the Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

Some governors who joined the meeting virtually are Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Babagana Zulum (Borno), David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos).

Security chiefs at the meeting were Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (who was represented); Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar; the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Mohammed Adamu; and the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi.

Also present were the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ahmed Rufa’I; Chief of Defence Intelligence Agency, Air Vice Marshall Muhammed Usman; Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd.); and the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr.

Maigari Dingyadi.

The governors were led by members of the NGF’s Security Committee, headed by Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

Adviser on Media, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, who spoke on behalf of his principal, said: "They are not members of the House and so I cannot accept anything from them."

Also speaking on the issue, the Edo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Mr. Chidi Nwabuzor, a deputy superintendent of police (DSP), said the constitutional role of the police is to ensure the protection of lives and property, stressing that the police would remain neutral.

"The police are apolitical.

We remain neutral so as to play our constitutional role effectively. We are not for any of the political parties. Our job as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is to ensure the protection of lives and property and that is exactly what we are doing," Nwabuzor added.

However, efforts to reach Okiye proved abortive as he did not take his calls or respond to a text message sent to him at press time.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, had earlier asked the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to provide police protection for the 17 APC lawmakers.

Malami’s directive had followed a petition from their counsel.

Malami, in a memo dated August 5, 2020, requested the Inspector General of Police to “kindly provide adequate security measures” for the inauguration of the assembly members and “the subsequent sittings of the Edo State House of Assembly.”

He said: “My office is in receipt of a letter dated August 3, 2020 from Messers West Idahosa & Co. requesting the intervention of my office on behalf of its clients who are members-elect of the Edo State House of Assembly, but who were excluded or prevented from being inaugurated till date since the House was inaugurated on 17th June 2019. A copy of the letter is attached for ease of reference.

“The law firm has requested that the affected members-elect, who were willing to discharge their constitutional roles, should be inaugurated or sworn in by the Clerk of the House.”

Politicians Exploit Insecurity for Personal Gains, Matawalle Alleges Meanwhile, Zamfara State Governor, Mr. Bello Matawalle, has accused politicians of being responsible for the insecurity challenges bedeviling the country.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto has also advocated that a special provision should be set aside without going through appropriations to increase funding for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the country.

Tambuwal, and his Zamfara State counterpart, were special guests yesterday at the Nigerian Army Special Army Super Camp 4 at Faskari, Katsina State.

Matawalle said: “We, the politicians, are to be blamed for the intractable security challenges bedeviling our communities. It is evident that some politicians exploit insecurity for political gains.

These unscrupulous politicians would hardly commend the military for their successes at the battlefronts.

“However, they would be eager to rush to the media to report attacks by bandits or other miscreants.”

“For these crops of politicians, politics is not about genuine commitment to the wellbeing of the people; it is all about power and nothing more.”

He, however, maintained that safeguarding and ensuring security was not just the responsibility of the president, the governors and the service chiefs but also that of every patriotic citizen.

Tambuwal advocated that a special provision should be made to increase funding for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the country.

Obaseki Pledges to Guarantee Peace However, Obaseki yesterday expressed his administration's commitment to ensure peace in the state despite the politically

"There is a need for proper and structured funding of the army and other security agencies in the country to enable them procure superior weapons to that of their adversaries. You need funding.

Funding is key to combating insecurity in any country.

"There should be a special security funding not only that derived from routine appropriations," the governor noted, emphasising: "Any constitutional means of getting funding for the army and other security agencies should be explored.”

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Muhammed Bello, the governor was quoted as commending Buhari for directing the effort to establish the Army Super Camp.

Tambuwal further noted that if more equipment could be procured for the Army, more resounding successes will be achieved.

He also gave kudos to Buratai for doing a great job in ensuring that the operations of the camp is seamless, adding that "Sokoto has recorded more peace, which is an opposite of the weeks preceding the operation of Ex Sahel Safety.”

He explained that now farmers and villagers who left their farms when banditry was raging are now back.

The South-Eastern part of the state, the governor said, is witnessing a return to normalcy.

On the efforts made by the Northern governors to complement those of the security agencies, the governor said they agreed to pursue a carrot and stick approach.

"We in Sokoto State are still continuing with the non-kinetic measure. No matter how long it takes in a battle, you must come back to the round table.

So, why wait until issues escalate? The kinetic and non-kinetic processes are simultaneously going on in Sokoto," he explained, adding that the Northern governors are trying to reform existing laws to punish kidnappers and other perpetrators of crimes associated with banditry. charged atmosphere.

He gave the assurance when he visited the Egiegbai II of Ekperi Kingdom, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Deke Kanoba, in Etsako Central Local Government Area of the Continued on page 10

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WEDNESDAY, ͹ͺ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Businesswoman Petitions Police, DSS, Accuses Ohakim of Fraud Ex-gov granted bail, to be charged soon Yet to see petition, says lawyer

Davidson Iriekpen and Chiemelie Ezeobi A businesswoman, Mrs. Chinyere Amuchinwa, has accused a former Imo State Governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, of defrauding her of N500 million.

In a petition obtained by THISDAY, which was addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu and the Department of State Services (DSS), seeking their intervention, Amuchinwa said the former governor not only defrauded her but obtained money from her under false pretence.

Amuchinwa also accused Ohakim of threatening her life.

However, THISDAY gathered that based on the petition, the police arrested Ohakim and later granted him administrative bail.

It was gathered that the police are intensifying efforts to charge the former governor to court for alleged fraud.

A source at the Force Headquarters yesterday said the police had concluded their investigations and were ready to charge the former governor to court.

The source, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Yes, we have been working on the report and it is now ready.

“The next move is to send the report to the legal department for advice.”

In the petition, dated July 8, 2020, the businesswoman alleged that she met the former governor in her hometown Arondizuogu, Imo State, at the funeral of Chief Raphael Obioha's wife where

the widower introduced her as an industrious and successful businesswoman.

Stating that they exchanged phone contacts that day, she alleged that Ohakim later called her and requested to hold a meeting with her in her home in Lagos and she obliged.

Amuchinwa equally alleged that the former governor collected goods on credit worth N110, 000,000 from her which he refused to pay for to date.

Her petition, which was signed by her attorney, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Obasi-Nweze, read in parts: “At the meeting, Ikedi Ohakim told our client that he had land for sale; he showed our client a large expanse of land in Lagos-spanning from the Ikeja Airport to the filling station along Ikeja Airport road.

“He purportedly made phone calls to the former Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, whom he claimed was negotiating to repurchase the land from him when he was governor of Imo State.

“After showing the client the said land, Ikedi Ohakim started demanding money in bits from our client. On some of the days, Ikedi Ohakim pretended to be talking to somebody regarding funds he was expecting, only to revert to our client to request for more monies with a promise that once he concluded the sale of the land in question, he would reimburse our client.

“On one of the occasions, Ikedi Ohakim pretended to be talking to somebody in Dubai about funds the person was to send to him; he then told the person to be careful because

the authorities were monitoring funds from abroad.”

The petition stated that at the end of the transaction, Amuchinwa allegedly released the total sum of N500 million in cash and goods to Ohakim.

Amuchinwa added that the transaction fell through after Ohakim allegedly failed to provide the land in question.

“Our client upon enquiry discovered that, the only truth in all that Ikedi ever told her was that he was the candidate of Accord Party in the 2019 governorship election of Imo State on the day Chief Raphael Obioha introduced him to our client; every other thing is false,” it stated.

The counsel said his client had already furnished the police with all the documents and other evidence pertaining to the petition and was ready to resubmit the petition to the police upon request.

One of the evidence, he said, included a voice note by Ohakim where he promised that immediately he got to Abuja, he would sell one of his properties and pay her money.

“But that was not to be. It then dawned on our client that she has been defrauded

by Ikedi Ohakim.

“In an evil twist, as it were, on January 18, 2020, Ikedi Ohakim invited our client to Bon Hotel, Asokoro and even sent a cab from the hotel to take our client. At the hotel, Ikedi Ohakim requested that our client should meet him in room 205 of the said hotel.

“When our client got to the said room, Ikedi Ohakim seized

the handset of our client and ran out of the room, and actually disappeared from the premises of the hotel.

“In no time, police personnel filled the hotel premises, searched our client and took our client to Asokoro Police Station where she was informed that there was an accusation against her by Ikedi Ohakim that she attacked him with a gun when he went to visit her in the hotel.

“Our client volunteered her statement at the Asokoro Police Station where she was detained; and the station, we are informed, has concluded its investigation and has given a report that the allegation was totally false in every material particular wit.

“Our client was not the person that lodged in room 205 of Bon Hotel Asokoro; it was Ikedi Ohakim that lodged in the said Room 205; our client went to the said Bon Hotel on the invitation of Ikedi Ohakim and the cab that took her to the hotel was in fact engaged by Ikedi Ohakim to take her; our client did not have any gun or dangerous weapon on her,” the petition stated.

According to Amuchinwa, despite the police division’s report exonerating her of the allegations, the police are yet to act on the above discovery.

She added that the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Federal Investigation and Intelligence Bureau (FIIB) Abuja is fully aware of the discovery because the matter is being handled by the FIIB. The petition stated that “in yet another twist, our client

was invited on phone by one Margaret Ochalla (who introduced herself as Deputy Commissioner of Police – DCP FIIB) to answer to a petition

by Ikedi Ohakim alleging that: “Our client received N100,000,000.00 only meant for Ikedi Ohakim’s campaign and that our client refused to give the money to him; whereas our client is not a politician; she is not even a registered voter; she is not also, a card-carrying member of any political party.

“That our client took thugs to attack Ikedi Ohakim at his Asokoro residence; that our client tried to kill Ikedi Ohakim with a gun at Bon Hotel Asokoro on January 18, 2020.”

The counsel alleged that since his client gave her own side of the story in her statement to the police and evidencing the content of this petition against Ohakim, she has been severally threatened by “Ohakim and his cohorts that they will kidnap and kill her if she does not withdraw from the matter, hence our petition.

“In particular, one Ilumuanya called our client in May 2020 and threatened our client that he has our client’s nude pictures and that he would release the nude pictures to the public if our client does not withdraw from pursuing the case.”

The counsel called on President Muhammadu Buhari, the IG and the DSS to use their good office to institute an investigation into the allegations against Ohakim; and upon confirmation of the veracity of same, “prosecute Ikedi Ohakim, Eze Cletus

Ilomuanya, and any other person culpable accordingly.”

However, efforts to get Ohakim to react to the allegations against him were abortive as calls and subsequent text messages to his mobile phone got no response.

He later referred THISDAY to his lawyer, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor.

Responding yesterday, Ejimakor said the former governor had on July 22 applied for a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the petition and was yet to receive any reply.

He wondered why the police would release the petition when the investigation of the case had not been concluded.

“We discerned that this petition purports as the same petition about which our client (Dr. Ikedi Ohakim) had written an application through counsel on July 22, 2020, requesting a Certified True Copy (CTC).

Till date, the police are yet to reply to us.

“We are also puzzled as to why the Force Headquarters will give you the said petition to publish while it is yet to supply us a CTC thereof, and what purpose the publication will serve the police on an ongoing investigation,” he said.

However, THISDAY gathered that it was on the basis of the petition that Ohakim was arrested and after he wrote a statement, he was granted administrative bail.

Efforts by THISDAY to get a response from the spokesperson of the Force Headquarters, DCP Frank Mba, last night proved abortive as his mobile phone was switched off.

Justice Mohammed gave the order while ruling on an ex-parte application for substituted service filed by the NRM that was argued

by Mr. Valentine Offia.

The plaintiff is seeking the exclusion of the APC and its candidate from the forthcoming governorship poll in Edo State on the alleged unlawful nomination.

In the suit marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/743/2020 and filed on August 6, the plaintiffs claimed that the letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) containing the name of Ize-Iyamu and his deputy was signed by the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the APC instead of the party's national chairman and secretary.

Defendants in the suit are the APC, INEC, Ize-Iyamu and Ganiyu as first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively.

The APC's National Executive Committee had on June 25

dissolved the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) and appointed a caretaker committee headed by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni.

At last week's sitting, the plaintiff had accused Ize-Iyamu and Ganiyu of evading service and prayed court to order service on them through the national headquarters of the APC in Abuja.

In a short ruling, Justice Mohammed ordered that the originating processes and hearing notice be served on them through the APC headquarters in Abuja.

"Having listened to the applicant counsel and carefully looked at the ten-paragraph affidavit, and an exhibit attached to the application, I am satisfied that the prayer should be granted and hereby grant the prayers," the judge held.

He subsequently adjourned the suit till August 18 for further mention.

The NRM in the suit claimed that the list of candidates of the APC for the Edo State gubernatorial election jointly signed by the national chairman and the national secretary of the APC was not received by INEC and as such INEC lacks powers to receive the list of candidates of APC for the Edo State gubernatorial election from the governor of Yobe State.

The plaintiff urged the court to declare that the APC has no candidate in the gubernatorial election by virtue of the non – submission of its list of candidates before the deadline on June 29.

The party, therefore, prayed for an order voiding the decision of INEC to include APC, Ize-Iyamu and Ganiyu as candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.

It asked for another order disqualifying the APC, Ize-Iyamu and Ganiyu as a candidate in the governorship election in Edo State.

SHOWDOWN LOOMS IN EDO, 17 LAWMAKERS INSIST ON SITTING state, to seek for the monarch's prayers and support ahead of the September 19 gubernatorial election.

He said: “I will continue to do everything within my powers even in the face of provocation from the opposition to ensure that our dear state is peaceful.

“No business can thrive in a state where there is no peace. As a government, we are determined to explore all means possible to grow our economy.

“I understand that there is also no place or business that can boom without constant electricity. We need electricity for our businesses such as fish farms which is a major source of income for the people of Ekperi.

“It's our interest to construct roads and other infrastructure for our people. We have had some challenges with the management of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

“But as a government, I want to assure you that we are very concerned about providing constant electricity supply to our people,” he added.

In his remarks, the Egiegbai II of Ekperi Kingdom pledged his palace's non-partisanship, adding that his interest is in good governance.

The monarch called for peaceful rallies by political parties and urged security agencies to ensure a peaceful electioneering process.

PDP Suspends Campaign to Oshiomhole's LG The Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) has suspended its campaign in Uzairue and Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of the state, rerouting the train to Owan East Local Government Area.

The state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, said in a statement yesterday that the decision was taken to avoid an alleged plan by the APC to attack its campaign train.

He said: “We have received information that leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have decided to confront and attack members and supporters of the PDP in Etsako West Local Government Area, where former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, hails from.

“We have taken this decision, not because we are timid as a party, but because we do not want to expose thousands of our members and supporters in that part of the state to harm. Our

candidate and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, is a peace-loving leader who places a huge premium on the safety of citizens. We had planned to go to Uzairue and Auchi but the APC has just released its campaign schedule that shows that they will be at same places too so that they can launch their planned attacks on us."

Court Grants Substituted Service in Suit Challenging Ize-Iyamu’s Qualification Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court yesterday ordered the National Rescue Mission (NRM) to paste the court processes of the suit seeking to disqualify IzeIyamu and his running mate on the party's national headquarters in Abuja.

34 APPLICANTS REQUEST FOR N90BN FROM CBN’S HEALTHCARE RESEARCH GRANT According to him, “Also, we have two independent research experts who are quite versatile in administering these grants. So they will administer the grants and anybody who is eligible can apply.

“The modalities are set out in the guidelines. They will look at the proposals, evaluate them and recommend to the CBN and then we would eventually disburse.”

The CBN director said the applications received were from both public and private universities, while some of the manufacturing companies in Nigeria also applied for the grant.

“So, all these would be looked at by the body of experts and they will make recommendations. They have already set to work. You should be seeing some of their communications in the newspapers in the coming days, asking for more clarifications for some proposals they've received.

“They've tried to streamline the format so that they can easily score them and make submissions for the CBN for approval and eventually disbursement to the successful candidates,” Yusuf said.

He reiterated that the CBN has

N100 billion intervention fund for the health sector, which is being accessed at five per cent interest rate.

“We funded over 24 manufacturers and healthcare centres. We've disbursed N13 billion.

“Two of them are from brownfield and the remaining are greenfield projects. Most of them have increased the lines of drugs they manufacture,” he said.

When asked if there was a sunset period for the repayment of the fund, he said: “In the next few days, you will see some

communication from the body of experts. We are expecting that all submissions from those who are applying should be before October 30th.

“We set two years and 24 months for us to be able to disburse."

Speaking about how the intervention in the health sector ties into other healthcare initiatives of the government in relation to COVID-19, he said: “I think it’s a complementary effort. CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele has been worried about the huge outflows we spend on medicals, both medical tourism

and the cost of drugs that we purchase, especially from Asia.

“And the numbers are quite staggering. We believe that with adequate research, we can bring down the prices of drugs, especially around herbal medicines, we should be able to do something on that area.

“So, this is a complementary effort.

"We've been working with the fiscal authorities. If you look at the body of experts, a significant part of it is from the fiscal side of the government and they are the ones that are going to be administering these grants.”

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 2020

MIDWEEKPOLITICS In Edo, It’s Two Wrongs, No Right

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

Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party, in the September 19 governorship race in Edo State continue to take actions that are inimical to the spirit of the Nigerian constitution and the promotion of democracy

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (left) and Hon. Abdulmunin Jibrin, the newly appointed Executive Director, Business Development at the Federal Housing Authority, who paid him a courtesy call earlier today at the National Assembly

Obaseki

Ize-Iyamu

F

shall be one-third of all the members of the House.”

On top of these were several litigations challenging the legality of a nocturnal swearing in of a minority of members of the Edo State House of Assembly to the exclusion of the majority.

Last week, the sidelined Edo legislators returned and attempted to take over the house of assembly by force. Having failed to enter the Edo legislative chamber, they reconvened at another venue outside the House of Assembly and purportedly carried out an inauguration of the house, claiming that it had thrown overboard all decisions taken by their colleagues who were earlier sworn in.

Nigerian courts have, at different times, pronounced that legislative business cannot be conducted outside the designated chambers Worried by this development, a pro-Obaseki group, Obaseki Field Marshal (OFM) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prevail on security agencies to put modalities in place to ensure the provision and maintenance of security before, during and after the Edo State governorship election.

The group said the call has become necessary because of recent developments in the state which seems to threaten the security of the state even weeks before the election, saying that if things are allowed to continue the way they are it may not speak well for the state during the election.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos at the weekend, the Convener of OFM, Don Olusegun Ugbo said he was calling on INEC and the security agencies to act now before it is too late, because “the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies are indispensible organisations in conducting elections.

“Therefore, we appeal to both bodies to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

We don’t want any bloodshed in the election.

We don’t want anybody to lose any member of their family to this election. INEC should make sure the election is not rigged and avoid all other electoral malpractices.”

Speaking on their support for the incumbent governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the OFM convener who said the group has membership with executives in all the 18 local governments of the state, informed that Obaseki has performed very well in his first term in office and so deserves a second term.

Ugbo said because of Obaseki’s level of performance in the state which has seen him deliver on almost all of his campaign promises, it will amount to ingratitude for anyone in the state not to work for his re-election.

rom all indications, the impending governorship election in Edo State on September 19 holds a lot of foreboding for the people in that state constituency and the country at large. So far, only the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been reassuring in its conduct, which offers hope that it will insist on the political parties playing it by the rules.

In a novel step, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revealed recently that it was keeping a careful record of incidents of violence and hate speeches in Edo State.

It is not clear how INEC may deploy such evidence. There is no prior action on a similar matter that may be relied on, as INEC has often tried to walk the middle course, staying away from being accused of meddling in the affairs of political parties or being seen to be in favour of one political party over another.

The INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Information, Festus Okoye said, “The Commission is documenting incendiary statements aimed at inflaming passion. The Commission is also documenting violent acts and threats to the smooth conduct of elections in Edo and Ondo State.”

Okoye specifically told THISDAY, “In the coming days, the Commission will engage the leaders of the political parties, the campaign councils, the candidates in the election, traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups and organisations as well as the inter agency consultative committee on election security with a view to deescalating and degrading the level of violence in both state.”

The Commission, Okoye stated, will not condone the present slide towards violence and the present escalation of abusive, intemperate, slanderous and base language designed to provoke violent reactions.”

However, the two major political partiesthe All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been carrying on like a house on fire, hurling every available verbal and sometimes, physical attack on opponents. Governor Godwin Obaseki took the fight to his former godfather and immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole since last year and things have never been the same again. A critical highlight in the faceoff between Oshiomhole and Obaseki was the midnight inauguration of about onethird of elected members of the state house of assembly who are loyalists of Obaseki. Those suspected to have sympathy for Oshiomhole were tactfully denied the opportunity to be sworn in.

Every attempt to resolve the matter through the conflict resolution organ of the APC failed.

Even the efforts of the National Assembly was successfully rebuffed by pro-Obaseki elements.

Chapter V Part II 96 (1) of the 1999 Constitution says, “The quorum of a House of Assembly

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

From left: The Olowu of kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama; Osun State, Governor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, Chief of Policy and Planning Nigeria Army, Lt. Gen, Lamidi O. Adeosun and others, during the 10th Edition of Social Media Influencers Seminar, at Aenon Suites and Hotels International, Osogbo

L-R: Ekiti State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Foluso Daramola; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; and Principal, St. Louis Grammar School, Ikere, Mrs. Rhoda Ojo, during an inspection exercise carried out by the Governor ahead of school resumption

Akwa Ibom State Chief Judge, Justice Godwin Abraham (left) exchanging pleasantries with the State Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo at the recent inauguration of Commissioners and Special Advisers by Gov Udom Emmanuel in Uyo

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍ°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

COMMENT

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

REFORMING THE CORPORATE AFFAIRS COMMISSION The new companies and allied matters act will enhance the ease of doing business, writes Sonnie Ekwowusi

L

ast Friday President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the Companies and Allied Matters Bill, 2020 (CAMA Bill 2020). By that singular action, the Companies and Allied Matters Act 1990, (CAMA 1990), which came into force 30 years ago stands repealed and replaced with the extant Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA 2020). A perusal of CAMA 2020 reveals that it is in every sense a revolutionary piece of legislation containing many corporate legal innovations geared towards not only enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigeria but also profoundly influencing the direction of corporate activities and their regulations in order to promote millennial entrepreneurship and economic prosperity in Nigeria. For example, CAMA 2020 has made ample provisions for, inter alia, enhanced protection of minority shareholder rights (Rule in FOSS V HARBOTTLE enhanced); merger of incorporated trustees and associations that share same objectives, electronic filling, and electronic share transfer and e-meetings for private companies. Unlike CAMA 1990, CAMA 2020 now allows corporate promoters of companies to establish private companies with just one single member or one shareholder; creates limited liability partnerships and limited partnerships to give investors value for their investments and alternative forms of carrying out their businesses. Under CAMA 2020, small companies are no longer mandated to appoint auditors at annual general meetings to audit their financial records; statement of compliance can be signed by a non-lawyer; appointment of company secretary now optional for private companies.

Enacting a revolutionary piece of legislation such as CAMA 2020 is one thing, getting the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to discharge its functions diligently is a different thing entirely. The two must not be mixed up. After all, CAMA 202O is not a self-operating robot. It requires diligent CAC staffers to make it work. In fact the functionality of CAMA 2020 is dependent to a large extent on the functionality of CAC. Corruption begets corruption. If the CAC staffers are corrupt then CAMA 2020 and technological innovation driving it will be corrupt too. In the same vein, if the staffers of CAC are not business-friendly then CAMA 2020 and the technological innovation driving it will not be business-friendly.

The CAC was founded in 1990 under CAMA 1990 to, inter alia, regulate and supervise the formation of companies; establish and maintain a company registry and arrange and conduct an investigation into the affairs of any company in Nigeria. But unfortunately the CAC has not been living up to the aforesaid despite the fact that the CAC headquarters in Abuja and CAC Zonal offices across Nigeria are fully computerized and managed with the latest technological innovation. Mind you, CAMA 1990 was a revolutionary technological innovation. Yet it failed to reduce the human inefficiency and incompetence at the CAC. To begin with, the CAC has a history of poor record-keeping despite the new technology at its disposal.

Corporate documents and papers filed at the CAC oftentimes are lost within the precinct of the CAC. Oftentimes jobs at the CAC are delayed owing to the breakdown of the computerized CAC operations. Searches for availability of company names at the CAC, which is supposed to be a simple job, is hardly accurate. Some companies with identical names have been registered at the CAC. Whereas registration of private limited liability companies lasts not more than one day in other countries, at our CAC it takes not less three weeks or even months unless the applicant is ready to pay a “extortion fee�. Sadly enough, registration of social clubs, NGOs, churches, etc., under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990 could last up to three years.

On several occasions the CAC had announced to the public that

THE CAC HAS BEEN RENDERED DYSFUNCTIONAL OVER THE YEARS DUE TO HUMAN PROBLEM, NOT LACK OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION

company registration in Nigeria could be expeditiously done on-line and that the certificate of such registered company could be printed online in one’s office or bedroom. But this is just a ruse. In practice, online company registration is still a mirage in Nigeria. You may succeed in filling the requisite forms for the company incorporation online, but you can hardly complete the incorporation exercise in one month or even two months. Why? Because the CAC Server is always breaking down. The CAC payment Portal is epileptic. More importantly, under the watch of CAC, many scammers operate fictitious companies and use them to commit all sorts of scam undetected. Under the watch of CAC, many corrupt politicians hide under fictitious companies or under crony shareholders and directors to launder or siphon funds resulting from illegal contracts awards or transactions. In July 2008 the then Assistant Director, Compliance, Corporate Affairs, Commission (CAC), Abuja (who is now the Registrar-General of the CAC), Alhaji Garba Abubarkar, shocked the nation when he revealed that 90% of companies in Nigeria were not registered. The Registrar-General of the CAC made this disclosure at that time because the probes carried out revealed that contracts running into billions of Naira were awarded to many unregistered companies in Nigeria.

For months now, the CAC has not been allowing customers to collect their certificates and other CAC documents. Why? Because the CAC says that owing to the COVID-19 pandemic it has now hired some courier companies to be delivering all certificates and CAC documents to all customers. What are the names of these courier companies so that customers may locate their respective offices and collect their certificates or documents from them? CAC has refused to disclose their names.

Any deadline given to the courier companies to deliver the certificates and documents? Apparently none. Which means a customer who urgently needs his certificate or other documents for urgent business could be frustrated waiting for a certificate or documents that may never be delivered to him. This was why last two week, some corporate lawyers and CAC customers staged a peaceful protest in front of CAC Headquarters, Abuja Consequently the CAC is overdue for genuine human reform.

The CAC has been rendered dysfunctional over the years due to human problem, not lack of technological innovation. Therefore CAC staffers should adopt the right attitude to work. They should be business-friendly. They should stop creating unnecessary structures or bureaucracies which delay the completion of jobs at the CAC. For example, it is not a rocket science to dispatch certificates and documents to customers. If the CAC must use courier companies to do so, then the dispatching must be completed within one week. Deadlines for treating applications should be specifically spelt out and adhered to. Let the CAC Server be functional at all times. Ditto for the CAC payment portal.

Customers should be allowed to register their companies online within 24 hours as done in many climes today. Applications for certified true copies of documents, changes, alteration of share capital, etc., should be treated online within 24 hours. CAC Zonal offices across Nigeria should function properly. Filling of annual returns of companies and incorporated trustees should be done online and receipts issued accordingly. All leakages at the CAC should be blocked to minimize corporate fraud and scams by government officials. Nigeria is a booming market for many foreign firms. But such firms cannot invest in Nigeria if CAC is efficient.

Doubtless an efficient CAC will attract foreign investment and accelerate economic growth in Nigeria.

PONDEI IS COMPETENT AND RESULT-ORIENTED Dumbo Hinks ĂĄĂœĂ“ĂžĂ?Ă? ÞÒËÞ ÞÒĂ? Ă™Ă˜ĂŽĂ?Ă“Ě‹Ă–Ă?ĂŽ Ă˜ĂžĂ?ĂœĂ“Ă— Ă‹Ă˜Ă‹Ă‘Ă?Ă—Ă?Ă˜Ăž Ù××ÓÞÞĂ?Ă? Ă?Ă’Ă™Ă&#x;Ă–ĂŽ ĂŒĂ? ËÖÖÙåĂ?ĂŽ ÞÙ Ă?Ă–Ă?Ă‹Ă˜ Ă&#x;Ăš Ă‹Ă˜ĂŽ ĂœĂ?Ă?ĂžĂ™ĂœĂ? ÞÒĂ? ĂŽĂ“Ă‘Ă˜Ă“ĂžĂŁ Ă™Ă?

I

n the heat of the controversy at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), I have chosen to put things in the right perspective partly because I know the capacity and character of Prof. Daniel Kemebradikumo Pondei, and then, he represents just who the government could rely on to restore the NDDC. Pondei is a just and competent man; I know this because I have worked closely with him. In his commitment to results, he has never in my experience opted for dishonest routes.

Without a doubt, the last few weeks have really been unpleasant for the NDDC, and news reports have further helped to create an unbalanced narration of events therein, which is why I feel the need to do this.

It was Pondei who categorically told the government at his inauguration that: “By my training, I am a problem-solver and I pray that members of the IMC will work together to solve problems. The NDDC has existed for about 20 years‌ a 20-year-old child that still needs to take breast milk is in trouble.

By extension, the NDDC is in trouble.�

Pondei also indicated that with the IMC he is leading, he will adopt new approaches to clean and reposition the NDDC. Only the brave and competent tells a potential employer that a subsidiary it has invested a lot in is dying off and needs a strategy turnaround.

He stated clearly that previously used approaches have failed to deliver the right outcomes in the

NDDC, but that he will adopt an approach that will deliver enviable outcomes. His planned strategy would when executed deliver the government’s desires and make the people of Niger Delta happy with the NDDC. But without allowing for the methods he envisaged and set out to implement to gain foothold, the National Assembly probe came in and for want of words, made to discredit, disrupt and disorganise the Pondei-led IMC. As it has shown, the aftershock of the public hearing clearly seems to have vindicated Pondei and his conviction that the NDDC is in trouble; revelations that legislators are major beneficiaries of contract cheats and abuse of office in the commission are one of the many troubles Pondei spoke about that needed to stop.

An as interventionist agency, NDDC was created precisely to structurally fix the socio-economic challenges of the Niger Delta; a region that Nigeria has greatly leveraged its hydrocarbon resources to stay together for years now, but it has lately been raided and captured by interests different from its core mandate.

There have been instances of financial fraud, contracts abuses, evasion of due process and ultimately, misallocation of social and economic interventions. But these did not happen with Prof.

Daniel Kemebradikumo Pondei who was appointed on Thursday, February 20, 2020 to head the agency.

It was on the basis of the repeated instances of misuse of resources at the NDDC that Pondei,

a professor of medicine from the Niger Delta University (NDU) in Bayelsa State was appointed as managing director of the agency; to clean up and set it back on the right path.

In its judgment of the situation at the NDDC, the presidency replaced Joi Nunieh, an Ogoni-born lawyer and activist, with Pondei to now heads the Interim Management Committee (IMC) which was to amongst other requests, conduct a forensic audit of the activities of NDDC. Pondei’s appointment made him the fifth managing director of NDDC in one year; a management turnover which does not speak well of, or rather tells that the commission is poorly run. From Akwa Ibom-born Nsima Ekere who took over from Ibim Semenitari and susequently resigned to contest for the governor in his state, to Nelson Brambaifa, a professor of pharmacology who was fired in September 2019 over alleged abuse of office, and then Akwagaga Enyia, a director in the commission who got the nod to head it but later got replaced with Nunieh.

Nunieh began contract verification in the agency but was replaced by Pondei whose competence, calmness and disposition to honest practices is wellknown. And, I do not think the events that played out at the National Assembly reflects in any way the nature of Pondei which I know.

Pondei is not a pushover and has over time and circumstances proven himself to be a man of consistent character. He has earned respect and healthy compliments from across board.

As a medical graduate of the University of Lagos, PhD holder in microbiology from the School of Molecular Medical Sciences, University of Nottingham, and then a professor of medical microbiology with specialty in virology, Pondei has proved his competence in academic rigours.

He has equally proved that his academic competencies are adaptable in practical management scenes through the administrative responsibilities he has held including that as the Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University before he was appointed into NDDC. He was Acting Head of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, as well as Acting Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University.

Pondei once led the Bayelsa division of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

Such a man who has been widely described by many as skilled and meticulous could not suddenly descend into the character and narrative that are put out there. He started well on his mandate at the NDDC and should be allowed to continue the work of cleaning up and restoring the dignity of NDDC. Now that we know who benefits from the NDDC, I urge President Muhammadu Buhari, and the people of the Niger Delta to stand with Pondei; he is competent, result-oriented and will deliver the right outcomes for the government, NDDC and the region.

Hinks, a businessman and former chairman of Ekeremor local government, wrote from Bayelsa

15

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020

EDITORIAL COVID-19 AND REOPENING OF SCHOOLS There is still much to worry about

A

fter five months of lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the gates of many schools were flung open last week to students in final year to write their West African School Certificate examination (WASCE).

Following a virtual Federal Executive Council session, the federal government announced August 4 as resumption date for schools while the West African Examination Council announced August 17 through September 5, for the examinations. The exams, earlier scheduled for April, were postponed in order to curtail the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

However, while many are worried about the “hasty” reopening, considering the number of infections recorded daily, others are excited about the development.

Prof. Oyesoji Aremu of the Department of Guidance and Counselling, University of Ibadan, said the move was relieving to many parents, students and other stakeholders. “The decision would also enable the exit classes, especially for IN MANY PUBLIC students in Senior SCHOOLS ACROSS THE Secondary III to take COUNTRY, THE LEVEL OF and conclude their secondary education COMPLIANCE IS STILL with a view to enterVERY LOW ing higher institutions of learning,” he said. Similarly, an educationist, Prof.

Clement Kolawole said the development showed that the government was aware that it could manage the process in a way “that COVID-19 will not ground the education system completely.”

Indeed, available evidence suggests that Covid-19 poses relatively low risks to school-aged children. But the social, emotional, health and academic impact of long school closure on children could be overwhelming. Extended school closure is reportedly harmful to the child as it can lead to learning loss. Reopening the schools will create room to invest in the education of the child and by extension, the future of the country.

In agreeing to partially open the schools for the final

Letters to the Editor

students last week, the federal government drew up stringent guidelines that will, to a reasonable extent, prevent the spread of the highly infectious disease. These include the fumigation of all school premises - public or private, adequate spacing of desks to minimise contacts between and among students, provision of soap and running water for hand washing, hand sanitisers in addition to thermometers to check the body temperature of staff and students.

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

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

hile some schools adhered to the measures to lower the risk of exposure to Covid-19, others were virtually unprepared. In many public schools across the country, the level of compliance is still very low. In many schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, for instance, the turnout of students was high and the level of compliance was reasonable as Covid-19 safety and health protocols were largely observed. The Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajuiba, who monitored the resumption in Abuja was impressed. “I was at Federal Government College, Apo and can tell you that the students are fully aware of what they need to do to keep safe.”

However, that is not the case in many other schools. At the Junior Secondary School, Wuse Zone 2, for instance, the entire environment was unkempt and overgrown with weeds; there was no temperature screening; students moved around without face masks while the water basin provided was empty. A similar level of unpreparedness was evident at the Maitama Model School, where students huddled together in idle talks. All the Covid-19 health protocols were observed in the breach.

It is therefore trite to say that many schools in the rural areas would be in a more precarious state. Besides, some states are yet to open their schools, meaning that such students will have less than a week to prepare for the exams. In Edo State, for instance, schools opened on August 10 to enable operators of schools to complete the modalities for a safe school re-opening. As things stand across the country today, there is still much to worry about.

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.

My Experience At The Idu Isolation Centre

E

ven though I never doubted the existence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, due to the abundance of information in the public domain, I however did not envisage that I would one day become part of the statistics daily being dished out by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on positive testing and recoveries.

So, it really came as a rude shock to me on the 13th of July 2020, when I learnt that I had tested positive to the corona virus following the tests that were done by officials of the NCDC. As it happened, an order had actually come from the top that staff in the office where I worked must be tested for the COVID-19, which didn’t really sit well with many people in the office.

But being an executive order, it was carried out with dispatch and by the third day, results began to filter in and I later got to know that I had tested positive to coronavirus.

This revelation was as surprising as it was unsettling, as I had actually considered myself fit and showed no symptom of cough or fever except for the fact that I had malaria a few weeks back which I had fully recovered from.

But the official who disclosed my result insisted that I was positive and urged me to prepare for isolation and treatment at the Idu Isolation and Treatment Centre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. I was advised to take a few of my personal things like clothes, bathroom slippers, towel, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, detergent, among others.

With my fate sealed, I made straight for home to prepare for

the inevitable.

On arrival at the Centre in an ambulance driven by medical officials, I was admitted into the elegant five-story building, which had been retrofitted for the purpose of isolation and treatment of Covid-19 positive patients.

I learnt the FCT Administration and officials of the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) had come together in partnership and supported by other private donors, to outfit the Idu metro Training Facility into an isolation and treatment centre for COVID-19.

After some pep talks regarding why we had been brought there and how we were expected to conduct ourselves, the medical officials who were completely covered in white protective gears, marched us to the available wards, with the lady among us, headed to a separate ward.

On arrival at ward four of the centre, I was ushered into a very large room which had two other patients earlier admitted on that same day. Some medications like pain killers, antibiotics, immune boosters and vitamins among others, were given to us with explanations on how to use them.

I was also allocated a bed with a bedside cabinet and given face masks, hand gloves and bedcovering for my personal use.

The medical officials informed me that I would be there for a maximum of 14 days, but noted that testing would be done on the 9th day and I could be discharged if I tested negative before the 14th day. They however warned that I could be held for much longer if I continued to test positive with symptoms of Covid-19 and advised me to always wear my face mask.

I must say at this point that what I met at the Centre, differed greatly from what I had actually anticipated. To be precise, I had actually expected to see a hospital setting with a lot of sickly people coughing, sneezing, down with the flu and needing breathing aides. But this was not the case. Instead, I met a place teeming with vibrant young men and women and a few elderly people, sitting idly and counting the days as they passed.

This didn’t fool me though as I had heard about the Covid-19 incubation period during which one could be asymptomatic but with the potency of infecting others and I knew I couldn’t let my guards down. So, I settled for life at the centre but with caution.

While my experience at the centre was not particularly bad, I don’t think I could say anything negative also about the efforts that were made to ensure the safety, comfort and wellbeing of the patients who were isolated and treated at Idu. While the doctors and nurses were ever present to check the health status of the patients at the centre, the cleaners and messengers also carried out the cleaning and serving of the food with efficiency Fortunately, my time at the centre came to an anticipated end on the 12th day, which is the 26th of July 2020, when the officials disclosed that I had tested negative and instructed me to get ready to leave. The test had been conducted on the 10th day and the results came out two days later.

I was relieved at last that I was going home and back to my comfort zone.

Danladi Akilu, Durumi II, Gudu District, Abuja

16

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

FMDQ Lists United Capital, LAPO MFB Bonds Goddy Egene FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited

has approved the listing of the United Capital Plc Series 1 N10.00billion Fixed Rate Bond under its N30.00billion

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

Bond Programme and the LAPO MFB SPV Plc Series 2 N6.20 billion Fixed Rate Bond under its N20 billion Bond

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 10Aug-2020, unless otherwise stated.

Issuance Programme.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director, Investment Banking,

United Capital, Babatunde Obaniyi, said: “The Series 1 bond issuance adds to the impressive portfolio of

innovative and landmark transactions which are the hallmark of the United Capital brand.

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 N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 0.92 0.93 2.03% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 9.98% 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 N/A N/A N/A AIICO Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 14.30 14.73 -6.65% ARM Discovery Fund 338.68 348.89 -1.95% ARM Ethical Fund 30.40 31.32 4.53% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.14 1.14 14.14% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.08 1.09 8.66% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.55% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 96.33 97.01 0.26% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.88% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.17 2.17 20.99% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 1.84 1.87 3.68% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 0.05 0.04 5.46% Paramount Equity Fund 11.23 11.43 -10.29% Women's Investment Fund 110.19 111.15 -0.21% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.93% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 104.51 104.84 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 108.44 108.74 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 101.57 101.57 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 1,399.75 1,401.19 14.69% FBN Balanced Fund 151.09 152.25 2.91% FBN Halal Fund 107.58 107.60 7.58% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.58% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 117.94 118.41 2.11% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 119.12 119.59 2.60% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 113.93 115.72 -12.45% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.89% Legacy Debt Fund 3.80 3.80 4.01% Legacy Equity Fund 1.12 1.14 -0.98% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.11 1.11 3.08% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,115.84 3,149.81 2.46% Coral Income Fund 3,179.72 3,179.72 3.38% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 4.52% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.08% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.32 2.36 6.03% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.85% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 149.35 149.97 4.16% 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 1.25 1.27 7.08% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,126.93 1,126.93 6.48% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.39 1.41 13.77% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.89 11.96 5.63% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.29% PACAM Equity Fund 1.07 1.08 PACAM EuroBond Fund 106.63 109.11 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 115.45 117.61 -5.44% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.01 1.01 6.08% 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 2,521.35 2,532.80 2.63% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 0.69% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 2.87% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 0.90% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 1.47% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.50% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 0.73% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.16 1.16 0.53% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 118.18 118.18 0.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.14 1.16 -4.64% United Capital Bond Fund 1.84 1.84 6.33% United Capital Equity Fund 0.65 0.66 -8.37% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.89% United Capital Eurobond Fund 113.80 113.80 4.17% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.02 1.03 -2.72% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.30 10.41 0.13% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.65 11.71 0.05% Zenith Income Fund 24.49 24.49 9.99% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.03%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

117.23

4.56%

53.32

2.44%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.14 85.49 66.97

9.24 87.29 68.18

4.96% 0.58% 1.46%

Union Homes REIT

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

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.03

15.02%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

A S

REPO 7.17 6.33

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

7.50 6.75 8

A T

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

A U G U S T

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

586.61% 0.21% -4.48%

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

7 ,

2 0 2 0

4.23% 21.92%

EXCHANGE RATE N381/1US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Quick Takes NCDMB Headquarters Set for Inauguration

MEMBERSHIP INDUCTION

L-R:GeneralSecretary,RiskManagementAssociationofNigeria(RIMAN),Mr.AdesojiOlasoko; FirstVicePresident,Mr.KolaAjimoko; President,Mr.Magnus Nnoka;SecondVicePresident,Dr.EzekielOseni,andExecutiveSecretary,Mr.VictorOlannye, duringtheassociation’smembershipinductionprogrammein Lagos...recently

FG Pledges to Complete Gas Fields’Concession Programme Chineme Okafor in Abuja The federal government will not abandon its plan to concession up to 178 identified flare gas fields through its Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Program (NGFCP) which it initiated in 2018.

The Technical Adviser (TA) on Gas Business and Policy Implementation to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, Justice Derefaka, disclosed this during a chat with THISDAY. Derefaka, who is also the Program Manager for the NGFCP, said the country has been working on the modalities so far, adding that the process of concluding the first phase of the NGFCP was ongoing with the bid rounds.

According to the government, the NGFCP was designed as its strategy to eliminate gas flares from oil fields in the country.

It noted that with potentially enormous multiplier and develop-

ECONOMY ment outcomes for Nigeria, the NGFCP will support technically and commercially sustainable gas utilisation projects developed by competent third-party investors.

Through the program, the government said it would offer flare gas for sale to qualified bidders through a transparent and competitive bidding process.

But speaking to THISDAY on the back of the government’s plan to formerly launch a gas transportation code for the country, Derefaka, stressed that the NGFCP has not been abandoned; he said it was still part of the government’s key policy focus in the country’s oil and gas sector. “Apart from the nine ministerial mandate priority deliverables of the ministry from 2019 to 2023, the go-live of the network code could be described as one of the four great milestones of

the Honourable Minister’s priority deliverables for the oil and gas industry. “The others are completion of the first phase bidding round of the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Program (NGFCP), which has the potential of overall inward foreign direct investment of $3 to 3.5 billion; potential annual revenue or Gross Domestic Product (GDP) impact of $1 billion. “(The program will also) generate approximately 26,000 direct jobs and approximately 300,000 total jobs, create a new wave of opportunity for a new set of investors, usher in the beginning of the creation of the new midstream players,� said Derefaka.

Derefaka, equally noted that the government understands the contribution the NGFCP could make to Nigeria’s climate change mitigation efforts. “And, in terms emissions reduction, once operational, projects launched under the NCFCP will reduce Nigeria’s

emissions by approximately 13 metric million tons of CO2 per year; producing 600,000MT of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) per year and generating 2.5GW of power from new and existing Independent Power Plants (IPPs). “The NGFCP can become an important source of additional gas to support power sector development and recovery,� he explained.

The other priority focus of the government, he added include the 2020 marginal oil field licensing round which he noted would deepen the participation of Nigerian businesses in the country’s upstream oil market, as well as the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law to aggregate all the laws that govern the industry from upstream to downstream sector as well as establish and clarify the rules, procedures, and institutions that will entrench good governance, transparency, and accountability in the industry.

Expert Prescribes Business Survival Strategies Raheem Akingbolu Companies willing to survive the current macroeconomic challenges have been urged to create and sustain a competitive advantage, rather than spending on marketing tactics that do not work.

Speaking as a guest speaker during a virtual Chief Marketing/ Communications Officers Forum, of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN), the Group Marketing Director at Jotna Nigeria Limited, The LaCasera Company, Emmanuel Agu, admitted that a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) environment can be challenging, especially in Nigeria, where businesses are struggling to survive

ECONOMY amidst many domestic crisis and global pandemic.

Speaking on the various challenges facing Nigerian businesses, Agu made reference to persistent high foreign exchange rate due to the depreciation of Naira for raw material/finished goods import, insurgencies, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes, banditry, kidnappings and multiplicity of taxes, among others. “We have seen many businesses fold up as a result of foreign exchange volatility leading to job losses of which marketers are not immune to. These are businesses with

genuine intentions and great marketing plans. The media was recently awash with news about a major South African retail giant communicating its intention to leave Nigeria. “What can we say about policy somersaults by government of the day – we sure cannot forget in a hurry that GOKADA, Max.ng, Opay and their likes have marketeers that probably have consolidated their three- five years marketing plan. Unclear economic policy direction took them by storm and flung them into the already saturated labour market. “Multiplicity of taxes, licenses, charges of all sorts, import and trade restrictions, trade and labour union pressures,

energy and power issues has caused companies’ operational costs to go high and marketing budget in most cases gets cut as a result. What happens to all the amazing plans that have been built? Hence, marketers begin to cut or scale down on their planned activities earlier budgeted to accommodate the new reality,� he stated.

The marketing expert, who stated that the term VUCA originated in the US Army War College in the late 1990s, but spread to the business world because of the striking similarities in terms of rapid change and uncertainty, pointed out that re-jiging business model remains the best recipe for dealing with VUCA environment.

President Muhammadu Buhari will tomorrow inaugurate the newly completed 17-storey headquarters building of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. A statement from the company said the president would perform the ceremony virtually after undertaking a virtual tour of the Nigerian Content ediďŹ ce, together with other accompanying facilities Among others, the oďŹƒce has a 1000-seater capacity auditorium, four-level car park and 10 megawatts gas-ďŹ red Independent Power Plant at nearby Elebele. The power plant, the company said, was constructed in partnership with the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and will provide uninterrupted electricity to the NCDMBstructures,theNigerianOilandGasParkbeingdevelopedby theboardatEmeyal1BayelsaStateandselectstructuresinthestate.

Providing details of the event, the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote explained that a part of the event would be held in Yenagoa.

He indicated that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, ChiefTimipre Sylva, would lead the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Malam Mele Kyari and the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri to participate in the event on site.

He also hinted that most of the invited dignitaries would be given the opportunity to join the president via the zoom virtual meeting platformwheretheywouldwitnessthecommissioningofthebuildings.

FG Organises Innovation Competition

The federal government has organised the maiden edition of the FederalCivilServiceInnovationCompetition2020.Theinitiativewas to promote a culture of technological innovation in the public service.

The N3 million prize money of the competition, which attracted 168 entries in the ďŹ rst round of pitching from 109 civil servants was won by the sta members of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, which submitted innovation on how to curb leakages of oďŹƒcial data in the work spaces.

The Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folasade Yemi -Esan, expressed optimism,notingthefederalgovernmenthascommencedaggressive deployment of technological innovations for the transformation of the public service sector.

ShetoutedtheFederalCivilServiceInnovationChallengeasaturning pointsignalingamajorbreakthroughinthenation’scollectivemovement towards an innovative public service that provides quality service.

She stated that government had realised the critical role which technological innovations can play in developing global economy, and therefore had adopted it as the strategy for repositioning the public service for eďŹƒciency.

She added that arrangements had been ďŹ nalised towards the establishment of a service innovation department required for improved governance in the country in the OďŹƒce of the Head of Service of the Federation.

Also speaking, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola lauded the decision of the HoS to prioritise technological innovations in the public service.

HOD Gets New Executive Team

Incelebrationofits20thanniversaryaswellastopositionthecompany for improved performance, the Havilah Open Door (HOD) Group has announced changes to its executive team members.

In a statement signed by the Board Chairman, Dr. Osaren Emokpae, Mr.T.C. Ihejirika, has been named the new Executive Vice-Chairman.

He will be leading the executive committee of the group. “Ihejirika is a Lawyer by profession with LLM degree, Post graduate Diploma in Security studies and graduate of CranďŹ eld School of Management-United Kingdom, in Strategic and Operational management. “Also, Mrs. Osayi Lasisi, is now the Group Managing Director to lead the strategic management of the group to support and deputise for the Executive Vice Chairman. She is also a Lawyer by profession. “Mr. Ebi Tebepina, is now the Assistant Group Managing Director and Managing Director of Omecom Security Limited. “Mrs.AbiolaOlayande,willnowholdthepositionofManagingDirector-

“The traditional ways of doing business cannot suffice.

Therefore, every bank or financial institution needs to get very creative about the products they sell�

CEO, Nova Merchant Bank,

Mr. Anya Duroha

the agos Mr. -Olu, eciageria o be this itical

20

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NEPZA Mulls Special Zones for Constituency Projects James Emejo in Abuja The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, said it is currently considering a possibility of creating special environment or zones for constituency projects.

Noting that the country needed to establish more free trade zones, he said the specialised zones would boost skills development and job creation.

He said: “This, we can do by establishing talent hot-spots for young people, skill acquisition centers and all such job creation out-fits that can ignite production at the grassroots.�

Adesugba, also said the authority was ready to partner relevant companies to deploy technology and innovation in the operation of the country’s 42 free trade zones.

Speaking when he received the Country Partner at Future

Africa, Mr. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, who paid him a courtesy visit, the NEPZA boss said the youths remained the technology talent hub which could be leveraged to create wealth for the country.

He said technology remained the quickest accelerator of modern business, adding that the authority is desirous of establishing more economic zones to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), support revenue generation and value for the economy.

He said: “Nigeria stands out when we talk about innovation and technology in Africa, but we may have to engage in the training of our youth to redirect their psychic to exploit the systems more positively. “We have a dream of being at the fore front of the industrialisation of Nigeria. The free trade zones are supposed to be the foreign countries in our country that relentless promote industrialisation through creation of

wealth, free tax regime, seamless infrastructure and transportation system to drive the process.�

Aboyeji however, expressed delight over what he described as an open door policy of the new NEPZA boss, adding that his appointment only indicated how President Muhammadu Buhari was genuinely prepared to reposition the authority and the country’s economy as a whole.

Stressing that technology and innovation remained the backbone of any economy, he pointed out that Future Africa’s collaboration with NEPZA would yield the right dividend in the promotion of the country’s free trade zones.

Aboyeji said the firm had selected Tinapa and Rendezvour located in Calabar and Alaro City free trade zone, Lekki, Lagos respectively to commence the first phase of its operation, adding that the company has the intention of making its presence felt in all the zones.

SterlingBankExtends Farmers’RadioShow Nume Ekeghe Sterling Bank Plc has extended coverage of its Farmers’ Radio programme to cover the six-geopolitical zones of the country.

Since its debut in 2018, the Farmers’ Radio show has been the only agriculture-related radio show sponsored by a commercial bank in Nigeria.

The bank stated that the show which was piloted in three northern states was extended because of its recorded success and acceptance by agric stakeholders.

The Group Head, Agric and Solid Minerals Finance, Sterling Bank, Mrs. Bukola Awosanya stated: “This year’s edition of the seasonal radio programme will air for 13 weeks in major languages across all geo-political zones of the federation.�

Awosanya said each broadcast would last for about 30 minutes, with resource persons from research institutes and Development Financial Institutions (DFIs), among others being invited to

discuss technicalities, innovations and available opportunities in agribusiness finance, as well as some dos and don’ts of modernised farming techniques.

She added that the radio programmes are structured like business rooms where needs-based discussions are held with the purpose of facilitating partnerships as well as drawing government and private investors’ attention to specific value-chain related interventions to enhance business opportunities across agricultural finance and the value chain.

According to the Group Head, the programme will be broadcast on local radio stations across key agribusiness hubs in Nigeria to conceptualise, produce and broadcast unique programmes aimed at identifying and resolving the constraints faced by farmer groups and processors alike.

On the choice of broadcast medium, Awosanya pointed that radio remains the most widely used media platform outside of major urban areas, and a key

medium for reaching people in areas with limited media options and penetration.

On specific broadcast partners and regions, Awosanya disclosed that the North West geo-political zone will be covered by Kano Arewa FM, Katsina Companion FM and Kaduna FRCN FM; the North Central by Abuja Aso Radio, Kogi Grace FM, Benue Airwaves FM and Plateau Peace FM while Bauchi Globe FM, Adamawa Gotel FM and Borno Radio will broadcast to the North Eastern part of the country.

Ogun Paramount FM (Abeokuta), Osun Orisun FM (Ile-Ife), Oyo Splash FM (Ibadan) and Ekiti Golden Voice FM will air the program in the South West geo-political zone while the South East geo-political zone will receive broadcasts from Imo Orient FM and Abia Broadcasting Corporation, with the South South geo-political zone to be covered

by DBS Melody FM, Akwa-Ibom Atlantic FM and Cross River Hit 95.9FM.

Airtel Donates N300m to Fight COVID-19 Dike Onwuamaeze The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Artel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, has announced that Airtel Nigeria would be spending N300 million to support the fight against COVID-19, as part of activities marking a decade of doing successful business in Nigeria. Ogunsanya said the N300 million would be the final installment of the N1.9 billion the mobile telecommunications company pledged in April to aid the fight against the pandemic as he expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their unflinching support and loyalty to the telco.

He explained that N200 million would be invested in refurbishing and equipping a four-storey admission facility for the use of Specialist Units in the Department of Medicine at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) while N50 million would go to the Lagos State

Government to procure Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for Lagos State Health Workers. In addition, N50 million would be set aside for the procurement of a Molecular Laboratory to be provided by 54 Gene with the capacity for 300 tests per day for Ogun State.

Ogunsanya said the 10-year milestone would not have been possible without the support of its over 50 million loyal and passionate customers in Nigeria.

Airtel, according to him, has succeeded because Nigerians truly believe in the brand and have come to accept the company as an important stakeholder that is firmly committed to growing the country’s economy by providing jobs and creating platforms and opportunities to empower more Nigerians both young and old.

The CEO of Airtel also commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Mr. Isa Ali Pantami, and the Executive Vice Chairman

of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, and other regulators for providing leadership and vision in the industry.

He hoped that recent push by the federal government to make telecommunications facilities a Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), which the telecommunications operators have been seeking for, would crystalise into a law soon to safeguard telecommunications infrastructure in the country.

The Chief Medical Director of LUTH, Prof. Chris Bode, commended Airtel for partnering the institution in the fight to contain the dreaded novel COVID-19.

Similarly, the Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun, said: “I wish to express our profound appreciation to your organization for magnanimously offering to support the efforts of Ogun State Government to contain the spread of COVID-19 with the procurement of a State-owned Molecular Laboratory.�

It is Not too Late to Start Again The only constant in life is change! We can all see that the world has changed irretrievably. The world will never be the same again. A major consequence of the Coronavirus Pandemic is its effect on the loss of jobs, businesses and pay cuts that employees have undertaken to stem the haemorrhage on businesses.

We all go through changes in our lives whether physical, aging, psychological or emotional, sometimes we regress. All of these amount to a certain type of change.

Some of us have the capacity to embrace the outcome while others fight it.

The question is why do people not like change? Have you ever been in a situation where you know that things just aren’t working out? Whether it’s in your personal relationships or career development, you’re feeling somewhat stuck and unhappy with the way things are. Yet, you refuse to change.

When it comes to change, I am not the most accepting. Sometimes I attribute it to being a woman as women are usually more stable and resistant to change, especially in career situations. Many women stay on in jobs much longer than their male counterparts, once they find the environment conducive and the work challenging. They usually do not seek to change their environment or jobs until life defining occurrences happen. Such occurrences could be that they got married, are having children or they find the work environment no longer conducive. You should ask me, I spent 25 years in one company and enjoyed it for the most part until a necessary change had to be made.

One major reason for this, is fear. Fear of the unknown. You rationalize by telling yourself to stay with the familiar. You wonder whether you can start again and if you have the energy and resources to achieve the same or better results.

In view of the pandemic, many people do not have this luxury of fear. The change that has been thrust on them is not by choice but by circumstances and they must swim or sink. Many people historically have found themselves in this situation, where they have had to survive. What do you do, if you find yourself in this situation?

Accept the Situation Yes, you did not plan for the situation you find yourself in and agreed, you are disappointed. Try not to wallow in the pain of loss, acknowledge your emotions and move on. It is normal to feel a range of emotions after saying good bye to a

Yes, you did not plan for the situation you ďŹ nd yourself in and agreed, you are disappointed. Try not to wallow in the pain of loss, acknowledge your emotions and move on

regular pay check or business income and the insecurity that comes with it – move on and focus on the future. If you find yourself struggling without a clear direction, join a group or talk to a career or business coach who can provide you with the comfort, direction and encouragement you need to reign in the negative emotions.

Look for the Silver Lining Remember the saying “behind every disappointment is a blessing�. Every set up, started with a set-back. Debrief yourself and recommit to either looking for a job to get your career on track or re-starting your business if you are an entrepreneur.

If getting a job is your objective, tell as many people as you can, even though your self-esteem would have taken a beaten, because saying “I’m unemployed�, aloud can be rather devastating.

When you let people know, typically what happens is that you get the word out and people put your name and CV forward when opportunities arise with head-hunters and HR departments.

Identify Your Skills and Capabilities Identify skills and capabilities that will put you in good stead in your future endeavours.

Spend time and invest in acquiring the requisite knowledge, certifications, registrations, attend webinars, online courses, talk to people, confer, look for mentors and coaches to help you craft and structure your next move. Polish your resume and interviewing skills. I know senior business executives who had to get career coaches to prepare them for interviews. They had gotten so senior in their careers and had forgotten what their value propositions were for the jobs they were considering and how to showcase these propositions.

Create A Plan Once you are sure that you are sufficiently healed and are motivated to start, determine your direction and create a plan that will lead you toward achieving your goal. If you’ve truly recommitted yourself, creating this plan will get you energized and excited.

Network, network, network According to Joe Flanagan, “research shows that about 80% of the jobs are secured via networking. Start connecting or reconnecting with your family, friends, professors, former colleagues, and recruiters.

There’s no shame in reaching out to these contacts to let them know you’re looking for something new.

You can also build professional relationships by attending webinars/events put on by organizations within your industry.

Think positive Career coach and author Jean Baur recommends using the phrase “in transition� instead of the word “unemployed,� and I think this is a good idea. Being in transition means that you’re going somewhere, and you have a positive outlook on life (and better self-esteem). That, in return, means you will interview more effectively, possibly receive a better offer, and enjoy more career options as a whole.

Regardless of whether you are in transition for the first time or you have dealt with this situation before, adopting these habits can make the process much smoother. Give them a try and good luck with your next job hunt!� .t.BSJF 5IFSFTF 1IJEP JT B 4BMFT .BSLFUJOH 4USBUFHJTU BOE #VTJOFTT $PBDI &NBJM NQIJEP!FMFWBUP DPN OH 5XFFUFS IBOEMF!PTBU 5FM UFYU POMZ

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Olubunmi: Effective Credit Risk Management Key to Impaired Loans’Reduction The Head, Financial Institutions Ratings, Agusto & Co, Ayokunle Olubunmi, spoke to Goddy Egene on the state of the Nigerian banking industry following the release of the rating agency’s Banking Report 2020. Excerpts: Agusto and Co have recently published its 2020 report on the banking landscape in Nigeria. How will you compare the current banking scene (in this pandemic period) with what was obtainable during the 2016 recession?

Nigerian banks were not prepared for the 2016 recession, particularly in terms of foreign currency asset-liability management, exposure to vulnerable obligors and other risk management practices. As a result, foreign currency credit exposure to obligors without foreign currency receivables formed a high proportion of the foreign currency loan portfolio of most banks as at 31 December 2016. Based on the lessons learnt during the 2016 recession, the quality of the loan book is relatively better. Currently, most banks only extend foreign currency loans to customers with foreign currency receivables, appetite for oil and gas loans (excluding exposure to the IOCs) has waned and loan applications are scrutinised more rigorously. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been proactive to an extent in managing this pandemic. This was reflected in the forbearance granted to banks which encouraged the restructuring of loans extended to businesses that were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately N7.8 trillion loans, representing 47.1 per cent of the industry’s loan book, were restructured in the first half of 2020, largely based on the forbearance. Most of these loans would have been impaired, in the absence of the loan restructuring exercise.

The 2016 recession was largely restricted to businesses that rely (either directly or indirectly) on imported inputs. However, the COVID-19 pandemic is more pervasive with the disruption of the global supply chain, crash in the price of crude oil, and the downturn in the global economy. Thus, most businesses, are negatively impacted by the pandemic. The uncertainties associated with the pandemic have also constrained the ability of banks to adequately address the challenges emanating from the current crisis.

Nigeria’s banking sector is the secondlargest in sub-Saharan Africa behind South Africa with total assets worth N39.6-trillion as at August 2019. Currently, what is the size of the Nigerian banking industry when compared to its counterparts?

As at 31 December 2019, the Nigerian banking industry’s total assets and contingents stood at N46.6 trillion ($127.6 billion at N365/$) and represented a 21.9 per cent year-on-year growth. At this level, the Industry remained the second-largest in sub-Saharan Africa with the South African banking industry’s total assets at $422.8 billion as at 31 December 2019. The total asset base of the Angolan banking industry is estimated at $110 billion as at the same date. We do not anticipate any significant change in the near term as the pandemic has moderated the growth plans of most banks.

One key insight from the Agusto report is that in the last four years, following the 2015/2016 recession, the Nigerian banking industry has written off a minimum of N1.9 trillion of impaired loans from its loan portfolio. As a consultant, what solutions would you proffer to mitigate this huge loss?

Maintaining an effective credit risk management framework is sacrosanct to keeping impaired loans and the associated write-offs low. A good understanding of industries and businesses before extending credits is also important. Banks also need to adopt a worst-case scenario analysis while reviewing loan requests. Given the volatile operating terrain, loan monitoring needs to be prioritised. An increase in the frequency of reviewing the realities of

were also high. The prevailing turmoil in the global economy is expected to adversely impact the capitalisation of banks. Given the unfavourable valuation of equities at the stock market, some Nigerian banks are leveraging the prevailing low interest rate environment to raise long term funds that qualify as tier II capital. Most African banking industries recorded improved profitability in the financial year ended 31 December 2019.

Relative to its counterparts, the Nigerian banking industry recorded the second-highest return on average equity (ROE) of 24.3 per cent in 2019. The Angolan banking industry had the highest ROE (26.6 per cent)while South African banks together recorded ROE of 14.5 per cent during the year under review.

We anticipate lower profitability in the near term based on the prevailing headwinds.

The Nigerian banking industry fared better in terms of liquidity during the year under review. As at 31 December 2019, the liquid assets of Nigerian banks represented 53.5 per cent of total deposit liabilities, higher than 21.1 per cent recorded by the South African banking industry. In the near term, we anticipate an increase in liquid assets as most banks de-emphasise loan growth due to elevated credit risk induced by the prevailing pandemic.

Olubunmi

businesses relative to the assumptions that underpin loan approvals is also important.

While most banks have an effective credit risk management policy, full adherence to the policy has been a major challenge in the Industry. Unfortunately, the quest for higher profit and regulatory pressure have resulted in an increased focus on risk asset creation at the expense of loan monitoring.

How has regulatory policies impacted the Industry’s performance in the last six months and what are the implications for banks going forward?

The aggressive implementation of the cash reserve requirement (CRR) policy as part of measures to moderate the volume of liquidity in the financial system has been a strain to the Nigerian banking industry’s performance in the first half of 2020. This was compounded by the additional CRR debits associated with non-compliance with the 65 per cent minimum loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) by some banks given the prevailing headwinds and the waned appetite for loan growth. As at 30 June 2020, 18 per cent of the banking industry’s total assets were held sterile with the CBN, up from 12.6 per cent recorded as at 31 December 2019 and the 10 per cent historical average. Thus, the effective CRR (restricted funds/local currency deposits) of most banks exceeded 50 per

In the short to medium term, we believe the electronic banking channels will be the primary medium for initiating and processing transactions in the Industry, thus enabling an increase in market share without necessarily expanding the branch network

cent as at 30 June 2020. The impact of the elevated sterile restricted funds, which are not available for daily banking operations, is most prominent in the merchant bank segment where operators depend primarily on purchased funds. However, the lingering low interest rate environment has moderated the impact of this regulation on the Nigerian banking industry. An increase in the prevailing interest rate in the near term will exacerbate the impact of the CRR implementation on the Industry’s performance. The downward review of bank charges which became effective on 1 January 2020 has also been a constrain on the performance of Nigerian banks. The tariff on electronic banking transactions (the second-largest component of non-interest income) coupled with card issuance and card maintenance costs were the most affected by the downward review. However, the increase in the volume of electronic banking transactions as a result of the pandemic moderated the effect of the reduction in bank charges on the Industry’s performance in the first half of 2020.

Across key parameters such as asset quality, profitability, capitalisation and liquidity, how will you compare Nigerian banks to their counterparts in other African markets?

As at 31 December 2019, impaired loans in the Nigerian banking industry represented 7.6 per cent of gross loans, lower than 10.8 per cent recorded in the prior year on the back of write-offs. The 17.8 per cent loan growth recorded in 2019, largely induced by the introduction of the minimum LDR policy in July 2019, and also supported the reduction in the Industry’s impaired loan ratio. At this level, the impaired loan ratio was lower than the 20 per cent estimated for the Angolan banking industry, albeit higher than four per cent posted by South African banks as at 31 December 2019. The Nigerian banking industry with a capital adequacy ratio (CAR) of 20 per cent is better capitalised, compared to its sub-Saharan African counterparts as at 31 December 2019.As at the same date, the CAR of the Angolan (18.8 per cent) and the South African (16.5 per cent) banking industries

In the wake of the pandemic and its effects on the industry, what opportunities are available for banks to increase market share?

The physical distancing and the economic lockdown policies implemented to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have forced most Nigerians to the digital platforms of banks.

As a result, banks now have the opportunity to acquire and serve customers beyond their vicinities of their branches. While the digital platforms of banks were hitherto available, Nigerians are constrained to further embrace the electronic banking channels due to the pandemic. In the short to medium term, we believe the electronic banking channels will be the primary medium for initiating and processing transactions in the Industry, thus enabling an increase in market share without necessarily expanding the branch network. Given the disruptions to the global supply chains and the currency crisis emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic, some import-dependent companies have initiated backward integration programmes. Thus, there are opportunities for banks to fund local manufacturing of essential inputs that were hitherto imported. Similarly, the intervention fund established by the CBN to support the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries provides an opportunity to increase market share and diversify the loan book to these industries that have not been prioritised by most banks over the years.

According to news reports, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has requested to be involved in the process of licensing new banks in the country. How do you assess this appeal and will this positively impact the banking sector?

The NDIC is primarily responsible for protecting depositors in the event of a bank becoming insolvent. The NDIC has been involved in the resolution of most failed banks in the country since its inception in 1988.

Thus, we believe the experience garnered by the corporation over the last 32 years in resolving failed banks could be useful in assessing the eligibility of promoters of new banks. In our view, the input of the NDIC could be valuable in the formative years of new banks. However, we believe that care must be taken to ensure that the duties of the CBN and the NDIC are clearly delineated to prevent inter-agency rivalry which could ultimately reduce the effectiveness of both regulators.

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Akala: How Niger Delta States Can Address Youth Unemployment To address the deep-rooted socio-economic issues in the Niger Delta region, the Executive Director of the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta, that was established in 2010 by Chevron Corporation, Dr. Dara Akala, in this interview with Sunday Okobi, spoke about how state governments in the region can address youth unemployment. Excerpts: Youth unemployment appears to be growing in the Niger Delta region. What can be done to address this menace?

There is a reason why unemployment is growing in the Niger Delta region. People go to school, but there are no jobs to do because of lack of opportunities, which is caused by the low absorptive capacity of the economy for the young men and women coming into the labour market every year. Job availability is a function of the size and structure of the economy. In the case of the Niger Delta, the dominant sector is the oil and gas, which provides less than one percent of the jobs.

When there are no opportunities, young people who have skills cannot put those skills to use.

Many of them who go to school come out with the wrong type of skills. They become idle and frustrated, and in a bid to find something to do, they get engaged in all kinds of nefarious activities, including cultism, kidnapping. To address these issues, we have to provide gainful employment for the teeming youths in the Niger Delta. We have to expand the economic opportunities that are available to the young men and women in the region to make them gainfully employed and able to generate income to look after themselves and their families. It’s a foundational issue.

What led to the creation of the NDYEP project?

The whole idea of the project is to try and fix these foundational problems. How do we expand the opportunities that are available to the youths in the region? The whole thing started by looking at the situation in the Niger Delta region. In 2015, the Ford Foundation supported the office of the vice-president to carry out assessments on unemployment in the country, including the Niger Delta region, and identified ways of addressing them. They came up with job creation strategies for the country and an implementation framework.

That was the background study. Then Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) conducted a follow-up labour market assessment in the pilot states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Abia to understand the labour market better and look at how we could fix some of the issues in that market. The research findings informed priority sectors for skills development in each state and the design of the Niger Delta Youth Employment Pathways (NDYEP) project interventions. NDYEP project was therefore developed to design models

Akala

of job readiness and workforce development that will provide opportunities for youths to access sustainable employment by equipping them with market-relevant skills. It is about connecting them with job opportunities that must be sustainable.

What are the NDYEP models?

This is the model that seeks to address market failures in the labour market in the region. It is to link the youths with jobs and to build their skills. These skills include technical skills, soft skills, and entrepreneurship so that the people are well equipped to earn an income on a sustainable basis.

There are some features of the model which we have come to realise are quite essential for us to be able to accomplish the goals we have set for ourselves. In the first place, it is demand-driven.

Within various sectors of the economy, there is a demand for labour and workers but they are looking for certain skills. The situation we found ourselves in the Niger Delta area was about misalignment of demand for labour with the supply of labour.

Our demand-driven approach helps to achieve an alignment between what the market needs and the skills that are being supplied to the market. This will ensure that there is market equilibrium between the labour market force and the people, who have the right skills required, to get employed. Both job seekers and employers are happy because their needs are met. Another thing about the model is that it is competency-focused. We are not training just for the sake of training but with a strong focus

on the end result. The NDYEP project focuses on developing the requisite skills and knowledge for successful job performance by the youths in the relevant sectors. In this competency-based approach, our plan is to develop a competency framework working with the National Board for Technical Education that will provide accreditation for the trainees and training programme. The NDYEP accredited-learning model equips people with practical skills that are evidenced by the NBTE. Then we are modeling multiple pathways to jobs in these states. So far, experience has shown us that there are two broad pathways to employment. One pathway leads to formal, waged employment=when they come out of the training, they are gainfully employed and receive payment for their services.

The other pathway is that of entrepreneurship that enables graduates of this scheme, rather than being job seekers, to become job creators themselves.

Another key feature of the model is the work to strengthen coordination and facilitate positive engagements among the ecosystem of the actors.

There are many stakeholders that are interested in the issue of unemployment. A lot of government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are concerned that there is unemployment in the country.

We have the private sector that has training and development issues. We need to bring together these key actors to ensure the development of an enabling environment for focused skills training and development that leads to employment and entrepreneurship-so that the policymakers contribute something on the policy side and the implementers execute their programmes to maximise the developmental impact of investments in employment creation programmes. We crave a win-win situation. Another thing we seek to do in our model is entrepreneurship plus. What we have observed in the Niger Delta is that the incentive to learn is starter packs they will get at the end of the day. We are not doing starter packs because we believe it is not the right thing to do. People should come to this programme because they are motivated to learn. When youths go through our technical and entrepreneurship training, then we provide them with the necessary post-training support to be able to establish their own businesses. This support assists young entrepreneurs and emerging startups to navigate the very harsh conditions of the business world that cause business failure. This support includes business advisory services, market linkages, and

connection to a source of capital for growth and business expansion.

How do you sustain the model?

To make it sustainable, we are working with private sector providers and that is a key element of our development approach at PIND Foundation.

It is a market systems approach. We work with private sector players who have an incentive to carry on with this youth skills development even when our project ends because that is where they earn their daily bread. We provide them with the enablement to get started, building their capacity to provide services, rather than our programme staff providing services that will end after the program is over. We see ourselves as development facilitators.

The little funds that we invest are to prime the pump to get them started. Once they build up their market as they work with us, they keep on providing this service to people that need it. So sustainability is a key element of the model.

What has been the impact of the NDYEP project so far?

We started the design of the programme around December 2017, and with funding support from Ford Foundation, we began the pilot implementation in 2018. We have churned out two batches between 2018 and 2020, and the third one is starting now.

In the first batch, we had 1,637 youths enrolled in the programme and a total of 1,468 completed the programme in the three sectors of ICT, aquaculture and construction. That is about a 90 per cent completion rate. For the second batch that ended not too long ago, we had 1,713 people who enrolled and 1,530 completed, which is about 89 percent completion rate. Of all the people who were trained, the end goal is actually our starting point. For employment, transitioning into paid employment or entrepreneurship work, we had a total of 836 people. Besides that, we found out that there is a bridge in terms of apprenticeship for those who were looking for work and are not immediately absorbed. And when an opportunity arises, they are transitioned into full employment. With that, we have 233 that are into full apprenticeship in year one and 486 for year two.

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

Thorpe- Apezteguia: Communication, Key for Corporate Governance Mrs. Priscilla Thorpe-Apezteguia is the immediate past Managing Director of MRS Oil. In this interview she speaks on why it is necessary to support gender inclusivity in the energy sector. Funmi Ogundare brings the excerpts: Since you came on board, how have you been able to lay the foundation for corporate governance in MRS Oil? Good corporate guidelines is not only about applying rules and to meet the requirement, it is more than that. Good corporate governance can only be achieved when top representatives act as role models, demonstrate integrity and credibility on a daily basis. Communication plays a key role for effective corporate governance.

During my time at MRS, my focus was to ensure that my employees were clear on their roles and responsibilities, there was clear alignment of strategies and goals, employees were made to take ownership and be accountable for their actions and there was a focus to ensure employees had a profound commitment to promote ethical behavior in order to build trust.

How would you describe your impact in the area of training and ensuring that staff performed optimally for organisation’s growth and development?

Learning strengthens the talent bench and enables an organization to go where it has not gone. Employee training and development fosters innovation, thereby creating and embracing a culture of imagination, while fostering smart risk taking,

In what ways have you been able to maintain professional discipline among staff?

It was important to identify what type of culture we had in the organisation, and decide what kind of culture matters there. I had to own the culture agenda, implement reinforcing solutions, monitor, learn and adapt as we go. It was critical for me to strengthen a culture of discipline, through leadership by changing and adapting to structures, systems and practices that promote and foster discipline, respect and trust in order to create organisational effectiveness and collaborative success.

Thorpe- Apezteguia

and developing a staff who can stay one step ahead of the next disruption. During my time at MRS, I worked closely with the human resources to develop and identify programs that will aid organisational learning in action, in order to align business strategy of the organisation and implement successful learning strategies across board to drive growth in a complex and uncertain business environment.

Innovation plays a pivotal role in the development of the oil and gas industry, what effort did you play in galvanising this among staff?

People are the most important resource in the innovation process. Its success depends on creativity, support and the acceptance by people. For me, the focus for me has always been to have structures and framework conditions, so that innovation potential can be identified, ideas generated and implementation is successful. Innovation management is key. It is best to have clear objectives, with a clear vision of what the management wants. That way your staff have clear expectations that are defined and they understand the design of the innovation

process. Again communication, communication and more communication.

Considering the fact that women are underrepresented in the energy sector, how can you close this gap?

Women are driving change. The energy sector is far behind other parts of the economy in women’s participation. Gender balance is an issue ranging from girls to young women’s participation rates in science, technology and mathematics education to women employed in the energy sector, all the way up through women in management, and in boards of energy companies. The only way I can close the gap is through advocacy, engagement and creating more awareness to encourage more women participation, diversity and inclusion. I am currently involved in an NGO called the Women in Energy Network (WIEN) alongside very incredible and highly talented women advocating, towards the promotion of women participation, career advancement across the energy value chain and to advocating for policies and regulations that attract and exploit the potential of women in value creation.

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

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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EDUCATION Ife Summer Institute: Raising the Bar in Research, Scholarship With the aim of transforming the academic landscape in Nigeria and Africa through facilitating and fostering the innovative research of young scholars in the Nigerian and African academy, the Ife Institute of Advanced Studies has been making strides through collaboration and experience sharing through its annual Ife Summer Institute to achieve its objective. Uchechukwu Nnaike reports

T

he organisers of the Ife Summer Institute, which has held since 2017 at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, were not dettered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected international travel and large gathering, but ensured that the 2020 summer institute held as planned virtually, via Zoom, which eliminated all the restrictions and even attracted more participants.

The 2020 Summer Institute, which held from July 20 to August 1, 2020, featured participants from Nigeria, India, Pakistan, Canada, Ethiopia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Ghana, Benin, Switzerland, Germany, United States, Kenya, Cameroon, Egypt, Liberia and Ireland The programme, with the theme ‘Exploring New Frontiers: Knowledge Creation, Collaboration and Dissemination’, was aimed at encouraging the participation of both senior and junior scholars in building a knowledge society focused on scholarship, teaching, research and service.

It also aimed at fostering academic discussions around how to shape Nigeria’s and Africa’s future through scholarship and establishing a network of public intellectuals, academics, non-university intellectuals, Nigerian and African society thought-leaders, and civil servants.

In his opening address, the convener, Professor Jacob Olupona, expressed hope that the discussions and interactions will focus on exploring new avenues for knowledge creation with attendant consequences for national, social and economic development of African communities.

He noted that COVID-19 has radically changed the academy forever, adding that the future of the academy is not as certain as once imagined. “From the traditional learning environment to the traditional classroom discussions, from the traditional way we accessed our professors and frequent interaction with others to the traditional ways we conducted our research and writing, the academy has radically altered. The past few months have forced us to ask ourselves many questions such as: What will the future look like? How will the academy change? How can we prepare our doctoral and postdoctoral candidates for an academy that will forever be changed by the pandemic? How will the academy overcome this crisis? Will our institutions heal?

How will we overcome the challenges? What opportunities has the pandemic presented? How might we reimagine the future of the academy? “These are some of the questions we hope to engage with during these two weeks. We seek to explore new frontiers of knowledge creation and push the boundaries of knowledge. We want to focus on Africa’s most pressing issues, most crucially, the development of its intellectual and academic workforce,� Olupona said.

According to him, the Ife Summer Institute is committed to encouraging the participation of both senior and junior scholars and faculty persons in interdisciplinary research and in various areas of knowledge by providing them with access to a strong infrastructure to carry on important research.

He said the first three institutes were successful and set a high standard for the summer institute moving forward. “The theme of the inaugural Summer Institute programme was ‘The Knowledge Society and the Challenges of Doing Research in Africa: Theoretical Perspectives and Methodological Approaches’. The theme was carried forward to the second institute.

In the same year, the summer institute made major strides in solidifying its vision for training and equipping promising African scholars with skills, competencies and values that will place them at the cutting edge of scholarship and knowledge production by producing two fellowship (postdoctoral and predoctoral) awardees. “The theme for the 2019 Summer Institute was ‘Knowledge Society: Scholarship, Teaching and Service’ and aimed at building capacity for academic service and emphasising the nature

2019 Summer Institute fellows

Some of the Summer Institute teachers and facilitators from Kenya. From left: Lady Justice Nancy Baraza, Prof. Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Dr. Nkatha Kabira during 2019 IIAS of global professional ethics for new doctorate holders and postdoctoral scholars. The IIAS continues to build on its scientific network and key competences to intervene in building PhD capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa, the institute continues to make progress towards making opportunities available for young scholars to ‘go global’ and become internationally competitive with their research and careers.� “The first three summer institutes solidified the tradition of bringing research home to Africa, doing research for Africans and by Africans.�

He added that the scholarly growth of the institute fellows continues to break the mold of typical African scholarship, pursuing horizons beyond the capabilities of many African institutions by expanding research networks and reach. “We do not mention these accolades to blow our own trumpets, but instead we do it in an effort to inspire the next generation of scholarship to value their roots and realise that it can be done, no matter where one is based or where one is from. “The mentorship and training that fellows receive at the institute goes beyond the two-week Summer Institute and as all records show, we have made great progress in fostering collaborative research avenues between visiting faculty mentors and fellows. A few of these research collaborations that have emerged from the Summer Institute have resulted in peer reviewed scholarly articles, invitations to participate in international research centres such as Oxford, UK, Rhodes University, Port Elizabeth – South Africa, Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies and others.

On the achievements so far, Olupona said the summer institute, which was established on limited funds, has proven that a community’s passion and dedication can be ignited quickly with the right infrastructure. “Of the two hundred fellows who have participated in it since its inception: Fifteen scholars have been invited to participate by presenting their research findings

in international conferences in South Africa, the USA, and the UK. “More than forty scholars were invited to join global academic research guilds such as the American Academy of Religion, African Studies Association, International Sociological Association, and offered membership at Institutes of Advanced Studies in other parts of the world.

About 120 students receive ongoing one-on-one mentorship and coaching from globally renowned scholars on professional and career advancement.

Five students were invited to take up visiting scholar-researcher and visiting faculty positions in academic institutions in Europe and America i.e. Oxford University, Harvard Law School, and Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies.

Several students who were past fellows of the institute have received admission at academic institutions abroad i.e. Boston College, UCLA, Oxford University and University of Basel, Switzerland to pursue advanced studies in their fields.�

In total, he said 91 fellows have gone on to receive fellowships and awards in various fields ( 2017: 16 fellows; 2018: 24 fellows; and 2019: 51 fellows). We are extremely proud of their achievements.

He added that the institute’s members continue to engage one another in research studies after the duration of the institute, offering guidance and mentorship to each other as they seek research funds, publish in peer review journals and participate in various international avenues that allow them to expand further and test their research. “All these areas are directly related to the contextual environments the fellows come from, encouraging them to participate by proposing solutions from within their research and through collaboration, innovating pedagogical avenues connected to their research contexts. “The vision of the Ife Summer Institute overall is to transform the academic landscape through the development of education, leadership, and

context-focused initiatives, which will change the communities in which these scholars serve. We intend to achieve this enormous feat through facilitating and fostering the innovative research of young scholars in the Nigerian and African academy. “Initially, we focused particularly on scholars of the humanities and social sciences, exposing them to relevant theoretical and methodological tools in their respective disciplines. However, due to increasing demand from other fields like the physical and biological sciences, engineering etc. we intend to welcome scholars from STEM academic fields going forward.�

While thanking the mentors for paving the way and creating these opportunities that now enable fellows to see the light in the horizon, he also thanked the mentees for agreeing to tap in to the opportunities to work with the mentors. “I say this because the website and information sharing platforms they have created are constantly inundated with fellowship, research scholarships and opportunities for career development. Those who have taken advantage of these opportunities have reaped the rewards of their labor. For this year’s fellows, I would like to encourage you to take advantage of the opportunities, interact as much as you can and remain in touch with our mentors and faculty presenters.�

He also announced that the Institute has officially been registered with the Nigerian government and has made additional moves towards longevity by buying a 10-acre piece of land to build a permanent structure, ensuring that it remains close to the university “and affirm our permanent partnership and relationship with OAU. This is similar to the Princeton Institute of Advanced Studies, build next to the Princeton University in America.�

According to him, the greatest challenge the institute is still facing so far is fundraising “and we are continuing to work towards joining together with like-minded people, who understand the vision, mission, and significance of what we are trying to do at IIAS and walk alongside us as we do so.�

In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede said when Olupona established the IIAS in 2017, it looked like something that was a tall order, “but I’m glad that today we can see the result and we can see the product, making waves all over the world.

He said the virtual nature of the programme this year due to COVID-19 has made it more accessible, and convenient for more fellows, adding, “there is always some advantage from the challenges we are facing to foster innovative research that would advance the theoreticalmethodological concerns of our young scholars in academics. “ NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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School Reopening: Court Seals Bank for Contempt, Orders Lagos Tasks Private MOUAU to Pay N37m to Lecturer Schools on Compliance with Guidelines Amby Uneze in Owerri

Uchechukwu Nnaike The Lagos State Government, Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) has emphasised the need for private schools in the state to comply with guidelines for the re-opening of schools for senior secondary three students only, in preparation for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination scheduled to commence on August 17, 2020.

Briefing journalists recently, the Director General, Mrs. Abiola Seriki-Ayeni, who said schools re-opening assessment and clearance will be simultaneous, advised all private schools, whether approved or unapproved to study the released guidelines and develop a template for their re-opening plans.

According to her, “Lagos is the epicenter of COVID-19, where we have a lot of private schools, therefore safety must be first while we ensure learning continues. It is not just physical learning, but blended learning.�

She also advised the public, school owners, parents and students to continue to adhere to the safety and hygiene measures in the guidelines because the success of the re-opening of schools is contingent and dependent on the ability of members of the society to flatten the curve. “We also want to make sure that all school owners, administrators and management staff

complete online training on our website. After the training, they are expected to complete an online self-assessment form to indicate they have successfully completed the training. What is expected of them during the training is that they have to create their own re-opening plans based on our template on distance learning plans, blended learning plans, health and safety protocols like fumigation of classrooms, provision of running water and soap for hand washing. Others include staggering of students’ time to maintain social distancing and taking of measurements to figure out how many students to be physically together at a point in time. “Health and safety officers must be available at the premises and schools must also have a plan for COVID-19 like having knowledge of local isolation centres. They must also have learning managers that will ensure that students are learning either at home or in school. He will keep track of assessment to measure the quality of students learning, help teachers with learning plans and the curriculum.

The director general added that after developing resumption plans, private schools must proceed to register for clearance in readiness for re-opening by visiting the agency’s website on www.oeqalagos.com to fill in basic data about their schools and the self-assessment form to indicate readiness.�

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), sitting in Owerri, Imo State, has sealed the branch of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, along Bank Road, Owerri for non-compliance with a ruling in a garnishee order against her client, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State (MOUAU) to pay N37 million to Dr. Hilary Uchenna Onyendi, who was an employee/lecturer of the university.

Onyendi got a judgment in the court on July 27, 2015 then sitting in Enugu in a Suit No: NICN/ EN/132 /2013 Hilary Uchenna Onyendi V. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture & the Minister of Education whereby the court ordered that the claimant be reinstated and paid his accumulated salary for

several years by then.

The defendants refused to either reinstate the claimant or pay his salary which is more than five years and that prompted his lawyer, Messrs Sam Nwadighoha to approach the court to effect her order.

In March 2020, the claimant in a bid to recover his unpaid salaries, briefed his lawyer who stumbled on an alleged phony account allegedly operated MOUAU, under the name: The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Nig Ltd with account number 3108588715 domiciled at Umuahia Branch of the bank.

The court, which frowned at the action of the university on the operators of the ‘phony’ account wondered how the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and First Bank Nigeria Plc would permit the registration

of such a company which the university bears a similar name with a credit balance of over N2 billion or thereabout.

In February 2020, the claimant in Suit No: NICN/OW/5M/ 2020 commenced a garnishee proceedings against First Bank Nigeria Plc whereby the National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting at Owerri expressed shock that the CAC allowed such a conflicting and phony account in such name to be floated with the aid and connivance of First Bank and thereby granted an Exparte Order Nisi on March 5, 2020 and ordered that the judgment debtors (MOUAU) and the garnishee bank (First Bank of Nigeria Plc) be served within seven days of issuing the order.

On July 16, 2020, the court presided over by Hon. Justice S.I

Galadima gave an ‘Order Absolute’ against the university and the bank. The garnishee bank was represented by her counsel Mrs. E. Anyanwu, a lawyer from the firm of J. I. Ogamba, who made an argument to the fact that ‘The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Nig Ltd’ does not belong to Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, but belonged to some other investors to the surprise and disagreement of the court.

The argument did not augur well with the court, as Justice Galadima ordered that a ‘Decree Absolute’ be made against the bank to pay N37,075,558.38 over to the claimant/judgment creditor/applicant, within 48 hours in line with a 12 paragraphed counter affidavit filed in opposition to First Bank’s affidavit to show cause.

The winners of the 2020 Lagos State Schools Governor’s Quiz (senior category), Master Shodiya Ayomide and Master Nwoke Emeka representing Keke Senior Grammar School, Agege

TOSSEtech: Education MTN Foundation Donates e-Library to OAU, Stakeholders Emphasise Launches Scholarship Scheme Futuristic Technology Uchechukwu Nnaike

Funmi Ogundare Educators, school owners and other stakeholders in the education sector recently converged for the second edition of TOSSEtech with the theme ‘Education and Technology: The Future is Here’, via a webinar.

The 30-day edtech dialogue which kicked-off recently, saw participants emphasising on how technology has impacted the world especially during this COVID-19 period, and how educators can begin to embrace it for the future.

They stressed the need for educators to see education as a business and incorporate technology into it with the aim of creating solutions, solving problems and making impact.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of Edumark Consult, Mrs. Yinka Ogunde said the country has found itself in a situation where technology must be fully utilised, adding that during the first edition of the programme last year, the possibility of the impact of technology in terms of teacher/learners relationship was discussed. “When we held the first edition, we were talking about

the possibility of technology and teachers not seeing their students when they are learning. Now, we are confronted with the reality and we must make the best use of it and continue to live our lives.�

In her keynote address, the President, Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN) Dr. Femi Ogunsanya expressed delight about the online meeting unlike the usual physical one, while congratulating Ogunde for her diligence and enthusiasm about education. “She has a mindset of making a difference. The fact that we are online has blown my mind,� she said.

The Director, Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls, Oregun, Lagos, Mrs. Olufunke Amba said the pandemic was a wake up call, adding that the new currency for the nation is technology, as the country cannot afford to be complacent.

The Country Director, Google Nigeria, Mrs. Juliet Chiazor Ehimuan, who emphasised on the theme, said the rise in technology “has helped to expand our knowledge in every areas of life, transformed the way we live our lives, democratise the way we access information and the internet.�

To celebrate the 80th birthday of its Chairman, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, the MTN Foundation has established an e-library at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, the foundation also launched a scholarship scheme for eight beneficiaries.

OAU has become the latest recipient of the e-library intervention by the MTN Foundation joining University of Lagos, Ahmadu Bello University, University of Nigeria and University of Benin.

The e-library was formerly handed over to the university during a virtual ceremony

recently.

In his remarks, the celebrant said the infrastructure would grant students easy access to additional resources to broaden their learning. “Buying books for me has been a lifelong investment and when it was time to give them away, my alma-mater, the Obafemi Awolowo University came to mind. On speaking with the school librarian, it became necessary to equip the library with some digital resources and this was where the MTN Foundation came in. “Brightening lives and empowering youths has always been a priority for us at the MTN Foundation. Providing

adequate infrastructure for students to access quality education physically or virtually is of utmost importance. This is why we have worked together on this project to empower the students for a formidable future in the new digital era.

The world has gone digital and we will not wait behind.�

Also speaking, the acting Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Odunayo Sanya stated: “The upgrade of the Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi Library to an e-library is a critical project for the MTN Foundation. Certainly, we place a premium on empowerment and full access to information as evidenced by the libraries we

established in four universities across the country, including the University of Lagos, the Ahmadu Bello University, the University of Benin and the University of Nigeria. “This particular library is special because it is tied to the legacy of a man we at the MTN Foundation hold in very high esteem. A man dedicated to the wealth and development of generations. It has been upgraded to deliver even more value for the students of this great institution. We trust that the symbolism of the inspirational leader who this library is named after is not lost on those who use it,� she said.

Firm Supports Writing Contest to Develop Young Talents, as Winners Emerge Funmi Ogundare The Executive Director, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals Limited, Mr. Ebuka Chukwuka, has expressed his organisation’s readiness to continue to support the annual Rising Stars Writing Competition and Awards (RSWCA), aimed at developing budding writers and help raise more authors like Professor Wole Soyinka

and Chinua Achebe.

Chukwuka, who made this known recently, during a virtual meeting/unveiling of winners of the 2020 edition of the RSWCA, said the future of the country depends on the quality of education given to children. According to him, “no amount of money invested in education for the children is a waste.�

The Head, Human Resources

and Public Relations of the organisation, Mrs. Amaka Nwosisi, said as a corporate entity, it would always be the frontrunner in giving back to the society and supporting worthy causes.

The RSWCA Project Coordinator, Uche Udoji, who announced the results of the competition with the theme, ‘Freedom’, said 10 winners emerged in the poem

and short stories categories with credits given to the writers.

In the primary school category and for short story, OnyekeAtobore Zoe of St. Saviours School, Ikoyi, Lagos, emerged first position, Chikamara Okpala of Divine Offspring International School, Lagos came second, while Demilade Olaere of The Livingsprings Schools, Awoyaya, Lagos came third.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ°Ëœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Nigeria Must Boost Exports to Avoid Dumping, Says NEPZA Boss James Emejo Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Managing Director, Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), Prof. Adesoji Adesugba said the country’s export processing zones must be immediately optimised to manufacture and produce goods for export, adding that “In a free trade regime, you must export goods or you become a dumping groundâ€?.

He noted that it will also be in the interest all stakeholders to be aware of the operating environment with the proposed implementation of the African

Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCTA) and the associated stiff competition for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Speaking during a web conference with over 30 chief executive of free trade and special economic zones in the country, Adesugba noted that the challenges facing efficient operations of the zones could only be resolved by productive engagement among agencies with mandate touching on the sub-sector.

He said:�For us to manufacture, we must enable investment by creating the right climate. If we

do not create enabling environment, investors will head to other jurisdictions. “More critically, we need the zones to create jobs and escape the building time bomb created by deepening unemployment.

So we have good reasons why other stakeholders must listen to resolve the operational challenges facing the FTZs and SEZs.’ In a statement by Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA, Mr. Martins Odeh, Adesugba however, assured operators of the zones of an active and result oriented stakeholders’ engagement going forward.

Stanbic IBTC, Ascon Oil Differ over Asset Sale Ascon Oil Company Limited said it has recovered its fuel retail station situated at Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos purportedly sold by Stanbic IBTC Bank, following a Court ruling The property was allegedly sold through Stanbic IBTC’s Receiver to one of its customers, Rainoil Limited.

But the bank in response, described the claim by the oil company that the Court ruled in its favour as false, saying it was a, “gross misrepresentation by Ascon, as no Court Order was granted to Ascon to warrant their extra-judicial action, which they undertook in forcefully seizing a Petrol Station validly belonging to a third party, in total defiance and disregard of Ruling of Justice Liman of the Federal High Court

on 24 July 2020.�

Stanbic IBTC added: “Please take note that the Federal High Court had on 24 July 2020, clearly refused to grant Ascon’s Application to set aside the Order earlier granted to the Receiver appointed by the Bank to take possession of the Petrol Station located on Lekki Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1 Lagos. In total contempt of the Ruling by the Federal High Court, the Directors of Ascon resorted to self-help, and forcefully seized the property from the valid title holder. “The Bank is taking all lawful steps to ensure that the illegal and unlawful ‘possession’ is reversed and the Directors of Ascon are brought to book.�

However, it was gathered that Ascon regained possession of the

property following an Order by Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The suit, marked FHC/L/ CS/567/2020, arose following a N1.7billion loan facility.

The property had been in the Receiver’s possession following the judge’s May 15, 2020 ex-parte order which authorised Police protection for the Receiver to protect and preserve the fuel retail station and restrain ASCON from interfering with the Receiver’s discharge of his functions.

But on July 24, 2020, it was gathered that Justice Liman vacated the order in part following Ascon’s allegation of suppression, non-disclosure and material misrepresentation of facts against Stanbic IBTC, which the bank resisted.

Motorola Solutions Launches Device for African SMEs Mary Nnah Motorola Solutions has launched a new two-way radio device specially designed for small and medium businesses in Africa.

The MOTOTRBO DP540 two-way radio was built for cost-conscious businesses looking to transition to digital technology for reliable and efficient communications.

A statement quoted the Director of Motorola Solutions indirect sales for Sub-Saharan Africa, Laurent Tribout to have said: “The new

device, available through certified Motorola Solutions resellers in sub-Saharan Africa, is based on the ETSI Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Standard, proven worldwide in affordable digital systems with low complexity. “In today’s economy, small and medium businesses are constantly under pressure to deliver more, and deliver fast, all while keeping a conscious mind on reducing costs. With this in mind, we’ve developed a communication solution that holds all the necessary features

in one affordable device�

He added: “One of the risks of migrating from analogue to digital technology is the transition period, which can potentially interrupt business operations. To make this transition smooth and easy, the MOTOTRBO DP540 can operate on both digital and analogue modes. “In this way, radio users can operate and communicate on their new MOTOTRBO DP540 radios while on the job, as the business transitions to digital technology.

L-R: Assessor, Disciplinary Tribunal, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Justice Adesuyi Olagbegi; Past President, Henry Olayemi; President, Chairman of Council, Olatunde Amolegbe, Immediate Past President, Adedapo Adekoje, and Registrar/Chief Executive, Adedeji Ajadi, during investiture of Amolegbe as the 11th President and Chairman of Council of the institute in Lagos‌yesterday

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Money Supply (M3)

35,029,779.72

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

7,374,356.91

Money Supply (M2)

27,655,422.82

-- Quasi Money

116,533,891.21

-- Narrow Money (M1)

11,121,531.60

---- Currency Outside Banks

1,625,047.69

---- Demand Deposits

9,496,483.91

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

13,911,335.83

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

21,118,443.89

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

35,918,179.45

---- Credit to Government (Net)

10,452,199.38

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

11,007,422.79

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

25,465,980.07

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-14,799,735.56

--Other Assets Net

7,000,253.07

Reserve Money (Base Money

2,005,600.83

--Currency in Circulation

4,677,530.81

--Banks Reserves

317,121.43

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

ICMS Announces New Appointments

(MILLION NAIRA)

SEPTEMBER 2019

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

The Integrated Cash Management Services Limited (ICMS), one of the licenced cash processing companies in Nigeria yesterday announced the appointments of key senior officers in its quest enhance its leadership position in the sub-sector.

According to a statement, Mr Emmanuel Onyebadi has been appointed the Head of Security Services Department. He is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP), and a Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS). Onyebadi is a former Director of the Department of State Services (DSS). His last position in a career spanning over 25 years was as Head of Security at Notore Fertilizer Company in PH River State. He holds a BL, LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Lagos and he is currently the National Chairman of Port Facility Security Officers Forum of Nigeria (PFSOFN).

Also, the Lagos-based company announced the appointment of

Onyebadi

Anaje

Mr Ken Anaje as the Head of Operations. Anaje has over 23 years professional experience in the banking operations space and holds BSc in Accounting and MBA in Finance from the University of Nigeria. Prior to joining ICMS, he had worked as Area Operations Manager for AfriBank, Standard Trust Bank and United Bank for Africa. Anaje is an astute, passionate professional with a niche for details, and mastery of execution. Similarly, Mr Thomas Ekoli was appointed the Head of Business Development and Strategy of the company.

Ekoli holds a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and MBA in Marketing from Enugu State University of Science and

Ekoli Technology, and the Lagos State University respectively. He joined ICMS in 2009 and through continuous superlative performance and relentless self-development, he rose to the present position.

In the same vein, Ms. Doris Ibekwe was announced as the Head of Corporate Services.

Ibekwe is a certified Six Sigma Yellow Belt professional and holds an LLM degree from the University of Lagos as well as other professional certifications.

She has over 14 years work active experience spanning telecommunications and professional law practice. In addition, Mr Kolawole Ikuejawa was appointed as the Head, Enterprise Risk Management and Compliance.

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

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ÍŻÍŽ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $45.01 a barrel on Monday, compared with $44.87 the previous Friday, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍ°Ëœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

SUNU Assurances Gets Regulatory Approvals on Share Reconstruction Goddy Egene The Chairman, SUNU Assurances Nigeria, Mr. Kyari Bukar, has said the company has obtained the approvals of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) and the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for the completion of the share reconstruction exercise and conversion of the bond debt

to equity.

Shareholders of SUNU Assurances had last March approved the share reconstruction and the conversion of the bond debt to equity at an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM).

Speaking at the 33rd annual general meeting (AGM) of the company in Lagos, Bukar also said the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, has sanctioned the company’s application for the confirmation of the reduction

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

of the issued share capital of the company, noting that the final approval of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is currently being awaited to complete the exercise and credit the CSCS accounts of shareholders. “By December 31, 2020, SUNU Assurance would have satisfied the newly required minimum paid-up capital of N5billion. In addition, conscious

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

efforts would be made to achieve the required minimum paidup capital of N10 billion by September 30, 2021 through the rights issue exercise as approved by the shareholders at the last EGM,� he added.

Speaking on the financials of the company, the chairman said the company’s underwriting profit increased by 30 per cent from N914 million in the 2018 financial year to N1.2 billion in 2019.

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

In the same vein, the company’s investment income grew from N519.57 million in 2018 to N719.52 million in 2019, while it paid claims to the tune of N657.9 million in the year under review.

Bukar said: “During the year, we were able to increase significantly our processes through improved operating efficiency, optimising our current assets and improving operating efficiency which is part of our

O F

strategy. We also seek to create further value by developing the opportunities embedded in our existing operations which present the most attractive options for growth. We are always looking beyond our current operations for sustainable growth opportunities,� he said. According to him, going forward, the company shall strive to operate its business with a sharp focus on efficiency, transparency and sustainable cost improvements.

0 5 / 0 8 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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T H I S D AY Ëž Íł, 2020

FEATURES

Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08038901925

Time to Rid Lagos of Deadly Trucks One wish from Mrs. Chineze Ajoku, the mother of the 27-year-old woman killed by a container-laden trailer in Lagos recently, is for the state government to rid roads in the city of deadly trucks and reckless drivers, Davidson Iriekpen writes

A container-laden truck almost skidding o the bridge in Ijora

S

ince the last two weeks, Mrs. Chineze Ajoku has remained completely distraught and shattered. On July 20, 2020, her 27-year-old daughter, Chidinma, was crushed to death by a container-laden truck in Lagos.

With no hope of seeing her again, she is determined to immortalise her with a constant reminder to the authorities not only to regulate the movement of trucks, trailers and tankers on Lagos roads, but to prosecute the driver of the truck killed her daughter and many others that will commit similar offence.

Chidinma Ajoku, 27 and graduate of Babcock University, Ogun State, and her colleague, Chima Nnaekpe, both staff of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) were killed in Lagos. They had closed from work on the same date and were on their way home when the unexpected occurred.

A 20-feet container fell off a moving truck at Ilasamaja Bus stop, inward Mile 2, along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, Lagos; landing on a commuter bus. The two colleagues unfortunately lost their lives to the incident while others passengers managed to jump out of the bus with varying degrees of injuries. The mangled bodies of the victims were later removed after the container was lifted. Those at the scene of the accident said the container fell off the truck on the commercial bus while discharging passengers.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) described

Mangled commercial bus by a truck

the accident as ‘an avoidable one’.

Its spokesperson, Nosa Okunbor, said six passengers were rescued and given medical attention, while two died on the spot. “The accident occurred due to collision of a truck with registration number SGM 715 XA loaded with a 20-feet container when it rammed into a commercial bus stationed at Ilasamaja bus stop under bridge while it was discharging some of its passengers,� he said, adding that “insistence on right of way

by driver of the truck laden with another one, led to the unfortunate incident, where the said truck with registration number SGM 715 XA, rammed into the commercial bus.�

Okunbor said the case was handed over to the Ilasa Police Division, while the rescued passengers were transported to Isolo General Hospital by officers from the division.

Investigation revealed that immediately the accident occurred, the driver of the truck disappeared.

Even though the truck was towed

to the police station, many believe that from experience, that is where the case would end.

But the distraught mother of Chidinma, Mrs. Ajoku, is calling on the Lagos State Government and the state police command to arrest the truck driver and get justice for the deceased. She also confirmed that the police have not been able to trace or arrest the driver.

Narrating her ordeal, she said: “That Sunday, I waited and waited the whole night up till 2 a.m. waiting

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T H I S D AY Ëž AUGUST 12, 2020

FEATURES

Explosions caused by tanker at Otedola Bridge

Another mangled commercial bus by a truck and container

for her to come back from work.

I was calling her aunty where she was staying in Surulere. Both of us did not sleep till it was 6 a.m. when a colleague called and told me that she was involved in an accident and they are at Isolo General Hospital,� she said.

The bereaved mother said when they got to the hospital, her daughter was not among the patients taken to Isolo but they were referred to Yaba General Hospital where her daughter and her colleague were found at the morgue. “This is getting too much. These containers keep killing people and nobody talks,� she said.

Mrs. Ajoku described her daughter as someone with a promising future but life was snuffed out of her by a reckless truck driver. “Everybody in this Lagos, whether you have a car or enter a bus or drive your own car, all of us, our lives are in danger. Because we encounter all these containers every day and they are very reckless.�

She called for support from Nigerians to put an end to the loss of lives caused by truck drivers.

Like every other incident, the

Lagos Police Spokesperson, Bala Elkana, said the police are investigating the accident. He made a mockery of the case when he disclosed that the trailer which was currently in their custody has no registration number on it at the time of the accident. “The trailer that fell on the bus and killed these persons is impounded in our police station, not that the trailer is gone, only the driver that escaped. Whoever is the owner must definitely come around, but unfortunately, there is no registration number on it. But we are also trying to find out which particular company owns the trailer and get the driver arrested. “It is not that nothing is done, it is not true. Maybe they (victim’s family) are talking to another division.

Police responded when it happened and took injured persons together with other emergency responders to the hospital,� he said.

The question begging for answer is with the driver of the truck on the run and the address and contact provided for the registration of the vehicle fake, can the owner of the container be charge for the negli-

A truck and container that fell o the bridge

gence, according to current laws?

While the dust raised by Chidinma and Chima’s death was yet to settle, a yet-to-be-identified woman again last Friday lost her life when a tanker crashed around the Nigerian Army Signal Barracks in the Mile 2 area of Lagos. The tanker driver was said to be conveying 55,000 litres of petrol to a destination in the state when he rammed into a pothole around 12.30a.m and lost control of the vehicle in the process.

It was learnt that the tanker fell to the ground and trapped the female victim.

The Director-General, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the driver and his assistant fled from the scene of the crash, adding that the impact of the accident killed the female victim.

For too long in Lagos, trucks, trailers and tankers have killed hundreds of peoples with no consequences to their drivers and owners. Each time an accident occurs, while the driver would disappear, the vehicle would be taken to the police station where it would be sometimes for two or more weeks only to be released

to the owners after money would have exchange hands.

Not only are these vehicles in terribly bad conditions and shapes, they are hardly registered with the relevant agencies. These vehicles dot Lagos roads and are seen on a daily basis and posing as death traps to other road users. Instead of apprehending the drivers of the trucks or impounding them, FRSC, VIO, LASTMA and even the police look the other way while they run amok dangerously on the roads, preferring to go after car owners.

Most times, not only are these trucks, trailers and tankers are overloaded, they are not registered, every physical part - from the tyres to the bodies - are terribly worn out or neither are they insured.

On a number of occasions in the Lagos, some of the container-laden trucks and tankers are sighted at night without headlights or anything to indicate that they are coming in the opposite direction or when they break down. Regularly, the content of some of the overloaded trucks fall off, killing or maiming innocent commuters or car owners with no consequences.

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WEDNESDAY AUGUST 12, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

NNPC Invites Bidders for Repairs of Pipelines, Depots Agbami grade threatens Nigeria’s compliance to OPEC+ output cut Ejiofor Alike with agency reports The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has invited investors to bid to fix pipelines and

depots serving its oil refineries, according to a document posted on its website yesterday.

This is coming as the Agbami grade of crude oil is threatening Nigeria’s full compliance to the

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Rise By 423 to 47,290 Martins Ifijeh Nigeria has recorded 423 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 47,290 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

It has also recorded six COVID-19- related deaths within the last 24 hours, raising the tally from 950 to 956 deaths in a single day.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 117 new cases; Federal Capital Territory

(FCT), 40; Ondo, 35; Rivers, 28; Osun, 24; Benue, 21; Abia and Ogun, 19 each; Ebonyi, 18; Delta and Kwara, 17 each; Kaduna, 15; Anambra, 14; Ekiti, 11; Kano, nine; Imo, six; Gombe, four; Oyo and Taraba, three each; while Bauchi, Edo and Nasarawa recorded one each.

It said: “Nigeria has so far recorded 47,290 cases of COVID-19. 33,609 patients have been discharged, while 956 persons have died.”

OPEC+ deal as the oil grade is being treated as a condensate, which is exempted from the output cut agreement.

Reuters reported that built in the 1970s, the pipeline network is crucial to getting crude oil to NNPC’s three refinery complexes, and moving the finished fuels to consumers.

But years of what NNPC described as “incessant” theft and vandalism, as well as simple ageing, have left the pipelines in need of extensive repairs.

The refineries themselves have run only sporadically, and NNPC shut them down earlier this year while they await repairs and upgrades.

It said yesterday that those projects would be handled separately.

Bidders for the projects would have to finance them independently and operate them for a “defined period” while they recovered investment costs, and were compensated for their work, with throughput tariffs, the document said.

It added that the new pipelines would need “intrusion detection” systems, in addition to deep burial, to stymie theft or vandalism.

Submissions are due by September 18.

Meanwhile, the Agbami grade of crude oil is threatening Nigeria’s full compliance to the OPEC+ deal

as the oil grade is being treated as a condensate, which is exempted from the output cut agreement Nigeria’s full compliance to the OPEC+ deal hangs on a key oil grade being treated as a condensate.

Since OPEC+ allowed ultralight oil to be exempt from its production cut deal, the West African nation’s Agbami has been a bone of contention.

The challenge is that nobody from international oil companies to those that monitor OPEC output can agree on whether it should be classed as a crude or not.

Nigeria’s oil ministry officials are asking international oil companies like Chevron and

Equinor to reclassify Agbami as a condensate rather than crude, sources close to the matter said this week.

A representative at Nigeria’s oil ministry confirmed Agbami as a condensate, saying the pressure volume temperature analysis characterisation of Agbami’s reservoir fluids prove it is not a crude.

But the field’s partners are not on the same page.

Chevron, which operates the Agbami field and FPSO, have always listed the grade as a crude on their website, and markets it as light, sweet crude oil to its customers.

Air Peace to Recall Some Sacked Pilots as Sirika Intervenes Kasim Sumaina in Abuja Respite has come the way of some of the pilots recently sacked by the management of Air Peace, as many of them would soon be recalled to their jobs.

This was the fall-out of an intervention meeting called by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, between the airline management and the leadership of the National Association of Airline Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) in his office yesterday.

In the verbal agreement reached after a dialogue that was held in Abuja, Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema, acceded to the minister’s appeal for the recall of the maximum number of pilots that the airline can accommodate without going under.

In their presentation, NAAPE, led by its Chairman, Galadima Abednego, said some missteps could have been made in the

course of the standoff between the airline and the union, and appealed to the minister to intervene in order to resolve the impasse.

He said as a union, it was a painful thing to see a large number of their members thrown into the labour market, as he further appealed to employers of labour to see the union members as partners, and not adversaries.

On his own, the Chairman of Air Peace, Onyema, expressed sadness and disappointment over what he called the ingratitude of some of the airline’s pilots, after everything done to make them comfortable on their jobs.

He recalled how Air Peace had trained over 80 pilots and an equal number of aircraft engineers, giving its staff the best remuneration package in the sector, but only for them to disappoint him at a time their understanding was needed.

Nigeria May ImposeVisa Restriction on Americans, Others The federal government may reciprocate the visa restriction imposed on its citizens by the United States and other countries, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has said.

This Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mohammed Babandede, said this while explaining the new visa policy that was launched by the President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019.

The US had in January 2020 said it would suspend the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of Nigeria, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, and Myanmar.

However, they could apply for other visa categories.

The US had also introduced reciprocity fees for Nigerians thereby nearly doubling the cost of obtaining a visa based

on the premise that Americans seeking Nigerian visa were paying too much to secure it.

But speaking with Signature50 Magazine, the immigration boss said the new Nigerian visa policy is reciprocal in nature.

He argued that like the US, Nigeria has the right to dictate who it allows in or restricts from entering the country.

“I can tell you that US is a country - it is a nation like Nigeria. They have the right to restrict who will enter their territory or not just like we can restrict US citizen or whomsoever from entering Nigeria,” Babandede said.

“So they have the right, but I want people to know that visa restriction is not a visa ban, it is a ban for people who want to take residency not people who want to go for short visits.

CONSULTATIONS WITH THE LEADER...

L-R: United States’ Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria, Kathleen FitzGibbon; US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard; and National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, when the US top officials paid a courtesy call on the former Lagos State governor in Asokoro, Abuja...yesterday

Labour to Disrupt MTN Operations over Anti-labour Practices Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) in collaboration with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday vowed to disrupt MTN operations across the federation over what it described as anti-labour activities, if their demands are not met within two weeks.

Speaking in Lagos at a press conference, the President, PTECSSAN, Opeyemi Tomori said some of the critical issues facing workers in the company include discrimination remuneration, no exit package structure even for long term staff, unholy employee relation practices, abuse of

expatriate quota policy, increase spate of precarious work, among others.

The union demands that MTN allows every employee that wishes to join the union to do so without further delay and any form of intimidation.

The union also called for immediate signing of the Procedural Agreement as proposed by the commencement of negotiations on the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) to meet the yearnings of the workers.

Other demands by the union include immediate recruitment of new employees to ease workload burden on the existing workers in the company, immediate review of the emoluments of the

employees in order to correct the inconsistencies therein, immediate removal of expatriates that do what Nigerians can do, among others.

He said: “As leaders of workers in the telecommunication in Nigeria, we are duty bound to seek the protection of the interest of all the workers within the sector.

PTECSSAN is therefore committed to ensuring that all necessary steps no matter how painful it may to compel the management of MTN to treats its employees fairly and within the dictates of our laws.

“We therefore implore subscribers, business partners, individuals and corporate organisations that rely on MTN

Nigeria Telecommunications Limited to either impress it on the company to change its way towards the union and its members in the organisation by yielding to our demands or source for another alternative to satisfy their business interests as our proposed actions will be wide and compelling with deep implications for their businesses.

“Once again, we restate that if our demands are not fully and appropriately complied with by MTN Nigeria Telecommunication Limited on or before the next 14 days from today, we shall withdraw every guarantee of industrial peace within MTN Nigeria.

DSS Parades Chief of Staff to the President’s Fake Security Detail over $50,000 Scam Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday paraded a suspect, who claimed to be a security detail attached to the office of the Chief of Staff to the President.

The suspect, Prince Mohammed Momoh from Olamaboro in Kogi State, allegedly defrauded Mr. Benson Anyiogu from Bayelsa State of the sum of $50,000.

Parading the suspect at the DSS Headquarters in Abuja, Spokesman of DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said the suspect was a member of a syndicate specialising in the use of the offices of the Chief of Staff to the president and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to defraud innocent Nigerians.

He said the suspect, who worked as an aide to a government official in a previous administration, promised to

facilitate the employment of Mr. Anyiogu as the special adviser to the president on oil and gas.

Afunanya disclosed that the victim, suspecting foul play, alerted the agency, who arrested the suspect after a sting operation.

He said two members of the syndicate were at large, while noting that DSS had activated measures aimed at apprehending the fleeing suspects.

“He claimed that the amount

was for the chief of staff and his aides. Our findings showed that they never acted on behalf of the Chief of staff,” he said.

He said the suspect, who was arrested in June would be subjected to the full weight of the law.

Responding to questions by journalists, the suspect pleaded guilty, describing his action as “unfortunate”.

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Mailafia: Northern Gov among Boko Haram Leaders S’Kaduna killings ethnic cleansing, northern bishops allege ADC tasks Buhari on killings Ejiofor Alike A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2019 presidential election, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, has disclosed that repentant terrorists had revealed to him that a serving northern governor is a Boko Haram leader.

According to a viral video, Mailafia said this on ‘Morning Crossfire’ programme on Nigeria Info Abuja 95.1FM on Monday.

The Pentecostal Bishops’ Forum (PBF) of the 19 Northern States also yesterday condemned the killings in Southern Kaduna, insisting that it has “assumed a dangerous dimension of ethnic cleansing.”

The Bishops, who described the situation as “wicked collaboration,” further argued that the manner of the killings has given the impression of a sinister script to overrun the people and forcefully annex their ancestral heritage.

In a swift reaction to the video of Mailafia, the ADC yesterday described as mischievous the reproduction of the audio interview, saying the interview was misrepresented and reproduced without his consent.

The party insisted that while it was its position that

the President Muhammadu Buhari administration seemed to be paying lip service to the issue of combating crime on all fronts, Obadiah’s remarks were sensationalised.

The former CBN deputy governor said he had a chat with two repentant terrorists who identified the northern governor.

He said the terrorists and bandits were one and the same.

Mailafia said the terrorists moved weapons even during the lockdown caused by the COVID-19.

“Some of us also have our intelligence networks. I have met with some of the bandits; we have met with some of their high commanders – one or two who have repented – they have sat down with us not once, not twice.

“They told us that one of the northern governors is the commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Boko Haram and the bandits are one and the same.

They have a sophisticated network.

During this lockdown their planes were moving up and down as if there was no lockdown.

“I can tell you this is the game plan.

“By 2022, they want to start a civil war in Nigeria. Don’t joke with what I am saying I have a PhD from Oxford University. I

Edo Guber Poll: Audu Did Not Give False Information to INEC, APC Insists Adedayo Akinwale inAbuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that the running mate to its governorship candidate in Edo State, Mr. Abudu Ganiyu Audu, did not give false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The ruling party insisted that Audu is duly qualified to seek election as deputy governor of Edo State in the forthcoming governorship election.

The party disclosed this in a statement issued yesterday by the Chairman of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s legal team, Dr. Ehiogie West-Idahosa It stated: “Our attention has been

drawn to the recent outlandish, malicious, false narrative deliberately circulated in mainstream and social media to the effect that Mallam Abudu Ganiyu Audu gave false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to aid his qualification for the governorship election scheduled for September 19, 2020. We wish to categorically state that nothing can be farther from the truth.

“The name description of Abudu Ganiyu Audu contained on his educational qualifications submitted to INEC for the said election correctly belongs to him and in some cases are abbreviations or synonyms of his name.

NECO Releases 2020 Examination Timetable Officials to sign oaths of allegiance Kuni Tyessi in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna The National Examinations Council (NECO) has released the timetable and guidelines for the conduct of its 2020 examinations for Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination for students in exit class.

This is coming two weeks after the federal government released a comprehensive schedule for various national examinations for exit classes including Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3 and Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3.

Registrar of NECO, Prof.

Godswill Obioma who announced the release of the timetable at a press briefing held yesterday in Minna, Niger State, said NECO SSCE would begin on October 5

and end on November 18.2020.

He added that NECO Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will hold between Monday, August 24 and September 4, while the National Common Entrance Examination for Junior Secondary School into the Federal Unity Colleges would hold on October 17.

According to him, the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) examinations will start on September 21 and end on October 15.

“Other details of the schedule indicate that the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examinations (SSCE), for SS3, conducted by NECO will start on October 5 and end on November 18, 2020,” he said.

am a central banker, we don’t talk nonsense. I have this from the highest authority, some of the commanders of Boko Haram.”

In a related development, the PBF has described the killings in Southern Kaduna as ethnic cleansing.

The Chairman of the PBF and President of Dominion Chapel International Church, Bishop John Praise, who raised the alarm at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday warned that if nothing was done to address the killings, the people would resort

to self-help and reprisals.

“Failure to act now may compel the people to resort to self-help and reprisals, which could snowball into a conflagration of monumental proportions in terms of scope and impact,” Praise stated.

It called on Buhari, Governor

Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and other relevant government functionaries “to do more and be seen to be doing everything humanly and materially possible to bring lasting succour to the despoiled people.”

COURTESY VISIT...

L-R: Chief of Staff to the Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe; Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Bello; Chief of Policy and Plans, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Ifeola Mohammed; and Chief of Training and Operations, Rear Admiral Ibikunle Olaiya, during the governor’s visit to the Naval Headquarters in Abuja…yesterday

Sanwo-Olu Heads APC’s Campaign Council for Ondo Election Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC), has appointed the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the Ondo State governorship election.

The Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Lalong would serve as the deputy chairman and Comrade Mustapha Salihu as Secretary of the 104-member APC National Campaign Council.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini

Nabena, in a statement issued yesterday said the campaign council would be inaugurated on Saturday, August 15, 2020, at the APC National Secretariat by 2p.m.

He said, “the Chairman of the Caretaker/ExtraOrdinary National Convention

Planning Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Mai Mala Buni has approved the appointment of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to chair the party’s high-level National Campaign Council for the Ondo State Governorship Election.”

EFCC Arrests 32 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ibadan Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office in Oyo State, yesterday arrested 32 “Yahoo boys” over alleged involvement in internet fraud.

The suspects were apprehended during a raid on their hideout in Ogbomoso, Oyo State.

Officers of the EFCC invaded the location after diligent analysis

of series of intelligence gathered on their alleged criminal activities.

Three of the suspects claimed to be serving members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), 19 were undergraduates of various universities across the country while the remaining 10 laid claim to sundry vocations.

The suspects are: Oyebamiji Francis; Aremo Jeremiah; Ogbonnaya Prosper John; Anuoluwapo Matthew; Oladele Victor; Mumuni Waliyullah;

Olawoyin Abiodun; Okuwatoyin Henry; Arisekola Shina; Babarinde Solomon; Samson Gideon; Joshua Ola Adebayo; Ajayi Joseph Ajibola; Garba Mojeed, Olatunbosun Tobiloba and Azeez Ridwan.

Others are: Ajala Timilehin; Adebolapo Bakare; Alaba Gideon; Ogunkeye Olumide; Ogunleke Tolu; Olapade Emmanuel; Adegoke Aanu Abiodun; Job Ayantoye; Oyebode Pelumi; Babayanju Toluwani; Oladele

Ayobami; Omonaiye Abubakar; Sattong Baking; Abisoye Kehinde, Iwajomo Nathan and Aniyikaye Tope.

At the point of their arrest, 12 exotic cars, several phones, laptops and some incriminating documents were recovered from them.

The suspects were subjected to thorough screening by medical officials of the EFCC in line with the COVID-19 prevention protocols.

...Agency’s Failure to List Witnesses Stalls Adoke’s Trial Alex Enumah in Abuja The trial of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke (SAN), at the Federal High Court in Abuja was yesterday stalled due to the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to give names and particulars of witnesses in the proof of evidence as required by law.

Adoke alongside an oil

magnet, Alhaji Aliyu Abubakar, are standing trial on a 14-count amended criminal charge bordering on money laundering.

They however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After their arraignment last week, the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, had adjourned till August 11 for commencement of the trial.

But the trial was however stalled as the anti-graft agency was observed to have breached section 379(1) of the Administration of

Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, when it failed to supply the identities and summary of its witnesses it intend to call to the defendants.

Trial had started with the prosecution led by Mr. Bala Sanga calling his first witness, one Mr. Clement Osagie, an official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who was on subpoena to kick-start the trial.

However, the lawyer to the second defendant, Chief Olalekan

Ojo (SAN), vehemently objected to the witness on the grounds that he was unknown to his client as a witness of the EFCC in the trial.

The senior lawyer drew the attention of the court to the charge and proof of evidence, adding that in breach of the enabling law, the prosecution did not list any of its witnesses, and also failed to attach summary of the witnesses statements as required by law.

FG Approves Final Evacuation Flight from US Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The federal government has approved the ninth and last evacuation flight for Nigerians stranded in the United States due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

This was announced by the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Mr. Benaoyagha Okoyen, in a statement dated August 10, 2020, issued on behalf of the country’s missions in the US According to the statement,

the flight is scheduled to convey the evacuees from New Jersey on August 20 to both Abuja and Lagos.

This would come after the seventh and eight evacuation flights scheduled for August 15 and August 19 respectively

from Houston, Texas, to Lagos.

The government had so far evacuated 1,739 stranded Nigerian citizens in six special flights from the US which is witnessing a second wave of coronavirus infections.

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Akeredolu Inaugurates Amotekun in Ondo James Sowole in Akure Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwaroyimi Akeredolu yesterday inaugurated the state security initiative, Amotekun, and expressed optimism that no

criminal element will disrupt the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.

He said that with a workable synergy among the leadership of the security agencies and that of Amotekun, a water-tight

Obasanjo Has Not Abused African Culture By Attacking Kashamu, Falana Insists Peter Uzoho Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has not abused the African culture by attacking former Ogun State senator, the late Buruji Kashamu.

Falana’s position came on the heels of the controversy trailing Obasanjo’s condolence message on the passage of Kashamu and his subsequent response to criticisms attracted by the message.

In a statement issued yesterday titled: “Matters Arising from Chief Obasanjo’s Condolence Letter,” Falana argued that the belief that it was unAfrican to speak ill of the dead was far from the truth.

He said: “Some people have said that it is against the African culture to speak ill of the dead.

That is far from the truth. In the past, Africans spoke ill of the dead and exposed the dead if they

were found to have engaged in abominable activities that brought shame to a community.

“In fact, the bodies of dead men and women who were found to have brought pestilence to a community were buried in the bush.

“Therefore, Chief Obasanjo has not abused the African culture by attacking the late Senator Buruji Kashamu for allegedly manipulating the law to escape justice at home and abroad”.

Falana, however, noted that it was the hypocrisy of the former president’s message that should be criticised “because it is against the African culture to aid and abet a criminal suspect in his life time only to turn round to attack him in his grave.”

He recalled that in 1999, the British Government had initiated moves for the extradition of Kashamu to the United States for trial for drug-related offences.

strategy capable of arresting crimes even before they occur would be deployed.

Akeredolu said he could not sacrifice the security of lives and property of the people for anything, adding that during the launch of the outfit at Ibadan, many people thought he was putting his second term ambition on line.

He said: “I told them, time and again, that my ambition is

not worth the insecurities that our people are confronted with, where at some point, people were afraid of travelling out of the state.

“It was so horrible that marauders laid siege to the highways as well as in the farmlands waiting to kidnap or devour anyone insight. With the launch of the Amotekun, we resolved that it shall be no retreat, no surrender. We are

not going to be intimidated or blackmailed,” Akeredolu said.

Akeredolu who expressed his readiness to champion the course of a better, safer and prosperous society and country, said he was determined not to pay lip service to t h e c o n s t i t u t i o n a l ro l e o f government which is to seek the welfare and p ro t e c t i o n o f t h e l i v e s a n d p ro p e r t y o f t h e

people.

He said: “It is incontrovertible that the existing security framework is being overstretched and we had to device a means of confronting the challenge of insecurity head-on. That was when the concept of Amotekun came up.

As Yorubas, we are not known to surrender to our adversaries and if our forebears did not, we should not.

FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC...

United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard (left), and Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, during the presentation of 200 ventilators donated by the US to help Nigeria fight COVID-19 pandemic, in Abuja...yesterday

APC Condemns PDP’s Allegation NBC Code: Exclusivity Ban, Product of Ignorance, Says of ‘Childish Conspiracies’ on Edo Communication Expert Nigeria, and they are based on on other platforms.

A United Kingdom-based from the air Election In what was a Speaking on the provisions of poor understanding of the rights communication consultant, Dr. Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to stop spinning childish conspiracies of ‘federal might,’ while using his “Obaseki Boys” and the apparatus of the state government to harass the Edo State House of Assembly and members of the APC in the state.

A statement that was issued yesterday by the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr. Yekini Nabena, called on the PDP to allow the campaign to be issue oriented and acknowledged that the ruling party understands the panic and distress in the camp of the PDP and Obaseki following the massive and widespread support given to the APC’s Governorship Candidate, Pastor

Osagie Ize-Iyamu, by the Edo electorates The ruling party pointed at President Muhammadu Buhari’s recent remark that the APC would have used the military and other security services to overrun the opposition states in the 2019 general election but chose free, fair elections as an indication that the days of stolen and procured electoral mandates are fast fading.

Nabena noted that critical state institutions such as the Judiciary, the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), security services have been the ultimate beneficiaries of the President’s impartiality and non-interference.

He noted the need to support the independence of the state institutions in order to deepen the country’s democracy and improve the electioneering system.

Charles Odii Releases New Book The Executive Director, SME100Africa, Mr. Charles Odii has launched a new book – “21 Questions on Entrepreneurship”.

According to a statement issued by Odii, this book is unique as it provides real answers to questions posed by entrepreneurs that he encountered through his SME100Africa journey.

Odii is the Founder of SME100Africa – a social enterprise, with the aim of ensuring African entrepreneurs succeed regardless of their socioeconomic background.

It has grown to provide over one hundred thousand African Small and Medium Enterprises with access to finance, markets, capacity development, mentorship,

networks, skills, resources and most importantly information.

Odii explained that, “this book is written from my extensive experience gained over a decade of starting and running a business in Africa, international travel and engagement with thousands of entrepreneurs (who have sat with me and sent me emails to ask critical questions from how to structure businesses, to how to develop marketing strategies that support their products in niche markets and more”.

The book, which will be launched today (Wednesday), also provides information on how to be a successful entrepreneur.

Opeyemi Erinfolami, has described the provision on exclusivity in the new National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) code as a product of ignorance.

The code produced by the NBC was launched in Lagos last week by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

Erinfolami, who made his views known in a series of tweets, said what the NBC has done is akin to plucking a regulatory provision

the code affecting the broadcast of foreign football matches, which mandate rights holder to sublicence to other broadcasters, the communication expert explained that those who drafted the NBC code have shown unfamiliarity with how the broadcast rights to English Premier League (EPL) are bought and sold.

“Those provisions are mainly targeted at EPL broadcast rights because the league is popular in

acquisition process. The NBC cannot control rights it didn’t pay for. It can only determine how what it paid for is used, not what others have,” he said.

Erinfolami further explained that rights to the games of the EPL are not necessarily sold as a whole to broadcasters. The rights, he said, are usually sold in packages, with those sold to satellite broadcasters different from those sold to broadcasters

surprise, Erinfolami claimed that fans of the EPL in Nigeria have access to many more games than fans in the United Kingdom.

“In the UK, games aren’t broadcast live between 2p.m. and 6p.m., as this will be a disincentive for fans to the stadiums to watch matches. If that was not the case, the stadiums would be empty and such will rob the clubs of revenue gate receipts,” he explained.

Jonathan Returns to Mali for Implementation of ECOWAS Road Map Former Nigeria’s President and Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) Special Envoy to Mali, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has returned to Bamako on Monday to continue his mediation assignment towards resolving the nation’s sociopolitical crisis.

Jonathan, who had earlier visited Mali twice in the last one month, is currently undertaking a monitoring and follow up mission to engage stakeholders on the implementation of the road

map decided by the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government that detailed measures to end the protracted political crisis and restore peace in the country.

He urged Malians, especially members of the opposition, to stop further demonstrations in order to enable ongoing discussions to bear more fruits.

Jonathan also witnessed on Monday the inauguration of the Mali’s reconstituted nine-member constitutional court in Bamako,

which was a key recommendation

by ECOWAS leaders as a means of moving the country forward.

Another recommendation, which has been implemented, was the appointment of ministers of six key ministries to partially constitute the cabinet.

His presence as a guest during the swearing-in ceremony of the nine constitutional court judges is seen as a strong indication that ECOWAS is deeply engaged in resolving Mali’s political crisis.

Jonathan, who has been leading

the ECOWAS mediation mission to Mali, also on Monday night met with some civil society members shortly after he visited populist Imam Mahmoud Dicko, who is believed to have links with those behind the anti-government protests Bamako.

The Nigeria’s former President is scheduled to continue his consultations on yesterday by meeting different stakeholders and members of the international community.

House: NSIP Probe Not Connected to Osinbajo’s Office Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives’ Committee on Public Account has said that its investigation of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) of the federal government has nothing to do with the office of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Wole Oke who made the clarification yesterday when the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance appeared before the Committee,

said the House was aware that the office the Vice President was only responsible for policy formulation and monitoring of the programme.

He said, “By our records, the office of the Vice President is responsible for policy formulation and monitoring of the National Social Investment Programme.

Issues bordering on procurement were handled by the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, which has now been merged with the Ministry of Finance. We have it on record that the Ministry of

Budget and National Planning handled all issues of procurement from 2016 to September 2019 when the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs was created.

“Our request is for the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to make available all relevant procure records for the various items under the NSIP. Our investigation has nothing to do with the office of the Vice President but the Ministry. A total of N1.79 trillion was budgeted for the programme for which over N600 million was expended.

The Bank of Industry (BoI) has appeared and made some explanations. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has also appeared and made their presentation on N-Power. We have also has presentation from the Programme Officers of the other three programmes.

“Our interest now is on the Home School Feeding programme and the ministry should give us records of procurement. Nobody should make mistake about that and our mission.’’

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Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

NFF to Share $2m Palliatives to Football Stakeholders in Nigeria SWAN President commends transparency in the disbursements of the funds Duro Ikhazuagbe The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) yesterday released the format of how to share the palliatives it got from world’s football governing FIFA, CAF and some of its sponsors to stakeholders in the country’s football.

In a statement issued yesterday after the federation’s virtual board meeting on Monday night, the NFF said the relief fund of $2million is made up of $1,000,000 being FIFA’s support for restarting the football season; $500,0000 being FIFA’s dedicated support for women’s football; $300,000 CAF’s support to member associations and $200,000 from its sponsors.

The leagues to benefit from the largesse include; the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), Nigeria National League (NNL), Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) and the Nigeria Nationwide League (NNO).

The NPFL was suspended on March 18, 2020, on account of the outbreak of the pandemic while the 20 clubs in the

topflight in conjunction with the League Management Company (LMC) agreed to end the season using the PPG to determine placement on the final log to determine teams to represent Nigeria in continental competitions.

The meeting presided over by the President of the federation, Amaju Pinnick directed its Technical and Development Committee to work in tandem with the NFF Integrity Office to submit to the Board, within the next five days, a shortlist of candidates to be selected by the Board for the vacant position of Technical Director.

Similarly, the Technical and Development Committee has been mandated to, in the next one week, and working with the NFF Integrity Office, provide to the Board a shortlist of candidates for the positions of Head Coaches of the U20 and U17 National Women Teams, the U15 Boys National Team, as well as candidates for the position of Consultant on Coaches Training and Development.

The Executive Committee mandated its Youth Football Committee to conclude the

modalities for the staging of the first-ever U15 Future Super Falcons’ Tournament, in the mode of the NFF/Zenith Bank U15 Super Eagles Championship that has been running for the past four years.

The Committee endorsed a proposal for the nomination of Senator Obinna Ogba, a former Member of the NFF Executive Committee and currently Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, to replace Hon. Chidi Ofo Okenwa, who died on 5th May 2020, on the Executive Board and as Chairman of the Nigeria National League.

Pertaining to the preparation of the U20 and U17 Women National Teams for upcoming

FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying matches, the Board announced that having written to the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for a special waiver to call the girls to camp, it would await response from the Government before making any moves for the camping programme.

It also directed the LMC chaired by Mallam Shehu Dikko to propose and conclude the process of recruiting a suitable replacement for Hon. Nduka Irabor who resigned as CEO of the LMC in line with the Governance Structure of the company.

The commencement of the

new NPFL season has been scheduled to kick off between the last week of September and the first week of October 2020.

The Board approved the shortlist of candidates for the positions of Head Coach of the Super Falcons, NFF Head of Women Football, Head of Compliance Unit and Chief Commercial Officer.

Meanwhile, the President of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Honour Sirawoo has applauded the NFF on the transparent manner it disbursed the Covid-19 palliatives.

Sirawoo who expressed delight in the N11.85million that was earmarked for SWAN,

said the NFF was meticulous in ensuring that all the stakeholders in Nigerian football were duly captured.

He further noted that the gestured will in no small way enhance the cordial working relationship between the NFF and other stakeholders especially SWAN, even as he urged all the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant. “The leadership of the NFF has displayed a very high degree of transparency in the manner it handled the Covid-19 palliatives from its various sponsors by ensuring that all the stakeholders in the football development chain were captured,� Sirawoo concluded.

Victor Moses Celebrates Inter Milan’s Q’final Victory Former Super Eagles winger, Victor Moses, has taken to social media platform, Instagramto celebrate Inter Milan’s 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the quarterfinal of the 20192020 Europa League at the Merkur Spiel-Arena.

Nicolo Barella opened the scoring 15 minutes into the game, ex-Manchester United and Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku doubled the advantage 21 minutes in, before Kai Havertz halved the deficit.

Moses who is on loan at the Serie A club from Chelsea started on the bench for the Nerazzurri but came on to replace Danilo D’Ambrosio just before the hour mark,

taking his total appearances in the competition to 13 since he debuted seven and a half years ago.

The 29-year-old was one of the standout players for Chelsea as they won the Europa League in 2013, scoring four goals in five starts and played two games for the current holders last season, before heading to Fenerbahce for a loan spell.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner posted : “Semi-Final #EuropaLeague #alwaysbelieve�

Moses and his Inter Milan teammates will face either Shakhtar Donetsk or Basel in the semifinals on August 17.

Dele Aiyenugba back to his roots in Kwara

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Neymar’s Time to Shine as Injury Plagued PSG, Atalanta Clash in Lisbon Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have once again been hit by a flood of injuries going into a crunch UEFA Champions League knockout tie, but this time Neymar is fit and seemingly ready to live up to his status as the world’s most expensive

player.

PSG face Atalanta in Lisbon today in the first quarterfinal of the ‘Final Eight’, after UEFA turned the latter stages of Europe’s elite club competition into something akin to a World Cup after the long coronavirus

Dele Aiyenugba Completes Move to Kwara Utd Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Dele Aiyenugba, has completed moves to join Kwara United ahead of the 2020/21 Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

The move to fortify the team with the experienced goalkeeper is part of the plans to reposition the club for greater glories in the domestic football scene.

The club’s management under the leadership of Kumbi Titiloye and Bashir Badawiy also have their sights on other key players

to bolster the Harmony Boys to soar next term in all competitions.

Before leaving Nigeria in 2007, Dele Aiyenugba recorded his name in the history books of the Nigerian and African football considering his awesome achievements.

He actually started his career at Kwara Stars in 1998 before his brilliant performances made it possible for him to join Enyimba in 2001.

Aiyenugba won four NPFL titles at Enyimba in 2002, 2003,

2005 and 2007.

He also lifted the CAF Champions League twice in 2003 and 2004 and also two African Super Cup in 2004 and 2005 before leaving the People’s Elephant in search of greener pastures with Bnei Yehuda in the Israeli League in 2007.

At the national team, the 36-year-old made 17 appearances for the Super Eagles and last played for the three-time African Champions in the painful 2-2 draw against Guinea in Abuja in

November 2011 which confirmed Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2012 AFCON jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. “Kwara is my home and I am here to give my best to Kwara United and also sports loving people who are in this state,� Aiyenugba explained at the weekend.

Meanwhile, Afeez Nosri has agreed to rejoin Kwara United from Niger Tornadoes after having a better forgotten season with the Minna-based side in the National League.

NFF Hails Zenith on Youth Devt, Plans U-15 Future Falcons The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has hailed one of its sponsors, Zenith Bank Plc, for its commitments to youth development in the country.

Apart from sponsoring the NFF, the leading bank has been promoting youth football with their NFF/ Zenith Bank U-15 Future

Eagles Championship.

Recently, the competition has become the bedrock of the country’s cadet team, the U-17 with top stars like Golden Eaglets captain to the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup, Samson Tijani, emerging from the Future Eagles.

Other stars that represented the country at the last cadet World Cup

in Brazil like Akinkunmi Amao, Olusegun Olakunle and Usman Ibrahim were all products of the NFF/ Zenith Bank U-15 Future Eagles.

According to a statement by the NFF yesterday, the Executive Committee of the federation has mandated its Technical and Development Committee

to submit a shortlist of candidates for the positions of Head Coaches of the U-15 Boys National Team among other national teams.

In the same vein, the federation has concluded plans to have a female version of the NFF/Zenith Bank U-15 after witnessing the success story of the male cadre.

shutdown.

There will be no fans in the Estadio da Luz, but the French champions coped just fine behind closed doors when they beat Borussia Dortmund in their last 16, second leg in March. in Paris following his 222 millioneuro ($264 million) transfer from Barcelona were marred by injuries at the worst possible moments.

First there was the broken metatarsal that saw him miss the last 16, second leg against Real Madrid in 2018 as PSG were knocked out by the reigning champions.

And history repeated itself a year later, as another metatarsal injury forced him to miss the defeat against a mediocre Manchester United, when they contrived to throw away a 2-0 first-leg advantage.

Since then, the much talked about move back to Barcelona has not happened and does not look likely to happen in the post-pandemic market.

Wednesday’s game comes a day short of three years after Neymar made his debut for PSG following that stunning, 222 million euros transfer from Spain.

Aged 28, Neymar now finally seems settled in Paris and is in fine shape to lead his team against Atalanta as they look to progress to the Champions League semifinals for the first

That night Neymar scored the opener in a 2-0 win as they overturned a first-leg deficit.

After the game, the Brazilian sat on a step high up in the stands at the Parc des Princes and cried tears of joy.

After all, his first two seasons time since the Qatari takeover in 2011. “I think I’m having my best time since I came to Paris,� he said in an interview with the club’s website last week.

And how PSG – in the week they celebrate the 50th anniversary of the club’s founding – need him as coach Thomas Tuchel has all sorts of selection concerns elsewhere.

His other superstar forward, Kylian Mbappe, is expected to be on the bench at best as he battles to shake off an ankle injury suffered in last month’s French Cup final against SaintEtienne.

Angel Di Maria is suspended, while the club’s all-time record goal-scorer, Edinson Cavani, left at the end of June when his contract expired. Ironically, he has been tipped to move to Lisbon to sign for Benfica.

Perhaps most worryingly of all, midfield maestro Marco Verratti is out with a calf injury and reports claim the Italian would possibly not even be fit for the final should PSG make it.

Wednesday August 12, 2020

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& RE A SO

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Sagay to Salami Panel “No one is prosecuted on unverified allegations as the PDP wanted, otherwise it would be a lost cause from the very beginning. In my statement, I made it clear that Malami’s petition was just the beginning of a process that could lead to prosecution if solid evidence is established upon investigation” – Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itsay Sagay , criticising the Justice Ayo Salami panel probing the allegations of corruption levelled against the suspended acting Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Magu.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

The NEPU Example I

t is an irony of Nigeria’s history that while today’s political parties are bereft of ideologies and articulated programmes, an ideologically sophisticated party was formed in Kano 70 years ago.

On August 8, 1950, the Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) was born. It was the culmination of the efforts by some leftist elements, among whom were Bello Ijumu, Raji Abdallah and the poet, Sa’ad Zungur.

The Sawaba Declaration issued following the radical party’s proclamation was essentially a manifesto for social justice, equity and freedom for the poor and oppressed. The programme of the party on the women question was clear. Just imagine what happened in 1950! Yet in 2020 gender issues are still prevalent in the society.

Gambo Sawaba emerged as a female leading light of the party. The party fought for human dignity and struggled against colonialism.

A precursor to NEPU was the Northern Elements Progressive Association (NEPA), formed by radical elements, but was disbanded in 1949. The radical elements who later formed NEPU maintained the same ideological focus.

Mallam Aminu Kano, who later joined the organisation and became its leader and symbol, defined the class character of NEPU as that of the talakawa, the poor. That distinguished the party from the conservative Northern Peoples Congress (NPC).

To commemorate the birthday of NEPU last Saturday, Mambaya House, the Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Studies, Bayero University, Kano, organised a well-attended webinar.

The theme of the webinar was “Party Ideology and Supremacy: The Example of NEPU.” One of the weakest points in the chain of Nigeria’s current experiment with liberal democracy is the crucial institution of the political party.

That could roughly be the summary of the highly enlightening discussions that took place at the virtual meeting.

Neither are the political parties defined by ideologies nor are they supreme in organisational terms.

According the notable political scientist and public intellectual, Professor Jibrin Ibrahim, who moderated the forum, the takeaway from the history of NEPU “is that parties in the past stood for something.” For example, NEPU had a clear ideology. Another factor identified by Jibrin was that of a committed and visionary leadership.

To a large extent, the context for the formation of a party would help in defining the purpose of the party. So was the case of NEPU, according to one of the panellists, Dr. Kabiru Muhammad.

The socio-economic environment of the 1940s was evidently oppressive. For instance, there was the imposition of heavy taxes on the people by the colonialists. So, according to Muhammad, the motivation for the formation of the party was not personal ambition or seeking fortunes. It was meant to be a platform to fight colonialism and win socio-economic rights for the poor people.

Marginalisation was not defined in ethnic or regional terms; the focus was how to put an end to the class-based marginalisation of the talakawas.

The partisans who formed the party, of course, made immense sacrifices in pursuing their cause.

Some were detained by the colonial authorities.

Others were driven into exile. One of them trekked from Kano to Ringim, a distance of over 100 kilometres to protest. The party activists drew inspiration from the mixture of experiences of political struggles in India and Kenya. The historic General Strike of 1945 led by Michael Imoudu and his comrades and the national protests triggered

by the 1949 killings of the Enugu coal miners by the colonial police provided a lot of impetus for political action.

Radical politics, as a matter of mission and vision, was a logical reaction to the condition of the people in those days. The ideology of the party was derived from the material condition of the people.

Another panellist, Dr. Saidu Ahmadu Dukawa of the Bayero University, examined party supremacy in the parliamentary system of the First Republic as different from the presidential system which Nigeria has constitutionally adopted since the Second Republic. In the parliamentary system, the party leader is first a member of parliament.

The leader of the majority party in parliament forms the government unlike the practice in the presidential system.

Yet, Dukawa made a distinction between party supremacy and party dictatorship. In a healthy regime of party supremacy, members are committed, first and foremost, to the party ideology. They are driven by its mission and vision. The disciple maintained in the party is basically derived from this commitment.

The leadership itself was driven by vision and not by “political entrepreneurship” as Prof. Pat Utomi put it at the webinar.

Besides, to deepen democracy the political parties should be democratic in their internal regimes. After all, an undemocratic organisation cannot lead a nation on the democratic path.

The democratic content of the parties should be critically examined because they are important institutions of democracy,.

In 1966, NEPU was one of the dozens of parties proscribed by the military government of General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi. In the course of the transition to civil rule in the late 1970s, the out-going military regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo made the rule that no party with the name or emblem of the parties of the First Republic should be registered. The parties were also required to be national character.

So, the successor party to NEPU in the Second Republic became the People’s Redemption Party (PRP). It was led by Mallam Aminu Kano. But unlike NEPU, the leadership of PRP comprised of radical and progressive elements from different parts of Nigeria.

The radical tendency of NEPU continued in the governments formed by the PRP in Kano and Kaduna. The two governors elected in 1979 – Abubakar Rimi and Balarabe Musa- pursued pro-people programmes. They abolished jangali “cattle tax” and declared May 1 public holiday in 1980 in solidarity with labour, a year before the federal government of President Shehu Shagari followed in their footsteps.

The conservative politicians of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Kaduna State House of Assembly could not tolerate the radical content of Balarabe Musa’s government. They impeached him.

Rimi attracted progressive elements from other parts of Nigeria to Kano to be part of his government. The feat achieved by the Kano state government in the education sector under Rimi was acknowledged by the UNESCO. Besides, the PRP engaged in vigorous conscientisation, political mobilisation and political education. In fact, in the early 1980s, the verdict of a Nigerian journalist writing for the National Concord, Tunde Obadina, was that the political consciousness of the talakawas in Kano and Kaduna at that time was higher than that of the average British working class elements.

However, before the collapse of the Second

Republic, the test of party supremacy was administered on PRP by a sequence of some unfortunate events. The stress almost became unbearable as the party got divided down the middle.

However, the other parties – NPN, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) etc. were able to bring party supremacy to bear relatively more than the PRP that was on their left.

So, how could the ideals of those who formed NEPU 70 years ago be reinvented in rejuvenating political parties in the 21st Century?

The challenge really, as Jibrin rightly posited, “is how to bring back ideologies and public purpose” into party politics. He added that another challenge “is how to bring those who share the same vision on the same platform.”

Currently, the only purpose of political parties appears to be the nomination of candidates for elections. Politicians join parties to secure the party tickets by all means.

So, the political spectrum is not clearly delineated into conservative, liberal or radical platforms. It is, therefore, difficult to identify the ideological loci of politicians on the spectrum as it is the case, for instance, in European polities. Even in the presidential systems, parties are still defined

by some ideas. There is a substantial difference between a Republican and a Democrat in the American politics. The two support their different parties’ programmes in the congress. While one may support higher tax and welfare programmes; the other could fight for low lower tax in the interest of the industry. The choice of which policies to support is certainly underlined by some organising principles.

You can hardly say that of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Nigeria!

The character of the present political parties is a symptom of the chronic disease of political underdevelopment. The parties are not organic because there is no ideal, beyond being in power, uniting the members. Party discipline is easier to maintain when the parties operate organically.

Radical poltical economist, Professor Claude Ake, once likened the Nigerian politics to “a game of football without a referee.” Politics of ideology and party discipline could stop this retrogressive and anarchic tendency.

The story of NEPU is another proof that there is a lot of inspiration that could be drawn from history in order to squarely face the political challenge of the future.

Foreign Loans, Sovereign Immunity Femi Falana Clause 8 (1) of the $400 loan agreement signed

by Federal Ministry of Finance (Borrower) on behalf of Nigeria and the Export-Import Bank of China (Lender) on September 5, 2018, provides that: “The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any immunity on the grounds of sovereign or otherwise for itself or its property in connection with any arbitration proceeding pursuant to Article 8(5), thereof with the enforcement of any arbitral award pursuant thereto, except for the military assets and diplomatic assets.”

On the basis of the clause the House of Representatives summoned the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

During his appearance before the House Committee the minister cautioned against the investigation as it might discourage the Chinese Government from approving more loans for Nigeria.

The proceedings immediately sparked off a debate on the propriety and benefits of Chinese loans for the infrastructureal development of the country.

But contrary to the spurious claim that the sovereignty of Nigeria has been mortgaged to the Chinese the loans in question are tied to specific projects which are being executed and supervised by engineers and workers from China.

According to the Debt Management Office (DMO), that the total value of loans taken by Nigeria from China as at March 31, 2020, was $3.121 billion, an indication that the Chinese loan is some 3.94% of Nigeria’s total public debt of $79.303. Regarding external sources of funds as the same date, loans from China accounted for 11.28% of the external debt stock of $27.67.

The loans were obtained with interest rates of 2.5% per annum, to be paid in 20 years with moratorium of seven years.

Even though I am strenuously opposed to the penchant of the federal government to procure foreign loans, it is pertinent to state, without any fear of contradiction, that the controversial clause 8 (1) of the $400 million loan agreement has not subverted the sovereignty of Nigeria in

Amaechi any material particular.

It is a standard clause in international commercial agreements.

It is unfortunate that the Committee of the House decided to raise such red herrings over a standard clause in the loan agreements.

Since the loan agreement in question was approved by both Chambers of the National Assembly, the surprise expressed by the House Committee has confirmed that the legislators did not study the terms and conditions attached to the loans before approving them.

If that is the case it means that the members of the National Assembly have violated Section 21 of the Debt Management Office Establishment Act which has imposed a duty on National Assembly that an external loan shall not be approved or obtained by the Minister of Finance “unless its terms and conditions shall have been laid before the National Assembly and approved by its resolution.”

However, in view of the confusion created by the House Committee, it is necessary to examine the issue of the sovereign rights of nations that enter into loan agreements.

NOTE: This piece continues in the online edition on www.thisdayliive.com

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