THURSDAY 4TH AUGUST 2022

NLNG Suffers $7bnYear-to-Date Revenue Loss Due to Gas Supply Shortages Heirs Oil & Gas' crude production fell to 3% in Dec. 2021 Seplat backs FG on call for just energy transition for Africa Peter Uzoho The security challenge facing oil and gas companies in the country is having a heavy toll on the production and revenues of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG)

Limited as it has resulted to the company losing almost $7 billion revenue so far in 2022 due to gas supply constraints.

The company's General Manager, Production, Mr. Adeleye Falade disclosed this yesterday in Lagos,

during a panel session at the 45th Nigeria International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) 2022, with the theme: "Global Transition to Renewable and Sustainable Energy and the Future of Oil and Gas in Africa."

Also at the session, Tony Elumelu's Heirs Oil & Gas revealed that oil production at its Oil Mining Leases (OML) 17 dropped to three per cent in December 2021, just as Seplat Energy Plc has joined the federal government in advocating for

a balanced and just energy transition for Nigeria and other developing Africa nations.

Speaking on the panel, which centred on the topic: "Operationalising a Clean-Energy Transition for Sustainable Development in Africa,

Falade, who represented NLNG's Managing Director, Dr. Philip Mshelbila, said the company's 22 million tons per day plant's production currently trends at 99.4 Continued on page 48

CBN Urges Private Sector Operators to Repatriate FX Earning to Ease Pressure... Page 5 Thursday 4 August, 2022 Vol 27. No 9977. Price: N250

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2023: INEC Reiterates Neutrality, Says It Has No Preferred Candidates... Page 5

FG Approves PPP for Badagry Deep Seaport, to Generate $53.6bn Explains purchase of N1.45bn security vehicles for Niger Republic Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC)

yesterday approved the development of the Badagry Deep Seaport on a built-own-operate transfer

Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

The Minister of Transportation,

Mu'azu Jaji Sambo disclosed this during an interview with journalists at the end of the FEC

He explained that the private sector would inject money for the development of the port and at the

end of the concessionary period, the Continued on page 48

Oshiomhole: Tinubu Can’t Be Held Responsible for Buhari’s Performance President’s failure in security, economy make APC’s presidential candidate unmarketable, says Atiku support group Emma Okonji, Nosa Alekhuogie in Lagos and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Former National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) and ex- governor of Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has said the presidential candidate of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, cannot be held responsible for the performance of the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Oshiomhole spoke yesterday on “The Morning Show”, a programme on Arise News Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers.

Oshiomhole’s assertion came as a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) group rallying support for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, The Atiku Mobilisers Ekiti (TAME), yesterday said the frightening insecurity across the country and weak economic status had rendered Tinubu unmarketable Continued on page 48

NIGER REPUBLIC HONOURS SIX NIGERIANS...

L-R: Jigawa State Governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar; Zamfara State Governor, Muhammad Bello Matawalle; President of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum; President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote; Chairman/CEO, BUA Group, AbdulSamad Rabiu; Amb Lawan Kazaure and Senior Special Assistant to President Buhari, Mallam Sariki Abba, during the conferment of PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE. national honours on six Nigerians by Niger President to mark the country's 62nd Independence anniversary in Naimey, Niger... yesterday

NCAA Assures of Air Safety Despite Hiccups in Flight Operations... Page 8

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 0803 350 6821, 0809 7777 322, 0807 401 0580

NEWS

NEWLY SWORN IN...

L-R: Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo, Mr. Udo Okokon Ekanem and Lydia Shehu Jafiya, taking their oath of office as Permanent Secretaries at the Council Chambers in Abuja... yesterday

CBN Urges Private Sector Operators to Repatriate FX Earning to Ease Pressure Tasks businesses to key into various interventions schemes to boost productivity Nume Ekeghe in Lagos The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised members of the organised private sector (OPS) to always ensure that they repatriate foreign exchange (FX) proceeds back to the apex bank in order to ease FX pressure in the country.

Deputy Director, Banking Services, CBN, Mr. Egboagwu Ezulu, made the call at the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB) maiden national stakeholders’ conference held in Lagos yesterday.

Speaking further, Ezulu also advised OPS to take advantage of the various intervention schemes of the CBN to through the Bank of Industry, the Development Bank of Nigeria and commercial banks, to boost their output.

He said: “We are taking FX out of this country and dumping offshore; when we were told to bring them back. If Nigerians are bringing back FX, we would not be talking about challenges of FX. There is a challenge for individuals and businesses to do the right thing.

“That is why the CBN introduced the RT200 to encourage you to bring back the dollar you are saying is scarce, but in the books of the banks we see billions of dollars that have been exported out of the country and the OPS are not bringing it back, so how do we finance FX demand?”

On how OPS could get funding for output, he said: “When you talk about financing small businesses, the CBN has done a lot of funding to the sector alluding to trillions of naira and has established two entities for this purpose. Has the manufacturing sector approached the entities for the funds available rather than emphasising on the commercial banks?

“The manufacturing sector should put pressure on the Bank of Industry and Development Bank of Nigeria to source funds, and when we see a lot of pressure from those

two entities, the CBN instead of going through commercial banks would push those funds to those two entities rather than going to the commercial banks who would give double-digit loans.

“I want to appeal that industrialists, as well as small businesses should approach those two entities to get funding.”

On his part, the President of

the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Ide Udeagbala said: “The organised private sector breeds a vibrant economy for sustained, inclusive economic growth and development. Therefore, there is need for the banking sector to further enhance investments by identifying and funding good business opportunities and facilitating the exchange of

goods and services as a means of contributing to the growth of the private sector. For this role, you will find a worthy partner in the organized private sector.”

In his welcome address, the President ACAMB, Mr. Rasheed Bolarinwa said: “To the extent that financial intermediaries are crucial to economic growth, there is bound to be a meeting point between

OPS and the banking sector.

“From available communication research efforts, there seems to be a mutual misunderstanding between the two sectors, and all efforts to streamline this perceived gap have not been totally successful.

“The banking sector and the OPS are meant to be the main drivers of the Nation's economy.

One galvanises the credit from the

surplus side and redistributing to the deficit size. The other operates principally from the productive side, creating wealth and values.

Thus, the two sectors are like two sides of a coin. They are co-joined, and must function together in an economic sense. So, there is nexus; a link between the two at all time if any economy is to develop and grow.”

2023: INEC Reiterates Neutrality, Says It Has No Preferred Candidates Declares BVAS, IVED, electronic transfer of elections' results now legal Chuks Okocha in Abuja For the umpteenth time, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu yesterday assured Nigerians that the Commission has no preferred political party or candidates in the 2023 general elections.

He also reiterated that votes of Nigerians at the polls would count.

The INEC Chairman said this at the 4th Abubakar Momoh Memorial Lecture with the theme: "Electoral Act 2022: Imperatives for Political Parties and the 2023 General Elections," that took place in Abuja.

The INEC chairman was represented by the chairman of the Board of the Electoral Institute, Prof.

Abdullahi Abdu Zuru, a national commissioner of INEC. Yakubu said: “Once again, I wish to assure you that INEC has no preferred party or candidate. We shall only ensure that valid votes count and the winners are decided solely by the voters."

He explained that as the 2023 general elections draws near, it was imperative for all stakeholders especially the political parties to note the major features introduced by the new Electoral Act 2022 and the possible implications of the changes on the upcoming elections.

According to him, the happenings that accompanied the recent parties’

primaries attested to these.

The INEC chairman, said, "These changes include amongst others, the conduct of early party primaries by political parties, technological changes in the electoral process, the Commission's power to review the decision of Returning Officer and over voting based on the number of accredited voters.

"These initiatives as contained in the law served as the bedrock for the reviewed Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022 released by the Commission in 2022.

This in turn dictated the review of the Manual for Election Officials, 2022.

"Let me draw your attention to the fact that the use of electronic devices such as Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS), INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), INEC Results Viewing Portal (IRev) and other technological devices, are now legally allowed in the accreditation process for voters, collation of results and in the general conduct of elections.

"These changes include amongst others, the conduct of Early Party Primaries by Political parties, technological changes in the electoral process, the Commission's power to Review the decision of Returning Officer and Over-voting based on the number of accredited voters.

"These initiatives as contained in the law served as the bedrock for the reviewed Regulations and Guidelines

for the Conduct of Elections 2022 released by the Commission on 24h 1 2022. This in turn dictated the review of the Manual for Election Officials, 2022.

"Please be assured that these innovations are intended to deepen the electoral process in our country and their optimal performance in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Ekiti and Osun States is an eloquent testimony to their electoral value. We shall only do more to consolidate their deployment in our election."

Yakubu said the Prof. Abubakar Momoh memorial lecture was a platform established by the Commission to project the ideals of a social activist and an advocate of citizen’s involvement in elections and nation building.

In view of this, Yakubu said it was therefore befitting to ride on the platform for advocacy on the electoral legal framework that would drive the 2023 general elections.

He therefore warned that, "INEC will scrupulously apply the laws without fear of favour to ensure free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent election come February, 2023. Please, I urge you all to listen attentively to our guest lecturer."

In his lecture, Prof. Yemi AkinseyeGeorge, a legal practitioner and consultant said, "politics is not anarchy; it is not disorderliness; it must be punctuated by justice,

fairness and orderliness."

According to him, the Supreme Court had decided on several cases that political parties must obey their own constitutions, saying the court would not allow them to act arbitrarily or as they like.

Accordingly, he said, "The party primaries are conducted by the National Executive Committees of the parties, not the state chapters of the parties. Where INEC receives a report that a party did not conduct primaries, there is no way INEC can publish the list and personal particulars of whoever purportedly emerges from any so called party primaries.

"That is within the realm of the powers granted to the Commission under Section 29 and 84 of the Electoral Act. If a political party conducts a primary and a candidate emerges, but the party whose responsibility it is to upload the list of validly nominated candidates uploads the particulars of another person who did not participate in the primaries, INEC is not under any legal or constitutional obligation to publish such a name.

"Under section 29(3) of the Electoral Act the INEC is only obliged to publish the names and other personal particulars of candidates who emerged from valid party primaries.”

In the case of Yobe state, the quest lecturer said, “In relation to

the party’s primary relating to the Senate President in Yobe State, there was a report that a party primary was conducted and somebody won the election. “But the party whose responsibility it is to submit the name of the validly nominated candidate submitted the name of another candidate and the Commission did not publish the name of any candidate in relation to that party primary.

"This is because if you look at Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, it says that a political party shall submit the list of candidates it intends to sponsor who have emerged from valid party primaries.”

While on the case of Delta State, he said that the Commission monitored party primaries, a candidate emerged from that party’s primary, the political party submitted the name of a candidate they believed won the primary; one of the aspirants went to court and the court said, ‘no, you are the candidate, the PDP and INEC should do the needful and submit your name’.

"What INEC did was that having received the court order, INEC wrote to the PDP to comply with the judgment of the court and upload the name and particulars of the person the court said won the party primary. They have not done so. So, it is the responsibility of the party under S. 29, to do the needful."

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NEWS

REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE WITH THE ACADEMIA, STAKEHOLDERS...

L–R: VC, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale; Deputy VC, Academics & Research, UNILAG, Prof. Bola Oboh; Chairman Board of Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Adeolu Akande; Director, Legal and Regulatory Services, NCC, Ms. Josephine Amuwa; VC, Fed University of Tech. Akure, Prof. Adenike Oladeji; VC, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari A. Georgewill, and Director, Research Covenant University, Prof. Kolawole Ajanaku, during the Regional Roundtable with the Academia, Industry and other Stakeholders held in Lagos ... yesterday

In New Campaign Video, Atiku Says United, Prosperous, Secure Nigeria is Possible Commits to 40% youth, women inclusion in government positions if elected Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Dike Onwuamaeze in Lagos In campaign prep, the presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, “welcomed all Nigerians onboard Flight 2-0-2-3 Atiku/Okowa 2023,” stating that it would deliver a united, prosperous and secure Nigeria upon safe arrival in 2023.

Atiku assures in a video he posted on his Twitter handle yesterday that sound education and effective healthcare delivery would be accessible within Nigeria for every citizen.

Waxing lyrical, the PDP presidential candidate declares in the video, “Hello ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Welcome on board Flight 2-0-2-3 Atiku/Okowa 2023. My co-pilot here with me is Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa keeping track on all navigation systems.

“Our destination is a united Nigeria. Right now, we are cruising at 2022 feet above sea level. Before we arrive at our destination, let me give you a brief update on what we expect at our destination.

“Number one, the temperature is going to be hard on security issues. Two, the people are going

to be better educated and the educational system and healthcare will be accessible to every citizen.

Three, the economy is going to be strengthened and booming.

And, of course, there will be true federalism.

“This and many more to be expected from a united and prosperous Nigeria. So, sit down and relax. And before you know it, if we join hands together, we shall arrive at the new united Nigeria we all dream of soon enough. My name is Atiku Abubakar. As one we can get it done.”

Atiku had previously stated that his presidential aspiration rested on uniting Nigerians with the support of the youth and women to win next year’s presidential election and usher in a united and prosperous country.

Meanwhile, Atiku assured Nigerian youths of his commitment to enthroning an enduring legacy for them, if elected president next year. He said this yesterday, when he received a delegation of the executive members of the PDP New Generation, led by its Director-General, Audu Mahmud, at his residence in Abuja.

The PDP presidential candidate reaffirmed his commitment to 40

per cent inclusion of women and youths in government positions, as contained in his policy document. He said with the 35 per cent affirmative action on women agreed in the Beijing Conference document, he would make the needed adjustment to accommodate the youth and the women segments of our population.

The Wazirin Adamawa also said

it was only in the PDP era that the 35 per cent affirmative action plan on women was implemented in the country, saying the APC administration never honoured the policy.

He decried the vulnerable situation of the youth today, promising to remedy it. To this end, he said education would be an integral pillar of his policy agenda, to

As part of its contribution to the development of its host communities and to complement efforts of the governments in the provision of basic infrastructure, BUA Cement Company yesterday handed over clinic, school, one mosque and water projects worth N275,000 000 to Gidan Boka community in Wamakko local government area of Sokoto State.

The Managing Director of BUA Cement, Alhaji Yusuf Binji handed over the completed projects along with 170 tonnes of cement to 68 communities in Wamakko local government area of the state.

Binji, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources,

Alhaji Altine Wali said the efforts were part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to ameliorate the plights and provision of basic amenities to its host communities.

He further added that the company also relocated and resettled some communities due to the expansion of the company which affected some communities such as Gidan Boka.

He further disclosed that the company cleared lands in the new Gidan Boka community and constructed buildings for the affected families.

On his part, the company’s Head, Administration and Corporate Services, Mr. Sada Suleiman, said the company over the time

the needs of the times, run an inclusive government sensitive to the country’s diversities in all ramifications.

In his response, Mahmud described Atiku as a veritable source of inspiration to the youth of the country and expressed confidence in his ability to fix the broken socio-economic and political fabric of Nigeria.

FG Developing Plea Bargain Guidelines for Effective Justice Delivery, Says SGF Center laments poor implementation of ACJA Alex Enumah in Abuja The federal government yesterday disclosed that it was working with critical stakeholders to develop a 'Plea Bargain' Guidelines for prosecutors of the government as part of efforts at enhancing justice delivery in the country.

Solicitor-General of the Federation (SGF) and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs

Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, made the disclosure while speaking at a two-day training for the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) Rangers on the implementation of the ACJA/ACJL. The workshop holding in Abuja was organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) in conjunction with the MacArthur Foundation.

The Solicitor-General, stated

BUA Hands over Clinic, School, Other Projects Worth N275m to Sokoto Community Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto

empower the youth and advance democracy in the country.

Atiku regretted that the APC federal government had mismanaged the institutions and policy frameworks the PDP government had put in place.

While recognising the place of youths in nation building, the PDP presidential candidate stressed that he would in tandem with

had constructed roads, provided cemetery, portable water and electricity to its host communities.

Sada maintained that the company had ensured routine distribution of cement for communities to rehabilitate mosques and others infrastructures as well as provides drugs and other consumables to the citizen within the company's host communities.

He added that BUA cement had been supporting communities in the areas of healthcare, skills acquisition training, provision of scholarship and educational materials.

He commended the state and local governments as well as the host communities for the cordial relationship with the company, which facilitated its intervention

in various communities.

According to him, the projects are to complement the efforts of Sokoto State Government in uplifting the living standard of the people.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Chairman of Wamakko local government area Alhaji Halliru Guiwa, represented by the Vice Chairman, Alhaji Garba Muhammad, thanked the company for the gesture.

Guiwa said the residents were lucky to have the company in their domain, in view of its contribution to infrastructure development of the area.

He however appealed for more supports in view of the population and the need of the residents.

that plea bargain which is one of the major innovations introduced

by Section 270 of the ACJA 2015, was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of criminal justice in the country.

"The development of the Plea Bargaining and Compounding of Offences Guidelines for Federal Prosecutors, 2022 is one of the strategic interventions by the Federal Ministry of Justice targeted at achieving this purpose.”

“The guidelines are intended to promote consistency of practice in Plea Bargaining and Compounding of Offences, boost public confidence in the process, and enhance efficiency of the criminal justice system for orderly, predictable, uniform, consistent and timely resolution of criminal matters," she said.

Outside plea bargaining, she said the government in partnership with other stakeholders in the justice sector had introduced the non-custodial sentencing of convicts and also established two virtual courtrooms at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja so as to bring to the barest minimum the issue of decongestion.

Meanwhile, the Centre for SocioLegal Studies, has lamented what it described as the poor implementation of the ACJA passed in 2015.

President of the CSLS, Prof Yemi Akinseye-George, lamented that despite been domesticated in 33 States of the Federation, its implementation is not encouraging.

"You will agree with me that passing a law is one thing, but applying it effectively is another thing. And that our problem in this country is not the lack of good laws but the lack of effective implementation or enforcement of our laws.

"Indeed I make bold to say that a weak law which is properly implemented is better than a good law which is left on the shelf to gather dust," he said.

The president, who spoke through the Vice President of the CSLS, Mrs. Olaide Akinseye-George, added that it was for the above reason that CSLS came up with the idea of identifying stakeholders who can be specially trained and deployed in their different states to advocate, motivate, champion or otherwise promote the proper implementation of ACJA and ACJL in the states.

She noted that for the ACJA to be effective all members of the public must play their roles effectively and provide support for law enforcement personnel.

The objective of the training according to her was to inculcate in the participants improved knowledge of the ACJA/ACJL and to motivate them to take up the task of looking out for ways of ensuring compliance with the law by law enforcement personnel and other stakeholders of the system of criminal justice administration.

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COURTESY VISIT...

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (middle) with the wife of Chief of Army Staff and National President, Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association, NAOWA, Mrs. Salamatu Yahaya (3rd right), the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja (2nd right), his wife and Chairperson, NAOWA, 82 Division, Mrs. Maria Lagbaja (3rd left) and other members of the entourage, when the Chief of Army Staff's wife paid a courtesy visit to the governor, at the Government House, Enugu,.. yesterday.

NCAA Assures of Air Safety Despite Hiccups in Flight Operations Chinedu Eze The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured that air travel remains safe in Nigeria despite the crisis caused by high cost of aviation fuel

and attendant high cost of flight tickets.

In order to ensure that airlines do not compromise on safety, the NCAA said the regulatory authority is currently carrying out financial and economic audit

to ensure that the domestic carriers have enough funds to embark on schedule service.

This was disclosed yesterday in Lagos, by the Director General of NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu who emphasised that

the authority was saddled with the responsibility to ensure the current economic and financial crisis do not lead to safety crisis.

"Currently eight carriers are undergoing financial and economic audit and this is done

Dangote Bags Nigerien National Honour over his Foundation’s Health Intervention President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote has been conferred with the Commander of the Order of Merit of Niger award by the President of the Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum in Niamey.

According to the certificate of conferment presented to Dangote in Niamey, the nation’s capital, the award was in appreciation for his services rendered to the Republic of Niger and as well as a tribute to his business acumen and philanthropy.

This was disclosed in a statement.

The Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) had intervened in various ways to improve healthcare and routine immunisation in Niger Republic and her neighbouring countries namely Nigeria and Chad.

Aliko Dangote had earlier been conferred with the Commander of the National Order of Valour of the Republic of Cameroon, and the Grand Commander of the National Order of the Republic of Benin.

In a related development, Aliko Dangote Foundation, alongside the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and GAVI the Vaccine Alliance have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of the Republic of Niger on a collaboration for improving the Expanded Programme on Immunisation in Diffa, Maradi and Zinder regions, which are along the country’s southern border with Nigeria.

The Nigerien national award by the president was in recognition of the various health-related interventions by the Aliko Dangote Foundation including financial support to the tune of $500,000 to help fight a previous Meningitis outbreak and another cholera outbreak; NGN250 million for the provision of food for refugees and displaced persons; and $1,000,000 (one million dollars) support for

enhanced routine immunisation in the three identified regions of Diffa, Maradi and Zinder.

Aliko Dangote Foundation and BMGF had played key roles in a historic certification by the World Health Organisation of a polio-free Nigeria and Africa in August 2020.

The same successful template which was applied to ensure eradication of polio in northern Nigeria in partnership with six states namely Bauchi, Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto and Yobe, is also being applied by ADF to enhance routine immunisation and adequate vaccination around Nigeria’s borders with the Republics of Niger and Chad.

The three regions of Diffa, Maradi and Zinder share a common border with northern Nigeria and together make up almost 28 per cent of Niger’s land area and about 40 per cent of the country’s population.

Speaking on the MoU partnership, which was signed in May 2022, the Managing Director of Aliko Dangote Foundation stated that, “ADF is committing $1 million over 3 years; BMGF are providing $2 million, while GAVI is bringing in $10 million worth of vaccines under this MoU. ADF and BMGF are bringing in the money required to stimulate demand for the vaccines that GAVI is bringing in to ensure maximum uptake and coverage.”

The MoU was signed between the Government of the Republic of Niger represented by the Ministry of Public Health, the Population and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Interior & Decentralisation and the Ministry of Finance on the one hand, and the Incorporated Trustees of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), two independent endowed charities

and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, a Global Public-Private Partnership on the other hand.

The Foundations are committed to providing technical and financial support to the Government of Niger to strengthen its vaccine programmes gradually and sustainably improve its coverage in the Diffa, Maradi and Zinder regions in order to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.

Gavi, according to the MoU, would continue its support for immunisation in the selected priority districts in the three regions, in accordance with the agreement already signed with the Government of Niger, the strategic objectives of the Health System Strengthening Project (HSS3) grant and the approved financing.

In order to protect the target populations against poliomyelitis and other vaccine-preventable

diseases, the government of Niger is committed to strengthening the routine vaccine programme and to reduce morbidity and mortality in the regions of Diffa, Maradi and Zinder.

The objective of the MoU is to collaborate on strengthening vaccination in Niger to improve the delivery of routine vaccine services in the three regions in order to achieve full vaccination coverage of 90% of the target population by December 2024; to ensure that at least 90% of districts achieve 90% Penta 3 vaccination coverage; to vaccinate 90% of the zero doses identified; to stop poliovirus transmission and maintain polio-free status; and to ensure consistent national funding and procurement of vaccines in order to secure a sustained and steady supply of all routine vaccines throughout the country.

in batches. Right now, it is just financial and economic crisis and we will do all we can to ensure it doesn't get to safety crisis.

“NCAA has grounded a considerable number of aircraft.

Though airlines may be undergoing these challenges but the regulator would not compromise on safety," Nuhu added.

On Dana Air that was recently grounded by NCAA, the Director General said he would not give details on the airline because NCAA's investigation into the activities of the carrier would be made public when investigation was completed.

He also disclosed that not much was discovered on the technical, economic and financial probe into Aero's operations and confirmed that the airline opted to temporarily suspend operations to enable it carry out restructuring.

Reacting to the request of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella body of indigenous carriers for the abolition of five per cent Tickets Sales Charge (TSC), Nuhu said the regulator does not have the powers to grant such waivers.

He said the TSC was a law signed by the president from the Civil Aviation Act passed by the National Assembly.

"We will look at how we can be flexible in attending to

some of their requests without compromising safety," Nuhu said.

On the status of the proposed national carrier, he said the NCAA would do all expected of it as much as the promoters meet the regulatory requirements. He said there was no preferential treatment for the airline in scaling the all-important Air Operators Certificate, (AOC) process.

"The national carrier is the policy of government. NCAA will play its role to ensure all requirements are met before it would issue out AOC to the intending carrier.”

On foreign airlines' blocked funds in Nigeria, Nuhu said discussions were ongoing between Federal Ministries of Finance and Aviation as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria on how to resolve the issue.

Such intervention he said was not new as the federal government a few years ago, cleared part of the blocked funds to a reasonable level.

On depletion of seat on aircraft and crisis fares, he said the NCAA was working out interim measures to ameliorate the situation.

“All hands are on deck to ensure problems of the aviation industry is not treated in isolation of other national challenges," he said.

Pantami Lauds Abiodun's ICT Policies in Ogun James Sowole in Abeokuta The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami has lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun's policies to develop ICT in Ogun, predicting that the state could become Nigeria's Silicon Valley.

Pantami stated this when he led members of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on a courtesy visit to the Ogun governor.

"I am happy because you are passionate about IT development in Nigeria. We are happy with what you have done with ICT, particularly the giant strides in the digital economy. We have been following the activities of Ogun state TechHuB, and it is commendable," noted the minister.

He added, "Ogun state has so many IT professionals. Your initiatives are attracting more investors, and I hope the state will emerge as the Silicon Valley of this country in the near future."

He acknowledged the contributions of IT in raising the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of many economically viable countries, observing that Silicon Valley alone has higher GDP than Qatar and Luxembourg.

In his remarks, the NCS President, Prof. Simeon Sodiya, said the visit was to intimate Abiodun of the society's international conference, with the theme 'Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation,' slated for Abeokuta.

Sodiya stated that with what members of the society have seen

in Ogun in terms of IT usage by the government to implement its programmes, the conference would allow the state to come up with ideas capable of engendering further development of Ogun.

In his response, the governor said Ogun was doing well in IT, with learners' certificate numbers, digital curriculum and infrastructure in the education sector now done digitally.

The governor, who noted the place of IT in the changing world, said his administration had put a mechanism and infrastructure in place to enhance the conducive environment for businesses using information technology.

He disclosed that the idea for 'The Governor's Challenge' introduced at the Ogun TechHub

was to identify the best brains in ICT and a platform to harness youths' IT knowledge.

"We are using IT in every sector of our economy. We used IT called OGunTeach to reach out to our children during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have used IT to put adire on the global market; you can buy Adire anywhere in the world now," said the governor.

"In the judiciary, there is Virtual Court sitting and e-registration. We are also working towards having internet facilities in all government offices in the state."

Abiodun commended the NCS for choosing Ogun for its conference, charging the group to develop programmes that will make computer knowledge accessible to all Nigerians.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022

POLITICS

Acting Group Politics Editor DEJI ELUMOYE Email: deji.elumoye@thisdaylive.com (08033025611 SMS ONLY)

Lamido: Buhari Has Failed Nigerians

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido, in this interview with Chuks Okocha, speaks about the security challenges facing the nation as well as the chances of the PDP in the forthcoming presidential election

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and become Nigeria president but he was forced to step down. So the point I am making is the thing about political party, is party supremacy.

Odili was forced to step down. He didn’t go to the primary, neither was he given the position that he was promised.

He is a very loyal and dedicated member of the PDP, humble and mature. They promised him the Vice President, he never got it, he kept his cool. Same as others. Because all the issues were seen from national interest. Recently, in the APC, we knew who Buhari wanted to give the president, the Senate President, he lost to Tinubu.

The vice president, a whole vice president was humiliated, his office was embarrassed and also the presidency was embarrassed, Lawan was embarrassed as a Senate President. They all lost. Have you heard any of them make any noise? If Wike were to be in APC, I don’t see him talking more than the Senate President or more than the vice president or more than Amaechi. If you look at the two scenario, PDP and the APC those who contested and lost to Tinubu. It’s a personal humiliation to the President and also a personal humiliation to Osinbajo’s office and also to Ahmed Lawan but they kept their cool.

The contest is not personal because you are coming to serve your country. The entire process of election or primary is to serve your country.

So what are the issues? Are they personal? Are they for the party?

eligion has taken over politics, instead of ideas on how to better and improve welfare of the people. I ask this question in view of the APC all Muslim

ticket.

In today’s Nigeria, anything is feasible. People can conceive anything because I think we have lost our bearing. There are institutions, like religion that we hold dear which we should hold with respect as a people.

But with the assumption of office of President Muhammadu Buhari, everything has changed.

The first time he ventured into politics, was on religion basis. This was the time he talked about religion in politics and since then, it has now become the norm, maybe third force of our politics. Because in pursuing their desires, lust for power, they can do anything to manipulate anything and deploy anything.

Who do you blame? Why Buhari?

I blame Buhari, Because his entire campaigns was purely religion. There was a time Buhari in Sokoto talked about religion being the third force in Nigeria politics. Because he appeals to a particular kind of constituency, instead of ideas.

Political campaign should be on national issues which appeal to the people. But for Buhari, he will use religion and insult people.

That is why in campaign, people like Pantami cry on the pulpit. He cried. PDP is everything evil. PDP are the ones that caused agony and pains to Nigeria. Muslims have been persecuted and so on. He said so. He was even crying on a national television. And even these Mallams in Sokoto, will push religion up for Buhari as a political vehicle. He said so.

Today’s political environment has become essentially an arena for political religion and anybody could do anything to promote anything. That is why Tinubu in his own drama went and hired Bishops. And you saw what happened. So when you diminish political ideology and you replace it with emotional thing like religion, then the country will not be safe. That is our problem today. Because whatever you do today would be seen from the prism of religion.

In 1979, we went through a lot of crisis but nobody talk about tribalism. Shagari was a ticket holder for the NPN, Awolowo had a ticket for the UPN and Zik was a ticket holder for the NPP .. And all these were balanced. You see because we have lost our human essence and political power has become so enticing.

So people can do anything to obtain political power.

So if Tinubu brought his own from Buhari and think that is enough to get him to power, he went to hire Bishops to balance what is seen as Muslim Muslim ticket, you don’t blame him.

If Nigeria is united, stable and people are free, there is no hunger, no poverty, no discrimination, no nepotism, who cares what the president is doing or what you are saying with religion..

Will a Muslim-Muslim ticket for Tinubu ensure victory by 2023?

What I do know is that the ticket is a device to create impact for both. If you think you are appealing to the Muslims in the north, you will get the votes. Conversely in the south, they are saying no to it. So either way, it’s a problem.

Because the whole is not about Nigeria, it’s about interest. It’s about aspiration. “It is my time, is my time”. He said so. I must have it, is mine, is my time”. It’s his aspiration, is not Nigerians aspiration. It is personal and he can now begin to look at ways in which he can get that personal aspiration by using Shettima.

Shettima is an excellent person. I know him very well. But you see he is being used for a political purpose.

If it was in 2007, it could have been okay. But now, religion is being promoted as key player in politics of today. So the mallams are talking about religion, the christians are talking about religion. Nobody is talking about Nigeria any more. Whatever he may likely secure from the north, he will lose it from the south. I don’t see

Lamido

this working for him.

What effort is PDP making to reconcile the people of the South following Atiku’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the party?

I just gave you an insight just now. I said in 2007, Obasanjo was the President of Nigeria, and when he was leaving office, there were a number of aspirants who emerged but Peter Odili was the frontrunner.

If he had won the ticket, he would have been the President of Nigeria for another eight years. Obasanjo was a Southerner. You see that time how genuine Nigeria was, how sincere we were, how united we were as a country.

But will the PDP go for reconciliation?

What is there to reconcile?

The likes of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state who are calling the presidential candidate of the PDP a liar.

We should be very careful with the choice of one’s own language.

By age, Atiku is older than Wike.

So it’s politically wise to call him a liar. Culturally, traditionally it’s wrong to call an elder a liar no matter how pained you are. He should be careful with his language. He called elders attack dogs. If he calls

his supporters attack dogs, therefore those who are supporting or promoting him see attack dogs. In PDP; we are a single family, where we believe in each other, love each other and we trust each other. There are no dogs in the PDP. If you begin to use attack dogs on somebody, then that should be personal. PDP is family, PDP is a vision and it’s founded on values. He should be more circumspect. He is supposed to be a leader. Calling someone an attack dog, is the reflection of himself in the mirror. There are no dogs in the PDP. In the spirit of trying to reconcile all aggrieved members as a result of the fallout of the convention, do you think the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, should go to Wike for reconciliation?

Let me make it very clear, Atiku’s candidature is not personal to him; it’s a PDP candidature.

He was produced by a process of the party based on rules and regulations in the Nigerian constitution. And the process produced him.

Therefore, it is a product of the process owned by the party. So, it should not be seen as a thing for Atiku. I don’t think we are familiar with history in this country.

In 2007, there were primaries and a day to the convention, on Friday morning, Obasanjo summoned all of us including outgoing governors and candidates who won their primaries.

There and then he told us that the party would field Yar’Adua for tomorrow’s convention as its candidate and therefore all governors who are aspiring should please step down for Yar’Adua, including Peter Odili. But if we had gone to the convention, clearly Peter Odili would have won

I don’t know whether what we are seeing today is what we have before. In all issues, I think no matter how bad our government was under Jonathan, we were better, far better compare to what we have under Buhari. I am a Fulani man with my brother in the villa as a Fulani man, I don’t feel better than I was under Jonathan. Then I feel more better, more secured, I feel more Nigerian, I feel comfortable than I am now under my fellow Fulani man in the presidency

How would you rate President Buhari’s administration?

I am a party man. Obviously Jonathan and the PDP had their shortcomings. In spite of everything, PDP agreed to be blackmailed, propaganda, manipulation, tribalism and religion were the devices used against PDP. We were so overwhelmed because of the intensity of the propaganda. We lost the election and they took over. Now, I don’t know whether what we are seeing today is what we have before. In all issues, I think no matter how bad our government was under Jonathan, we were better, far better compare to what we have under Buhari. I am a Fulani man with my brother in the villa as a Fulani man, I don’t feel better than I was under Jonathan. Then I feel more better, more secured, I feel more Nigerian, I feel comfortable than I am now under my fellow Fulani man in the presidency.

Talking about 2023 presidential election. I want you to be categorical, between Tinubu and Atiku, who do you think Nigerians will favour?

The election is not going to be between Tinubu and Atiku. To me, it’s going to be between PDP and APC. PDP would win hands down by whatever calculation, whatever speculations or hypothesis, by the grace of God, PDP would win the election.

What is delaying reconciliations between Wike and Atiku Let him learn from his former boss Peter Odili. I will tell him a story that is so touching because I have never seen a person who was cheated and who was so denied like Peter Odili.

The man is so humble, so tolerant. I mean he is everything good. Wike offered himself to be elected. I came from the old order that respect political party culture. His candidacy for the governorship in Rivers State was imposed by him. There are others who wanted to be governor, have they reconciled? The guy he imposed won the governorship ticket at the congress. Who offended Wike? Did the convention offend Wike?

How do you mean?

There is no reconciliation. He is a party man and after the convention he said the process was very credible. He said so. I am sorry if I may sound personal. Who is supposed to pick him?

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022

POLITICS

Edevbie: Delta PDP Crisis Over Soon Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for 2023 governorship election in Delta State, Olorogun David Edevbie, in this interview with Deji Elumoye, speaks on salient issues, including the crisis rocking the party in the state and his plan for Deltans if elected Governor. Excerpts:

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deliberate public-private Partnership initiatives. This is an absolute priority and a critical pathway to our progress because steady and predictable electricity supply is at the core of modern development.

hat is your reaction to the controversy surrounding the PDP governorship ticket in Delta State and the recent High Court

judgment?

I am confident that whatever differences we have within the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State at the moment will be resolved amicably in due course. At the moment, all parties are exercising their fundamental legal rights as they see fit. That said, I would rather discuss my vision and the services I hope to render to the people of Delta State than dwell on what I believe to be a needless controversy because, before the primary, I was the leading candidate of our party. I was widely acknowledged as the most qualified aspirant, and if our party members were left to decide freely and to put the party’s interest above all others, I was the most acceptable. I would, therefore, instead rely on that dimension to prove how I merit the party’s support as the gubernatorial candidate than just the litigations brought upon us.

Edevbie

works that will do the following: Deliver a dramatic change in the fidelity of energy supply to meet private, and public electricity needs essential for creating and sustaining jobs and economic activities. It is a plan that is hinged on creating renewable power supply hubs in all three senatorial zones to target vital sectors and provide them cheaper, steady electricity and make them very businessfriendly hubs; and a promise to leverage our existing equities in Distribution Companies to facilitate the delivery of a 500MW power plant within 36 months, as well as encourage speedy development of Independent Power Plants through

Many will question how such a promise of prosperity is different because most politicians make such promises, particularly during general elections?

Let me begin by highlighting the deliverables, and then I will explain why my promises are different. Rather than just promises, I have sets of “policy to public benefit” strategies.

Anyone can make political promises, but very few people have the competency to prepare legislative frameworks, stakeholders’ mapping and the consecutive execution of processes that translate political vision through executive policies and implementation to achieve better public services and benefits.

Hence, I have clearly set out policy frame-

There are many power projects around the country, yet the energy that is critically needed is often never available to users, how will these be different?

This is where understanding the policy ambience is critical. In our case, we will be starting by augmenting the areas of policy weaknesses in the 2017 Power Sector Recovery programme required to prioritise investments, restructure the sector and re-evaluate problems around energy payments and tariffs.

In addition, we will have a target-setting approach where we determine, for instance, how much energy is required to keep all businesses in our principal economic activity areas like Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, Sapele, Bomadi, Escravos and others well served with steady supplies, especially at the most economically demanding hours of the day, such explicit quantification and delivery of qualitative services in that sector is now even more possible with the recent enabling law on electricity generation, transmission and distribution at state level by the National Assembly.

We will determine what energy mixes can meet these demands and how and who can deliver them, first for 12 hours daily and then incrementally until we have a steady 24 hourly supply within 36months. Our vision is such that when an investor thinks about Nigeria, Delta State should be the number one go-to place, and this is also why we have to work on other critical issues like security, enhanced MSMEs and youth empowerment, agro-industrialization and revitalisation of social infrastructure using modernised and

effective ICT, Transportation, Education, Health, Housing and urban infrastructure.

Security is a major concern for Nigerians and not surprisingly for Deltans as well, what will you do differently?

Indeed, although the state government has made very effective efforts to ensure security, such that Delta State is considered a haven for many Nigerians that have been displaced from other States where the security situation has deteriorated beyond control, we still have profound security problems, and we have to take more measures to address them so that we are more resilient to the threats we face increasingly as a result of poor federal social and security policies. We are conscious that we can’t deal sustainably with security issues without attending to their socio-economic root causes, including managing our multi-cultural diversity, providing sustainable economic activities, widening our credit and social support systems and generating opportunities that improve the wellbeing of citizens.

If these are properly managed, building a bottom-up security system architecture supported with technology to enable it, including using drones and other ICT support, will result in better security outcomes. In this regard, the emphasis would be on using a community-based system where everyone is involved, with a core built around traditional rulers and our community vigilante structures working with the Police and other security agencies seamlessly, in addition to enhanced State mechanisms such as the Delta Hawk outfit and the Waterways Security Committee among others.

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

Suleiman: I’ll make Nasarawa Safe If Elected Governor In this interview with Igbawase Ukumba, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Mohammed Auwal Suleiman, outlined his plan for people of the state if elected during the March, 2023 poll

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hat could be the motivation behind your quest to govern Nasarawa State come 2023?

I want to strengthen the Senior Secondary education because it is the most vulnerable age. It is the age in between parents and the system. The parents cannot certainly deal with more than 40 percent of these children and keep and curtail their excesses. And the system itself cannot deal with 40 percent of them and curtail their excesses.

So if my government comes on board, we will use 28 to 30 percent of our resources in making sure that middle class education is right. Not only getting right, but getting the best out of these children.

How do you get the best out of your child?

I was trained a skillful child right from my primary school. I am a professional builder; anything about building is what I can do with my fingers. I have not worked with any government parastatal. But right at 17, I was an entrepreneur. Right at 24, I was a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a company. On my own, I trained myself onto two different master degrees, trained myself to my PhD class and trained 27 children onto degree programmes.

So what is the difference? I was privileged to acquire that skill at that tender age. And this is what I will put into people.

We have six departments that we are taking into our administration for people of the state to acquire skills. They include: farming, poultry and fishery, organic charcoal production, tailoring, and building construction. So every child in his Senior Secondary School class will choose where he wants to go in between these six. I am very optimistic 50 percent of them will excell and they will go into university as people with skills, as people with manners, as people with knowledge.

a productive job initiative. Again, it will not start from someone who has been passive for 30 years. It will not work. It is not sustainable.

We will mandate ministry of local government and ministry of agriculture to get a minimum of 10 hectres of land in each local government area and produce what crop is suitable for that land. In the next 20 years, every food that is produced in Nasarawa state, you will get it in abundance.

Suleiman

What should the people of Nasarawa State expect from you when you are finally elected into office?

Actively, I did not see 96 percent of the civil servants today as people working. I am terming almost all of them as people under government empowerment. Take ministry of agriculture for instance, we almost have six directors including the permanent secretary before the commissioner and there is director of food production, and for the past one and half decades, where is that one bag of food that a director has produced? That made him passive.

That made him inactive.

So what we have on ground; APM and my leadership is to have

How would you assess the administration of the incumbent Governor Abdullahi Sule in Nasarawa State?

It is weak and feeble. He lacks strength of leadership character. The only thing I know is that he is constantly paying salaries and gratuities. I don’t see this as leadership because with or without a governor, pensions are paid, gratuities are paid. There are organisations that are not governed by governors, by DGs, by MDs but pay their salaries as and when due.

And overall, we know what pension is. It is What you keep that you take. Now even what they kept is not coming by. Could you imagine a state with more than 10,000 pensioners is giving N100 million. I don’t know how you are going to split it for who.

I know a person who came from Jos, two decades ago, his pension is still hanging. His gratuity is still hanging. What we want is to pay people reasonable money. Cut their resources into four; anybody with N800,000, give him N200,000; with N2 million, give him N500,000; with N10 million, give him N2.5 million. But I get very pathetic that someone is praying for N6 million gratuity is giving N100,000. These are people of 60 years. What would you do with N100 million, may be with fourth wife, may be with 17 children.

There is organised criminal wastefulness in the administration. You are taking N400 million

every month as security vote yet there is record of insecurity above the previous months. Then where is the security vote going?

There is also conversion of public property.

This is eight months today that the executive chairmen of local government areas of the state were sworn in. For the past eight months, may be it may continue till the end of their tenure, about N1 billion is acrued from the Value Added Tax (VAT) to the 13 local government areas of the state. By law, this VAT is going to the council wards. The council chairman didn’t even have any right to touch this money. It is not a local government resources. It is a resources meant for council wards development.

This is eight months, no penny came to local government chairmen, let alone the council wards. And there is no single project executed by the ward councillors in Nasarawa State till date. That is very very pathetic. And without producing one single culvert, one single borehole, one single feeder road in the name of ward project in eight months, it is a failure.

And if your ward failed, the local government has failed. If the local government has failed, certainly the state government has failed and that is why the federal government is failing too.

You must allow local government autonomy.

Insecurity is one major challenge confronting the state; how do you intend to tackle it when you are elected into office?

I have told you that early dissemination of information and synergy are very important, but they are not enough. If it was enough, the numbers of crime would not increase by months.

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FEATURES

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

Nigeria’s New Television Audience Measurement System, a Paradigm Shift Rotimi Pedro

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lobally, audience research has been a long-standing activity in the media and advertising industries. It began in the 1960’s when the BBC commissioned the first audience measurement survey, and despite investing in it, the BBC chiefs of the day thought that they didn’t need research because they already knew who was watching what on their network.

That was a fallacy, as indeed they quickly realized after the results were out that the audiences were not necessarily those that they targeted with specific content, and that there were several other factors that affected TV viewership. Fortunately, that strongly held view has now changed and audience research today is the currency by which to buy/sell media, and curate content for the media industry globally.

Today the African media landscape is changing rapidly. Whereas in the past, most of the media outfits were government owned, funded and monopolised, now we are faced with a liberalised private sector-led environment with significant increases of media outlets across the continent that now need private funding to survive.

Fragmenting the audiences and creating the need for science- based methods of targeting audiences is now imperative in Africa and more particularly in Nigeria as the largest economy on the African Continent.

Indeed, if we can agree that a liberalised media sector is sine-qua-non to sustenance of liberal democracies on the continent, it then follows that proliferation of TV and Radio organizations has to be sustained by private funding. Not only to deepen nascent democracies across the continent, but also to exhibit our culture as well as the creative sector.

Private sector funding can mainly be sustained through availability and accuracy of data. That helps to track return-on-Investment [ROI]. Audience research and measurement is therefore the life-blood needed for the sustenance of a liberalised media sector.

AUDIENCE RESEARCH TODAY Audience research measures how many people are in an audience with relation to radio listenership, TV viewership, newspaper readership, and increasingly online and mobile content consumption habits. It includes practices that help media and advertisers determine who is watching what at what time, rather than just how many people are watching.

This in turn helps content development and targeting; production budget planning, AD placement and ROI tracking from both the supply and demand ends of the media value chain. It can be described as the currency that drives the sector’s efficiency.

There are several ways of collecting this data credibly, but the main ones are either PASSIVE or DECLARATIVE. Passive measurement refers to a system of being able to collect data about individual or household media consumption using electronic means over periods of time, without the respondents having to note or record their media consumption. This includes the use of People Meters used to measure television, Personal People Meters used to measure television and radio, and software based mobile data collection methods for radio, television and outdoor, among others.

One major benefit of these systems is that they do not require memory or diligent compliance as in the declarative systems and are therefore considered more accurate and with finer qualitative details. Nigeria like almost every other country on the continent, with the exception of South Africa, currently runs a declarative system for audience data collection.

South Africa runs a passive system, the only digitally measured country on the continent.

So little wonder why yearly media advertising spend in South Africa’s TV market at $1.2B outstrips that of Nigeria almost 3:1, despite South Africa’s economy being just about 92% of Nigeria’s $465billion GDP. Declarative audience measurement system refers to quantitative research that requires the respondent to state, record or note their media consumption over time. It relies on the diligence of the respondent to fill in their paper or electronic media diaries and also relies on their memory.

Pedro Without the electronic and passive forms of measurement, declarative audience research has proven to be somewhat and often inaccurate and mostly without the finer qualitative details when compared to the passive systems. It includes paper media diaries, laptop based interviews, daily recall telephone interviews, and mobile text based questionnaires among others.

The findings from audience measurement affect a number of major stakeholders including the media fraternity, major brands, government campaigns, and the advertising industry among others.

In the absence of reliable audience measurement system/data to serve as industry currency for media investment, buying and selling decisions are often made based on perception and decisions are often driven by relationships amongst the stakeholders or effective marketing push by dominant media houses to reinforce entrenched their perception advantages.

This is why this key data provision is essentially either a regulatory function or a collective industry initiative. More often than not commissioned by industry associations that bring together the stakeholders that are most affected by the research, as a reaction to standards upgrade demands by the regulator of state.

In some markets, there are purely media driven associations focused on specific media channels, such as BARB in Britain, which is an association of Radio Stations that commission and fund the national radio audience research. We see the same for TV, print and the Internet in various markets around the world. Nigeria has now adopted a hybrid model a NBC and APCON led initiative, but managed by the industry stakeholders and practitioners.

NEW DAWN It is against this background that industry watchers regard the recent push of the Ministry of Information and Culture’s to industry regulators APCON/NBC for global standards in audience measurement for the Nigerian Media market, as a paradigm shift.

The Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria - APCON (representing the demand side of the equation) and Nigeria Broadcasting Commission NBC (representing the supply side) have now jointly inaugurated a Joint Industry Council (“JIC”), after the appointment of a technical service provider through a transparent bidding system in August 2021.

A former President of the Media Independent Practitioners – Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya, heads JIC, while technical partnership to the project is supplied

by GARB Bulgaria through her Nigerian subsidiary First Media Entertainment & Integrated (Nig)Limited [FMEIL], headed

by Dr. Vasselin Shaoulov. Both have since commenced operations with a view of project delivery in the last quarter of 2022.

Apart from right-sizing the increasingly unbalanced distribution of advertising budget across media platforms, a reliable TAM system for Nigeria is projected to unleash latent and new media investments into the creative sectors by a factor 2.5 within 5yrs of commencement of operations.

In practical terms, it is projected that this will see TV/Radio AD Spend grow from the current $430m/yr to match South Africa’s at $1.2B within 5 yrs.

Other countries that have adopted the TAM (Television Audience Measurement) system like Bulgarian (in 2000) or Brazil have seen their TV markets quadruple within a decade of TAM adoption.

Nigeria’s TAM project will indeed be of global standard. Comparative only to Nielsen measurement in South Africa. Its reporting infrastructure will be immediate and real time. Overnight, subscribers will know the audience consumption of what went down on all measured TV channels the previous night. They will see the raw data on their subscription dashboard and integrate their media responses to real-time information. This is comparative to the TV/Radio ratings in the US or the UK. Other African markets are equally now

"To sustain this continuing global cultural relevance (some call it reverse imperialism) that our creative sector continues to attain, the media market at home needs to be deepened to provide the much needed economic scale to further propel this very promising and strategic sector"

moving in the measurement direction. Take Kenya for example, the audience measurement journey began with Steadman and Research International coming together and offering a research product to the market, from their own initiative. This product grew into the major form of audience data provided quarterly from 8 major regions in the country, purely on a commercial basis.

In 2007 when the industry stakeholders came together to form the KARF (Kenya Audience Research Foundation) and commissioned an improved study that would provide a bigger sample and continuous data collection that had quarterly releases with monthly rolling windows. This was the first time ever that the country had monthly data at a standard rate, as a result of the steady funding that came from the organized joint industry association.

To date, there are about 21-25 other countries in Africa that have any semblance of audience research, but only South Africa can provide continuous media data. The rest only a few times a year. The new digital TAM project is bound to leapfrog Nigeria into Africa’s leading media market in the coming years.

The immediacy of the rating results will be improved data with which advertising agencies could use to plan their media and demonstrate a return-on-investment (ROI) to their clients, the advertiser. With improved metrics and demonstrated value, advertising expenditure will begin to grow in double digits following many years of small, incremental growth and occasional decline.

The reason: the large advertisers would be able to justify their spend where they were able to have a clear view of the value of media and calculate their ROI – which can only be done in a country that has a media currency with continuous measurement.

Nigeria’s TAM’s proposed audience measurement survey will also focus on knowing who your audience is. For the advertiser, they have specific target groups for their products based on their affordability to that group, or in other words to understand the level of affluence of the target audiences so that they can plan to reach them efficiently with their advertising messages.

BENEFITS OF SUCH A ROBUST AUDIENCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM For Media Houses and Content Providers: The benefits of audience media research for the media houses are that they have better control of their scheduling and inventory in order to increase their audience engagement and level of advertising that they attract.

It becomes clear what programmes attract specific audiences and therefore they can buy content and plan their programming schedules accordingly to attract audiences that are valuable to the advertisers and brands. With continuous data, the media houses can price their advertising slots accordingly and help advertisers reach their intended audiences in the most efficient manner. This in turn has a knock-on effect on PRODUCTION and the creative sector. Producers can easily react to rating figures and media houses also know which producers create rated content.

Benefit to Media Buying and Planning Agencies: With the ever-fragmenting media landscape, the benefits for media agencies are quite clear. They have a better view of where their target audience are and can therefore prepare strategies and plan to reach them efficiently with advertising messages. As the panel sample allows for reach and frequency optimization, the task of reaching their target audiences is simplified.

Benefit to the Advertiser: since advertising is one of the most important tools of the brand building set available today, the best brand communication strategies would be based on penetrating consumer insights and touching a deep-rooted emotion or belief, and then following through by reaching them effectively with compelling messages and efficiently too, through the media. Nigeria new TAM system will provide the useful insight needed to sustain continuous consumer insight. t1FESP JT $IBJSNBO 'JSTU .FEJB &OUFSUBJONFOU *OUFHSBUFE /JH -JNJUFE <'.&*-> NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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#THISISNIGERIA –Yemi Adamolekun

Impunity Got Us Here!

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few nights ago, a man holding a gun told my friend, "I fit shoot you and nothing go happen."

It was said in jest. He was wearing a uniform, and my friend had said something cynical to him about him wasting his time at the junction, and he'd have been better off servicing Burna Boy. They both laughed They both laughed.

But here is the thing, many Nigerians have been told similar words by policemen, standing at roadblocks, and wearing the same uniform, and for the most part there is a reason they can say such things: it's largely true. Policemen in Nigeria have shot people and gone back to work; the same day. Have we forgotten that behaviour like this from the police is what propelled the 2020 #EndSARS protests?

It says a lot about where Nigeria is as a country, but here is the thing: impunity in Nigeria has become democratised, and we're now all in on the act, from the immigrations officials asking for handouts at our airports, thus setting a bad name for the country at the point of entry to the kidnappers and killers who never get arrested for their activities, and, as my friend explained, even to him, when he looks away when he sees something wrong because he feels helpless and wonders if his intervention will change anything. For me, the worst days are the days when I know the people I’m trying to help will turn on me!

That indifference is the most dangerous.

You see, this indifference ties into everything; from the national grid collapsing, according to some reports, for the 17th time so far in 2022, to political aspirants sharing dollars and delegates giving accounts publicly on how they spent the money. Have we forgotten the

robber-governors that were pardoned? It's simple: nothing happens, and as humans, we respond to incentives.

There is now every incentive to do what would be seen as wrong elsewhere because you're likely to get away with it. It's the reason why despite all of Buhari's commiserations, we've not seen the perpetrators of any of the 68 mass murders since 2019 inside of a courtroom and he was still making empty promises during his Democracy Day speech.

Why would other would-be murderers not happily go murdering? Why would I

not join in the free for all if I get appointed to office? There's a reason it's termed, "free-for-all". We’ll do it and nothing will happen!

I think Nigeria's current problems start with impunity. Every other thing comes a distant second. We don't need new laws with regard to the most basic things, we need to enforce, fairly and without favour, already existing laws.

Unfortunately, anyone who gets into office and attempts to enforce our laws will be seen as biased because the culture of impunity is now so pervasive.

It’s the moral authority that Buhari was expected to bring to the table in 2015. He failed woefully. Eight years later, is it Atiku or Tinubu that’ll bring that moral authority to the table? (adapted from a Twitter thread by @chxta.) . tA:FNJ "EBNPMFLVO JT UIF &YFDVUJWF %JSFDUPS PG &OPVHI JT &OPVHI /JHFSJB &J& /JHFSJB 4IF IBT BO .4D JO %FWFMPQNFOU 4UVEJFT GSPN UIF -POEPO 4DIPPM PG &DPOPNJDT -4& BOE BO .#" GSPN 0YGPSE 6OJWFSTJUZ T 4BJE #VTJOFTT 4DIPPM

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THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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26 T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022 TR

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& RE A S O

Thursday August 4, 2022 Vol 27. No 9976

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opinion@thisdaylive.com

www.thisdaylive.com

NATIONAL GRID: BEYOND THE HEADLINES The Power Ministry is rekindling hope in the sector despite all the challenges, writes OLUWOLE SAMUEL KAYODE

See page 27 GET YOUR PVC SLOGAN… AND THEN WHAT? JOHN SEGUN ODEYEMI contends that there are other vital issues that must be addressed

See page 27 EDITORIAL OIL THEFT ON INDUSTRIAL SCALE

See page 30

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Nigerians are not fully prepared for their self-preservation rights, argues MONDAY EKPE

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The orientation and configuration of many Nigerians do not leave enough room for killing other people even when approached menacingly…

No legacy of this administration will mean much if the existential travails of the moment persist or deteriorate

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022

The Power Ministry is rekindling hope in the sector despite all the challenges, writes OLUWOLE SAMUEL KAYODE

JOHN SEGUN ODEYEMI contends that there are other vital issues that must be addressed

NATIONAL GRID: BEYOND THE HEADLINES

GET YOUR PVC SLOGAN… AND THEN WHAT?

One problem that Nigerians expect the nation to overcome — and to overcome urgently is electricity. With a population projected to be over 200 million stable and accessible electricity is key to economic growth and social prosperity. Nigerians are still hoping that one day electricity will be a settled question. One day there will be uninterruptible light. In the past, hope was raised and dashed, especially when it was reported that under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo the sum of $16 billion was spent (or was it wasted?) on power between 1999 and 2014. Recent media reports of “collapse of the national

grid” appear to be raising the old concerns about lack of progress towards resolving the electricity challenge. The search for answer always begins with asking the right question. So, what is really going on in Nigeria’s power sector? What is happening to the national grid? Is there any hope for the power sector? What is really going on?

Let us start with the national grid. Power outage is not a new phenomenon. How it is managed is more important. To eliminate blackouts, China’s state-owned power grid company just introduced a new AI system that resolves power issues in just three seconds. Nigeria’s national grid has been in the news, with headlines about what is called ‘collapse of the national grid.’ In some cases the headlines scream ‘Nigeria thrown into darkness again.’ This, for us, as experts in the industry is far from the reality and shows poor understanding of how electricity supply systems work.

Faults on any of the grid equipment can cause automatic shutdown, to prevent the problem from spreading. This enables technical teams to trace the problem and resolve it. Such a situation is frequently and wrongly described as ‘collapse of the national grid.’ In reality the word ‘collapse’ is not the accurate description of what is usually referred to as a ‘collapse of the national grid.’ On Friday 29 July 2022 I watched with satisfaction the Minister of Power Abubakar D. Aliyu on NTA putting the facts straight. The minister pointed out what I have always known to be the reality that; what some section of the media and institutions describe as ‘collapse’ is rather a system disturbance. For experts and players in the industry, the minister’s ingenuity is glaring in the way he addressed this longstanding misconception. Importantly, now, after every system disturbance, the authorities focused on dealing with the cause, as well as, taking measures to prevent a repeat.

Also in Nigeria since the introduction

of reforms in the sector, the frequency of nationwide outage has been reducing VLQFH 6R IDU WKLV \HDU ÀYH V\VWHP disturbances were recorded. Importantly, now there is more transparency about what is going on and what is being done.

Whenever the National Grid records disturbances Nigerians are instantly and transparently informed. In most cases, the relevant institution explains the cause(s) and above all measures being taken to address the problem are also communicated to the public.

Many attempts were made by the previous governments to address the SUREOHPV RI WKH SRZHU VHFWRU 7KHVH HͿRUWV include starting new projects and other initiatives. But going by where we are, all those initiatives have not changed anything about electricity supply industry. Often, one will even assume that it is a helpless situation, while the frequent darkness goes on and on.

There is no doubt that what happened in August 2018 will remain a milestone in confronting the challenges facing the power sector in Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari initiated Nigeria’s electricity roadmap, which later became Presidential Power Initiative (PPI). The PPI can be described as a testament to the federal government’s determination to resolve Nigeria’s electricity problem. With a clear timeline and total commitment of Nigerian government and the global energy giant Siemens of Germany, there is hope that the road to resolving electricity problem has been taken. In April the minister of power Abubakar D. Aliyu lead a delegation to Siemens factories in Berlin and Frankfurt.

Talks were held with Siemens’ leadership on the timeline for the delivery of the Nigeria-Siemens power deal. The minister’s visit yielded a result, as on July 28 factory acceptance test for Nigeria’s Mobitra mega transformers was witnessed by a team of Nigerian engineers lead by the managing Director FGN Power Company Mr. Kenny Anuwe. The mega transformers will start arriving Nigeria in September. There are DOVR PRELOH SRZHU VXEVWDWLRQV 7KH ÀUVW of phase of the Nigeria Siemens project will deliver 7000 Megawatt, the second phase 11,000 megawatt, while the third phase will provide 25,000 megawatts. Along the way, the entire power value chain — generation, transmission and distribution will be modernized and upgraded.

It is noteworthy that, many in the power industry heaved a sigh of relief since the appointment of Engr. Aliyu by President Buhari as the Minister of Power. So far, the minister has brought sanity to the industry by making sure that players in the generation, transmission and distribution value chain work collaboratively. Engr.

Aliyu has so far shown dedicated leadership by making sure that all ongoing power projects across the country are completed and put to use. He also prioritized encouraging all agencies in the sector to work together and above all support each other — focusing clearly on the ultimate goal of providing stable electricity to Nigerians.

Kayode is an infrastructure consultant based in Lagos

I had the good fortune of reading an article published in the Nigerian tribune on July 25, 2022 by Lasisi Olagunju. The piece is titled “Before they kidnap our President.” In this essay, Olagunju used the Nigerian musician Asa’s presentation at the launch of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company in Abuja to preface his argument. Asa shocked the audience including President Buhari by singing her song, Fire on the Mountain, GHÀDQWO\ VWDWLQJ WKDW WKH FRXQWU\ LV RQ ÀUH EXW no one is running. Olagunju also related an instance on a recent business trip to Ghana,

brigade, that has brought the nation to its knees. Two heavy weights given a public ascription such as a born kleptomaniac whose own boss has warned the nation never to vote for. On the other hand, the problematic and divisive so-called Muslim-Muslim ticket put in place by a dinosaur, a geriatric-ageless president ‘wanna be’; the Oluaye of ‘Emi Lokan.’

The third option is a cyclone of social media and the new generation populism.

At this time, like any cyclone, no one can read its force, its capacity or in which direction it is headed.

Given the options the Nigerian electorate is facing currently, and the singsong of getting PVCs to vote out bad leaders, let us assume for a moment a shift from the usual. Borrowing from the philosopher, John Rawls, let us proceed from behind the curtain of ignorance.

Let us assume that the Obidients, who represents the third option, are by some feat able to put their candidate in Aso Rock, I dare to ask, what then? Since we operate some form of democracy, no matter the innovation or progressive ideas of the new messiah, the legislators who are from the old school already incapacitate KLP 7KH\ ZLOO ÀJKW WRRWK DQG QDLO WR RQ ZKLFK WKH LPPLJUDWLRQ R΀FHUV ZHQW IURP maintain the status quo since the usual old one hotel room to another checking to know ways are the ways in which their “bread is the status of those lodging. Upon inquiry, buttered.” As we now popularly quip, “If Olagunju was told that this is a security policy \RX ÀJKW FRUUXSWLRQ FRUUXSWLRQ ZLOO ÀJKW put in place to keep out the likes of Fulani back.” With what our nation is currently herdsmen, Boko Haram, and other possible facing, no matter your ideals and desires forms of terrorism, insurgency and insecurity. for good, eight years will not be enough to This was his backdrop for addressing the FOHDQ XS RYHU SOXV \HDUV RI ÀOWK XQGHU question of the upcoming elections given the the PDP and APC. We all will be living spate of violent insecurity in the land and the in a fool’s paradise to imagine that one government’s obvious inability to address the individual (outside of an absolute tyrant) situation. can change the system. We have gone on I read a statement by Chief Afe Babalola this journey before, and we have all seen mentioned in May 2022 that perhaps we where it has led us. should put our upcoming elections on hold We have to jettison feel good utopias and have a thorough house cleaning, perhaps that are only viable on the social media a referendum. It gladdens my heart to read universe and face our reality. These men, the same thinking in Olagunju’s short essay. I not minding their inabilities, will not hand have argued since 2015 that our elections will over power to anyone. They have tasted continue to be a farce and continuous waste the intoxicating elixir, which hardens of time and resources if we continue to ignore the heart. All they see is their own greed very obvious underlining conditions. No one and avarice devoid of any inclinations needs a crystal ball to gaze at or be a rocket towards common good. In civil climes, scientist to agree that there are ontological by now, the president and many in his errors with our nation’s idea of cohesion, FDELQHW VKRXOG KDYH UHVLJQHG IURP R΀FH unity and national politics. What we have Not in Nigeria, they continue to celebrate called democracy only exists as an idea and themselves as the country is gradually not practicable reality. In the wisdom of our being razed to the ground. Facing a forebears, they say, “If a child falls, it looks situation such as this, perhaps the more ahead. If an elder falls, he looks behind.” intelligent thing to do before heading to Based on this aphorism, it is correct then to the polling booths is to force a referendum. say, if we do not know where we are going There are many questions in our polity as a nation, then we must retrace our steps begging for answers; ranging from a new to know where we have been, where we amendment to the charade of what we call are coming from, go back and re-chart our a constitution. We have to decide on the journey. best form of governance that works for I am enthused by the apparent new us as a nation. There is work to be done awareness, which has given life to the slogan, with state apparatuses for security at all “Go and get your PVCs!” On social media, we levels of governance. We need an honest have seen skits, songs, and call outs cutting conversation about the cost of government across the diversity of our nation. The slogan and the current unnecessary bloated constantly makes the claim that it is time to salaries given to public functionaries vote out bad leaders. Great message no doubt. who are supposed to be civil servants.

However, is one supposed to jump therefore, It is absolutely necessary to make laws into the conclusion that good leaders will then that will be a major deterrent to public be voted in? I presume this is the foregone R΀FH KROGHUV IURP FRUUXSWO\ HQULFKLQJ conclusion. Given what looks like a three- themselves.

OHJJHG UDFH IRU WKH KLJKHVW R΀FH LQ WKH ODQG the permutations are intricate and somewhat Fr. Odeyemi confusing; the APC and PDP tickets are writes from Xavier University of Louisiana, primarily perceived as a direct link to the old New Orleans, USA

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THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022

EDITORIAL

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

OIL THEFT ON INDUSTRIAL SCALE The authorities must do more to stop the mass economic haemorrhage

T

security collaborators. The federal government must he lamentation by the Shell Petroleum therefore muster the courage to deal decisively with Development Company (SPDC) over the what clearly threatens the economic well-being of unprecedented crude oil theft, pipeline Nigeria and our national security. The volume of crude YDQGDOLVP DQG LOOHJDO UHÀQHULHV LQ WKH being stolen almost on daily basis is now so staggering Niger Delta is a serious national security that two months ago, the federal government estimated issue that the authorities should take more the total value of oil theft between January 2021 and seriously. According to the Director, SPDC of Nigeria February 2022 at $3.72 billion. This is a scandalously Limited, Igo Weli, Shell operates in over 70 countries, huge leakage for any country to bear. yet has never experienced the level of sabotage that Unfortunately, as these criminal cartels get more and occurs on its facilities in Nigeria. “If over 90 per cent more emboldened in their nefarious activities, they spills are caused by people with axe, saws and even are investing in barges, canoes, speed boats and large explosive weapons, then you are creating a problem wooden boats which they that will eat up the budget use to steal what belongs to you would have used for our country. It is even more education, health, etc.,” concerning that following argued Weli. “There is a The federal government must muster the courage to deal deciincessant attacks on their mess in the environment crude oil pipelines, many sively with what clearly threatens the economic well-being of which is robbing of the international oil everybody. And as people Nigeria and our national security companies (IOCs) operating who are interested in the in Nigeria are suspending future of this country, their operations. Even if that should be the focus.

VRPH RI WKH ÀJXUHV EHLQJ WRXWHG DUH D OLWWOH H[DJJHUDWHG T H I S D AY How do we stop that mess? That mess has led to our EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU (indeed, the country does not know the exact number of currency losing value.”

DEPUTY EDITORS WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA barrels it produces) the fact remains that oil theft menace Weli has merely re-echoed the words of the Managing MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO is growing in the level of skills and sophistication.

Director, ExxonMobil Nigeria, Richard Laing, who DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU Although this massive leakage has been going on CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI recently described the situation in the Niger Delta as EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN IRU \HDUV ZLWK ORFDO UHÀQHULHV VSULQJLQJ XS HYHU\ organised crime because “the engineering involved MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI day despite dire implications for the environment, points towards a high degree of sophistication and THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE the situation is now almost out of control at a period WHFKQRORJ\ DV ZHOO DV WKH GLVWULEXWLRQ µ ,W LV GL΀FXOW 1LJHULD LV LQ D VHULRXV ÀQDQFLDO ELQG 0RVW UHDVRQDEOH to argue with that summation. Sadly, to imagine that people believe that the menace is growing only WKH FRXQWU\ VXͿHUV VXFK HQRUPRXV UHYHQXH GHSOHWLRQ T H I S D AY N E W S PA P E R S L I M I T E D because some law enforcement agents may have been ZKLOH EHJJLQJ IRU IRUHLJQ ORDQV WR ÀQDQFH SURMHFWV LV EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/CHAIRMAN NDUKA OBAIGBENA compromised. More worrisome is that the trials of the to say the least, lamentable. And as we advocated in GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS ENIOLA BELLO, KAYODE KOMOLAFE, few apprehended suspects in the past were impeded ISRAEL IWEGBU, IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU, EMMANUEL EFENI the past, the federal government must treat this as an DIVISIONAL DIRECTORS SHAKA MOMODU, PETER IWEGBU, E\ WKH LQWHUIHUHQFH RI VRPH LQÁXHQWLDO LQGLYLGXDOV ZKR emergency by introducing drastic measures, including ANTHONY OGEDENGBE themselves could be complicit in this highly lucrative UHMLJJLQJ WKH VHFXULW\ LQIUDVWUXFWXUH IRU SURWHFWLQJ RLO DEPUTY DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OJOGUN VICTOR DANBOYI criminal enterprise against the Nigerian state. assets and leveraging technology.

SNR. ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR ERIC OJEH It is therefore time that the federal government and ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR PATRICK EIMIUHI Meanwhile, the capacity to undertake such criminality to the magnitude being reported is not one that is CONTROLLERS ABIMBOLA TAIWO, UCHENNA DIBIAGWU, NDUKA MOSERI its agencies took serious measures to contain the theft DIRECTOR, PRINTING PRODUCTION CHUKS ONWUDINJO of crude oil that is negatively impacting our economy available on the streets. It must necessarily involve TO SEND EMAIL: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com and national security. big actors in the communities as well as industry and

Letters to the Editor Letters in response to specific publications in THISDAY should be brief (150-300 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 (750- 1000 words). They should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with photograph, email address and phone numbers of the writer.

LETTERS

ECHOES FROM THE PAST Continued from the backpage Without enthroning transparency and accountability at all OHYHOV RI JRYHUQDQFH LW ZLOO EH GL΀FXOW WR VHOO VDFULÀFHV DQG WKH usual ‘belt-tightening’ to an already overburdened citizenry.

That explains why, at THISDAY, the editorial board has decided to engage the leading presidential candidates strictly on policy issues, as part of the conversation we must have before the 2023 general election. We have already started with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso who spent two hours with us last week Tuesday. We intend to have others before we begin publishing the series along with our impressions.

At a period Nigeria is in dire straits, the 2023 general election FRPHV ZLWK WKH SURVSHFWV RI UHQHZDO H[FHSW ZH ZDQW WR ÀWWHU WKH opportunity again as we have serially done over many decades.

But the consequences will be devastating this time if we get it wrong again. In 1996, I illustrated the state of our nation with a story I have since repeated about three times because it is as funny as it is apt. Every time I have had to rehash the story, I always sought the indulgence of readers and I do so again because it is about a husband, his wife and ‘The Other Room’.

As the story goes, and the man who told me insists till tomorrow that it is not ‘Fabu’, the husband happened to be a man with healthy appetite hence he would not allow his wife any breathing space. After putting up with his antics for some years, madDP WRRN WKH PDWWHU WR KHU LQ ODZ DV WKH ¶FRXUW RI ÀUVW LQVWDQFH· During ‘cross-examination’ by her mother-in-law, she admitted that their son was a perfect husband in every other area outside the bedroom. The in-laws declared that the woman had no case because their son was only claiming his rightful entitlements.

Case dismissed!

Defeated, the poor woman accepted her fate for a while before reporting to her own parents. I have since designated this as the ‘court of appeal’ on the matter. Aside the questions earlier posed, her mother also sought to know: “Is your husband dating another woman?” She said no. In the ruling that followed, the parents scolded their daughter for attempting to shirk her marital responsibility. The appeal failed. Ultimately, the wife took the PDWWHU WR WKHLU ORFDO SDVWRU DV WKH ÀQDO DUELWHU RU LI \RX OLNH WKH ‘Supreme Court’. Having listened to the ‘petitioner’, the pastor sent for the husband so he could hear both sides. The man did not dispute the story.

After hours of negotiations that involved bargaining and

WUDGH RͿV WKH SDVWRU VHDOHG WKH GHDO WKDW D PD[LPXP RI WKUHH times a day was enough for any couple. To cut a long story short, everything went well until the weekend. By mid-day of the following Saturday, the husband had performed his matrimonial obligation three times and the wife thought she would be left alone. When he therefore started behaving funny again, she exploded: “What is the problem? Have I not met my responsibility for today?”

Looking crestfallen, the husband replied: “Yes, I know, but please borrow (lend) me one from tomorrow’s…”

As I have said in the past, and will yet repeat, what we are dealing with here is a metaphor for the Nigerian condition and our proclivity for indiscriminate borrowings from the future.

The consequences are also clear before us. Last week, I had a chance encounter with the man who told me the story of the couple some 26 years ago. The marriage, he said, has since collapsed. Except we return to the path of responsible governance and committed citizenship, such a tragic fate also beckons on Nigeria. That’s why 2023 is so crucial. We must get it right!

Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

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Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Email oriarehu.eromosele@thisdaylive.com

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Stakeholders Seek Ubiquitous Data Generation, Processing for Smart, Secure, Sustainable Nation

Emma Okonji Information Technology (IT) stakeholders in the country have stressed the need for ubiquitous data generation and processing that will help in decision making and policy implementation for the attainment of a smart, secure and sustainable Nigeria.

They stated this at the ongoing 2022 International Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Chairman of the conference and Minister of Communications and

Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ibrahim Pantami, in his speech, said four states in Nigeria, which include Lagos, Abuja and Abeokuta, were already working towards having a smart city in their states, and that they are close to attaining the smart city status.

However, he said the quantity of data generated and processed in any state on a daily basis, would determine the smart city readiness of the state.

According to him, counties like Singapore, Finland, Switzerland and Japan have already attained

the smart city status, with Singapore leading, because they generate and process huge quantity of data on a daily basis.

He said for Nigeria as a nation to become smart, secure and sustainable, it needed to generate and process huge amount of data that would help government and the private sector players, in making meaningful decision and in implementing better policies.

Speaking on the theme of this year’s’ conference: “Smart, Secure and Sustainable Nation (S3N 2022),” Pantami said the theme

was apt because it addresses three separate issues that align with global digital transformation.

“A smart and secure nation supports operational efficiency, saves time in accomplishing tasks, saves energy consumption and enhance business and economic growth. The International Data Corporation (IDC) had predicted that by 2025, the world would have 41.6 billion interconnected devices, and the projected 41.6 billion devices would be generating huge amount of data, a situation, that suggest

that countries thriving to attain the secure and smart city status, must be ready to generate huge amount of data for processing, ”Pantami said.

Declaring the conference open, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof.

Abayomi Arigbabu, said the state had initiated various technology projects that are driving technology innovation and digital transformation in

the state.

Also speaking, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, said Nigeria must move from a consuming nation to a producing nation and that regulation of the technology sector would help to achieve it. He said data generation, processing and protection, would be necessary to attain a smart, secure and sustainable nation.

On his part, President, British Continued on page 32

Sambo: FG’s IDPs BOOT Model Will Facilitate Multi-product Economy, Boost Inland Trade Oluchi Chibuzor The Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, has reiterated that the federal government’s Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model adopted for the development of the nation’s Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) will facilitate a multi-product economy and

boost inland trade.

In view of this, the minister, yesterday, launched an operational Manual for Inland Dry Ports in Nigeria that will serve as an effective tool and guide for the operation of the IDPs. The Federal Executive Council granted approval for the establishment of Inland Dry Ports

in March, 2006, in six locations across the Country namely: Isiala- Ngwa- Abia State, Erunmu Ibadan - Oyo State, Heipang Jos - Plateau State, Funtua- Katsina State, Maiduguri - Borno State and Dala, Kano State which is to be commissioned soon.

Sambo revealed that apart from the six gazetted IDPs others

currently being processed at the following locations includes; Lolo ICD, Kebbi State by Deltatlantic Nig. Limited, Dagbolu ICD, Osun State by Osun State Government, Onitsha ICD, Anambra State

by Sea Shipping Agency Ltd, Ibadan ICD, Oyo State by CRCC Construction Company Limited, AMES-Edo ICD, Edo State by

Atlantic Marine and Engineering Services Ltd, Bauchi ICD, by Bauchi State Government and Enyimba Economic City ICD, Abia State.

Represented by the Deputy Director Inland Container Depot, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Ewache Victor, he said the projects are being developed through

Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) using the BOOT Model.

The minister urged participants to take full advantage of this sensitization workshop for full implementation of the Operational Manual as a workable policy document that will drive the Continued on page 33

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT W E D N E S D AY, A U G U S T 3 , 2 0 2 2 BILLS

BONDS DESCRIPTION Price ^14.20 14MAR-2024 13.53 23MAR-2025 ^12.50 22JAN-2026 ^16.2884 17MAR-2027 ^13.98 23FEB-2028

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Yield 10.83

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Change Updated (%) Time 29, -0.01 July 2022 29, 0.00 July 2022 29, 0.00 July 2022 29, 0.00 July 2022 29, 0.00 July 2022

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NTB 11Aug-22 NTB 8-Sep22 NTB 13-Oct22 NTB 10Nov-22

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MATURITY FSDH CP VI 1-AUG-22 NENL CP I 24-OCT-22 FSDH CP VII 27-OCT-22 SIBP CP III 27-OCT-22 DLMG CP IV 11-NOV-22

Discount Yield

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15.12 15.14

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CONTRACT Current TENOR Contract Rate ($/₦) (MONTH) NGUS AUG 31 433.54 1 2022 NGUS SEP 28 2 435.39 2022 NGUS OCT 26 437.24 3 2022 NGUS NOV 30 4 439.09 2022 NGUS DEC 28 5 440.94 2022

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Ogundele: 5G Rollout Will Boost Nigeria’s Socio-economic Ecosystem Ericsson Nigeria Country Manager, Mr. Peter Olusoji Ogundele, speaks with Emma Okonji on how the planned 5G rollout in Nigeria will scale much faster to boost socio-economic ecosystem. He also speaks about the benefits of 5G and the latest Ericsson Mobility Report. Excerpts: The latest Ericsson Mobility Report shows that global mobile network data traffic doubled in the past two years, with a projection that 4.4 billion 5G subscriptions are expected by 2027. What were the measuring criteria and how effective are they? am glad you asked this because the validity of any findings deeply depends on measuring criteria and methodology. We regularly perform traffic measurements in over 100 live networks covering all major regions of the world. These measurements form a representative base for calculating worldwide total mobile network traffic. The subscription and traffic forecast baseline is established using historical data from various sources, validated with Ericsson internal data, including measurements in customer networks. Moreover, future developments are estimated based on macroeconomic trends, user trends, market maturity, and technological advances.

experience while minimizing risk and roll-out costs.

And we do this through manageable steps, based on well-designed components of multiple technologies in a way that matches their business and technology priorities.

With 5G, telecom operators have a new opportunity to maximize use of their spectrum and so they will need to develop their spectrum strategies based on their own business focus, and the frequencies available to them, today and in the future.

I

Many are apprehensive that 5G rollout will facilitate increase in cybercrime. What is your take on this?

Yes, 5G is being deployed and operated in an evolving and complex threat landscape. However, 5G is, by design, more secure than previous generations. Over the years, we have gained a lot of knowledge and experience from securely managing over 300 networks, and our unique sources of threat intelligence mean we can provide managed security services optimized for future IoT environments, and ready for 5G networks.

Ericsson is known for its regular mobility reports.

What was the focus of the latest mobility report and what must have informed your decision on this?

This year’s Mobility Report followed the continued evolution of 5G as it scales faster than any previous mobile generation and is on a path to reach 1 billion subscriptions by the end of this year. We also focused on the growing importance of Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

We explored how smartphone usage, mobile broadband, and the ongoing worldwide digitalization momentum has doubled mobile network data traffic globally in the last two years.

We make forecasts on a regular basis to support internal decisions and planning, as well as market communications, and this is largely what led us to explore the specified topics in this year’s report.

The Ericsson Mobility Report also verified that 5G would scale faster than all previous mobile technology generations, and that about a quarter of the world’s population currently has access to 5G coverage. What could be responsible rapid growth of 5G across globe?

The June 2022 Ericsson Mobility Report verifies indeed that 5G is scaling faster than all previous mobile technology generations. While some 70 million 5G subscriptions were added during the first quarter of 2022 alone, we expect that by 2027, about three-quarters of the world’s population will be able to access 5G. And just recently, we announced our plan to enter smartphone-use-case-focused testing and validation of 5G non-terrestrial networks (5G NTN). The result could effectively mean that a future 5G smartphone could use 5G connectivity anywhere on Earth and provide complete global coverage for wideband data services, including places normally only covered by legacy satellite phone systems with limited data connectivity capabilities.

In short, 5G NTN could be the solution to deliver 5G and bridge the digital divide.

In the report, Ericsson predicted that 60 per cent of global mobile network data traffic would be 5G networks by 2027. What percentage of this will come from Africa?

The Middle East and North Africa region is forecast to reach nearly 200 million 5G subscriptions in 2027. In sub-Saharan Africa, 4G subscriptions grew by 26 per cent in 2021 and strong growth is expected to continue during 2022. Data traffic in sub-Saharan Africa is also forecasted to maintain an upward trajectory, as mobile broadband-capable devices become more accessible.

Nigeria will be rolling out 5G technology on August 24, 2022. What impact will this bring to Nigeria and Africa in terms of the benefits of 5G adoption and rollout?

The adoption and rollout of 5G networks will significantly boost Nigeria’s socio-economic ecosystem. Possessing low latency and high capacity, 5G will propel the nation’s ambitions forsmart city development, smart transportation, and digitalised healthcare while also boosting industrial automation across the nation.

It is important to note that the seventh pillar of Nigeria’s National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), which is on Digital Society and Emerging Technologies, has heavily emphasised that digital technologies would play a crucial role in the growth of Nigeria’s economy. With 5G enabling digital technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT), the rollout of 5G in the country is sure to help the nation realize its digital development agendas.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has long played an important role in social inclusion, improving employment outcomes, and enabling greater access to education and skills acquisition. As the government rolls out 5G in the country we are confident it will lead to inclusive growth and allow large sections of Nigerian society to contribute to the country’s economy.

In Nigeria, some people still fear that 5G will cause more harm than good in relation to its electromagnetic wave, which many believed could cause health hazard.

What is your take on this?

The idea that 5G causes more harm than good has for the most part been fuelled by panic with no credible substantial evidence. In fact, expert groups and public health authorities including the World Health Organization (WHO) have done thorough reviews of available scientific studies and have concluded that the balance of evidence does not demonstrate any health effects associated with radio wave exposure from either mobile phones or radio base stations complying with international limits. I also feel it is important to emphasise that 5G equipment, whether it be mobile devices or base stations, meets the same safety standards as the equipment used in current networks.

Ogundele What is the 5G technology all about and why is the world talking about 5G when the world already has 4G technology?

5G is the most advanced and efficient mobile network we have at our disposal today and is essentially an advanced evolution of the existing communication standards of 2G, 3G, and 4G. Being up to 100 times faster than 4G, its ability to transmit data with extremely low latency is enabling critical communications in real-time - powering digital technologies that are driving digital transformation today.

5G features including faster connectivity speeds, ultra-low latency, and greater bandwidth are what brought the technology much attention in recent years. It is now also seen as a critical tool in driving us towards a more connected and digital society.

5G holds massive potential in transforming Africa’s societies, the region’s industries, and dramatically enhancing the day-to-day experiences of people across the continent. Soon, we will also enable a multitude of services in Africa such as e-health, connected vehicles, and advanced mobile cloud gaming.

Is Africa ripe for 5G technology, considering the poor state of technology infrastructure across countries on the African continent?

Absolutely. Although 5G infrastructure is still in its early stages in Africa, Communications Service Providers (CSPs) across the continent are making significant efforts to boost infrastructure deployment and enhance their networks to increase the continent’s 5G readiness. Governments across Africa have also been leading the way by introducing initiatives to promote infrastructure projects, as digital infrastructure becomes increasingly impactful to the development of the continent’s economy.

As Africa enters the digital age, we know how critical it is that CSPs across the nation have access to reliable and high-capacity network infrastructure and we have been tirelessly working to support them

on this journey. Digital technologies powered by 5G such as AI and IoT are promising to usher in new ways of living, learning, and working throughout Africa. Since these technologies rely on the high throughput and low latency provided by cellular networks like 5G, we are committed to working with CSPs in the region to build a digital infrastructure that supports next-generation networks.

What do you think will happen to existing mobile phones and other devices that may not be compatible with 5G network?

I would like to reassure everyone that their smartphones that are not compatible with 5G will not become obsolete or unusable due to the technology.

We are still in the early stages of 5G and most of 5G deployment today is done through a non-standalone approach, where 4G is acting as the middleman between the mobile phone and network before allowing the user to jump onto a 5G connection. This approach helps communication service providers roll out 5G more quickly and efficiently than flipping their entire networks with new hardware.

I think it’s also important to mention that the telecom industry has been heavily looking at carrier aggregation, combining the multiple wireless signals of both 4G and 5G networks into one to allow for faster speeds. Carrier aggregation is becoming the foundation for deploying high-performing 4G and 5G networks. As a leading player in the telecom space, we have been committed to fostering innovations in carrier aggregation to help CSPs offer the best connectivity services for every type of smartphone, be it 5G compatible or not.

As a technology solution company, how will Ericsson support telcos in 5G rollout in Nigeria and the rest of African countries?

Our role in the rollout of 5G is to help operators build on the existing network to deliver the 5G

How will 5G enhance the use of other emerging technologies like Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Big Data and Data Analytics, among others?

5G is already enhancing our connected lives and paving the way for new innovations. With nearly 29 billion connected devices distributed globally, 18 of which will be part of the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems. And as 5G adoption grows, IoT is set to take up an increasingly significant role in digitally transforming major industries around the world.

Furthermore, 5G and immersive technology are fundamentally changing the way we live, work, and consume information and media. The physical and digital worlds are now bridged, starting with augmented and virtual reality. And it’s hard to talk about immersive technologies without looking into the metaverse which can’t reach its full potential without 5G. IoT is being supercharged by 5G for industries too.

In ports, for instance, the connections the IoT is creating between all post assets – vessels, containers, cranes, etc.

– combine to create truly smart ports, paving the way for even more automation. IoT platforms for industries can also help determine how real-time data analytics will bring new opportunities and greater knowledge to benefit an ever-growing connected society. The possibilities throughout every industry sector are endless.

Amidst 5G rollout, what will be the role of Fixed Wireless Access connectivity?

Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) is a cost-effective method of delivering broadband to areas with limited fixed (wireline) broadband infrastructure. With 5G, advances in radio technology coupled with increased availability of spectrum improve the consumer experience that can be provided by wireless. With increasing demand for broadband everywhere including increasing investments worldwide to bridge the digital divide, there is a strong market opportunity for 5G FWA offerings.

As millions continue to wait for reliable home broadband, FWA is an efficient and scalable alternative to wired connections.

With smart and targeted deployments, our studies show that the investment typically pays off in less than two years, and that’s accelerated by 5G. There’s more to it: 5G can attain internet speeds of 1,000 Mbs which is more than twice as much as 4Gand doesn’t necessarily require you to be close to a tower.

STAKEHOLDERS SEEK UBIQUITOUS DATA GENERATION, PROCESSING FOR SMART, SECURE, SUSTAINABLE NATION Computer Society, Mr. Mayank Prakash and the President, Computer Society of Kenya, Dr. Waudo Siganga, commended NCS for the selection of appropriate

theme for its international conference, which they said addresses global issues, especially in the areas of data generation and processing in addressing

issues in a smart, secure and sustainable nation.

NCS President, Prof. Adesina Sodiya, said: “The whole world Is currently introducing and

implementing smart technologies for sustainable national development. This year’s theme was strategically chosen to discuss the opportunities

and challenges in the smooth implementation of smart and intelligent systems in Nigeria.

There is a dear need to harness the opportunities in the evolution

of smart technologies for rapid transformation of nation’s economies. The current security challenges in Nigeria have become the major concern of NCS.”

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Achonu: States Must Improve Primary Healthcare Delivery The Country Director, The ONE Campaign, Stanley Achonu, in this interview, sheds light on the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the role of the states in improving primary healthcare service delivery across the country. Ugo Aliogo presents the excerpt: Tell us about the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and why it is critical to Nigeria’s healthcare delivery? hen Nigeria passed the National Health Act in 2014, it not only formed a comprehensive overhaul of the entire governance framework for health, but also changed all historical and existing legislations and modernised the country’s health system laws. That Act passed by the National Assembly and signed at the twilight of President Jonathan’s administration in 2014 was also supposed to be drawn off by all the states to modernise their existing laws.

The National Health Act made provisions for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) as a federal government intervention fund for primary health care. It is an intervention fund because, according to the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, local and state governments are responsible for the management, administration, and day-to-day operations of primary health care.

Therefore, anything the federal government does about primary healthcare is an intervention to assist the states in providing high-quality healthcare at the basic level.

The Act stipulates that one percent of the federal government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) will be dedicated to the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). It also outlines the administrative and accountability frameworks to ensure that the fund is properly managed by the three gateways and adequately utilized by primary healthcare facilities.

It is vital to note that fund disbursement did not begin immediately after the bill was passed. It took many years of advocacy by health advocates and stakeholders such as the ONE Campaign, National Advocates for Health, and others before the federal government approved the first allocation in 2018. They have disbursed a couple of times since then.

In terms of why it is critical for healthcare delivery in Nigeria, the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) caters directly to the smooth running of primary health facilities across the country. In Nigeria, primary healthcare centers serve as the foundation for healthcare delivery. I call it the foundation because everyone who becomes ill, particularly the poor and vulnerable, generally goes to the primary healthcare centers first. So, if you do not have functional, quality primary healthcare, your entire health system is in disarray because you have gotten the foundation wrong.

Primary healthcare is also essential because it is the first line of defence in preventing disease outbreaks. As the first point of contact, it is easier for primary health centers to notice disease trends and quickly alert national agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and all relevant federal and state health ministries. However, if the primary healthcare system is not functional, the first line of defence in detecting any disease outbreak has already failed. This is why primary healthcare facilities are highly critical.

and operational inefficiencies.

In your estimation, what are the major challenges confronting the implementation of the BHCPF to improve primary healthcare?

The first challenge is inconsistent disbursement from the Federal Ministry of Health. Let me quickly add that fluctuations in federal government revenue impact the funds available for disbursement. We saw that during the COVID period when the federal government had to revise its budget. There is also the issue of delay in transferring the funding. A few gateways already have a trigger that initiates transfers and guarantees they are delivered within a particular number of days. However, this is a problem for some other getaways.

The second challenge is getting the states to comply with the legal requirements that set up the fund in terms of the ability to access it. In essence, the challenge plaguing the Universal Basic Education in terms of counterpart funding also affects the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. Many states are unable to make their own counterpart funding available as required.

The last issue I would like to address is the fund’s poor data and financial management, which complicates accountability since the necessary data to make certain decisions is not collected or stored in a structured manner.

W

You recently launched a report that looks at the implementation of the BHCPF by the states. What do you hope to achieve with the release of the report?

Our organisation and other stakeholders campaigned for the Basic Health Care Provision Fund to be operational. We had celebrities such as Waje, Kate Henshaw, and others who worked hard on advocacy efforts to get this fund established.

So, with the creation of the fund, we thought the federal government had done their part, and we needed to start thinking about how to drive accountability in terms of how and what the fund is now being used for to ensure that we are getting the expected result and that the

Achonu required improvement is being delivered.

The essence of the ‘State of Primary Healthcare Service Delivery in Nigeria’ report is to push for transparency and accountability in the utilisation of the BHCPF. This is not to say that the federal government does not have its accountability mechanism. But we believe it is also important to have an outside push supporting the federal government’s effort because they are already committing a significant amount of money from their revenue to state responsibility. In order to force the states to take action, we thought that a comprehensive review of how they have performed using existing data would be timely and essential. That was what drove us to do this report, and I urge everyone to download the digital version of the report.

It has been four years since the fund was added in 2018; based on the findings in the ‘State of Primary Healthcare Service Delivery in Nigeria’ report, what is the implementation status of the fund?

As you rightly mentioned, it’s been four years since the Basic Health Care Provision Fund was implemented. The first disbursements were made in 2019, and a total of 31 states have been onboarded into the programme. About 7,000 health facilities across these 31 states are receiving decentralised facility funding.

From the report’s findings, the challenge of poor health facilities affects all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The ranking of the states does not imply that any of them is perfect; instead, it demonstrates the best performer. Community members across all the states have all sorts of complaints about the nature of health service delivery, which is generally not very pleasant. As many as 13 States fared badly in the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund. At the heart of Nigeria’s primary health care systems are challenges like weak governance system

Let’s talk about the role of state governments since they are closer to primary health facilities. How involved are the states in all of these, and what do you think state governments need to do in order to improve the implementation of BHCPF? One key challenge with the states is the legal environment around which healthcare delivery is being implemented. The legal framework requires strengthening and modernization.

The ‘State of Primary Healthcare Service Delivery in Nigeria’ report made copious findings about where the states are on this issue. Some states have laws, but the policies that support those laws do not exist. Some have policies but no laws to back them up.

Additionally, states need to prioritise health funding; I don’t think there is any challenge that any arm of government in Nigeria is facing that does not include funding. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund is complementary and should not be the sole source of financing primary healthcare delivery in the states.

It is the responsibility of the state to fund primary healthcare and deliver quality primary healthcare services to the poor and vulnerable in Nigeria. However, we found that many states do not make provisions for their counterpart funding, resulting in inadequate health funding.

Even those who make commitments in the budget speeches hardly release the fund.

Another issue identified by the report is states’ inability to adequately staff existing health facilities, while many primary healthcare facilities struggle with staffing and regular training for their staff. This trend needs to change. States must recognize that they have not delivered complete quality health service until patients can access qualified personnel who cater to their needs.

What more does the federal government need to do to spur the states to action, especially in policy and oversight?

First of all, let me start with the National Assembly. The National Assembly, through

the constituency projects, seems to act at times as though it is assisting in addressing some of these challenges by indiscriminately citing and building primary healthcare centers without appropriate regard to what constitutes a primary healthcare center.

It is important to state that buildings and modern equipment alone do not constitute a functional primary health center. So, when National Assembly members build a primary healthcare center as part of their constituency projects without consulting with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), which is responsible for federal government intervention in this, or in consultation with the state, what you end up with is a modern building with new equipment without personnel to man because staffing is the responsibility of state and local governments.

On the other hand, the federal government must be more consistent in releasing these funds to primary health facilities. To show their commitment, they can go further to guarantee that should the consolidated revenue fund fall short of the previous year’s funding due to economic realities, they can draw more funds from additional sources to bring it to the previous year’s standard. This is comparable to the World Bank team’s proposal that instead of having one percent funding from the federal government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, the government should target one percent of the federation’s Consolidated Revenue. The federal government has also pledged that the newly implemented sugar tax would go toward health.

We must think strategically about channeling a part of that towards primary healthcare.

There are also issues around staffing and management of the fund. When you look at the Universal Basic Education (UBE) fund, thousands of people are handling and disbursing this money; in the case of the BHCPF, there are just thirteen staff administering this fund across 36 states under an entity like the NPHCDA. It means that the capacity to deliver, monitor and track is limited already. We must consider ways to support the administration of this fund to ensure that it is utilised appropriately. We should also start thinking about reward mechanisms for states delivering the desired outcomes. And this is a conversation for stakeholders to think about.

Currently, the federal government contributes only one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) to the BHCPF. How significant is this in addressing the country’s decay in primary health facilities?

Of course, the funding is not in any way sufficient, considering the magnitude of the challenge we are discussing. But we must also recognise that the federal government is simply intervening; as such, we can only appeal for more funding, not impose.

In terms of how much the federal government has already invested in this fund. In 2019, around 27 billion naira was disbursed, while in 2021, approximately 28 billion naira was disbursed. So since its inception, the federal government has provided about 56 billion naira as an intervention fund through the BHCPF. There is also donor funding, where the World Bank has committed about 4 billion naira, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has contributed over half a billion naira to this fund. One of the positive actions the federal government has taken is to designate the BHCPF as a statutory transfer, which is an indication of their level of commitment.

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

SAMBO: FG’S IDPS BOOT MODEL WILL FACILITATE MULTI-PRODUCT ECONOMY, BOOST INLAND TRADE operations of the Inland dry ports in Nigeria.

He said, “It is important to inform this audience that apart from its critical importance in facilitating International trade as well as transit cargo to landlocked countries. The Inland Dry Port projects are intended to bring shipping activities closer to shippers in the hinterland and increase cargo throughout, to act as a catalyst for improved trade flows, boost inland trading and promote export of agricultural products, thus leading a multi-product-oriented economy.”

Speaking, the Executive

Secretary/ CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Emmanuel Jime, said the Inland Dry Ports projects were conceived as part of the federal government’s reform programme in the Transport sector to promote efficient transportation, enhance efficiency at our ports and to engender trade facilitation.

According to him, the NSC and Federal Ministry of Transportation are committed to providing the enabling environment for all the IDP projects nationwide in order to operate optimally.

Jime noted that the launching of the Manual marks yet another

milestone in the successful development and operation of the IDP projects in Nigeria.

He added, “As you are aware, the Council is the supervising and implementing agency of the Dry Port projects in Nigeria. The Inland Dry Port projects were conceived as part of the Federal Government’s reform programme in the Transport sector to promote efficient transportation, enhance efficiency at our ports and to engender trade facilitation.

“The strategic importance of producing the manual which articulates the step-by-step procedure(s) for receiving.

storing, handling and delivery of cargoes as well as highlighting the operations, the responsibilities of agencies and timelines for discharging such tasks. This operational Manual which has been launched in Kano on 21st July, 2022 will be launch in PortHarcourt on the 9th August, 2022.

The Manual provides a detailed processes and procedures for the main activities of the Inland Dry Ports.”

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko, said the Lagos sea ports are operating beyond their capacity, hence, the need to optimise the

inland dry ports across the country.

Represented by the Assistant General Manager, Operations, Ayodele Durowaiye, he noted that NPA had been working to ensure the Kaduna inland dry port is linked to the borders of neighbouring countries that are landlocked in the northern region to ensure passage of goods in and out of the country.

He said the effective operations of the IDPs will provide options for shippers and consignees outside Lagos State as it will increase the possibility of export cargoes.

President, Shippers Association

of Lagos (SAL), Leonard Ogamba, said the operational manual is a working tool that will enable cargo owners, importers, exporters and shippers to pressure government agencies at the ports accountable in performing their duties efficiently.

Also, the Deputy Controller, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Command, Ajibola Odusanya, said the service is ready to work with all stakeholders to decongest the seaports through the IDPs as conceived by the Federal Government to ease the pains of Nigerians.

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Need to Restructure, Transform Nigeria’s Health System Ifeanyi Nsofor

R

ecently, Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo underwent a surgical procedure for recurrent leg pain at Duchess International Hospital, Lagos.

This use of a Nigerian hospital by one of Nigeria’s political elites is rare. President Muhammadu Buhari himself is notorious for frequent travels to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. In 2017, Buhari spent 104 days in one visit receiving medical care in the UK. Expectedly, Nigerians showed their support and wished Osinbajo well. Duchess International Hospital tweeted: “honoured to have been chosen to provide His Excellency’s surgical treatment” and issued a press release. The CEO and Medical Director of Duchess International Hospital went on media rounds.

One can imagine that the hospital pulled all the stops to provide quality healthcare to Osinbajo. In all the accolades surrounding Osinbajo’s surgery, we must remember that the quality of care the hospital provides, which gave Osinbajo the confidence to go there for care, should be the norm and not the exception.

All Nigerians irrespective of social class deserve such care, but too often they do not. We must restructure and transform the Nigerian health system to achieve this equity.

These are five ways to restructure Nigeria’s health system.

First, restructuring the health system must begin with informed active citizens. Nigerians must be educated on how the constitution describes responsibilities for health. That is when we can begin to rightly hold politicians accountable for upholding these promises.

According to Nigeria’s constitution, health is on the concurrent list. This means that federal, states and local government areas have core responsibilities for healthcare. The federal government is responsible for setting policies through the federal ministry of health and its health agencies. It provides tertiary healthcare through teaching hospitals and federal medical

centers. State governments are in-charge of secondary hospital care and supporting primary healthcare implementation in local councils. Primary health care, the bedrock of healthcare, is within the purview of local government areas.

Nigerians should know that when the primary health center in a village lacks vaccines for immunizing our children, it is a failure of leadership at local government areas and the state. We must hold those two levels of governments responsible.

At a recent Nigeria Health Watch Health Security Policy Dialogue, Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria said, “States should be accountable for integrated services for immunisation, ensuring that funds allocated to immunisation and other services are used appropriately”.

The election season is heating up and it is an opportunity to ask candidates the right questions. Afterwards, we must hold them accountable for healthcare under their purviews.

Second, healthcare is incomplete without providing social determinants of health.

The World Health Organization defines social determinants of health as the non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. These factors and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies and political systems. Therefore, restructuring Nigeria’s healthcare system must consider these factors. For instance, it is impossible to provide quality healthcare without constant electricity. Sadly, Nigeria’s national grid, which provides less than 4,000 megawatts of electricity to 200 million people, has collapsed six times already this year. Imagine, managing a premature baby at a well-equipped and adequately staffed Newborn Intensive Care Unit. The baby is doing well despite being born at 32 weeks old. Days later, the electricity was cut - as we say in Nigeria, “there

was no light”. All monitors that depend on electricity stop working and the baby dies. This loss happened due to the factor of poor electricity supply which is usually not considered during health planning.

Therefore, restructuring the Nigerian health system should include provision of regular uninterrupted electricity in all health facilities, by investing in renewable clean energy such as solar power.

Third, we must restructure health financing in Nigeria. The current situation with high out-of-pocket expenditure is unsustainable, inequitable and pushes Nigerians into poverty. Indeed, healthcare budgets by federal, state and local councils in Nigeria cannot provide the healthcare that a nation of more than 200 million need. About $7.7 billion (77%) of Nigeria’s estimated $10 billion annual total health expenditure is out-of-pocket. Nigerians pay for healthcare at the point of need. To achieve universal health coverage, health insurance must be widespread. Federal, state and local authorities must increase advocacy to encourage Nigerians to channel the high outof-pocket expenditure for health insurance.

There are enabling legal frameworks for this through mandatory health insurance at the federal level as well as across more than 31 states of the federation. More Nigerians having health insurance moves the country gradually towards universal health coverage and ensures pandemic preparedness.

Fourth, the government alone cannot provide the healthcare Nigerians require.

The private sector is an important but often overlooked stakeholder in healthcare delivery in Nigeria. Duchess International Hospital which treated Osinbajo, is a private hospital.

Governments in Nigeria can learn or even partner with such hospitals to restructure healthcare delivery. This is why public-private partnerships for healthcare are imperative.

There are examples where this has worked.

PharmAccess Foundation Access to Finance

Nigerian Marketing Awards Debuts Raheem Akingbolu Leading marketing professional and former President of National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Anthony Agenmonmen, has unveiled Nigerian Marketing Awards to celebrate and honour hardworking marketing professionals in Nigeria.

The first edition of the awards, which has respected men as members of the Advisory Board, with Prince Yemisi Shyllon as Chairman, Mr. George

Thorpe and Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi as members will hold in November, this year, while submission of entries will open on 15 August, 2022 and close on 30 September, 2022 through the awards website.

Speaking during the unveiling of the award in Lagos, Agenmommen said the initiative was conceived to redefine how the hardworking, highly professional marketing people in Nigeria are acknowledged and celebrated.

He said: “I am proud to say that our marketing professionals, whether at home or abroad, are among the brightest and the best around. They therefore deserve all the accolades they can get.”

He further stated that the award is specifically designed to encourage and stimulate hard work, innovation and overall high quality in marketing planning and execution in Nigeria.

“It will be the definitive Marketing Awards in the country, and the go-to Awards. We will

mirror the very best professional awards globally, not just the marketing awards alone and we shall use them as benchmarks.”

With the vision to be the biggest and most credible marketing awards in Nigeria, he said, the Nigerian Marketing Awards will be the first internationally certified awards in the country as organisers are putting heads together to get international certification that will make it rank ahead of other awards in the country.

FCCPC, ARCON Back ConsumersValue Awards Raheem Akingbolu Two government regulatory agencies have confirmed readiness to be part of the maiden edition of the Consumers Value Award scheduled to hold on 24th August 2022 at the Radisson Blu hotel Ikeja.

Federal Competition and

Consumers Protection Council and Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, ARCON, formerly Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria confirmed attendance through independent telephone conversations with Akonte Ekine, Managing Director and Co-founder of Consumers Value Broadcasting, the organizers of the

maiden edition of the Consumers Value Awards.

Registrar of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, Dr. Lekan Fadolapo, said he would be attending to deliver the goodwill message and commended the organizers for the initiative.

Head of the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Council

Lagos, Susie Onwuka, confirmed that the Federal Competition and Consumers Protection Agency would grace the event following the invitation.

Chairman of Consumers Value Broadcasting Ltd, Chief Adedayo Ojo, promised that the maiden edition would be the baseline for consumers’ value representation.

Huawei, TD Africa Launch Digital Power Solutions for Nigerian Market Emma Okonji Huawei Technologies, a global provider of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices has partnered TD Africa, sub-Saharan Africa’s foremost distributor of tech, services and lifestyle products to launch a suite of revolutionary digital power solutions targeted at various categories of users for the Nigerian market.

Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), TD Africa, Mrs. Chioma Ekeh identified

the perennial public power supply challenge in Nigeria as an opportunity for Huawei’s Digital Power solutions.

Mrs. Ekeh referenced the instability in the global crude oil market, which has been worsened by the ongoing war in Ukraine, while also citing environmental concerns and issues as factors necessitating a shift away from fossil fuels to clean energy.

In his presentation, the Principal Consultant on Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd in Nigeria, Justin Tinsey,

disclosed that the launch of the company’s Digital Power Solution in Nigeria was motivated by the desire to drive down energy costs, while also playing its part in establishing a greener future built on sustainable, stable and cost-efficient electricity supply in the country, in line with its long-term vision of global carbon neutrality.

While introducing the company’s digital power solution which cuts across Residential, Commercial/ Industrial and Utility Scale, Tinsey said Huawei remained one of the market leaders in global PV inverter shipments,

with its Fusionsolar PV solution proving a popular choice worldwide.

According to Justin, the iSitePower-M is guaranteed to reduce household energy costs by 50-70 per cent, while equally delivering green, stable and sustainable electricity with robust load capacity.

Head, Corporates/DMFI Sales at TD Africa, Niyi Onabanjo, restated the company’s dominant position in the technology distribution ecosystem in the sub-region as the key driver of trade revolution across Africa and with a growing partner database of over 2000 resellers.

Framework led to revitalization of non-functional primary health centers in Lagos and Delta States.

It was achieved through a unique partnership between PharmAccess’ Medical Credit Fund, Bank of Industry and the State Governments.

At the Nigeria Health Watch Health Policy Dialogue, Njide Ndili - country director of Pharmaccess Foundation stated that the private sector needs better coordination to partner with the government. We are hoping that there will be a coordinated policy document or instrument or some kind of mechanism where the private sector can plug into supporting health security, she said. Furthermore, through the private sector coalition against COVID-19 (CACOVID), the private sector showed its willingness to support Nigeria’s pandemic preparedness.

Lastly, restructuring Nigeria’s health system should leverage the power of digital health technology. It holds so much promise to make healthcare equitable. From electronic medical records for better coordination of care to health insurance enrollment and platforms for remote consultations. They are also useful for health education to change behaviors. For instance, the Nigeria Center for Disease Control’s #TakeResponsibility campaign delivered via social media platforms, radio and TV encouraged Nigerians to take individual and collective responsibilities to limit the spread of COVID-19. Such social media campaigns would help galvanize youths to participate in Nigeria’s pandemic preparedness efforts.

There are more than 204 million active mobile GSM lines in Nigeria, according to the National Communications Commission. This opportunity for deploying technology to reach millions of Nigerians should not be allowed to go to waste.

A restructured health system means that just like most Nigerians, Osinbajo should make use of a public hospital next time he needs medical care. This would build trust in the health system, save lives, ensure pandemic preparedness and make healthcare equitable in Nigeria. t *GFBOZJ /TPGPS 4FOJPS /FX 7PJDFT 'FMMPX BU UIF "TQFO *OTUJUVUF 8BTIJOHUPO %$

Verve Partners uLesson to Offer Cardholders 10% Discount Nosa Alekhuogie Africa’s leading payment cards and digital tokens brand, Verve, has partnered uLesson, an online learning platform to offer 10 per cent discount off educational content and gadgets when payments are made with Verve cards on the uLesson website.

The uLesson website offers over 5,000 study videos and expansive educational materials leveraging best-in-class teachers, media, and technology to create high-quality and accessible educational guides for students from primary to secondary school and serves as a holistic learning experience hub for youngsters.

Through this educational empowerment initiative, Verve cardholders can access a wide array of animated study videos, apre-recorded video library, coding school, multiplayer quizzesand homework assistance and can enjoy one-on-one personalized support on the uLesson website

while enjoying 10 per cent off all content subscriptions, and purchase of educational tablets.

Verve is committed to creating rewarding experiences for its cardholders while supporting their lifestyle needs and availing them a seamless and secure payment solution. Parents and guardians are encouraged to maximize this opportunity to use their Verve cards to purchase educational products on the uLesson website to foster the academic performance of their wards.

Commenting on the partnership with uLesson, the Executive Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Interswitch Group, Cherry Eromosele, noted that this collaboration stemmed from Verve’s desire to leverage key partnerships that deliver added value to its cardholders. Eromosele said: “Through this collaboration, Verve is offering more students access to affordable and quality educational contents that will prepare them to contribute their quota towards shaping Africa’s narrative.”

M T N N i g e r i a B o o s t s Yo u t h Employability with Career Workshop Emma Okonji As part of activities for the 2022 Y’ello Care campaign, MTN Nigeria organized a virtual career workshop recently, tagged ‘CV Clinic, Interview Tips’, and designed to equip youths with the digital skills needed to successfully land their dream jobs.

The workshop brought together youths looking to advance their careers as well as a seasoned career coach, Kola Oluyemi, who shared his wealth of experience, advice and guidance. Additionally, participants were able to gain career insights through coaching, and career action plans for success, which will enable them to continuously outperform expectations.

A 2021 report by the National

Bureau of Statistics (NBS), revealed that Nigeria’s unemployment rate had risen from 27.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2020, to 33 per cent by the fourth quarter.

Unemployment for people aged 15 to 24 stood at 53.4 per cent in the fourth quarter and at 37.2 per cent for people aged 25 to 34. This shows that ‘more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s working-age population is younger than 34. Through the workshop, MTN Nigeria aims to reduce the unemployment rate in the country.

During the workshop, seasoned HR professional, Kola Oluyemi, shared insights on the flexibilities in the world of work, and the need for youths to continue to upskill themselves.

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Expert Harps on Promotion of African Digital Capabilities to Address Challenges Emma Okonji In order to address the myriad of challenges facing the Nigerian digital tech startups, including the wider African challenges, which range from electricity to funding, and internet penetration to regulation, a technology expert and analyst, Oswald Osaretin Guobadia, has called for the promotion of African digital capabilities that will enhance deeper knowledge of the infrastructure needed to achieve digital transformation.

According to Guobadia, no doubt, Nigeria and other African countries have the potential to be world leaders in the digital tech ecosystem, but stressed that to achieve this, Africa must lay a solid foundation that will promote the African digital capabilities.

Describing digitalisation as the utilization of technology to enhance daily activities such that difficult operations across various sectors are much more simplified, Guobadia said the transformation in the Nigerian banking system is an example of the importance of digitalisation and the advantages that come with it.

“Digital economy is important, but having the infrastructure to power this is much more important.

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), accelerated wireless connectivity, and the spread of relatively inexpensive computing systems mean that

the tech ecosystem can offer a faster and more efficient world for businesses and other activities that will improve the Nigerian and African business environment as many companies have adopted the use of digital technology.

“While startups see their innovations as disruptions, policymakers in the system may see these innovations as displacements. This implies that the innovations of startups are here to enhance productivity, provide further solutions, and make life generally easier,” Guobadia said.

The key to ensuring that these paradigm shifts do not lead to a dysfunctional ecosystem or adversely impact the economy is that both practitioners and policymakers within the ecosystem engage and collaborate to develop dynamic policies and regulations that will increase innovation whilst managing the potential displacement, Guobadia further said.

Guobadia therefore advised founders and other tech enthusiasts to play an active part in governance, in order to ensure that the Nigerian digital tech space get true representation at the highest level of governance and make room for the passage of laws that will cause it to continually thrive. Citing the Nigeria Startup Bill (NSB) that was recently passed by the National

Assembly, Guobadia said the Bill would ensure that Nigeria’s laws and regulations are clear,

well-planned, and beneficial to the tech industry. It will also help create an enabling

environment for growth and attract and protect investment in the tech space. Key to its

success would be the quality of implementation and complete sub-national adoption.

L-R: The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko presenting the authority’s plaque to the Director General, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Segun Ajayi Kadir when he paid a visit on the MD at the Corporate Headquarters, Lagos...recently

Exports: Manufacturers Association F u n d Q u e s t t o M a r k of Nigeria Commends NPA Initiatives 10-year Anniversary with Digital Innovations

Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi has commended the initiatives of the Mohammed Bello Koko led management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) at promoting exports of locally manufactured goods.

Ajayi made this known when he led a delegation comprising of Chief John Aluya Vice President of

MAN, Frank Ike Onyebu, Chair of Apapa Branch of MAN and others on partnership renewal visit to the NPA headquarters in Marina.

Speaking during the meeting, Mohammed Bello Koko said, “Our commitment to upping the ante of trade facilitation remains unwavering, this is why we have been and will continue to be advocates of creating enabling atmosphere

for local manufacturers. I therefore want to assure the leadership of MAN that our doors are open always to address all concerns of your individual and corporate members.”

Koko invited the MAN to take advantage of the Export Processing Terminals that have been licensed by the NPA under the technical guidance of the Nigerian Export Processing Council (NEPC).

The NPA and MAN arose from the meeting with an agreement to set up a joint think tank with the overriding objective of improving the fortunes of local manufacturing in a sustainable manner as to ensure that Nigeria takes maximum advantage of the inherent advantages of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and garner a greater market share of global trade.

Expert: Advertising Business Strives on Direct, Indirect Laws Regulation in Nigeria Raheem Akingbolu Out-of-Home advertising business in Nigeria is regulated by direct and indirect laws, an expert, CIC Chikwendu ESQ has stated.

He said this at the 37th Annual General Meeting of the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), held in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme: “OOH Business and Nigerian Regulatory Laws,” Chikwendu disclosed that,

advertising which is not mentioned in the exclusive or concurrent laws, is placed under the residual law, meaning that state legislatures may legislate on residual matters, in spite that the constitution places Out-of-Home advertising and hoarding under the control and regulation of the Local Government Council.

He pointed out that, “the functions conferred upon the Local Government Council include those set out in the Fourth Schedule

to the Constitution. By item 1 (k) (i) of the Fourth Schedule, one of the main functions of the Local Government Council is the control and regulation of out-door advertising and hoarding.

“Local Government Councils in all the states carried out this function of control and regulation of out-door advertising and hoarding, albeit haphazardly, until 2006 when Lagos State introduced the Structures for Signage and Advertisement

Agency Law,” he said.

Continuing, the legal lumnary held that, “Lagos State having seemingly succeeded in surmounting a legal challenge to this Law, many other States have copied and enacted similar Laws. The implication of this is that control and regulation of outdoor advertising in States have, at least for the present, been effectively removed from Local Government Councils and vested in State agencies in these States.”

Emma Okonji One of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, FundQuest Financial Services Limited is set to unleash more innovations in the Nigerian financial services sector as it celebrates its 10th year anniversary.

Announcing the anniversary programme to the media recently, the Head, Brand Communication and Customer Experience, Ms. Joan Oghosa Ediagbonya, said the decision was taken to make the celebration not just a fanfare but one dedicated to their customers, their hardworking team and the creative ideas that would make their relationship blossom deeper in the next decade.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FundQuest, Mr. Abiodun Akinjayeju, described the 10-year anniversary as a huge milestone and a dream come true, recalling how the company started and the tenacity that has kept it growing, maintaining best practices and satisfying customers regardless of the challenges of operating in a volatile economy.

Akinjayeju said: “This 10year anniversary is indeed worthy of celebration because of the huge successes we have helped our customers achieve and the many testimonies that validate our vision to be a leading destination in the quest for innovative funding and financing solutions in Nigeria and beyond.”

According to the Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, FundQuest, Mr. Bisi Oni, the highlight of this milestone celebration is that it also marks the beginning of a new phase where they get to introduce new and existing customers to the digitalization of their services with the launch of the Quest Connect Applications Suite, which comprises the FundQuest Mobile (Android and iOS), FundQuest Retail Web, FundQuest Corporate Web, and the FundQuest USSD Code *5078#.

Head, Operations and Management Services, Mr. Kunle Adelabu, stated that the competitive superiority of the Apps, further made them flexible and capable of performing several functions that cater to the company’s wide range of products.

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HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2022... WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2022...

Dr. Chinny Obinwanne: Launching Nigeria’s First Breast Milk Bank The 2022 theme for World Breastfeeding Week is ‘Step up for Breastfeeding: Educate and Support’, and it seeks to involvegovernments,communities,andindividualsinraisingawarenessaboutsustainablebreastfeedingenvironment.

Chiemelie EzeobispokewithDr.Chinny Obinwanne, a medical doctor, lactationconsultant,memberoftheAcademy of Breastfeeding Medicine and founder of The Milk Booster, a company that produces lactation products that help increase breast milk supply. She also founded The Breastfeeding Doc, which is a company that provides evidencebased knowledge for healthcare professionals and breastfeeding mothers and has since gone on to expand the Milk Booster brand to cater for pregnancy, breastfeeding and weaning essentials. In this interview, Obinwanne emphasises the importance of exclusive breastfeeding, how she started the brand in 2017 to help herself get through exclusive breastfeeding and now aiding 50,000 babies get more breast milk from their mother, and why she decided to launch Nigeria’s first ever Milk Bank to provide pasteurised donor breastmilk for pre-term, low birthweight, and other vulnerable infants access to the multiple benefits of breastmilk when they need it most You have been in the lactation business for some years now, how has the journey been? t’s been an amazing journey because I’ve gone from helping myself get through exclusive breastfeeding to helping 50,000 babies get more breast milk from their mothers. The challenge has been having the capacity to reach out to more mothers that need our help because it still hurts me when a mum comes to me and says “I wish I knew you earlier”.

My baby that was constantly crying before nursed and was full. For the first time she slept peacefully. It was like I got a brand new baby. My husband saw the changes and was shocked as well. So I was able to achieve my dream of breastfeeding exclusively for six months.

Then I started sharing the cookies with my colleagues that were new mums. With that we started manufacturing and we have helped thousands of mothers achieve exclusive breastfeeding with our breastfeeding products.

How do you balance work-life and family, especially with how demanding both spheres are?

There is really no balance. I try to face it all everyday. Also, each morning I go through my to-do list and work on it based on priorities.

Somedays, I achieve all my to do list, other days it rolls over.

What services do you offer as a company and to whom?

We are focused on improving breast milk supply for nursing mothers to ensure that every baby is well nourished. We provide lactation support and one on one consultations for pregnant and breastfeeding women, we also provide free antenatal classes, how to birth like a boss class, how to introduce solids to your baby and breastfeeding classes.

Currently, we are launching the first breast milk bank in Nigeria and we would be providing pasteurized donor breastmilk for babies. We have a breastfeeding support line that is accessible for all new mums.

I

Having followed your breastfeeding journey, how were you able to breastfeed two babies at the same time and any advice for others who want to try it out?

Yes, I breastfed my one year old while i was pregnant. I found out I was pregnant, shortly after he turned one year and my aim was to breastfeed him till two years. I breastfed him throughout the pregnancy and continued after my baby was born until he turned two years but he was still not ready to stop, so I continued to breastfeed him until my baby turned one.

Breastfeeding during pregnancy is completely safe as long as it is a healthy pregnancy.

Although you can face challenges such as sore nipples, applying nipple cream can help with that, also some women do feel minor contractions that goes away when they stop nursing. Another thing mothers worry about is that the new baby will not have any colostrum but that is not true.

During pregnancy your breastmilk composition changes and the volume reduces, once your baby is born your breast will naturally produce colostrum, so your baby is not going to miss out on it, for some mums that are extremely worried about this, they can also save one breast one month before their expected date of delivery.

Can you take us back on the journey of how the business of producing lactation products came about?

It all started after I had my first child. As a medical doctor, I really wanted to breastfeed exclusively for six months and did not know people had breastfeeding challenges. I expected a natural and easy going breastfeeding experience. I was shocked when I started struggling with breastfeeding after having my baby.

From nipple pain to a fussy baby and low breast milk supply. I had taken all sorts of things to increase my supply without any result. I remember a specific day when my baby cried all day and my husband couldn’t

Obinwanne take it any longer. So he threatened to go to the store to get infant formula.

Knowing that I have always wished to do exclusive breastfeeding, that broke me and I asked my husband to give me 24 hours.

I spent that time researching on how to increase my breast milk supply and I ended up baking lactation cookies. I ate so much of it that day and within that same 24 hours, I noticed my breast milk was flowing, and leaking everywhere.

Having a milk bank would give pre-term, low birthweight, and other vulnerable infants access to the multiple benefits of breastmilk when they need it most. It would enable infants that don’t have access to mother’s own milk to be able to enjoy the same benefits that infants that have access to mother’s own milk enjoy

The World Breastfeeding Week is almost here and you have marked it for some years now, looking back, how successful was it?

It’s been quite successful, even with lack of funding from sponsors. We continue to celebrate World Breastfeeding week because the goal has always been to encourage more mothers to breastfeed their babies and increase Nigeria’s rate of exclusive breastfeeding.

Are there any new lessons you would want nursing mothers to grab this year? The theme for this years world breastfeeding week is “Step up for breastfeeding: Educate and Support” So, we are encouraging mothers, educating them on new up to date breastfeeding practices and letting them know we are always here to support them. It’s important for mothers to know that extended breastfeeding is up to two years as AAP (American Academy of Paediatrics) has updated their guidelines from one year to two years confirming WHO(World Health Organisation) standard.

Isn’t it time Nigeria gets a Milk Bank, same way we have the blood Bank?

Yes it is. Having a milk bank would give pre-term, low birthweight, and other vulnerable infants access to the multiple benefits of breastmilk when they need it most.

It would enable infants that don’t have access to mother’s own milk to be able to enjoy the same benefits that infants that have access to mother’s own milk enjoy.

Studies have shown that premature babies that get donor milk get to stay in the hospital for a shorter period of time, it has also shown that donor breastmilk reduces the risk of getting Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) and other diseases that leads to neonatal mortality.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022

DR. CHINNY OBINWANNE: LAUNCHING NIGERIA’S FIRST BREAST MILK BANK Yes, it is about time Nigeria gets a Milk Bank as the country with the highest infant mortality rate in Africa, and the third highest rate of premature birth around the world, it is about time.

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FERTILITY

With Dr. Kemi AILOJE drkemi@lifelinkfertility.com www.lifelinkfertility.com +2348033083580

VA G I N I S M U S ( PA RT 2 )

If they do, will it thrive given that most mothers might not subscribe to giving their babies another person’s milk?

Yes, if Nigeria has a Milk Bank it will thrive because there is ongoing informal sharing of breastmilk(mothers sharing milk that hasn’t been pasteurised amongst themselves) within our Breastfeeding community.

I have also witnessed time and time again mothers of premature babies reaching out to our community, seeking for mothers to donate breast milk for them. Having done research over the years i’ve found that, Nigerian mothers that can produce breastmilk for their babies are happy to donate and Nigerian mothers that have premature babies are happy to accept donor breastmilk.

Along the line, you unveiled the breastfeeding doc, how far with that brand?

The breastfeeding doc is a platform for breastfeeding resources for mothers and healthcare practitioners. I basically teach about breastfeeding and I provide one on one consultation for mothers facing breastfeeding challenges and for surrogate and adopted mothers that want to produce breastmilk for their babies. My recent work has been UFBDIJOH B HSPVQ PG MBDUBUJPO DPOTVMUBOUT JO 64" 4QFBLJOH BU 5IF #BCZ 4IPX JO UIF 6, "MTP J launched my breastfeeding book, “Breastfeeding with Ease”. A book that covers everything a pregnant and nursing mother needs to know about breastfeeding.

You also started your own brand of products beyond the cookies, what influenced that?

I started these as a means of making life easier for all breastfeeding mums. The fact that I’ve given them breastfeeding cookies to increase their breastmilk supply wasn’t enough, some of them needed to resume work after three months and need good breastpump like our master pump that can be worn in the bra and discrete for them to be able to maintain their demand and produce enough milk for their babies. I also wanted to provide affordable items for mums as most items in the market were expensive, so really it’s all about just making life easier for mothers.

According to statistics, improper feeding accounts for about 40 percent of child deaths. What do you think hinders nursing mothers from exclusively breastfeeding their babies? First off, its due to MBDL PG BEFRVBUF CSFBTUGFFEJOH LOPXMFEHF XF invest a lot of time educating mums on labour and delivery which will last 24 hours at most and then we spend the barest minimum on educating mothers about breastfeeding that should last for six months exclusive and two years extended.

4FDPOEMZ XJUI UIF QSPNPUJPO BOE NBSLFUJOH of infant formulas, we’ve been conditioned to offer infant formula as the next best solution to any mum struggling with breastfeeding as there are a lot of misconceptions about formula CFJOH FRVJWBMFOU UP CSFBTU NJML SFUVSOJOH to work and accessing supportive childcare and policies by big organisations and the government.

Many people are unaware of effective products to boost breastmilk that really works. Another reason we have this statistics is because there have not been any Breast

“Knowing that the gap of knowledge is the reason mothers end up giving their babies formula, it is vital to keep pushing breastfeeding knowledge adequately and consistently so that they don’t fall into the formula trap. So really we are not shaming other mothers, we are just equipping mothers to do better”

Obinwanne Milk Bank in Nigeria where babies can get donor milk, finally we are launching the first Breast Milk Bank in Nigeria.

Some women are of the opinion that promoting exclusive breastfeeding is merely a way to shame those mothers who can’t afford to. What is your take on this?

I am very biased to this because i do not believe that any mother that wants to breastfeed her baby cannot do so. I agree there are breastfeeding challenges but there are also solutions available. It may not be the easiest but we stick through it because of the importance of it to our baby’s well being. I’ve come to find that many mothers that ended up giving formula did that CFDBVTF UIFZ MBDLFE BEFRVBUF CSFBTUGFFEJOH knowledge and support.

Once they are armed with the right knowledge they are always determined to get it right with their next baby. Knowing that the gap of knowledge is the reason mothers end up giving their babies formula, it is vital to keep pushing breastfeeding LOPXMFEHF BEFRVBUFMZ BOE DPOTJTUFOUMZ so that they don’t fall into the formula USBQ 4P SFBMMZ XF BSF OPU TIBNJOH PUIFS NPUIFST XF BSF KVTU FRVJQQJOH NPUIFST to do better.

What are some of the challenges you face as an entrepreneur?

Compared to other countries, Nigeria can stiffen your growth as a business. The lack of constant power supply, lack of funds to increase your business capacity, lack of support from regulatory bodies, running a business in a volatile economy, but we keep pushing everyday, we are hopeful for a better Nigeria.

What is your core strategy for sustaining your legacy? %FWFMPQJOH B TUSPOH TUSVDUVSF XJUI UIF future in mind, documenting every process and procedure, creating innovative structure and diversifying different streams of income to the brand.

What policy changes would you advise the authorities to make in order to create more awareness on the gains of breastfeeding?

The Nigeria system needs to incorporate a complete paid six months maternity leave for all mothers, they need to get organisations to provide a comfortable space for mothers for example a lactation room and a creche, the government should provide a free one month breastfeeding class for expectant mothers with continued support after baby is here, the government can also provide free breastfeeding training for nurses and doctors and they can increase media awareness on breastfeeding.

What are the benefits of support systems for nursing mothers?

When a nursing mum has a good support system she is able to focus more on breastfeeding which is a demanding job,a support system helps a mum rest, sleep when baby is sleeping, to cheer her on when the going gets tough. All of these will help her have an easier breastfeeding experience and it’s going to help prevent postpartum depression, anxiety, sadness and feeling disconnected from her baby and finally help her achieve her breastfeeding goals.

L

ast week, we started a topic on Vaginismus. We discussed the types, causes, signs and symptoms of vaginismus. This week, we will conclude with its diagnosis and treatment.

DIAGNOSIS OF VAGINISMUS The clinician will ask about your symptoms and take a medical and sexual history to diagnose Vaginismus. Following that, a pelvic examination will be performed to rule out any other medical conditions that may be causing the pain. Before treating the vaginismus, the clinician may need to rule out any underlying causes, such as an infection. The clinician will move slowly and gently so that you may understand what they are doing.

A person must have one or more of the following symptoms for at least six (6) months and be in significant distress to receive a diagnosis: r 7BHJOBM EJGàDVMUJFT EVSJOH TFYVBM intercourse r 7BHJOBM PS QFMWJD QBJO EVSJOH QFOFUSBUJWF sexual intercourse or penetration attempts r 5JHIUFOJOH PS UFOTJOH PG UIF QFMWJD áPPS muscles during penetrative sexual intercourse or penetration attempts r 'FBS PS BOYJFUZ BCPVU FYQFSJFODJOH vulvovaginal or pelvic pain as a result of vaginal penetration TREATMENT OF VAGINISMUS Treatment may involve a variety of specialists, depending on the cause. In general, vaginismus treatment aims to reduce the automatic tightening of the muscles, eliminate the fear of pain, and help ease any other fears associated with the problem.

Treatments typically focus on managing your feelings around penetration and exercises to gradually get accustomed to it, which may include:

r 1TZDIPTFYVBM 5IFSBQZ A type of talking therapy aimed at assisting, understanding and changing your feelings about your body and sex. Educating people about the sexual anatomy and how sexual response cycle may help them understand their pain and the processes their bodies are going through. r 7BHJOBM %JMBUJPO &YFSDJTFT 7BHJOBM EJMBUPST are tapered devices that may be used to relax and gently stretch the muscles around the vaginal entrance. They come in graduated sizes, making the process slow and painless.

Vaginal dilators can help desensitize the area and make you more comfortable with touch over time, which is ideal for those who have sex phobias. If a plastic dilator can be inserted without causing pain, the next step is to leave it in place for 10-15 minutes to allow the muscles to become accustomed to the pressure. They can then use a larger insert and teach their partner how to apply the insert. When the individual is comfortable with this, they can allow their partner to place their penis near but not inside the vagina. When they are completely at ease with this, the couple can resume intercourse r 3FMBYBUJPO 5FDIOJRVFT Mindfulness, breathing, and gentle touching exercises

will assist in learning to relax the vaginal muscles. This therapy entails gradually exposing a person to penetration. It can start by encouraging someone to touch an area as close to the vaginal opening as possible without causing pain. They will get closer to the vaginal opening every day.

They will be encouraged to touch and open the vaginal lips, or labia, once they are able to touch the area around the vagina. r 1FMWJD áPPS FYFSDJTFT 4RVFF[JOH BOE releasing exercises to strengthen the vaginal muscles. These include muscle contraction and relaxation activities, or Kegel exercises, to JNQSPWF QFMWJD áPPS NVTDMF DPOUSPM ,FHFMT BSF QFMWJD áPPS FYFSDJTFT UIBU UBSHFU UIF pubococcygeal muscle, which is responsible GPS TVQQPSUJOH UIF QFMWJD áPPS 5IFZ BSF performed by isolating and tightening the NVTDMFT VTFE UP TUPQ UIF áPX PG VSJOF ,FHFM exercises can not only help with vaginismus and increase sexual pleasure, but they can also help prevent urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) as you age. r 4VSHFSZ This is extremely rare and JT VTVBMMZ POMZ SFRVJSFE XIFO UIFSF JT B vaginal problem that mimics the symptoms of vaginismus.

Initially, treatment is carried out under the supervision of specialized therapists.

After that, you will be expected to practice some of the exercises at home. You can choose to involve your partner if you are in a relationship. Fortunately, the majority of women who undergo these treatments can find relief and reclaim their sexual lives. While treatment can be beneficial, it is important to note that some women with vaginismus have very intimate, loving relationships without engaging in sex.

CONCLUSION Experiencing this pain or shame during sexual intercourse is not something to be embarrassed about. Talk to a clinician, you do not need to keep suffering.

Women who have vaginismus and keep UP UIFNTFMWFT GSFRVFOUMZ IBWF EJTSVQUFE sex lives, which can cause distress, loss of confidence, and relationship problems. It may prevent some women from pursuing intimate relationships or starting a family, worsening their problems.

Many issues, including vaginismus, can result in painful intercourse. Almost all of these issues are curable. Many people report significant improvements in their sex lives and mental health following vaginismus treatments.Vaginismus can be treated and even cured. Treatment typically entails diagnosing and treating any underlying physical issues, as well as undergoing psychological therapy, performing pelvic exercises, and using vaginal dilators to gradually improve tolerance of penetration.

Treatment, however, will be determined by the underlying cause, which could be physical, psychological, or a combination of the two. The longer treatment may take, the more complex the cause or the severity of the symptoms.

38

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022

FEATURES

Enhancing Healthcare Delivery, Education in Katsina As part of give back measures to better society, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Continental Computers, Salisu Mamman, has vigorously improved healthcare delivery and educational standards in Katsina State, writes Francis Sardauna

I

t was jubilation galore for residents of Katsina, the Katsina State capital, following the inauguration of a 24-bed comprehensive female medical ward by a philanthropist and industrial entrepreneur, Alhaji Salisu Mamman, to tackle the imbalance in the nation’s healthcare delivery system, which is apparently less tilted to the womenfolk.

The state-of-the-art facility, situated at the General Hospital Katsina, was built and adequately equipped by the Chief Executive Officer of Continental Computers through his life-changing Continental Computers Foundation, to equally bolster operational capacities of public health facilities across the state.

Powered by hybrid solar technology, the edifice has an ultra-modern six-bed medical amenity facility, an 18-bed standard facility, doctors and nurses bay, toilet facilities, store, office, a changing room for medical personnel, among other modern healthcare apparatus needed for its operations.

The facility with modern architectural designs, is named after one of the state’s most cherished Matriarchs, late Hajiya Mariya Idris Masari, the mother of Governor Aminu Bello Masari because of her undeniable imprints of integrity, altruism and selfless services to mankind, particularly the vulnerable and underprivileged people during her lifetime.

Mamman, a Katsina State-born philanthropist, from Kadandani community in Rimi Local Government Area of the state, has over the years impacted positively and transformed people’s lives, particularly the vulnerable within his immediate community and the state at large through different reputable services.

Svelte and humble Mamman is a successful businessman who is always eager to compassionately share the fruits of his hard-earned prosperity and fortunes with the poor and underprivileged people within and outside the state in order to improve their living standards.

The president of Katsina State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, grew up in a family where giving and humanitarian services were second nature and has continued this passion in life for decades as he reaches out to people through empowerment, scholarships and developmental projects.

Unveiling the 24-bed capacity medical ward, Governor Masari thanked the managing director of the Continental Computers for naming the edifice after his late mother. He explained that the project would go a long way in enhancing the state government’s efforts towards revamping the health sector.

Governor Masari, at the event, also paid glowing tribute to his mother recalling how the widow struggled to sustain the family after the death of their father. He added: “I lost my father when I was only two years old and my mother decided not to remarry because of my elder brother, Alhaji Bello, and myself”.

In his opening remarks, Mamman told the gathering that the facility was a recent objective that has been achieved by the Continental Computers Foundation in practicing the enterprise philosophy of “business with a human face” for the Continental Group.

He said: “We therefore channel back most of

Late Hajiya Masari 24-bed female medical ward

“We channel back most of our business profits to projects that benefit the larger community, thereby complementing government efforts and responding to the clarion call for concerted efforts under the governance paradigm” our business profits to projects that benefit the larger community, thereby complementing government efforts and responding to the clarion call for concerted efforts under the governance paradigm.

“We aim to support the sustenance of the society that patronises us, so that it can continue to do so ceaselessly. In this regard, we are proud to say, we are a home-grown business brand”.

He, however, restated his readiness to continue to support the sustainability of the healthcare facility, “I am ready to respond positively whenever called upon to assist in case of any serious problem or emergency occurring to the facility”.

He encouraged other entrepreneurs in the state to emulate him by expanding their sharing spaces to include more of the society’s needs and aspirations in accordance with the principle of ploughing back to society.

Prior to inauguration of the female medical ward, Mamman single-handedly constructed a befitting 12-classroom secondary school Kadandani and named it Kadandani Community Day Secondary School. The school is well-furnished with an administrative block, computer centre

and VIP latrines.

He also built a 350-seater multipurpose assembly hall in the school for the conduct of West African Examination Council (WAEC), National Examination Council (NECO) and CBT examinations within the school’s catchment communities. This gesture had significantly improved access to learning among residents of the community and other adjoining communities.

To enhance and sustain healthcare delivery in Kadandani, the philanthropist in partnership with the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP), constructed another befitting 16-bed comprehensive medical centre and equipped it with modern health appliances.

This has contributed immensely in tackling cases of maternal and child mortality and other health challenges bedeviling residents of the community and its environ. He equally built a Juma’at Mosque in the community which has alleviated the difficulty residents faced in travelling to neighbouring communities for Friday prayers.

He also provided solar-powered blood

banks to five General Hospitals as well as solar-powered lighting to 45 secondary schools and primary healthcare facilities across the state to address the power outage that hitherto bedeviled the education and health facilities in the respective areas.

The progressive industrial leader has doled out N17 million as scholarship and empowerment grants to 1,000 women and 701 students of Rimi Local Government and provided N10 million for his one-project-per-ward programme to 10 electoral wards of the local government in order to alleviate the plight of the masses.

He rehabilitated 12 primary schools across the 10 electoral wards of Rimi. The industrialist also donated 10 computers and furniture items and a take-off funds of N500,000 to Kofar Kudu Community Day Secondary School Rimi, and lyatawa Government Day Secondary School respectively. He equally constructed and furnished Kadandani Police Station with mobility which was inaugurated by Governor Masari.

In a bid to enhance commercial and sporting activities in his Kadandani community, the business mogul, had rehabilitated the Kadandani Television Viewing Centre, fitted with solarpowered kiosks, solar-powered fridges, charging points for phones, solar-powered fans, television sets and handed over to a Youth Forum in the community for management.

Therefore, the revolving humanitarian projects of the Managing Director of Continental Computers and Chairman Continental Computers Foundation, Alhaji Salisu Mamman, that cut across the 10 electoral wards of Rimi local government and some local governments in the state, had significantly supported the giant strides of Governor Masari in critical sectors of health and education.

Breastfeeding Prevents Child Deaths, Postpartum Bleeding, Says Ehanire Rebecca Ejifoma The federal government has said optimal breastfeeding prevents child deaths, postpartum bleeding and lowers a woman’s risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, stated this at the celebration of the 2022 World Breastfeeding Week held on Monday on the theme, ‘Step up for breastfeeding: Educate and Support’.

According to him, adherence to proper breastfeeding can prevent overweight and obesity as well.

He added that the government aims to reach the 2025 World Health Assembly target of raising the rate of exclusive breastfeeding to at least 50 per cent.

The minister said: “However, many of the actors lack the necessary knowledge, attitudes and skills to support these women.

“Thus, there is a need to

strengthen the capacity of all actors across the different levels to protect, promote and support breastfeeding.

“Breastfed babies have stronger immunity, reduced risk of infections and many childhood illnesses, and may also have longer-term health benefits including reduced risk of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence.”

He cited the studies have shown that obesity rates are 15 to 30 per cent lower in

breastfed babies compared to formula-fed babies.”

In a joint press statement commemorating World Breastfeeding Week, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Health Organisation said that over 70 per cent of Nigeria infants are denied exclusive breastfeeding.

“During emergencies, including those in Afghanistan, Yemen, Ukraine, the Horn of Africa, and the Sahel, breastfeeding guarantees

a safe, nutritious, and accessible food source for babies and young children. “ It offers a powerful line of defense against disease and all forms of child malnutrition, including waste.

“In Nigeria, the Exclusive Breastfeeding rate is 29 perent, meaning that over 70 per cent of infants in Nigeria are denied the aforementioned benefits of breast milk in their formative years.”

The health minister high-

lighted that Inly nine per cent of organisations have a workplace breastfeeding policy, indicating that mothers lack the enabling environment to optimally breastfeed their babies.

“The results are high stunting rates of 37 per cent of children under five, of which 21 per cent are severe, and wasting among children under five years of age is seven per cent. They continue to present severe consequences for the child,” says Ehanire.

39

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022

NEWS

WHO Visits Garki Hospital, Gives Pass Mark Garki Hospital, the first public hospital established in the Federal Capital Territory in 1986, has received a pass mark from the World Health Organisation, WHO. A fact-finding team from the global health agency visited the hospital last Friday and expressed satisfaction on the quality of its services, especially health insurance scheme.

The team, led by Dr. Joseph Kutzin, Head of Health Financing and Governance from Geneva, came with officials of the National Health Insurance Authority led by its Director General, Dr. Mohammed Sambo to evaluate the success story of National Health Insurance scheme in Nigeria.

The evaluators included Head of Health Financing, WHO Regional Office for Africa, Dr. Juliet Nabyonga and three technical officers namely, Fahdi Dkhimi, Kingsley Addai and Dr. Francis Ukwuije.

They were received by the Medical Director of Garki Hospital, Dr Adamu Onu who spoke extensively on the progress of the hospital since it was taken over by Nisa Premier Hospital on a Public-Private-Partnership agreement in 2007.

Onu disclosed that owing to the reforms carried out since 2016, the hospital presently has 35,555 NHIS clients and 8118 enrollees on the FCT health insurance register even as he bemoaned the fact that many Nigerians still find it hard to access quality health care. He identified areas of improvement for Nigeria’s health insurance scheme as proper documentation of beneficiaries and their records as well as standardization to streamline areas of insurance coverage.

He said Garki Hospital has been able to cover the gap between quality health care and the people because of the success of the PPP arrangement which enables the hospital to offer premium health services at affordable cost.

Since the concession agreement began in 2007, Onu said the hospital has treated more than two million patients, recorded more than 40 open heart surgeries, 26 kidney transplants with over 100 hip and knee joint replacement surgeries while subsidizing IVF services.

“We conduct training in family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, anesthesia and assisted reproductive technology as well as post graduate training across different specialties,” he disclosed.

“Two-third of the patients that use this hospital are on health insurance, so out of pocket patients are actually a minority and even the NHIS itself as acknowledge that and regard us as a model hospital for NHIS in the whole of this country. We have become so efficient that an NHIS or health insurance patient can see three specialists in one day. Here you can see the cardiologist, the neurologist and endocrinologist all in one day,” Dr Onu disclosed.

Dr Kutzin said the team came to Nigeria to explore ways of assisting in health financing with a view to promoting universal health care so that the poor and indigent can get equal access.

He also expressed satisfaction with the feat attained by Garki Hospital and asked questions on data management to improve services and turn-around periods.

Garki Hospital has grown to be a hospital of choice in the FCT and beyond since it embraced the PPP model. It is a multi-specialty hospital, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities backed by a wide range of expertise and skilled personnel providing specialized and general care, in-patient and out-patient services. It has been a shining example of successful publicprivate partnership in health.

The Director General, NHIA, Prof. Sambo on an earlier visit to hospital, praised the PPP model which he said has manifested in efficient management of human and material resources.

VerveLifeMakesGrandReturn with Fifth EditionofFitnessTrain Verve Life, Africa’s biggest fitness party, powered by leading payment cards and digital tokens brand, Verve, is back and bigger with the fifth edition - Verve Life 5.0!

The event is a gathering of fitness enthusiasts and is focused on encouraging fitness among Nigerians through exciting workouts led by renowned dance and fitness experts.

This year, ahead of the grand finale on 5th November at Landmark Event Centre, Verve is hosting a series of satellite events across major cities in the country.

The Verve Life satellite events train will take off from Uyo on 13th August where the fitness party powered by Verve will take place at Emerald Event Centre, Edet Akpan Avenue, Uyo. The fitness train will then move on to Asaba, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Benin, Ibadan, Abuja and finally return to Lagos. Calling on

all fitness enthusiasts across these locations to join the ride and have a good time!

Prominent dance and fitness experts including Kaffy, Kemen, Isoken, Enobong and Ihuoma among others are billed to attend the satellites events and the grand finale in Lagos. Attendees can look forward to great music, sweaty workouts, healthy food and invigorating dance sessions at each event.

Verve Life is renowned for making fitness fun through the various activities, while also encouraging an overall healthy lifestyle.

Verve Life reiterates Verve’s commitment to the dynamic lifestyle demands of its cardholders even as it continues to provide seamless payment solutions.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your workout gear together and get ready to join this year ’s Verve Life 5.0 train! Follow @Vervecard on social media for more updates!

He promised to partner with the hospital on its cost-effective method for delivering healthcare services.

Indeed, Dr. Onu used that opportunity to identify areas of improvement for Nigeria’s health insurance scheme as proper documentation of beneficiaries and their records as well as standardization to streamline areas of insurance coverage. The hospital was accredited by the NHIS in 2008.

It currently has one of the largest number of NHIS enrollees in the FCT and the only PPP that accepts secondary referrals from other facilities. The hospital is also the only facility that carries

out specialized surgery under the NHIS scheme.

Dr. Onu said the scheme is working smoothly because the hospital ensures open and transparent billing system and ensures that no patient waits for more than 30 minutes before seeing a doctor, thanks to its electronic medical record application on all facets of healthcare.

The Federal Government recently announced its expansion of the health insurance system with the launch of a new health insurance package, Group Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme, GIFSHIP.

The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said the new insurance product is the outcome of wide-ranging and far-reaching reforms within NHIS to significantly increase the fiscal space for healthcare services.

He explained that the new product, expectedly, will address the challenges and barriers encountered during implementation of other insurance packages both by the beneficiaries and operators.

“It will also eliminate known difficulties, as it creates additional value by expanding and upgrading other insurance packages for better reach, service quality and user experience,” the Minister

promised.

He said the major objective of GIFSHIP is to rapidly expand the scope of healthcare coverage in an urgent quest to attain Universal Health Coverage and leave no one behind.

He said: “GIFSHIP offers Nigerians opportunity to participate and benefit from the health insurance system.

There’s opportunity for affordable individual enrolment, family unit or a group of people. Any of the enrolments can also be sponsored by well-meaning individuals, Trusts, or organizations.”

The Senate, last year passed a Bill making health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians.

The WHO team with Director of Garki Hospital, Dr Adamu Onu and DG National Health Insurance Authority, Dr. Mohammed Sambo

EverCare Hospital Advocates Import of Cervical Cancer Vaccine Tosin Clegg

Cervical cancer refers to cancer of the neck of the womb and has remained a serious health problem in Nigeria and other developing countries.

This should no longer be the case in any country in the 21st century because there are now several preventive measures against this devastating disease that tend to affect women in the prime of their life when they are most needed by their families and society.

Cervical cancer is unique in having a preclinical stage when cancer has not developed which can last several years which if treated can stop the disease in its tracks.

Which is why the early deployment of its vaccines can help save lives of several women and reduce the chances of the virus taking more lives.

Dr Olasupo Orimogunje,

Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at EverCare Hospital further clarifies that, “We can even go one better by preventing the preclinical stage developing by giving vaccines. “ It took so much for researchers to get things to this stage, but it is taking quite an inordinate amount of time for this eponymous life-changing research to permeate communities, especially in low income countries like Nigeria.

“This cancer is still a big killer in countries like Nigeria, second only to breast cancer.”

The doctor further stated that approximately 8000 women die yearly in Nigeria from cancer of the cervix, that is 22 women every day, almost one woman every hour, almost double the capacity of the National Arts theatre, Lagos.

In the United Kingdom, cervical cancer is the 12th commonest cancer in women because of

the introduction of vaccination and screening programmes, with only 850 women dying yearly (approximately 2 daily, or 6 when corrected to match Nigeria’s 200m population).

This is projected to reduce further in the next decade. The development of the vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV) was a master stroke of scientific genius coupled with the collaboration of farmers, priests and nuns, hence the title of this article.

In conclusion, Dr Orimogunje, stated that, “It is saddening that a cancer that is so easily preventable is killing thousands of women every year in Nigeria. “ This unique cancer not only has a vaccine that can prevent it but also has a treatable precursor stage which can last several years providing opportunity for treatment before cancer develops. “ As no government in

Nigeria has made any serious effort in taking any step towards preventing this most preventable cancer in Nigeria, Nigerians need to take charge of their health and stop the disease in its tracks.

“It currently costs approximately 40 to 50,000 Naira spread over six months to get fully vaccinated. This is a small amount when we compare the cost of having to treat cancer or losing a woman in the prime of their life “By killing women in their prime, cervical cancer has far greater repercussions on society than other cancers that tend to affect people more in the older age group.

“Charity organisations all over are encouraged to sponsor programs of vaccination and screening for all women to prevent this easily preventable cancer from continuing to devastate our communities.”

Hepatitis Day: Nasarawa Targets 124,000 Persons for Treatment Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia The Nasarawa State government last week said it has an ambitious target of treating about 124,000 persons of hepatitis disease in the state within five years.

The state Commissioner for Health, Ahmed Yahaya, stated this at a press conference in Lafia to commomerate the 2022 World Hepatitis Day,

adding that 18,429 persons have tested positive for disease in the state so far.

According to the commissioner, “currently, a total of 181,946 have been screened and 18,429 persons have tested positive for the disease.

“4,160 persons have been assessed for viraemia and 2,451 have been found viraemia and all have been put on treatment. Some of

them (those with HCV) have been cured.”

He continued that Nasarawa State burden of the hepatitis disease stood at about 16 percent and 13.2 percent sero-prevalence has clearly exhibited a disproportionately high preference of hepatitis B and C as compared to the national average.

“It is the high burden

of this dreaded disease in the state that led the Nasarawa State Ministry of Health with support from Clinton Health Initiative established the State’s Viral Hepatitis Control Programme (SVHCP) creating an enabling policy environment to drive access to HBV/HCV diagnostic and treatment services,” Yahaya explained.

40

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͳ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Kwara, Firm Partner to Purchase 50 Mini-buses for Transporters Hammed Shittu ÓØ ÖÙÜÓØ Kwara state government in partnership with a finance company have purchased 50 mini-buses for the road transporters as part of move to ease the transportation system in the state.

Speaking at the presentation of the vehicles to the beneficiaries, who are members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) in Ilorin, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq said that the event is the second phase of his administration’s community transport intervention project.

The governor, represented by the commissioner for Works, Iliasu Rotimi, who said that the

project is meant to ease movement of commuters, goods and services across communities in the state, added that the first phase of the intervention was launched in August, 2021 when members of TOAN benefitted from 100 tricycles that were rolled out.

He also said that the benefitting transporters are expected to pay back a sum of N3.7 million on each of the vehicles within 18 months. “This intervention worth N125m as provided by SEAP. The government on our part guarantees the facility for the benefit of our people. It is noteworthy to commend the management of SEAP has always offered our government particularly in the area of transportation.

“This is the kind of strategic partnership we have always advocated in our effort to ensure shared prosperity. We have not only invested in infrastructure, especially on road to open our communities that were hitherto neglected. We have also created direct and indirect jobs to take many of our young population out of idleness through various interventions.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Community Intervention, Kayode Oyin-Zubair, urged the transporters to make maximum use of the opportunity to improve their economic development and growth. The governor’s aide also appealed to the beneficiaries to always save money to make repayment easier.

Eterna Reports N1.58bn PBT in H1 2022 Despite a hike in the cost of sales, and foreign exchange loss, Eterna Plc has reported N1.58billion profit before tax in its half year ended June 30, 2022 unaudited result and accounts from N525.94million reported in the half year ended June 30, 2021.

The petroleum marketing company listed on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), yesterday also disclosed a profit after tax of N1.25billion in H1 2022 from N433.04million in H1 2021. The company’s cost of sale grew significantly by 50.1 per cent from N35.37billion in H1 2022 from N53.08billion reported in H1 2021. Eterna in H1 2022 reported N76.15million foreign exchange loss and in the prior

period did not witness any losses on foreign exchange transactions.

Eterna’s revenue was in a higher proportion, given the hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit in H1 2022.

The company reported N57.22 billion in revenue in H1 2022, representing an increase of 50.6 per cent from N37.99billion in H1 2021. Revenue breakdown revealed that sales on PMS grew by 57 per cent to N45.78billion in H1 2022 from N29.08billion reported in H1 2021, while sales from its lubricant grew marginally by 6.1 per cent to N7.44billion in H1 2022 from N7.01billion in H1 2021. In addition to revenue, the company reported N3.81billion from “Other” product sales

in H1 2022 from N1.07billion reported in H1 2021.

Eterna had achieved consolidated operating revenue of N82 billion compared with N58.7 billion in 2020. This was largely attributable to the improved economic activities as against the previous period. It recorded a decline in its gross profit from N5.5billion in 2020 to N4.2billion in 2021.

Addressing shareholders at a the company recent Annual General Meeting (AGM), Eterna’s Chairman, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, noted the company’s goal to be Africa’s preferred Energy Company while providing energy solutions that is efficient is still in full course.

Parallex Bank Collaborates with Kennis Music Bites to Support Lifestyles One of Nigeria’s rapidly developing commercial banks, Parallex Bank Limited has partnered with Kennis Music to launch Kennis Music Bites, a brand, social gifting, and payment platform that uses music and all the logic of engagement to celebrate mobile consumers while generating wealth empowerment through entertainment.

This partnership, according to the Managing Director of Parallex Bank, Mr. Olufemi Bakre is in line with Parallex Bank Limited’s core value of collaboration.

Addressing the audience at the launch event in Lagos, Bakre described Kennis Music as a natural partner with Parallex Bank, considering the contribution and pathfinding role of Kennis Music in the entertainment industry. In

his words, “Parallex Bank identifies with Kennis Music because they have gone all out to provide opportunities and platforms for the young and old to actualize their dreams, and this resonates with what the bank stands for.”

Bakre said because Parallex Bank is customer-centric, the bank’s commitment to enabling possibilities for everyone has made the Kennis Music Bites platform a perfect fit for the bank. He said Parallex Bank has chosen the digital platform as a path, riding within the ecosystem in which the bank has made a massive investment.

The Managing Director further said the bank is technology-driven and has seamlessly collaborated with Kennis Music to offer Nigerians an effective platform

for social gifting, marketing and payments.

He described the gold card being minted on the Kennis Music Bites app as a one-stop card that offers cardholders discounts on purchases from select stores, the ability to buy event tickets and play raffles.

Commending Parallex Bank for the partnership, the Managing Director of Kennis Music, Mr. Kenny “Keke” Ogungbe, said Parallex Bank has demonstrated love and passion for the entertainment industry and has equally expressed its commitment to enable Nigerians overcome limitations with the partnership.

He described Parallex Bank as a bank of the future, seeing its commitment to supporting innovative ideas.

Vitafoam Opens Mega Showroom to Boost Earnings A renowned distributor of Vitafoam products, S.K Sadim Enterprise has been officially opened as a mega showroom to enhance distribution of Vitafoam’s products nationwide, boost its profitability and shareholder value.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vitafoam’s Commercial Director, Sola Owoade said that vitafoam had always collaborated and supported its distributors to expand sales and satisfy the customers’ diverse needs.

“The Idea of dedicating the ground floor for the wholesale and a place for the showroom

in S.K Sadim enterprise came from Vitafoam. We have moved from the traditional to a more innovative way of selling products. Prospective buyers have an opportunity to look at what they want in the showroom before purchasing the product. We shall c to leverage Technology and Research to meet the yearning needs of our customers. We are looking at expanding the scope of our dealers than retailers across Nigeria., We have always created healthy competition among our distributors and distinguished ones are rewarded, ”said Owoade Corroborating him, the Chief

Executive Officer of S.K Sadim Enterprise, Samson Ajibulu, expressed gratitude to Vitafoam for supporting the company as an authorized distributor.

“I am grateful for this privilege as S.k Sadim is crowned the mega showroom of vitafoam I advise other co-distributors to follow suit through dedication to duty. We are committed to supporting Vitafoam as a major brand, associated with quality products and services. I urge the governments at all tiers to patronize Vitafoam’s products and create enabling environment for upcoming enterprises in Nigeria to thrive, “said Ajibulu.

L-R: Country Manager, Zoho Technologies, Ogundare Kehinde, receiving the Business Productivity Solutions Provider of the Year Award, from Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Dean, Executive Chairmen of SUBEBs in Nigeria, Hon. Wahab Alawiye-King, at the Titans of Tech Awards 2022, which held in Lagos...recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JUNE 2022 Money Supply (M3)

48,865,823.53

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

167,956.2

Money Supply (M2)

48,797,867.32

-- Quasi Money

28,405,330.1

-- Narrow Money (M1)

20,392,537.22

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,722,785.91

---- Demand Deposits

17,669,751.32

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

6,242,394.29

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

42,623,429.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

57,267,178.05

---- Credit to Government (Net)

17,996,690.06

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

39,270,488

--Other Assets Net

5,566,430

Reserve Money (Base Money

11,320,304

--Currency in Circulation

3,259,269.15

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,320,303.72 384,377.56

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

June 2022

Inter-Bank Call Rate

11.10

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

13.00

Treasury Bill Rate

2.45

Savings Deposit Rate

1.38

1 Month Deposit Rate

3.48

3 Months Deposit Rate

4.55

6 Months Deposit Rate

4.97

12 Months Deposit Rate

5.30

Prime Lending rate

12.29

Maximum Lending Rate

27.61

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͵

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

41

T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ Ͳ˜ ͰͮͰͰ

CWG, CustomerXPs Unveil Software to Tackle Cybercrime in Financial Institutions Kayode Tokede CWG Plc disclosed that it is partnering with CustomerXPs to unveiled Clari5, a sophisticated software that creates real-time intelligent solutions that empower financial institutions with deeper customer engagement and fraudfree transactions.

Speaking recently at a briefing with newsmen in Lagos, the Chief Technology Officer, CWG, Moruf Yusuf, revealed that the

partnership with CustomerXPs started in 2019 in a bid to ensure cyber-crime is tackled in Nigeria’s financial sector.

While stating that the partnership was overdue, Yusuf noted that the two companies have been able to onboard one of the largest financial institutions in Nigeria, adding that it currently has three Ghanaian banks on its platform.

According to him, “Beyond that, we have actually done so many Proof of Concepts (POCs)

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

and we are sure that before the end of this year, we are going to add more logos to the list of clients that we have.

“We are also in discussions with other banks in Nigeria too to see how we can bring them on our platform. We are able to do this because we have a solution that can prevent fraud in real time online. Other solution competitors in this space do not have the kind of superior technology that we have and for that our clients are

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

happy that they came onboard with us.”

He explained that the software which has been brought in a short time meets not only the customers’ needs but also regulators’ requirement.

He said, “We have also been able to customize our solution to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s requirements.

Beyond that, we have good local support and interestingly, we are not affected by the dollar

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

regime and because of this unique partnership, we are able to accept local currency payments. We are also connected to all the payment channels so that if any transaction is to take place, we are the first to know and to determine if it is fraudulent or not”.

Corroborating Yusuf, the Chief Executive Officer, CustomerXPs Software, Rivi Varghese, said the software is connected to everything in the financial institutions starting from mobile,

O F

0 3

internet banking, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), banking hall amongst others and added that the software is constructed in a way to identify details of the customers before agreeing to a transaction. “When the details of the customer do not correspond or when there are too many enquiries on the customers’ details or there is a suspicion on the transaction, it automatically blocks the account of the customers to ensure it is not hacked.

/ 8 / 2 0 2 2 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

42

THURSDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

ʬ ʬ

ʬ

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R O X P H

7 R S * D LQ H U V T ic k er

T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

P ric e C hg %

UB N

5.50

10.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

22.7

9.5%

M ULT IVER SE

1.88

9.9%

F LOUR M ILL

18.9

0.0%

UC A P

11.10

9.9%

UB A

15.6

5.9%

T R A N SC OR P

1.12

9.8%

FB NH

15.2

0.0%

21.95

9.8%

D EA P C A P

11.4

0.0% 5.0%

N GXGR OUP F ID ELIT YB K

3.18

9.7%

GT C O

11.0

J A P A ULGOLD

0.23

9.5%

F ID ELIT YB K

10.4

9.7%

Z EN IT H B A N K

20.70

9.5%

UA C N

8.9

8.7%

IN T B R EW

5.35

9.2%

UC A P

7.9

9.9%

UA C N

11.20

8.7%

A C C ESSC OR P

7.3

5.9%

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D O X H

7 R S / R V H U V T ic k er

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

PZ

8.50

-9.6%

F LOUR M ILL

575.1

0.0%

C A VER T ON

1.00

-9.1%

Z EN IT H B A N K

459.3

9.5%

WEM A B A N K

3.29

-8.4%

M TNN

245.3

5.3%

-7.5%

GT C O

215.3

5.0%

FB NH

164.8

0.0%

A C A D EM Y

1.85

C OUR T VILLE

0.40

-7.0%

LIN KA SSUR E

0.54

-6.9%

UB A

108.1

5.9%

UA C N

94.7

8.7%

C H A M P ION

3.65

-5.2%

ET ER N A

6.20

-4.6%

N EST LE

93.4

0.0%

6.50

-4.4%

GUIN N ESS

88.3

0.0%

1.15

-4.2%

UC A P

84.6

9.9%

C UST OD IA N LIVEST OC K

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

Vo lum e

P ric e

Investment Research

Brokerage

Asset Management

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu | dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

43

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

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

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

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 02Aug-2022, unless otherwise stated.

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

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

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

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 192.44 193.59 14.52% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.59% Nigeria International Debt Fund 309.15 309.15 6.79% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 104.85 106.00 6.27% 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 100.00 100.00 4.98% Anchoria Equity Fund 140.28 141.86 0.74% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.20 1.20 4.49% info@anchoriaam.com 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 21.67 22.33 6.84% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 514.19 529.69 13.97% ARM Ethical Fund 43.18 44.48 10.83% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.07 1.08 -0.58% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 3.56% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.64% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com; Tel 08069294653 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 102.05 102.05 4.97% AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Naira 1,092.17 1,092.17 9.22% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.08 2.08 2.65% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.33 2.39 12.97% CAPITALTRUST INVESTMENTS AND ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED halalfif@capitaltrustnigeria.com Web: www.capitaltrustnigeria.com; Tel: 08061458806 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Capitaltrust Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 4.96% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.88% Paramount Equity Fund 19.64 20 12.61% Women's Investment Fund 148.64 150.48 4.68% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.85% Cordros Milestone Fund 133.51 134.44 7.19% Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 110.48 110.48 4.96% CORONATION ASSETS MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com, Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A Coronation Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 7.43% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.35% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,112.29 1,128.78 -0.03% EMERGING AFRICA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@emergingafricafroup.com Web:www.emergingafricagroup.com/emerging-africa-asset-management-limited/, Tel: 08039492594 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Emerging Africa Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.10% Emerging Africa Bond Fund 1.03 1.03 6.40% Emerging Africa Balanced Diversity Fund 1.04 1.04 14.48% Emerging Africa Eurobond Fund 102.91 102.91 4.84% FBNQUEST ASSETS MANAGEMENT LIMITED invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Dollar Fund (Retail) N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 5.18% Legacy Debt Fund 3.81 3.81 -4.85% Legacy Equity Fund 1.91 1.94 9.61% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.24 1.24 2.41% 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 Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

4,079.33 3,594.82 100.00

4,135.77 3,594.82 100.00

8.05% 6.22% 9.29%

FSDH Dollar Fund 1.11 1.11 3.98% 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 5.44% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.87 2.92 -3.90% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 6.00% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 141.67 141.67 3.38% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.26 1.30 -1.61% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.05 1.05 4.47% 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 1.59 1.62 12.13% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,157.70 1,157.70 5.49% 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 12.39 12.45 13.43% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.38% NORRENBERGER INVESTMENT AND CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIMITED enquiries@norrenberger.com Web: www.norrenberger.com, Tel: +234 (0) 908 781 2026 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Norrenberger Islamic Fund (NIF) 101.57 101.57 2.17% Norrenberger Money Market Fund (NMMF) 100.00 100.00 7.99% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 126.74 129.10 4.45% 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 1.05 1.05 9.25% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,636.85 3,678.88 7.47% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 240.33 240.33 2.02% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.45 1.48 16.27% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 323.60 323.61 3.35% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 269.23 273.40 15.47% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.46% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 11,935.94 12,105.09 9.43% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.33 1.33 2.95% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 119.21 119.21 1.97% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 111.05 111.05 4.40% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD unitedcapitalplcgroup.com Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Equity Fund 0.99 1.01 11.04% United Capital Balanced Fund 1.34 1.36 2.62% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.15 1.17 11.55% United Capital Sukuk Fund 1.07 1.07 4.23% United Capital Fixed Income Fund 1.90 1.90 3.74% United Capital Eurobond Fund 122.27 122.27 3.21% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.83% 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 Balanced Strategy Fund 13.80 13.93 4.66% Zenith ESG Impact Fund 16.15 16.32 10.51% Zenith Income Fund 22.90 22.90 4.32% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.58% VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD funds@vetiva.com Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund 3.76 3.86 -6.10% Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund 5.74 5.84 -1.74% Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund 18.56 18.76 4.90% Vetiva Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.01% Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund 19.67 19.87 -1.58% Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund 150.84 152.84 -4.36%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

117.96 51.82

4.16% 1.90%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

14.42 136.35 105.67 17.10 16.40

14.52 139.64 107.92 17.20 16.50

3.10% 7.21% 5.89% 20.56% -4.20%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.59

12.10%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

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

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

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THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ DAY Ͳ˜ 2022

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IMAGES

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

L-R: Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN); President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Oluwole Adeosun; and Chief Executive Officer, NGX, Mr. Temi Popoola, during a courtesy visit by the NGX team to CIS in Lagos...recently

L-R: Past District Governor, District 9110 Rotary Nigeria, Dr. Kamoru Omotosho; President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rotarian Augustine Irabor; Assistant Governor, District 9110 Rotary Nigeria, Rotarian Soboma Ajumogobia; and the immediate-past President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Rotarian Uche Obienu, at the investiture of Rotarian Irabor as the 38th president of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi, held in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Manager, Brands and Communications, Ardova Plc, Arinola Shobande (middle), and workshop participants at the ‘My Story of Energy Project’ in partnership with Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative sponsored by Ardova Plc at a training in Ogun State...recently

L-R: Executive Director, Women’s Right to Education Programme, Mimidoo Achakpa; Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Ene Obi; and co-Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, James Ugochukwu, at a press conference on the state of security in Nigeria, held in Abuja...recently PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

L-R: Chairman, Kennis Communications Limited, Mr. Kenny Ogungbe; Matriarch of Dokpesi Family, Mrs. Mojisola Dokpesi; President, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada; Managing Director, Parallex Bank Limited, Mr. Olufemi Bakre; and co-Chairman, Primetime Entertainment, Mr. Dayo Adeneye, during the launch of Kennis Music Bites in Lagos...recently

L-R: Marketing Specialist, inq.Digital Nigeria, Adedamola Ojomo; Miss Linda Enoh of Faith Academy; Digital Marketing Specialist, inq.Digital Nigeria, Gbenga Olaoye; Miss Esther David of Faith Academy; Chief Financial Officer, inq.Digital Nigeria, Patricia Aiyedun (middle); Marketing Manager, inq.Digital Nigeria, Martina Ogbebor, (second right); Vice Principal, Academics, Faith Academy, Mrs. Victoria Adebayo; Editor, e-Business Life Nigeria, Chidiebere Nwankwo; and Faith Academy students during the facility tour of inq. Digital Nigeria in Ikoyi, Lagos…recently

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2022

FOCUS Caging Insecurity: Situating Gen. Buratai’s New Recipe As guest lecturer at a recent symposium on National Security, organised by Arewa House in Kaduna, former Chief of Army Staff and current Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, pitched for negotiation as a resolution option with armed non-state actors. Louis Achi examines the new recipe

F

or three tough years, Rome had besieged the City of Carthage which was the only existential threat to the Roman Empire thereabouts 142 BC, until the coming of the Vandals several centuries later.

As the battle-hardened Roman General Scipio Africanus who took the city finally in 146 BC watched it burn in complete destruction, he suddenly broke down and wept. It was a shocking spectacle for his troops to behold. Crying for a defeated enemy or pitching for some benign accommodation was an indulgence unknown in that era.

Scipio’s emotional reaction to this particular conclusion of a historic, bloody campaign stemmed from a deep philosophical apprehension that all cities, nations, and authorities must, like men, meet their doom.

In a fundamental sense, General Scipio’s tough exploits and later philosophical sentiments about the enemy echo that of Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and current Ambassador to the Benin Republic, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai. By boldly proposing an alternative engagement modus with nonstate actors who have actively sought and are still seeking to bring the nation to her knees and fracture her sovereignty, General Buratai presents a compelling case deserving specific interrogation.

It could be recalled that following his appointment in July 2015 as COAS by President Muhammadu Buhari until he exited in 2021, Lt. Gen. Buratai had besieged the Boko Haram terrorist group and other potent armed non-state actors who posed considerable existential threat to the nation. He led from the front, amidst grueling, multifarious challenges and left with head held high.

Lt. Gen. Buratai had on June 11, 2022, called for dialogue between governments and armed groups, saying a growing practice of engaging in dialogue with all parties to a conflict had emerged since the mid-1980s. He observed that there must be concerted efforts that there are no ungoverned spaces in the land.

He urged state and local governments to establish their presence in their areas of responsibility. According to him, negotiation and dialogue are integrated approaches that can end insecurity by involving traditional and religious leaders, media, security and intelligence agencies.

The former Army boss spoke as a guest lecturer at a one-day symposium on National Security, organised by the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Centre for Historical Research and Documentation, Arewa House Kaduna, with the theme ‘Politics and Insecurity in Nigeria: Way Forward’.

Significantly, he further noted that he aligned with the approach being promoted by a revered Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi, seen by many as controversial. His words: “This is where I commend Sheikh Gumi for his initiative. One-third of the fight is military; others should be non-kinetic, through dialogue. We must get this solution and this is the right time to get it done.”

Buratai further suggested the revitalisation of the Defense Industries Corporation of Nigeria, better welfare and equipment for police, as well as the establishment of a national border force as done in other parts of the world.

According to him, the issue of the

Buratai

carrot and stick approach can be used to explore ways to end some of the conflicts confronting Nigeria, counselling the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to collaborate and employ all means to block off supplies to terrorists.

He also held that “the ongoing reforms of the Nigerian Police, procurement of modern platforms for intelligence gathering, and effective control of Nigeria’s porous borders will go a long way” in curbing various forms of insecurity in different parts of the country such as insurgency in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, agitations in South East and crude oil bunkering in South-South.”

The one day event was graced by heads of military and paramilitary organisations, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar who was represented, university dons, religious leaders, serving and retired military office and prominent Nigerians from diverse walks of life.

Is it conceivable that General Buratai’s diplomatic tour of duty may have mellowed the tough soldier’s appetite for frontal confrontation, or on the other hand, tweaked his philosophy of engagement? Big question!

According to Italian-American Professor of International Relations, Angelo M. Codevilla, “By their very nature, diplomacy and military force are means to the ends of statecraft as well as channels by which governments press their agendas on others. Neither is inherently more or less useful than the other.

“Far from being antithetical to one another, diplomacy and military force are complementary insofar as they serve the same political ends. “What are we after? What are they after?”

These questions are as central to warfare as to diplomacy.”

In dissecting General Buratai’s new recipe of caging bloody insecurity, it needs to be stated that current armed conflict in Nigeria is characterised by an abundance of non-state armed

“The ongoing reforms of the Nigerian Police, procurement of modern platforms for intelligence gathering, and effective control of Nigeria’s porous borders will go a long way” in curbing various forms of insecurity in different parts of the country such as insurgency in the North East, banditry and kidnapping in the North West, agitations in South East and crude oil bunkering in South-South.”

groups who compete with the state for control over people, resources, and territory. The composition, areas of influence, and alliances of these groups tend to be fluid and subject to rapid change. This essentially captures the strategy of Boko Haram insurgents.

Beyond this, the internal dynamics within them are often opaque, providing limited opportunities for outsiders to develop an understanding of their interests and to identify opportunities for negotiation. Humanitarian actors, diplomats, and mediators must nevertheless engage these groups if they are to succeed in reducing levels of violence, bring an end to the conflict, or provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities.

Before these negotiations can begin, however, opportunities have to be found or created to bring armed groups to the negotiating table - whether literal or figurative. But then these groups need to be first incentivized.

The most effective incentive for armed groups to negotiate usually relates instead to legitimacy. But careful analysis is needed to ensure these groups enter negotiations in good faith rather than being content to simply appear to negotiate. Opportunities are likely to be scarce for engaging armed groups that derive their legitimacy by violating international norms. Armed groups may also be compelled to negotiate over their desire for humanitarian assistance to substitute for their own responsibilities.

Positive inducements, then, are usually a more effective means of getting armed groups to the negotiating table. The most effective incentive for armed groups usually relates to their need for legitimacy. Many armed groups serve as de facto governments often overseeing a range of government-like services, such as health or education departments.

Others have even established putataive sub-national governance structures and often aspire to hold post-conflict leadership positions.

In a significant sense ‘conference diplomacy,’ a term coined by the defunct League of Nations, can contribute to conflict prevention by providing a forum for negotiation over the terms of a conflict’s conclusion, as well as laying the ground for the development of sustainable peace.

As part of the diplomatic toolbox, it allows focused attention to the issue at hand, brings together all relevant actors - ideally in a neutral setting and by a trusted convener - and fosters both momentum as well as a clear deadline for action.

At press time, it cannot be disputed that the nation badly needs an end to the current bloodletting, brazen banditry and kidnapping daily going on. Today, food insecurity, direct fallout from the rampaging banditry, is glaringly real.

Is Gen. Buratai the man who saw tomorrow?

Could the tough Roman General Scipio Africanus’ fleetingly gripping insight into the core of the human condition have influenced his Nigerian counterpart, General Buratai, eons later, to reconsider the traditional kinetic engagement with enemies. Has General Buratai, peering into the twilight zone of his eventful life, morphed into a statesman or become a soldier-statesman? Time will tell.

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022 • T H I S D AY

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THURSDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

FORTY-EIGHT

NBC Fines DSTV, TSTV, NTA, Trust TV N20m over Documentary on Banditry IPC slams FG over penalties Oluchi Chibuzor The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has imposed a fine of N5 million each on Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners of DSTV, TelCom Satellite Limited (TSTV) and NTA-Startimes Limited for broadcasting a documentary by

the BBC Africa Eye titled, “Bandits Warlords of Zamfara.”

In addition, Trust Television Network (Trust TV) was also fined N5 million for the broadcast of another documentary titled, “Nigeria’s Banditry: The Inside Story,” which was aired by the station on March 5, 2022.

The NBC disclosed this in a statement titled, ‘NBC Sanction PayTV Platforms,’ issued yesterday and signed by its Director-General, Balarabe Shehu Illela.

Last Thursday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had said the federal government would sanction Trust

TV and BBC for, “terrorism glorification” in their documentaries.

Mohammed had said the federal government was aware of the “unprofessional” documentary by the BBC Africa Eye, where interviews were granted to bandit warlords and terror gangs, thereby promoting “terror” in the country.

While appreciating the need of educating, informing, and enlightening the public on issues bordering on developments and happenings within and outside the country, the commission advised broadcasters to be circumspect and deliberate in the choice and carriage of contents deleterious to Nigeria’s

national security.

Consequently, the NBC said airing and carriage of the documentaries contravened the provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, Sixth edition.

The relevant sections cited Continued on page 50

OSHIOMHOLE: TINUBU CAN’T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR BUHARI’S PERFORMANCE before Nigerians.

However, Oshiomhole, a former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), stressed that Tinubu should not be blamed for Buhari’s performance, as the former Lagos State governor never participated in governance at any level in the current federal administration. He stressed that it would be unfair for anyone to hold Tinubu responsible for the performance, policies, and policy implementation of the current government.

Speaking on the controversy surrounding the choice of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by APC, which had generated much debate, the former APC national chairman urged Nigerians to focus on the future of the country. He said Nigeria’s challenges were beyond religion,

adding that religion cannot really be a problem for the country.

Oshiomhole believed Nigerians should spend more time discussing the qualities of the presidential candidates, particularly, their ability to do things differently in order to expect a different outcome.

“I think these are the issues and given the situation we are in currently, in terms of the economy and security, we should devote time to discuss such national issues,” Oshiomhole stated. “Evidence exists that Nigeria was probably at its best when religion didn’t feature under the military rule and thereafter,” he added.

The former labour leader made a case for Tinubu, stating that he has a Christian wife whom he has been married to for over 40 years and did not force her

to adopt his religion.

He said, “If we have a MuslimMuslim ticket, will that affect the freedom of worship, if the answer is yes, then there’s a serious issue and vice versa.

Presently, Christians and Muslims worship freely, so why should it be a problem for anyone?”

Oshiomhole accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of mismanaging the country to the extent that after their defeat, there was an open debate and banner headlines in newspapers about contemplations by PDP leaders to change the name of the party.

He stressed that Buhari inherited a terrible economic situation, saying progress has been made in many areas, even as new challenges have also emerged, some of which are external to the country.

Speaking on the security situation in the country, Oshiomhole said the size of the armed forces should be doubled as the Nigerian population had quadrupled, and considering the current challenges around the world and within the country.

He also called for a review of the security architecture.

Oshiomhole said, “I do not understand why we should have separate outfits for civil defence corps and the Federal Road Safety Corps. I have travelled to many countries, and I have not seen the multiplicity of agencies.

“I believe that given the level of able young men and women, there are a lot of Nigerians who can be of help, if properly employed.”

He emphasised that everything he said was his own views and not that of APC.

FG APPROVES PPP FOR BADAGRY DEEP SEAPORT, TO GENERATE $53.6BN port would revert to the federal government through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), adding that the government was expecting to generate revenue of $53.6 billion over the 45 years concession period.

"The project cost as contained and approved in council based on the final business case as approved by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in line with extant laws stood at $2.59 billion.

"It has to be developed in four phases with milestones and the concessional period of 45 years.

“Reversion is, like I said, to the Federal Government of Nigeria. This is to further the government's goal of making Nigeria the maritime hub of the West and Central Africa sub-region.

"This project, it may interest you to know, will also generate a total revenue of over $53.6 billion over the concession period. It will create about one quarter million jobs and also attract foreign direct investments to the country and help in improving Nigeria's economy in general and the wellbeing of Nigerians," he said.

Also, the federal government has reacted to public outcry over Nigeria's support to Niger Republic through purchase of security vehicles, saying its procurement of 10 security vehicles for the neighbouring country at a cost of N1.145 billion was in the overall interest of Nigeria.

There had been criticisms over federal government's generosity to the neighbouring country as some have questioned why such money should be given to Niger Republic, when public universities in Nigerian remained closed for over ive months over the inability of the government to meet up with the demands of staff.

President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the release of the fund on the 22nd of February, 2022, while the contract to supply the 10 units of Toyoya Land Cruisers was awarded to IFO Kaura Motors Nig. Limited.

Commenting on the issue, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, argued that even though Nigerians have the right to question the gesture, Buhari, who approved the purchase also has the right to make his own assessment on situations and act accordingly.

Also answering reporters' questions after the FEC meeting presided over by the president at the State House, Abuja, the minister said Nigeria has a policy of assisting

its neighbours to strengthen capacity to deal with insecurity.

"Let me just say that overtime, Nigeria has had to support its neighbours especially, the immediate neighbours to enhance their capacity to secure their countries as it relates to us. This is not the first time that Nigeria had assisted Niger Republic, Cameroon or Chad.

“The president makes an assessment as to what is required based on the request of their presidents.

Such requests are approved and interventions are provided. It is to enhance their capacity to protect their countries, as it relates to security and also to Nigeria.

“Nigerians have the rights to ask questions, but also the President has the responsibility to make an assessment of what is in the best interest of the country and I cannot question the decision myself. I have said that this is not the first time and that Nigeria as a country, has provided an intervention to our neighbours. It is in the best interest of Nigeria to do so," she said.

On the memo presented by her ministry at the council meeting, Ahmed said, "Today (Wednesday), the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning presented a policy memo to Council and the memo is on the National Monitoring and Evaluation policy for the country.

"The policy defines a framework for the institutionalisation of the practice of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) to promote good governance, learning and accountability for results that will contribute to improve socio-economic development of the country and enhance the wellbeing of citizens.”

Also, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, said Council approved the procurement of utility vehicles and accessories worth N2.68 billion for use by security agencies in Abuja as recent breaches of security continue to heighten anxiety in the federal capital, adding that the procurement include 60 Ford Ranger four-wheelers equipped with relevant gadgets, to be supplied by Coscharis motors, at a cost of N1.83 billion within two months.

The second part of the contract was for E&S Tech Limited to supply various gadgets and accessories to support security agencies in the FCT, at a cost of N847.13million.

The minister also said although the approval of the purchases was a regular gesture from government, it coincided with the aftermath of

recent unprecedented security challenges in Abuja, including a major prison break and attack on presidential guards by terrorists.

"Today at the Federal Executive Council, I presented a memo for the procurement of utility vehicles, and security gadgets and associated accessories to support the security agencies operating within the Federal Capital Territory.

“These items are 60 utility vehicles to be supplied by Coscharis Motors Limited, including communication equipment installed in the vehicles at the sum of N1,835,108,613.95 with a delivery period of two months.

"In addition to that, Council also approved supply of various security gadgets and accessories to support

security agencies in the FCT and the company providing these items is Messrs E&S Technical Limited at the total sum of N847,139,764.57, making the total of these two procurements the sum of N2,682,248,378.52."

Answering questions on the concern raised by some civil society groups that the worsening insecurity in the country may affect the 2023 election, Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said nothing would stop next year's general election.

His words: "There will be election I can assure you. The president has said he has given the security all the needed support. The Service Chiefs are doing their best and will continue to do their best."

Buhari's Failure in Security, Economy Make Tinubu Unmarketable, Says Atiku Group

Meanwhile, TAME boasted that its presidential candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, would garner over 60 per cent of the votes in Ekiti State in the 2023 general election.

The group warned APC against being carried away by the euphoria of victory recorded in the June 18 governorship poll in the Ekiti State. It said the insecurity and state of the economy had left Tinubu without qualities that could attract the votes of Nigerians.

The group mocked the President Muhammadu Buhari government for failing in the critical areas of security and economy.

Chairman of TAME and exDeputy Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Sikiru Lawal, who spoke yesterday in Ado-Ekiti during a meeting of TAME's local government coordinators, urged all PDP groups to coalesce for the actualisation of Atiku's presidency.

Lawal said, "We have coordinators in all the 177 wards and we will soon appoint the coordinators across 2,445 units to galvanise support for our candidate. We did poorly in the governorship election in Ekiti because the PDP preparation was poor. But we are going to win Ekiti election for the presidency.

"We have realised our mistakes and the result was as a result of internal wrangling. We are working hard at the unit and ward levels. We will salvage the situation.

"There is no party without rancour, we are going to come together.

“The unemployment, insecurity and the bad state of the economy have made Asiwaju Tinubu unsellable to Nigerians.

"We are going to change the “change”, because the APC change has brought hardship and bloodshed to Nigerians. PDP is targeting 60 per cent of the votes cast in Ekiti because the Nigerian citizens are tired of the APC-led government and they are ready to vote them out."

Lawal said Atiku would be easy to market because he had a well-encapsulated agenda, competence, as well as mental capacity to transform the country and, particularly, rescue the populace from the current stranglehold of insecurity.

He stated, "Nobody is happy with the current situation. Is it about youth unemployment, inflation, inability to buy ordinary bread, petrol and diesel. I’m sure that even the APC and Labour Party members will vote for Atiku in this coming election.

"To us in this group, we are urging Nigerians to wait and vote the APC out, rather than impeachment process against the president because the impeachment kite might be a game plan."

Former Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Kola Oluwawole, said TAME would harness the human resources available in Ekiti PDP and other parties to mobilise for Atiku across the 2,445 units and the 16 local government areas of the state.

NLNG SUFFERS $7BN YEAR-TO-DATE REVENUE LOSS DUE TO GAS SUPPLY SHORTAGES per cent year-to-date availability while utilisation hovers around 68 per cent.

He said the data between the 99.4 per cent availability and the 68 per cent utilisation at the moment, which was equivalent to $7 billion revenue, was part of the effect of the critical oil and gas pipelines that were shut down due to insecurity at the facilities.

He stated that the unavailability of important gas pipelines like the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline and the lack of gas pipelines in the eastern corridor for distribution were impacting negatively on their production.

He lamented that even the TransNiger Pipeline (TNP) which is the main artery in the eastern region, had been shut down since March with no clue as to when be back on stream.

Falade said, "I've spoken eloquently about the AKK Pipeline.

In the eastern corridor, we also don't have enough pipeline distribution pipeline. But the ones that we have, what has happened to them? Today, Trans-Niger Pipeline, which is the main artery in the eastern region, had been down since March. We don't know when it's going to come back.

"As a result of that, I don't have gas in the LNG to run my plants.

Currently trending 99.4 per cent year-to-date availability, my utilisation is moving around 68 per cent.

"The data between that 68 per cent and the 99.4 per cent is equivalent of almost $7 billion revenue today, which would have found its way into our economy, which would have helped our government in a cash constrained world. And

I'm not talking about the impact of upstream.

"So what is the guarantee around the security of even the pipeline that we have? And everybody has a role to play in that: government, security agencies, have a role to play."

He added that based on the work done by the Decade of Gas policy, there was a clear three billion cubic feet (3BCF) gap between gas demand and supply, raising doubts about to bridge that gap considering the lack of infrastructure and investment.

Falade pointed out that the challenge around lack of gas transportation infrastructure to guarantee sufficient supply of gas which had been designated as Nigeria's transition fuel was a major challenge in achieving energy transition.

In his contribution the moderator of the panel and Managing Director of Heirs Oil & Gas Limited, the upstream arm of Tony Elumelu's TNOG Oil & Gas, Mr. Osayande Igiehon, said insecurity at the company’s operational base led to the company's crude production falling to three per cent in December 2021.

In a deal worth $1.1 billion, TNOG Oil & Gas Limited had in January 2021, bought the 45 per cent stake in OML 17 and associated infrastructure, from three oil majors -Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), TotalEnergies and Eni, who held 30 per cent, 10 per cent and five per cent interests respectively.

Announcing the completion of the deal at the time, SPDC had stated that OML 17 had a current production capacity of 27,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and, 2P

reserves of 1.2 billion barrels of oil equivalent, with an additional one billion barrels of oil equivalent resources of further exploration potential.

Businessman and Chairman Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony Elumelu, had bemoaned the fact that Nigeria was losing over 95 per cent of its oil production to thieves.

Also lamenting the challenge his company and many others were facing in dealing with security of production facilities and losses in the Niger Delta, Igiehon said the problem has reached an existential level.

He added, "We acquired the asset, OML 17, in middle of January 2021. We took operational control by first of July. In that month of July when we took over, from what we acquired, the reconciliation of what we get at the terminal was 65 per cent.

"In December of 2020, it was about 85 per cent. In January, it was 65 per cent; by December (2021), we got three per cent. So, that caused us and many other companies to shut down."

Igiehon said a lot of work was being done on different levels by all stakeholders including the government and oil companies to address the challenge, noting that the impact of the insecurity has gone beyond oil.

According to him, "Because you cannot evacuate the liquids that come from oil: condensates and any water, we are having to shut down our gas plants. And because you cannot produce gas, no electricity.

And because you cannot produce electricity, you go back to diesel and firewood. So, we are a kind

of just stepping back.

"So, it's an existential problem for all of us, and it's not a question of pointing fingers. It's a question that we all need to stand up as leaders and players and do whatever it is in our box to ensure that this is addressed."

On his part, the Director, New Energies, Seplat Energy Plc, Mr. Effiong Okon, representing the company's Managing Director, Mr. Roger Brown, joined the federal government and other industry stakeholders in the call for the rest of the world to grant Africa a balanced and just energy transition.

Okon noted that there was the need to balance de-carbonisation with development, adding that: “Global warming and climate volatility are existential threats to humanity and nature. The world needs to accelerate efforts to achieve net-zero and mitigate warming effects.”

He said, "Africa’s climate, agriculture and people will suffer most in the coming decades. The problem has been caused by emissions from developed-world countries that have enjoyed their ‘carbon privilege’ and built strong economies on fossil fuels.

“However, we need to consider the reality in the continent. Poverty, hunger, unemployment, population growth abound here. Africa contributes just 3.3 per cent of global emissions. Most Africans (600 million) lack access to reliable energy, which hampers development. Use of inefficient and costly diesel, petrol generators saps financial resources, drains foreign exchange and creates pollution."

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EDO TO IMMORTALISE LATE MUSIC MAESTRO ...

L-R: Acting Chairman, Osayomore Joseph Burial Committee, Segun Alile; Prince Abiodun Eguakhide; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and Mrs. Osayuwame Ahonsi, during a courtesy visit by friends and family members of Late Osayomore Joseph, at the Government House in Benin City...yesterday

Varsities Unions’ Strike: Two Weeks after Buhari’s Ultimatum, Ngige Says FG Awaiting Education Minister's Report Gives reason for not referring dispute to arbitration panel Sack Education Minister now, NANS tells president Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige yesterday said the federal government was still expecting the Ministry of Education to conclude and submit the outcome of negotiations with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other university-based unions.

The minister said this same day the two weeks ultimatum President Muhammadu Buhari had given the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, to resolve the ongoing strike by ASUU and other university-based unions.

Speaking further, Ngige also gave reason why his ministry adopted voluntary conciliation for the resolution of the strike by ASUU instead of arbitration, saying it did so in order to hasten the resolution process.

Ngige disclosed these while answering questions from journalists at the Joint Workshop on International Labour Standards and Dispute Resolutions, Organised by the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Abuja.

The minister said he could have transmitted the matter to the IAP or the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), but used his discretion to weigh the situation to know if it would cause more delay in the resolution of the dispute in a court process.

He recalled that ASUU embarked on strike on February 14 and he

started voluntary conciliation on February 22 and subsequently on March 1.

According to him, by the second meeting most of the issues arising from the 2020 Memorandum of Action (MOA) signed between ASUU and the Ministry of Education with other government agencies involved were conciliated, leaving out only two.

Ngige explained: "The two outstanding issues were the conditions of service, which according to the 2009 agreement would be reviewed every four years. The last review was in 2013 and we started the review in 2018 under Wale Babalakin as the chairman of the renegotiation committee.

We could not conclude because Babalakin left.

"A new committee headed by Munzali came. Munzali finished his work and put in his report at the Federal Ministry of Education.

All these committees including the previous Onosode committee were all internal committees of the Ministry of Education. They discuss with the unions and give them offers and counter offers visa-vis what they have said. Once the committees finished, their products are sent up.

"The major issue here is salary and wage review. That was where they were before ASUU embarked on strike."

While explaining his role in the ASUU strike saga, Ngige said once a strike occurs, it triggers the content of the Trade Dispute Act (TDA) on how to resolve the industrial action.

He said the Ministry of Education was still handling the matter because he transmitted it back to them.

"If a party wants us to transmit a matter back to them to have a second look, you assist them.

That is what you call voluntary conciliation. It is voluntary because if I apprehend and bring all the parties to the negotiation table and a party requests that I should take the matter to NICN, I will do so,” he said.

Earlier in a keynote address, Ngige described the workshop as one of the reforms ongoing

in his ministry as hitherto, some arbitrators have not fully understood the tenets of the panel(IAP) and were handicapped in discharging their duties.

He described arbitration as one of the statutory stages in trade dispute resolution commencing with internal mechanisms where they exist in any organisation, proceeding to mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, with the Appeal Court as the final arbiter.

In a welcome address, the Chief Registrar of IAP, Abduhamid Ibrahim, said the purpose of the

merchant banking subsector and continues to drive the evolution of its market position through the launch of bespoke customer-centric products/solutions and innovations to improve value propositions and meet the specific needs of its clients.”

“The bank’s capitalisation is considered sound, with capital adequacy ratio maintained above regulatory threshold of 10%” as at December 2021, reinforcing the headroom for risk asset growth and overall balance sheet capacity.”

Nova Merchant Bank maintains stable funding and adequate liquidity.

According to GCR, Nova’s funding structure is predominantly made up of deposits.

following the minister’s failure to resolve the strike within the two weeks ultimatum handed down

by Buhari.

The NANS National President, Sunday Asefon, in a statement, yesterday, said incapability to resolve the crisis by Adamu smacked of ineptitude and gross incompetence to handle such a pivotal Ministry.

Asefon bemoaned that ASUU had gone on strike for a cumulative period of 18 months within the seven years Adamu has been superintending over the Ministry.

Continued online

UNICEF: 85% of Nigerian School Children Suffer Violence Under Guise of Discipline Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has decried the ill treatment meted on school children, saying 85 per cent of them between the ages of one and 14 experience violent discipline in schools, with nearly one in every three children experiencing severe physical punishment.

UNICEF’s Chief of Education, Saadhna Panday-Soobrayan, disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, at a two-day National Awareness Creation Meeting on Ending Corporal Punishment in schools, organised by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, (TRCN) in collaboration with UNICEF.

Panday-Soobrayan described the discussion on ending corporal punishment in schools as, “difficult and heart-breaking,” stating that the presence of participants at the meeting was a testament to Nigeria’s determination to uphold every child’s right to safety, well-being and quality, inclusive education.

“Yesterday we confronted the harrowing reality that 85 per cent of children between the ages of one and 14 in Nigeria experience violent discipline, with nearly one in three children experiencing severe physical punishment.

“This is a staggering statistic colleagues one that demands urgent action and is indicative of a crisis!

“Much of this violent discipline

GCR Affirms Nova Merchant Bank’s Ratings The Global Credit Rating (GCR) has affirmed Nova Merchant Bank Limited’s national scale long and short-term ratings of BBB(NG) and A3(NG) respectively, with a Stable Outlook.

The ratings agency explained that Nova was rated on the basis of its strong capital base as well as its financial position.

It explained in a statement: “The ratings of Nova Merchant Bank Limited reflect its sound capitalisation and good risk position, as characterised by minimal non-performing loans (NPL) and credit losses.”

Citing the rationale for the ratings, the GCR stated: “Nova Merchant Bank operates within the Nigerian

workshop was to provide unique opportunity for members of IAP and its management staff to acquire sound knowledge and experience in modern skills regarding labour disputes prevention and resolution in line with international labour standards.

Sack Education Minister Now, NANS Tells Buhari Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students(NANS) has called for the immediate sack of Adamu over failure to resolve the lingering industrial action.

The students' body averred that the call became expedient,

At full year 2021, the bank’s total deposits accounted for 95 per cent of its funding base, compared to 93.1 per cent in 2020, with customer deposits increasing by 30.4 per cent during the year, on the back of improved deposits mobilisation capacity.

NOVA’s Managing Director/ CEO, Nath Ude, who commented on the ratings said: “GCR’s affirmations of NOVA’s investment grade ratings and stable outlook, are instructive. The rating rationale succinctly reflects the sound governance, robust risk management and unrivalled record of asset quality.

“More importantly, the ratings construct underscores the strong

credibility of the Bank, as highlighted by the adequate liquidity and stable funding metrics.

“With continuous investment in people and technology, and more importantly innovative partnerships with credible clients, Nova is primed to positively disrupt the merchant banking space, with the vision to unlock opportunities for our clients across the key growth sectors of the Nigerian economy.”

On his part, the Chairman of the bank, Phillips Oduoza, noted that given the challenging macroeconomic environment, the ratings demonstrate the efficiency of the governance structures put in place to ensure long term sustainability of the bank.

takes place in the form of corporal punishment in the very institutions that are entrusted to keep children safe, develop respect for human rights and prepare them for life in a society that promotes understanding peace, and conflict resolution through dialogue,” she said.

According to her, the persistence of the practices contradicts Nigeria’s National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, that commits to zero-tolerance to any threat to the security of life and property in schools.

Panday-Soobrayan also noted that the practices were, “stalling Nigeria’s progress toward SDG 3 to ensure good health and well-being, SDG 4 on equitable and inclusive quality education and target 16.2 (to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children).”

While noting the impact of corporal punishment on children was devastating, she lamented that children were always left with both physical and psychological wounds.

She further stated that, “physical punishment causes not only pain, sadness, fear, shame and anger, but is also linked with children’s hyper-reactivity to stress, changes in brain structure and function, and overloaded nervous, cardiovascular, and nutritional systems. Spanking, just like more severe abuse, is linked to atypical brain function.

“The damage is not only acute, affecting their learning in the current moment, but also chronic.

A large body of research links physical punishment with longterm disability or death; mental

ill-health; impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development; school dropout and poorer academic and occupational outcomes; increased antisocial behaviour, aggression and criminal behaviour in adulthood; and damaged relationships through its intergenerational transmission.”

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, represented

by Hajia Binta Abdulkadir endorsed the action plan and roadmap for ending corporal punishment in schools in line with the Child’s Rights Act passed into law in 2003, protecting children’s right to a life free of violence.

Adamu noted that globally there are evidence indicating the corporal punishment in schools have impacted negatively on attendance and learning and outcomes.

“In Nigeria, studies have indicated that corporal punishment is one of the key factors militating against retention and transition of pupils in our schools which have huge implications on the educational system and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 4,” he said.

Earlier, the Registrar of TRCN, Prof Josiah Ajiboye, noted that globally there had been a paradigm shift from corporal punishment in schools because of its effect on pupils, adding that such practices had been proven to be ineffective, dangerous and an unacceptable method of controlling and maintaining behavior and discipline.

Ajiboye said corporal punishment brings negative, rather than positive consequences in the whole process of teaching and learning.

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MANDATORY CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL TRAINING...

L-R: President, All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary schools (Ogun State), Dr Ayodele Womiloju; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Governor Dapo Abiodun; the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Abayomi Arigbabu and the Lagos Chairman/South West ANCOPSS, Mrs Folashade Morenikeji at the South-West Zonal ANCOPSS Mandatory Continuing Professional Training (MCPT) in Abeokuta… yesterday

Ayu Must Go Protesters Storm PDP Headquarters, Say He’s a Mole in Party PDP BoT meets over Atiku, Wike’s face-off Chuks Okocha in Abuja A group of protesters, yesterday, stormed the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and called on the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to step down as leader of the party.

This is as the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) has met over the rift between the party's presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar and the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.

But members of the PDP BoT believed to be loyal to Wike, however, stayed out of the meeting.

A group, known as Concerned Deltans for Good Governance, stormed the PDP Wadata office over the lingering crisis in Delta State.

Led by Chris Anthony, the group

said, "We expect the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the watch of Ayu to comply with the judgement that has been passed by justice Taiwo Taiwo on the 7th.

"They are playing games with the judgement. The party is supposed to forward the name of the winner of that election based on the court order to INEC but they have deliberately refused to do that because they are working in connivance with the Delta State governor, Okowa as an individual.

"They have refused to comply with the court order. Funny enough, INEC officially wrote to the PDP through their legal adviser that they have received a judgement of this nature and that they (INEC) will do the needful by complying and they also expect the PDP to do same but the PDP, up till his

NBC FINES DSTV, TSTV, NTA, TRUST TV N20M OVER DOCUMENTARY ON BANDITRY include “3.1.1 which states that, “No broadcast shall encourage or incite to crime. lead to public disorder or hate, be repugnant to public feelings or contain offensive reference to any person or organisation, alive or dead or generally be disrespectful to human dignity “3.12.2: The broadcaster shall not transmit a programme that incites or likely to incite to violence among the populace, causing mass panic, political and social upheaval, security breach and general social disorder; and “3.11.2: The broadcaster shall ensure that law enforcement is upheld at all times in a manner depicting that law and order are socially superior to, or more desirable than crime or anarchy.”

The NBC said the imposed penalties on the broadcast media platforms and station was to be remitted not later than August 30, 2022. It said failure to comply would lead to the imposition of a higher sanction as provided in the Code.

The NBC enjoined broadcasters to be instruments of national unity and desist from falling into antics of using their platforms to promote and glamorise subversive elements and their activities.

“Please note that every broadcast station or platform is responsible for the content it transmits or transmitted on its platform, and shall be held liable for any content in

violation of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code,” the commission added.

Meanwhile, the International Press Centre (IPC) yesterday expressed disappointment with the NBC over the N5 million fine slammed on Trust Television Network and other media outfits.

The IPC, in a statement by its Press Freedom Officer, Melody Lawal, described the development as an “arbitrary fine.’

She reminded the federal government, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, and the NBC that the banditry ravaging Nigeria and putting the lives and property of the citizens in jeopardy was not a creation of the media.

The IPC called on the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and other professional bodies championing freedom of the press and freedom of expression in the country to, “rise in unison in condemnation of this new development and hostility by the government.”

“In the circumstance, the IPC considers the fine imposed on Trust TV an act of injustice, an assault on media freedom and a violation of the right of the people to know the truth about the dynamics of banditry in the country and the decision should therefore be reversed,” the statement quoted the Executive Director of the IPC, Lanre Arogundade, as speaking.

moment, has deliberately decided to abandon what the court said.

"We are all shouting: ‘we want to lead Nigeria’, if you cannot organise your house properly, how do you expect to address the Nigerian problem. If you simply cannot address the minor problem in Delta, then, how do Nigerians trust the PDP to tackle the challenges facing the Nigerian nation in a larger scale.

"We are calling on the leadership of the PDP to do the needful; obey the court order, recognise David... as the governorship candidate of the PDP as the court has so declared.

“The implication of the action of the PDP on the Delta issue is

that they are trying to throw away the fortunes of the PDP in Delta.

Everybody knows that the PDP in Delta State is the majority party and there is no other political party in Delta State apart from the PDP. “But with the action of the national chairman of party, we are beginning to be convinced of what people have been saying that, Ayu is a mole in the PDP to throw Delta State PDP to the opposition. We see Ayu as a mole in the PDP. He is playing the script of the APC just to actualise the emergence of APC governor in Delta.

'He lacks the capacity to lead the PDP and so he should honourably

resign. He has demonstrated gross incompetence in handling the affairs of the party. He should resign. Ayu should resign. He does not have the capacity to manage the affairs of the PDP," he stated.

However, the PDP BoT meeting, presided over by the chairman, Senator Walid Jubrin, and which started around 11.am, lasted till about 2.30 pm.

After the meeting, the BoT mandated Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi state to brief the media.

According to him, "the BoT which is the soul of the party resolved to set up a committee of the entire BoT to resolve whatever the crisis

that arose from the presidential nomination convention."

Sources claimed the meeting resolved that the entire Board of Trustees members should proceed to the residence of Atiku to hear his side of the story and thereafter agree when and where to meet Wike.

The members of the PDP BoT that stayed away from yesterday's BoT meeting were former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, Senator Zanabe Kure and \Wike.

They were BoT members believed to be loyal to Wike and attended last Sunday meeting by Wike at the Abuja office of Rivers State.

Insecurity: Chike-Obi Proposes Suspension of NYSC Scheme, Licencing Arms for Private Security Nigeria must defend ideals of modernity, civilisation, says Olawepo-Hashim Emmanuel Addeh and Alex Enumah in Abuja The Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi has proposed the temporary suspension of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme so as to make funds available for the prosecution of the war against terror and other security challenges in the country.

Chike-Obi’s proposition during an interview on Arise News yesterday, was in response to a questions on what political parties and presidential candidates could do to turn around the dwindling economy of the nation.

While he identified security as one of the low-hanging fruits that could quickly turn around the economy of Nigeria, he noted that the huge amounts of naira spent yearly on the NYSC scheme, if diverted, could provide enough funds for the government, without necessarily harming anyone.

He noted that this move was more appropriate at this particular time since the majority of the students have been home for nearly five months because of the university lecturers’ strike.

“There are some low-hanging fruits and I give you an example, insecurity. I think that security has become the primary problem for Nigeria today, it is the biggest

issue, so look at the NYSC, which costs Nigeria a hundred million a year, let us suspend the youth service for a couple of years and direct those funds towards creating an elite terrorist fighting force in Nigeria that can be targeted towards that.

“That is what we can do easily, it is low-hanging fruit, it doesn’t take much to do that, in fact, the university students are on strike, so this is a good time to say we will suspend the expenditure on that and focus on security,” he said.

Besides the suspension of the NYSC scheme, Chike-Obi also suggested the licencing of arms for private security guards to free thousands of policemen attached to VIPs and other public institutions.

“I want to hear people say let us license private security firms to carry firearms and provide protective services to our VIPs, that will free up a hundred policemen to go into the law enforcement duty that they are supposed to do.

“There are things that can be done, and policies that can be done, we want to hear as Nigerians how we address those critical problems today we don’t have to wait till May 29, next year, there are simple things we can do that show leadership, so I want the candidates or the current leadership to talk about these things, address these,

the country is a continuum, we don’t have to give it up because of elections in February next year.”

Furthermore, he advised Nigerians to take time to listen to each of the presidential candidates when the campaigns commence in September, adding that Nigerians were looking for a good leader and would surely get the right leadership come 2023.

“All Nigerians should wait till September 28 and see what the presidential candidates and their partners have to offer Nigeria.

“All this distraction, the talk about age and others is nice to talk about in the interim but we must all have an open mind listen to the candidates what they are telling us they are going to do and we can guess or judge how well they are going to do it and we will see who is going to be the next leader,” he added.

While he identified the private sector as the engine of economic growth, he urged the government to endeavor to make things easy for them and encouraged them rather than starving them with too much taxation and regulations.

“Every penny a company makes the government gets about 20 per cent of it in tax, the government is the number one shareholder in every business in Nigeria, so it is in the government's interest

to grow business and not to stifle them,” he explained.

Insecurity: Nigeria Must Defend Ideals of Modernity, Civilisation, Says Olawepo-Hashim In a related development, a former presidential candidate and stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim yesterday urged Nigerians to rise in unison and embrace the ideals of peace, modernity and civilisation as against the mission of some forces seeking to forcibly take over the nation.

The businessman counselled that the current security concerns in the nation were more pressing than the upcoming elections, calling on the authorities to tackle the lingering security challenges.

In a statement by his media office in Abuja , Olawepo-Hashim recalled that in the past two years, he had spoken on the nation's security challenges and offered concrete suggestions on how to confront them, noting that all the suggestions had been ignored.

“Now is the time for patriots and statesmen and friends of Nigeria to rally and defend the Ideals of our republic, the ideals of peace and the ideals of modernity and civilisation,” he stated.

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CIVIC RECEPTION...

L-R: Odafe of Enwan, Oba P.O Okara; Olope of Ope, Oba Idogu; Executive Chairman Edo State Universal Basic Education Board (Edo SUBEB), Mrs. Ozavize Salami; Otaru of Igarra , Oba E. A. Saiki; and Paramount Traditional Ruler of Igarra/Akuku Clan & the Entire Igarra Community, Engr. Oladele Salami (Husband of celebrant); Chief Otunba Danial; Chief Okomayin Eneyufuo; and Chief Okomayin Anagua-Ezi, at the civic reception organised by Oba Saiki II in honour of Salami at Igarra, Edo state.... recently

Insecurity: Senate Leadership, Security Chiefs Meet Behind Closed Doors Ubah donates N500m to Anambra govt to boost security

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka and Sunday Aborisade in Abuja The senate leadership, yesterday, held a crucial meeting with military chiefs and heads of security and intelligence agencies over the deteriorating security situation in the country.

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan led other principal officers of the Senate and Chairmen of security related committees to the meeting, which started around 3pm and was still ongoing as of 6:45pm, when this report was filed.

Also, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, led to the talks, the three Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police, heads of Intelligence agencies like NIA and DSS and also Commandant General of Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC).

The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) was represented, because he was attending the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the time.

This is as the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, has made a donation of N500million to Anambra State, to support the fight against insecurity.

In his opening remarks before they went into closed doors, the senate president said the meeting was at the instance of the Senate leadership.

"We have invited you today for what is obvious, what is before everyone, what is of concern and of interest to every Nigerian today. The Senate, before we went on recess last week Wednesday, we had discussions over the security situation in the country. But even before then, we have had several discussions over the security situation.

"Let me say, this Senate particularly, and indeed even the previous sessions of the National Assembly generally, have shown serious commitment and partnership with the executive arm of government.

"As far as I can remember, there has never been an administration in this country, especially, since the Fourth Republic started in 1999, that invested so much resources in the security of this country like this present administration.

"I have no doubt about it. I am a participant. To a very large extent I can say that none. We believe that as a National Assembly, we have always met this Executive at the right position, at the right time, most especially, when it concerns

investment in the security of life and property in Nigeria.

"We have also, in our individual capacities as committees of the National Assembly and infact as a National Assembly, shown concern about the security situation. The security situation of any country cannot be one hundred percent satisfactory but, of course, there is a level at which no country can be comfortable with insecurity.

"Ours has lingered definitely. We had hoped that by this time, the security situation in Nigeria would have been far better and Nigeria would have made more progress not only in the area of security but also in the area of economy, which is tied to the security situation again.

"I believe that all security agencies and armed forces have been doing their best but apparently we have to do more to achieve what we desire to achieve. There are, of course, several arguments whether the resources available to our Armed forces and our security agencies are enough or not. Definitely not enough.

"I don't know of any country, where there is enough really. But even within the scarcity that we have, this administration and this Senate and National Assembly, have always prioritised the security of our country.

"This particular session of the interaction between us is to look into where we are today and probably this current position, where we are is most frightening, because it is like there is nowhere to hide, no where to go.

"Insecurity is everywhere and especially, if it is coming to the point of dislocating the security situation, where the government is quartered. We will really review and see what more we have to do and how differently we have to do.

"Our population is largely peasant. Most of our people are in the rural areas and they live their lives by going to farms. We all know this. In many parts of the country today, that is an herculean task. My belief is that we can do better to secure the rural areas. The so-called ungoverned space. At least, for our population, who go to farms to earn their living.

"Where our agricultural productivity is drastically going down, that will complicate the security situation, because the most ordinary Nigerian cares more about what he or she or what the family will eat. And, of course, all other things are secondary.

"We have problem with our economy to some extent, because of insecurity. No foreign direct investment or not as much as we would ordinarily attract to our country. Our prayer is to start seeing serious, remarkable and dramatic changes from today. We hope that our discussions will give us the opportunity to consider other things or other areas or ideas that we didn't have before," Lawan said.

General Irabor thanked the Senate leadership for the invitation, which he described as "an in-house discussion based on mutual concern."

According to him, "I believe that the wisdom of the Senate President and Senate leadership to convene

this meeting is borne out of the fact that issues of national security must be seen from a collective perspective.

"That whatever the situation is, there is always room for rubbing of minds to make contributions to the effect that we have a more secured environment, where every Nigerian will have a sense of security in truth, such that our individual and collective aspirations could be achieved."

General Irabor told the meeting that, “Quite a lot has happened, quite a lot has been done, quite a lot is being done to ensure that we improve on the security situation across the country.

"The commitment is there. It's very profound. I believe that as we

go into discussions on specifics, it will be clear that no one is leaving any stone unturned in redressing all the imbalances within the security environment."

Meanwhile, Ubah, who pledged N500 million to the Anambra State government during a visit to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, made specifications on how the money would be spent.

Ubah in a press release signed

by Head, Media and Strategic Communications to the senator, Mr Kamen Chuks Ogbonna, was quoted as saying, "It takes a secured environment for sustainable infrastructure development to take root, in the coming months.

"I will complement your efforts

with a series of interventions aimed at curbing capital flight from the zone and restoring confidence in our people to return home and help in recovering our economy."

Stating how the funds would be spent, Ubah said N200million would be spent on the training of security personnel and provision of latest security communication gadgets for Anambra South vigilante groups.

He, however, added that N300million would be for the provision of solar lights to further illuminate and strengthen the security architecture in Anambra South Senatorial District, adding that, all would be implemented in the next three months.

Terrorism: In New Onslaught, Military Orders Troops to Show No Mercy, Use Maximum Firepower IG meets AIGs, CPs, instructs increased deployment of officers, crime mapping FCT Police Command commence raid of ungoverned spaces, abandoned structures Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, yesterday, confirmed that the Armed Forces had begun the implementation of new security strategies to contain the armed campaign by non-state actors against the state.

As a first step, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, charged Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operational commanders in the various theatres of operation across the country to "show no mercy" and ensure deployment of "maximum firepower" against terrorists posing security threats in the country.

On his part, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, met with the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police in the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory as part of major operational initiative to stabilise the internal security order and commence a special visibility policing operation across the police commands.

THISDAY observed a scaling down of military deployments in Abuja and an increase in police deployment, part of measures to allow police play its role as the lead security agency.

Also, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command conducted a raid

of some bush paths and abandoned structures in the territory.

The command said, in a statement, that it commenced raids of some ungoverned spaces around the territory and abandoned structures within the city center and suburbs.

"We have only just begun.

Members of the public will witness heavy visibility policing and thorough sweep of the territory," it added.

This is as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has reiterated the commitment of the Nigerian Army to develop its capacity for the local production and procurement of needed military equipment and draw lessons learnt during the Nigerian civil war in view of the security challenges facing the nation.

Irabor, who spoke while delivering a lecture at the 30th Anniversary of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja, said the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) was "working round the clock to implement several new strategies that will bring about an end to various security challenges in Nigeria", while pursuing proactive security measures to reduce the impact of regional dynamics on Nigeria.

In his remarks, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Murtala Bashir, said Nigeria had faced several

security challenges aided in very large measure by the proliferation of Small and Light Weapons (SALW) and the emergence of cult groupings that engage in banditry, kidnapping, political violence and other mafiastyle violent activities.

But Amao, while charging Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operational Commanders in the various theatres of operation across the country to "show no mercy" and ensure they employ "maximum firepower" against terrorists posing security threats in the country, commended them for their efforts as well as the improved synergy with other arms of the military and other security agencies.

Amao also underscored the need for effective allocation and utilisation of all NAF platforms deployed for operations in the North-west and North-central for enhanced operational effectiveness, adding that the measures would deny the terrorists freedom of movement while boosting the confidence of the populace and ensuring a peaceful country.

Amao made the assertion, when he met with frontline Air Officers Commanding (AOCs) and Air Component Commanders (ACCs) at the NAF Base yesterday in Kaduna.

The air force chief noted that though the security environment remained fluid and uncertain

with terrorists moving between the North-east, North-west and North-central, stressing the need to continually modify NAF’s air power strategies to stay ahead of the asymmetric and unconventional nature of terrorists’ activities as of paramount importance.

"We have a responsibility to secure our nation and give our citizens a sense of hope, trust and belonging.

Therefore, we must ensure that we stay ahead of the enemy and envisage his next line of action", he said.

On his part, the police IG met with the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory as part of major operational initiative to stabilise the internal security order and commence a special visibility policing operation across the police commands.

He said the meeting was partly designed to give effect to the National Security Council’s resolution on the documentation and streamlining of the operations of commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders across the country as part of the national initiatives directed at addressing current and evolving national security threats among others.

Continued online

52

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Yayale Ahmed Decries Making Permanent Secretaries Sureties for Public Treasury Looters Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja Former Head of Service, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed has criticised the practice of naming permanent secretaries as sureties for those accused of looting the public treasury.

He expressed his opposition yesterday in Abuja as a special guest of honour at the book launch and retirement party of the Permanent Secretary, Ecological Project Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation(SGF), Dr Habiba Muda Lawal.

He also advised the SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha and the Head of Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, to reconsider the practice by judges in asking federal permanent secretaries “to rescue those accused of looting government treasury.”

Meanwhile, Mustapha has

been described as a public servant who scored many firsts while serving the nation.

The SGF gave the

commendation in his remarks at the valedictory programme in honour of Lawal in Abuja.

While congratulating the

retiring top civil servant, Mustapha expressed gratitude for witnessing the event marking the pulling out of Lawal from

public service after a glorious and successful career.

He noted that it is more significant when the exiting

public officer has deemed it fit to document such stewardship as a contribution to history and a guide to those coming behind.

SEVEN-UP BOTTLING COMPANY SCHOLAR…

L-R: Chief Marketing Officer, Seven-Up Bottling Company Limited (SBC), Norden Thurston; Group Head, Culture and Transformation, SBC, Yinka Olufade; Seven-Up Harvard Business School MBA Scholarship 2022 Scholar, Dafi Rogers-Halliday, and Managing Director , SBC Ziad Maalouf, at the unveiling of the awardee in Lagos…recently

Oyo Pays Compensation over LAUTECH Confirms Killing of Abducted Student, Demands Justice N43.2bn Ibadan Dry Port Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

The Oyo State Government has completed payment of compensation to all affected families over the use of 90 hectares of land at Moniya/Olorisa-Oko earmarked for the N43.2 billion Ibadan Inland Dry Port in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Commending the Oyo State Government for the laudable effort, the Executive Secretary/ CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Honourable Emmanuel Jime, explained that the agency and other parties involved are currently tidying up the remaining knotty issues to ensure the dry port is set for operations.

He said: “Before Honourable Rotimi Amaechi left as Minister of Transportation, he gathered all of us in one room; we the

promoters and the Chinese who are the concessionaire of the Ibadan Dry Port, and urged us to tidy up the remaining knotty issues concerning the dry port.

“On the issue of families disputes over compensation, I am happy to inform this gathering that the Oyo State Government has completed payment of compensation to all the families involved on the land to be used for the dry port.

“I really want to commend the Oyo State Government for this, and it behoves on us to complete the remaining leg of the project, which has to do with the Full Business Case. Families compensation which was a key part in the role that the Oyo State Government ought to play has now been completed.”

‘Nigeria May Lose Towns to Benin Republic’ the plight and various forms of James Sowole in Abeokuta A non-political organisation and an amalgamation of pressure groups and association in Imeko/Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, Ibile Alliance, yesterday, raised the alarm that Nigeria might lose parts of her territory to neighbouring Republic of Benin, due to neglect and marginalisation of the area, by the state and federal governments.

The organisation disclosed this at a news conference, in Abeokuta, the state capital, where stakeholders, highlighted

neglect and marginalisation of the entire Imeko/Afon Local Government, in the scheme of things.

Addressing journalists, spokesperson of Ibile Alliance, Mr Tunde Aninkan, in an address entitled: “Political Exclusion of Imeko/Afon Local Government People by the Government of Ogun State”, lamented that some communities like Iwoye Ketu, had begun to enjoy social amenities, provided by the Republic of Benin, because the Nigerian government, refused to provide such amenities.

Islamic Devt Bank, Tech4Dev Train Women on Tech Skills

The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and Technology for Social Change and Development Initiative (Tech4Dev) have established a strategic partnership to train 15,000 Nigerian women through the Women Techsters Initiative(WTI).

The WTI is committed to advancing women and girls in Nigeria and throughout the African continent, closing the gender gap in digital and technological literacy. It is also ensures that everyone has equal access to respectable employment

and entrepreneurial opportunities in the field. In addition to ensuring equitable access to opportunities, the Women Techsters program seeks to increase women’s participation and inclusion in the technology ecosystem.

According to a statement, the partnership, which is for a period of one year will have IsDB commit $126,000 to the WTI which will help female beneficiaries in the country acquire technology skills across select learning tracks within the initiative’s sub-programmes.

The Student Union Government (SUG) of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, yesterday confirmed the killing of a final year student, Rachael Opadele, by her abductors.

Opadele and a hotelier, Olugbenga Owolabi, were abducted on July 29, 2022, at the hotel, located in Abaa area of Ogbomoso.

Owolabi was a hotelier, who recently returned to the ancient city while Opadele, a student of LAUTECH, but working at the hotel due to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

It was learnt that the kidnappers had demanded ransom for the release of the victims.

Both Opadele and Owolabi, were reportedly killed on Tuesday evening by the

kidnappers after a sum of N5 million was collected as ransom.

The SUG in a statement yesterday and signed by Adeboye Anuoluwa, Opaleke Ibrahim and Michael Gabriel, President, General Secretary and Public Relations Officer, respectively, while confirming the killing, said despite the notice to the government, security operatives, and all other stakeholders, there was

no known form of genuine commitment demonstrated by all of them in addressing the security situation in the institution and the state.

The statement read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the gruesome killing of our dear student, Rachael, a final year student of LAUTECH, that was kidnapped where she was working in Ogbomoso due to ASUU strike.

APC Inaugurates Eight-member Reconciliation Committee for Abia Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu inAbuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Abdullahi Adamu yesterday inaugurated a Reconciliation Committee for the party in Abia State.

The inauguration ceremony, which had in attendance members of the APC National Working

Committee(NWC), was held at the party’s National Secretariat.

Members of the Committee include: Senator Chris Adighije Chairman, Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha - Secretary, Minister of State, for Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh, Hon. Emeka Atuma, Hon. Martins Azubuike, Former Minister of

Labour and Productivity, Dr Emeka Wogu, APC National Welfare Secretary, Sir F.N. Nwosu and APC Governorship Candidate in Abia State, High Chief Ikechi Emenike. In his remarks, Adamu urged members of the committee to do the needful by lobbying, and reconciling in Abia because all politics is local.

He warned that the party will not listen to anybody who will

after election come and start laying blames.

Adamu said: “We had a very comprehensive meeting, comprising leaders of Abia APC who are involved in the negotiation. We have series of meetings with the NWC, during the primaries and since the primaries. I hope that what we have done today, the entire world will witness peace and we hope this is the very last step.”

Economic Hardships Driving Nigerian Youths into Crime, Banditry, Says Group Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Nigerian Emerging Leaders Forum (NELF) has said that the current crippling economic challenges in the country are forcing Nigerian youths into internet fraud, armed robbery, illegal migration for sex work, banditry and terrorism, cultism, political thuggery, oil bunkering, human rituals and organ trafficking.

The National Publicity Secretary of NELF, Ms. Maryam Ahman, stated this yesterday in Abuja at an inaugural briefing to mark the launch of the forum.

Ahman said that these vices were informed by the neglect of the youth by successive administrations that have reduced the budget on youth welfare, employment, education and sports.

She noted that this development

has great implications on national development and has further magnified the clear and present danger which an unattended section the population has fallen into.

She added that it was one of the reasons why NELF was coming on board to serve as a nexus between policy makers and young people, adding that the indices in the country pointed to a tide against young people.

Ahmad stated that the malaise is a symptom of a society that has forsaken its youth from the family unit to schools and the society at large, stressing that NELF, which is an amalgam of young Nigerians with strong conviction of systemic processes as a catalyst for change. is of the opinion that these issues should be placed at the top burner of governance and policy formulation.

Nigeria Bleeding, Divided along Ethnic, Religious Lines, Group Laments GeorgeOkohinMakurdi

The Christian Recovery Alliance of Nigeria (CRAN) yesterday expressed concern that Nigeria was bleeding and deeply divided along ethnic and religious lines.

The group stated this in a communique issued at the end of its strategic discourse for Christians in Strategic Political Leadership for

Recovery of Nigeria (CSPL) held at Makurdi, Benue State.

The communique which was jointly signed by Qrisstuberg Amua, Gideon Doo Inyom and Brahms Ikyuan, took note of the integrity of Christians in political leadership, especially to the extent of justice, equity, probity and accountability to the nation. CRAN while also noting that the country had never been

divided as it is presently, observed that, “Nigeria is today a failed state.”

It thus advised Christian leaders and adherents of the faith to understand the true nature of the threatening political landscape, especially with the current electioneering cycle and be emboldened as leaders of the faith to embrace participation in politics and political leadership.

It further noted that Christians in

Nigeria have been slow at reading the landscape to grasp the larger picture; adding that most were yet to appreciate the fact that the same faith ticket by the All Progress Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 election was a statement by Nigerian Muslims which, “must have an immediate and firm response and the 2023 elections represent the right time for that response.”

I ‘ll Make Osun a Model for Other States in Nigeria, Gov-elect Promises

Yinka KolawoleinOsogbo

The Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke has reiterated his commitment to making Osun State a reference point of development for other states in Nigeria, describing his victory at the governorship election as “divine

and beyond human permutations.”

Adeleke made the remarks while addressing a meeting of stakeholders of the party at the state party secretariat in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. The meeting came on the heels of success recorded by the PDP in the just concluded election.

The Governor- elect assured the people of the state of his pledge not to renege on his electoral promises, saying his victory was ordained by God almighty to rescue the state from what he termed wicked enslavement and deliberate impoverishment of helpless citizens.

While commending party

leaders, members and supporters for their support, Senator Adeleke thumped up the members of the party caretaker committee under the CTC Chairman, Dr Akindele Adekunle as well as the governorship Campaign Organisation under Hon Sunday Bisi.

THURSDAY AUGUST 4, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY

53

NEWSXTRA

Insecurity: We Didn’t Ground Operations Nationwide, Says NRC FCTA storms Kuje forest, reclaims vegetable market Olawale Ajimotokan and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), yesterday, refuted claims that it grounded its train operations nationwide as speculated in some quarters, but that it only took precautions in some of its corridors due to communal clashes and presence of bandits along operational axis.

Also, security agencies attached to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on day-three of the demolition exercise in Kuje, has reclaimed a forest, suspected to be hideout for bandits in Pasali on KujeGwagwalada Road .

But the NRC, in a statement in Abuja, stated: “The management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), wishes to inform the general public, especially, our

numerous valued customers that NRC wishes to inform the general public that NRC

did not ground its train operations as speculated in some quarters.

“The Warri-Itakpe train service is fully operational as scheduled, however, there

is a temporary suspension of the passenger train stoppage at Ajaokuta station due to

communal clashes pending restoration of peace in the area.

IKOYI ROTARY CLUB GETS NEW PRESIDENT …

L-R: Past District Governor, District 9110 Rotary Nigeria, Kamoru Omotosho; President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Augustine Irabor; Assistant Governor, District 9110 Rotary Nigeria, Soboma Ajumogobia, and the immediate past President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Uche Obienu, at the investiture of Irabor as the 38th President of the Rotary Club of Ikoyi in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

House: Aspirant Sues INEC, Suspected Terrorists Ambush, Injures PDP over Alleged Imposition Police AIG Zone 12, Kills Orderly

Wale Igbintade

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has taken a new dimension as an aspirant on the party’s platform, Abdul Kareem Shittu, has dragged the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged imposition.

In the suit filed before Justice Daniel Osiagor, the Plaintiff, Shittu, who aspires to represent Ikorodu in Federal House of Representatives, also joined

Mr. Awesu AbdulAzeez as respondent in the suit.

The plaintiff is praying the court for an order restraining INEC from accepting or continuing to retain the name of the third respondent, (Awesu AbdulAzeez) as the PDP’s candidate for Ikorodu Federal Constituency in its database.

Shittu is also praying the court to declare that the nomination of Awesu AbdulAzeez as the PDP candidate was not in line with the party’s constitution and its guidelines for primary election.

Chief of Army Staff’s wife Lauds Ugwuanyi’s Support for Military Impressed by the interventions and maximum support Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has been giving the Military to discharge its responsibilities in the state, the wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs. Salamatu Yahaya has commended the governor for the gesture towards the security of life and property.

Mrs. Yahaya, who is the National President, Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), also expressed profound appreciation to Ugwuanyi for the assistance his administration has given to the NAOWA chapter of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army

in realizing its set objectives.

Speaking when she led members of NAOWA to pay a courtesy visit to Gov. Ugwuanyi in Enugu, the Chief of Army Staff’s wife said they were grateful to the governor “for your interventions and maximum support you have been giving NAOWA; we sincerely appreciate.”

Mrs. Yahaya, who is in Enugu on official visit to the 82 Division to meet and interact with members of NAOWA and the general members of the Barracks community and inaugurate some projects in the NAOWA Group of Schools in Enugu,.

‘Benin City Mall Project will Boost Economy for Edo Residents’ Sunday Okobi

The management of the Benin City Mall in Edo State has announced that barring any adjustments in time, the mall will open to customers in the first quarter of 2023, and will usher in a new shopping experience for residents and visitors in the state.

The Benin-city Mall, according to the promoters of the project, is the anchor project of the Benin Cultural District, with world-class lounges, bars, children’s entertainment centres, restaurants, wellness spas, a free digital library, night clubs, adding that it will be the largest entertainment destination per square meter in the southern part of Nigeria.

Commenting, the Chairman of Persianas Group, Tayo Amusan, said: “If there is one thing that remains certain with this type of opportunity, it is the fact that it is bringing along an increase in economic activity, direct and indirect economic growth, development for the host community, jobs, among other things to the state generally.”

The development of the mall has been described as the icing on the cake for the ancient city of Benin which has continued to attract several retail outlets in recent years.

The promoter noted that apparently, Edo State fits perfectly into what investors in retail business seek before committing their funds.

Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi Suspected bandits operating in the Lame/Burra forest in Bauchi State on Tuesday attacked the convoy of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, Audu Madaki

injuring him and killing one of his police guards.

THISDAY checks revealed that the convoy which was on its way out of Bauchi was attacked by the terrorists in the Barde Zangidi area around Barde-Jagindi Road in Kaduna State at about 2.30 p.m.

Our correspondent also gathered from a reliable source at the Zone 12 Headquarters in Bauchi that AIG. Audu Madaki was shot at and injured during the attack while his Orderly was shot dead.

Madaki is said to be

receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital while security has been beefed up around the zone just as another source revealed that armed police personnel have been drafted to the area to comb the bush in order to fish out the terrorists.

Insecurity: Nigeria Must Defend Ideals of Modernity, Civilisation, Says Olawepo-Hashim Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A former presidential candidate and stalwart of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim yesterday urged Nigerians to rise in unison and embrace the ideals of peace, modernity and civilisation as against the mission

of some forces seeking to forcibly take over the nation.

The businessman counselled that the current national security concerns hovering over the nation were more pressing than the upcoming elections, calling on the authorities to tackle the lingering security challenges.

In a statement by his media

office in Abuja , Olawepo-Hashim recalled that in the past two years, he had spoken on the nation’s security challenges and offered concrete suggestions on how to confront them, noting that all the suggestions had been ignored.

“Now is the time for patriots and statesmen and friends of Nigeria to rally and defend

the Ideals of our republic, the ideals of peace and the ideals of modernity and civilisation,” he stated.

He advised that the political leadership of the country must not concentrate only on permutations concerning the 2023 elections to the detriment of urgent national security concerns.

PDP Wants Gombe Gov, His Deputy, Disqualified over Alleged Forged Certificates SegunAwofadejiinGombe Gombe State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Governorship Candidate, Muhammad Jibrin Barde, have urged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to disqualify the State Governor, Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya and his Deputy, Dr Jatau Manassah Daniel from contesting and participating in

the 2023 governorship election in Gombe State for alleged submission of forged certificates.

But in a swift reaction, Governor Yahaya described the legal action embarked upon by the State chapter of the opposition PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Jibrin Barde against his candidature in the 2023 General elections as efforts in futility.

In SUIT NO: FJC/ABJ/ CS/1301/2022 between Peoples

Democratic Party & 2 Ors v. INEC & 3 Ors filed on the 2nd August, 2022, PDP prayed the Court to disqualify Inuwa Yahaya and his deputy from contesting the election having submitted forged documents and certificates to INEC which were published on 22nd July, 2022.

In an Originating Summons filed on their behalf by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief Arthur Obi Okafor, SAN and J.J. Usman,

SAN, the Plaintiffs submitted relying on series of Supreme Court decisions that Inuwa Yahaya and his Deputy having deposed to Forms EC-9, the said Forms constitute Certificates and making false statement in them amount to submitting forged certificates which is a disqualifying ground under Sections 177(d) and 182(1)(j) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended).

Navy Arrests, Seizes Smuggled Bags of Rice, Wraps of Cannabis Rebecca Ejifoma The Nigerian Navy has seized 351 bags of foreign rice alongside 40 wraps of cannabis on Badagry/Port Novo waterway and Badagry Beach respectively.

The illicit items were displayed at the “Handing and taking over” to officials of the Nigerian Customs and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency

(NDLEA) at the Navy Base Badagry yesterday.

Speaking to newsmen, the Commanding Officer, Forward Operating Nigerian Navy Base Badagry, Captain James Otache, said while the items were captured, the suspects took to their heels upon sighting the navy patrol ship.

The seizure, according to the commanding officer, is in line

with extant regulations and harmonised standard operating procedures.

“It is expedient that the items are handed over to the appropriate prosecuting agencies – Nigerian Customs Service and the NDLEA,” he clarified.

Otache, however, cautioned perpetrators of the heinous acts and prospective smugglers to desist from it, adding that the

Nigerian Navy would not rest on its oars to put an end to these nefarious activities.

While commending the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo for his support for FOB Badagry, the commanding officer promised that the NN would continue to mount aggressive patrols until smuggling of any kind is brought to an end.

Groups, NBA Move to Free A’Ibom Human Rights Lawyer, Effiong Jailed for One Month Okon Bassey in Uyo Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and concerned civil society organisations have moved to reconcile a jailed human rights lawyer, Mr. Inibehe Effiong with

the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot with a view to releasing him.

The national coordinator of Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community, Mr. Clifford Thomas disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo, yesterday.

The human rights lawyer was on July 27, 2022, sentenced to 30 days jail term for contempt of court by Justice Obot.

On the said day, Effiong, was in court as a defence counsel in the libel suit instituted by the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel and Senator Effiong

Bob against one Leo Ekpenyong.

Thomas, in the statement frowned at the CJ’s summary decision to jail the lawyer, adding that his group was working with the NBA and other concerned civil society organisations to step up reconciliatory efforts towards his release.

54

THURSDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Chukwuma, Nwokocha Fail to Reach Podium as Jamaican Thompson-Herah Wins Gold Kenyan Omanyala adds gold to African record, Simbine settles for silver

Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s duo of Rosemary Chukwuma and Grace Nwokocha failed in their bid to make the podium in the women’s 100m final of the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham last night.

Jamaican Elaine ThompsonHerah, the only one of Jamaica's "Big Three" women to show up at Birmingham 2022, was rewarded with the 100 metres gold. She

C O M M O N W E A LT H G A M E S clocked 10.95 to win the gold while St. Lucia ‘s Julien Alfred (11.01) and Daryll Neita (11.07) of England settled for the silver and bronze medals.

Both Chukwuma (11.17) and Nwokocha (11.17) finished fourth and fifth in the women’s sprint in which Blessing Okagbare won both the 100m and 200m at the 2014 edition of the Games in

Glasgow, Scotland.

The two Nigerian sprinters had showed so much promise in both the heats and the semi final races to give compatriots hope of podium placements. But that was not to be as ThompsonHerah, twice the 100/200m sprint champion at the Olympics raced to the finish line unchallenged.

The Jamaican finished third in

last month's World Championship 100 final behind Shericka Jackson and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. She was originally only a reserve for the Commonwealths but when Fraser-Pryce opted out, she stepped in.

With Dina-Asher Smith, fourth in Eugene, also absent through injury, Thompson-Herah was the clear favourite for her first individual Commonwealth title.

Speaking shortly after Thompson-Herah was presented

with her gold last night, the Jamaican lady admitted feeling good winning the gold medal.

"Feeling good, I didn't have the best execution but nevertheless I had to dig for that one but I am still grateful to win my first Commonwealth Games," she said.

"I started in 2014 in the 4x100m. Then in 2018 in the 200m I came fourth and now I upgraded to a gold."

In the men’s race, Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala took the

gold ahead of his South African rival Akani Simbine. Omanyala who converted from rugby to sprinting in his late teen years, coasted home in 10.02 secs while Simbine took the silver in 10.13.

Sri Lanka’s Yupun Abeykoon (10.14) got the consolatory bronze medal which is his country’s first Commonwealth Games track & field medal since 1998.

Nigeria’s men in the sprint, Favour Ashe and Godson Oghenebrume could not go beyond the semis.

Holders Bayelsa Utd, Rangers, Enyimba, Remo Stars Crash out Cup holders Bayelsa United and former champions Rangers International have been sent packing from this year’s AITEO Cup competition in the Round of 32.

Two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC of Aba and CAF Confederation Cup aspirants Remo Stars were also victims as a good number of the 16 matches on Wednesday threw up interesting results.

Champions Bayelsa United and Green Berets ended it 0-0 at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus but Green Berets went ahead to win 5-4 on penaltes Enugu Rangers were leading Heartland FC of Owerri at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City but the Imo State champions drew level and then went ahead to win 8-7 on penalties.

Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes

AITEO CUP 2022 failed to find the net over 90 minutes in Ijebu-Ode before penalty shoot-out came to the rescue and the Ikon Allah smiled home 6-5 winners, to reach the Round of 16.

In Abuja, Kwara United shot ahead in the first half against Wikki Tourists, who then levelled up and went ahead to win 4-3 on penalties at the FIFA Goal Project.

A marathon penalty shoot-out was needed to separate Nasarawa United and Sokoto United, who ended their tie 1-1 in Kaduna. The Solid Miners scraped through 11-10after penalties and will be part of action in the Round of 16 scheduled for the weekend.

The women’s Round of 16 matches will take place this evening.

ROUND OF 32 RESULTS (MEN) Jamaican Elaine Thompson-Herah celebrating her first Commonwealth Games sprint gold medal ...last night

Victor Osimhen...doubtful for AFCON 2023 duties with Super Eagles

Napoli Boss Rules Out Osimhen, Others from AFCON 2023 There are strong indications that Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, and other African players in Napoli may miss the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Napoli FC President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, insisted yesterday that he will not sign African players for the club unless they agree to not play at the continental football showpiece for their various countries.

Osimhen and two other African players namely; Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly - now at Premier League side Chelsea and Cameroon midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa. Osimhen missed the last edition hosted by Cameroon.

The 73-year-old Napoli boss said though he ‘loves' Napoli's African players, he’s pained having to pay them so much for the amount of time they are away.

“I told them lads, don't talk to me about Africans anymore!' said De Laurentiis during a streamed event.

“I love them, but either they sign something confirming they'll back out of playing the Africa Cup of Nations, or otherwise between that tournament, the World Cup qualifiers in South America, these players are never available!

“We are the idiots who pay salaries only to send them all over the world playing for others.”

Last season Napoli lost Kalidou Koulibaly to the AFCON and the centre-back went all the way with Senegal and won the tournament.

The 31-year-old has now signed for Chelsea.

Former Fulham man AndreFrank Zambo Anguissa represented Cameroon at the tournament while he was on loan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Ironically, Napoli made his loan a permanent signing back in May, clearly before De Laurentiis formed his stance.

Napoli announced a bout of COVID would keep the prolific Osimhen from representing the Super Eagles, but his withdrawal

from selection and the timing of it raised a few eyebrows in Nigeria.

Osimhen scored 18 times in 32 games last season. He played twice more than Zambo Anguissa, but twice less than Koulibaly. The top appearance maker for Napoli, who finished third in Serie A last season, was midfielder Elif Elmas with 46.

The AFCON only takes place every two years and runs for around a month in January. The 2021 tournament was played this year because COVID prevented it from happening the year prior, so there will be back-to-back tournaments with the 2023 edition coming next January.

Nigeria Drub Myanmar, Zimbabwe at Chess Olympiad in India Femi Solaja After a disappointing draw scoreline in all-African pairing in the fifth round against Kenya and Botswana in the Open section respectively, Team Nigeria bounced back to reckoning yesterday with a resounding win against Myanmar and Zimbabwe as the World Chess Olympiad in Chennia, India hit half way mark.

The male team secured 2.5 to 1.5 win over Myanmar after Balogun Oluwafemi on board one secured a win against Maung

Kyaw Hein and Bomo Kigigha in black pieces consolidated on Nigeria’s advantage with a win over Sai Han Thiha but Adebayo Adegboyega blundered against Kyan Mayat Aung to reduce the margin.

However, Akinseye Abiola played a draw on board four to give Nigeria a useful one and half points edge against the Asian nation. The result pushed the team to seven match point with 13.5 in Tie break 3 on the overall.

In the women section, Enomah Emmanulla Trust set the tone of

a bright day for Nigeria on board one with a brilliant win against Charinda Kudzanayi of Zimbabwe but the lead was cut by half after Ofowino Toritsemuwa drew to Shaba Linda Dalitso on board two.

Tournament debutant, Ogbiyoyo Perpetual extended Nigeria’s lead on board three in black pieces against Makwena Christine but young Onoja Iyefu Joy lost to Zengeni Melisa on board four to cut Nigeria’s lead but on the overall it ended 2.5 to 1.5 in favour of the country.

The female team now has

seven match points and tie break of 31. However, on the top boards, former world champion, Armenia still dictate the pace in the Open section on better tie break with USA and India Team two with 12 Match points and 33 Tie break 3 While in the women section, host, India Team 2 is clear lead with 12 match points and Tie break 3 of 31.

Action resumes today with Nigeria likely to be paired against a tough opposition in the 11-round Swiss event pairing.

Bayelsa Utd Enyimba Doma Utd Akure Academy Rangers Int’l Sunshine Cynosure FC Remo Stars Kogi Utd DMD FC Zamfara Utd Fulfill FC Kwara Utd B’Insurance Sokoto Utd

0-0 0-0 0-3 2-1 1-1 5-1 1-3 0-3 2-2 0-0 0-5 0-1 1-1 1-1 1-1

Green Beret (4-5 penalties) N’Tornadoes (5-6 penalties) Lobi Stars B’Insurance Feeders Heartland 1 (7-8 penalties) Rovers FC Katsina Utd Akwa Utd Kanta Utd (5-4 penalties) Housing Corp. (4-2 penalties) Kano Pillars El-Kanemi Wikki (3-4 penalties) Ottasolo FC (4-3 penalties) Nasarawa (10-11 penalties)

Gumel, Ali Commend Team Nigeria over Conducts in Birmingham The President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Habu Gumel, and the Coordinator of Team Nigeria athletes to the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Yusuf Ali, have commended the conduct of the country’s athletes at the Games.

Gumel said after about one week into the competition, he was elated that there has been no incidence of any sort in the camp of Team Nigeria.

He said: “We are so happy that we are doing well on the medals table and we will get better but more importantly I want commend all our athletes for their discipline and dedication.

“It has been a family affair here and they help one another while training and also while

competing. We expect this to continue throughout the games.”

Ali also added that the Minister of Sports, Chief Sunday Dare went round the camp of all the nine sports disciplines to ensure all athletes were doing great.

“The minister spoke to them about discipline and the image of the country. We also talk to them on a daily basis to work hard and compete fairly to win.

“We have had two or three cases where there were bad calls against our athletes here but the officials and athletes handled the cases maturely. We are conscious of the image of Nigeria and so the conduct of these athletes generally has been great just as we are also doing well in the overall medals table,” Ali said.

55

THURSDAY, ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺͺ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

After 11 Years, Schmeichel Leaves Leicester City for Nice L i t City Leicester Cit Captain, C t i K Kasper Schmeichel, has left the club after 11 years and joined Ligue 1 side Nice.

The goalkeeper, 35, made 479 appearances for the Foxes after signing from Leeds, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield.

Schmeichel was also part of the side that won the Championship in 2013-14.

He follows Aaron Ramsey to Nice after the Welshman, 31, also joined the French club following the termination of his contract at Juventus.

TRANSFER NEWS Schmeichel, capped 84 times

by Denmark, had been given permission to leave Leicester.

Leicester Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said: "Throughout his time with us and particularly as a captain and vice-captain, Kasper has always been a player willing to stand up and take responsibility, leading the team with distinction.

"His influence and his leadership on and off the pitch speak volumes about him as a

professional, f i l as a ffootball tb ll player l and as a human being.

"I know Leicester City supporters share the respect we all have for a player of Kasper's standing after all his accomplishments as a footballer and captain and will join me in wishing him the very best for the next stage of his career in France."

Leicester are the only club in Europe's top five leagues not to have signed a player this summer - and manager Brendan Rodgers admitted they had to manage their finances carefully.

Chelsea on Verge of Sealing Cucurella Deal with Brighton

Kasper Schmeichel...it’s time to take a walk from King Power Stadium

Chelsea are on the verge of a deal to sign Spain international full-back Marc Cucurella from Brighton.

The defender, 24, handed in a transfer request after interest from Manchester City, but they did not pursue a move and deemed the fee too high.

Chelsea sources are confident of concluding the transfer, however Brighton said "no agreement has been reached with any club" in a statement.

Cucurella was with Brighton for just one season after joining from Getafe.

He would become Chelsea's third summer signing after forward Raheem Sterlingand defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

The Blues have also agreed a £20million fee with Aston Villa for teenage England youth international Carney Chukwuemeka.

Last month, the Seagulls rejected a £30m bid from champions City for Cucurella and saw £50million as the benchmark - the fee Arsenal paid for England defender Ben White last summer.

Sources at the club said it would take another exceptional

offer to consider a sale as they saw Cucurella as a better player.

But, if sold, he would become the second big-money departure this summer from the Amex after midfielder Yves Bissouma joined Tottenham in a £25m deal, plus add-ons.

A Barcelona academy graduate, Cucurella has one senior cap for Spain and played for the under-23 side that won silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay Submit Joint Bid for 2030 FIFA World Cup Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay have submitted a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup. Uruguay hosted the competition's first ever tournament in 1930 and say they want to bring the World Cup "home" when it celebrates its centenary.

"This is the dream of a continent," said Alejandro Dominguez, president of the South

American Football Confederation (Conmebol).

Spain and Portugal have also announced a bid to be joint hosts.

Uruguay beat Argentina in the final to win the inaugural World Cup in 1930 and Dominguez was speaking at the scene of that win - Montevideo's Centenario Stadium.

"There will be more World

Cups, but the cup only turns 100 one time, and it needs to come home," added Dominguez.

Chile hosted the World Cup in 1962, while the tournament was held in Argentina in 1978.

"It's right for the World Cup to be hosted where it all began, 100 years later," said Ignacio Alonso, president of the Uruguayan Football Association.

The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar while Canada, Mexico and the USA will be joint hosts in 2026.

FIFA plans to select the 2030 host in 2024.

The UK and Republic of Ireland football associations agreed in February not to bid for the 2030 World Cup and instead focus on a joint attempt to host Euro 2028.

New Euro Football Season Set to kick-off on DStv, GOtv SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to the New Football Season as top action from the best leagues, teams, players and managers will return to their television screens.

SuperSport is poised to offer live action from Europe’s best leagues including the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League throughout the 20m22/23 season.

In the Premier League, all eyes will be on the battle between

Manchester City and Liverpool as these two brilliant teams look set to battle for the title once again, while the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur or Manchester United will also be keen to break the duopoly.

Real Madrid will begin La Ligaas the favourites to retain their title, but a determined Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid will be itching to knock their city rivals off the perch, while Barcelona could be a wildcard under the leadership of club legend Xavi.

In Italy’s Serie A, AC Milan

are still revelling in last season’s championship triumph, but arch rivals Internazionale will be gunning for their title, with the likes of Juventus, Napoli and Roma in what could be another thrilling race for the Scudetto.

The UEFA Champions Leagueis the gold standard for club football around the world and the big question is whether the big spenders Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain can finally become kings of Europe, or will the established royalty of Real Madrid emerge

triumphant yet again?

The UEFA Europa Leagueand UEFA Europa Conference Leagueprovide a platform for other clubs to seek European glory as evidenced by the respective triumphs of Eintracht Frankfurt and Roma last term.

The new Football Season gets more exciting as the sport’s most epic event will take place right in the middle of the campaign. The 2022 FIFA World Cupin Qatar, set to hold between November and December will see one nation crowned as the globe’s leading football team.

Mark Cucurella...Chelsea bound

The Blues Block Alonso from Leaving Stamford Bridge Chelsea have moved to block Marcos Alonso's transfer to Barcelona after the Catalan club snatched Jules Kounde from under their noses.

The Blues are also said to be reluctant to allow fellow defender Cesar Azpilicueta to complete his move to the Nou Camp in what is becoming an increasingly

fractious and complicated set of negotiations.

It comes after Barcelona swooped for £55m Sevilla defender Kounde even after Chelsea had seen their offer accepted.

Barca had pulled off a similar move to hijack Chelsea's move to sign Raphinha from Leeds United earlier in the summer.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

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MISSILE

Governors to Malami/Zainab Ahmed “FEC may also wish to note that the undue haste in which the payment of the contractors in the Paris Club refund has been pursued and processed by the AGF and HMF has already created the impression in the discerning minds of the public that it would appear that the interest of contractors takes precedence over and above the welfare and interest of the general public whom the senior officials of government had sworn to defend and protect” —the NGF letter on the AGF and Finance Minister on the controversial $418 million payment

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Echoes from the Past

“It is commonplace to say that Nigeria is at the moment very lucky because of oil revenues.

In a very real sense, we have much more money than our system can absorb. Unofficial estimates put the figure added to our reserve this year at N2 billion. In many essential respects this bounty has been a blessing…But the reverse side of this coin is painful to contemplate. The nature and source of oil money put it in a class of its own.

A few years ago, a disturbing international report was published arguing in stark terms the failure of all underdeveloped oil producing countries to make more than marginal use of their splendid fortune. No effort is involved on our part. It is the foreigners who employ their capital and skills to exploit this resource and we simply receive huge autonomous additions to our national income.

“Such un-worked for riches can land a country in trouble of a peculiar kind. There is soulless opulence of the few, in evil contrast to crushing poverty of the many. There is unimaginable corruption and disastrously wrong allocation of resources. Above all there is the absence of hard work without which the country cannot pull itself together. In that sense the oil money becomes poison rather than honey. How will an economic historian 50 years hence explain the relative expenditure on agriculture and on the various forms of so-called ‘culture’: All-African Games, Black Arts Festival and all the rest of it? He must conclude that we had taken leave of our collective senses…”

—Editorial of the ‘New Nigerian’ newspaper, ‘Oil Money: Honey or Poison’, published on 29th June 1974

I

n less than two years we will mark the 50th anniversary of that editorial. I believe it is safe to conclude that when the ‘economic historian’ (envisaged by the editors of the once powerful national newspaper) arrives in June 2024, he will indeed conclude that he met people who had taken leave of their collective senses.

That is the only way to explain what Nigeria has become, despite the incredible human capital and the humongous oil wealth that has accrued to our national coffers over the past 48 years.

The editorial of course did not simply lament the recklessness at the time, it also advocated that we deploy “considerable energies and resources in producing a commodity which is more important even than oil: food. We must at all costs get agriculture on the move again. There are millions of acres lying fallow when they could be used to grow food for our burgeoning population.” And to do that successfully, the editorialists suggested that “a N500 million plan with the help of, say, Danish and Chinese experts under our direction, would do wonders for grain productivity in this country. We may or may not have oil in 50 years.

But to survive we must have food. The ground work can be done now.”

That groundwork never got started. Today, the poor in our country, according to the World Bank, number 95.1 million people. The implication is that as many as 45 percent of Nigerians are living below the poverty line with several millions not knowing where the next meal will come from.

A joint report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development released in March this year stated that approximately 19.4 million Nigerians would face food insecurity between June and August 2022. In the 2021 Global Hunger Index, Nigeria was ranked 103rd out of 116 countries—a level of hunger that is considered ‘serious’.

From the debt overhang to the national currency whose value diminishes by the minute to the oil and gas sector where the bounty of nature abundantly available on our shores has been ceded to thieves,

President Muhammadu Buhari Nigeria is in deep crisis. The atrocious security situation compounds our woes. Whether on the road, at school or in the marketplace, death has become an unscheduled consequence of normal living since government—the only human invention meant to separate men from beasts—has lost the monopoly of violence to sundry criminal cartels. After taking over the roads, bandits have also grounded the railway that we built with jumbo loans we don’t know how to repay. And gradually, flying is being priced beyond the reach of many of us.

Nigerian commentators often ask, ‘how did

we get here?’

It is interesting that as far back as 48 years ago, the ‘New Nigerian’ editorialists highlighted the malaise. The ‘unimaginable corruption’ alluded to is still very much with us and so is ‘wrongful allocation of resources’. Projects running into hundreds of millions of dollars are conceived and cited for political reasons even when they make no economic sense. So it is little wonder that thousands of abandoned projects to the tune of several trillions of Naira litter the national landscape.

That perhaps explains why our lawmakers could still contemplate establishing 63 additional universities, polytechnics and colleges of education that would be sited in their villages. The editorialists of 1974 also noticed that Nigerians didn’t see the correlation between work and wealth. That has also not changed, having deluded ourselves for decades that we are a rich nation whose citizens could enjoy practically everything free of charge.

On 22nd October 1925, Mohandas Gandhi published in his weekly newspaper, ‘Young India’ what he described as ‘Seven Social Sins’. It is quite instructive that the first on the list of those seven social sins he admonishes us to avoid is Wealth without work. The others of course are Pleasure without conscience; Knowledge without character; Commerce without morality; Science without humanity; Worship without sacrifice and Politics without principle. Apart from science for which we have not developed the requisite capacity, one can conclude that Nigeria is what it is today as a result of the prevalence of the six other social sins.

Indeed, wealth without work seems to be our national ethos and accounts for all manner of indulgences—including our uncontrolled (and largely unproductive) population, though many live in denial about the issue. At independence in

1960, our population was 45.2 million. That same year, the population of the United Kingdom was 52 million, meaning that the country from which we were gaining independence had about seven million more people than Nigeria. Today, the UK is 67 million, an increase of about 14 percent over the past 62 years while Nigeria’s estimated population is 216 million, an increase of almost 450 percent!

I am not here to read from the book of Lamentations. The catalogue of misdeeds is simply to remind us of things that need to change if we are to reposition our country for peace and prosperity. In his statement titled, ‘Let us pity the next president’ released on Tuesday, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi highlighted the challenges ahead and the kind of leader Nigeria needs. He then concluded that “the next president is not going to face problems that are for a novice, nor can the nation wait for him to learn any longer. He should be ready from day one.” It’s not every day I share the same view with Gumi but I agree with him on that summation, as well as a number of his prescriptions. Our nation has reached a difficult intersection as we inch towards a crucial election.

Sadly, there is no serious discussion about the future or why things must be done differently.

As things stand, the next president must come with the attitude of an orchestra leader: He must be prepared to back the crowd. There are no easy options ahead. Yes, we must wean our nation of the distributive politics of rent that is at the root of corruption and mismanagement. But all the talk about taxation, removal of subsidy, cost-reflective tariffs in other critical sectors etc. (which by the way I support) would make sense only with responsible representation.

Continued on page 30

Daisy Danjuma at 70 M

aintaining a work-life balance is difficult. Particularly for women in a patriarchal society like ours. And it is even more so when the woman is both beautiful and professionally accomplished.

But somehow, Mrs Daisy Danjuma, a lawyer of almost five decades, has succeeded in finding that right balance. She has become a worthy role model for many Nigerian women who believe they are not only equal to men but can attain their full potential while keeping their home without compromising cherished principles.

Interestingly, although married to one of the most powerful men in Nigeria, Mrs Danjuma has for decades, by sheer force of personality, been among a tiny group of people more easily recognized by their distinctive first names. To many Nigerians, she is simply Daisy!

Mrs Danjuma, who will be 70 on Saturday, had a stint in politics as an elected Senator representing Edo South between 2003 and 2007 before joining her husband in the corporate world where she currently brings her intellect, experience and exposure to bear as the Executive Vice Chairman of Sapetro and Chairman, May and Baker Nigeria Plc. But her one-term Senate stint was also very remarkable. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youth, Senator Danjuma spent her time fighting for the most vulnerable of our society as one of the early promoters of what eventually passed as the Violence Against Persons (prohibition) Act (VAPP), 2015.

A decade earlier in 2005, Senator Danjuma

Daisy Danjuma had sponsored one of the most important health legislations in the country. Perhaps out of ignorance or mischief, a bill aimed at reducing the prevalent maternal and child mortality in the country suddenly

became an “abortion promotion bill” for which she was vilified. Meanwhile, what the Senator sought was the establishment of an institute to tackle reproductive health in a manner that would focus on child and maternal health. But the issues she raised are as important today as they were yesterday and will remain so tomorrow.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates, 303,000 women die annually in childbirth or as a result of complications arising from pregnancy. This approximates to the avoidable loss of one woman every two minutes.

But that does not even tell the whole story of the frightening statistics. Approximately two-thirds of those maternal deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa with Nigeria and India accounting for one-third of all global deaths. It was in a bid to tackle this preventable menace that Senator Danjuma introduced the proposed legislation that attracted stiff opposition in a country where hypocrisy has become a national ideology.

Having attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in the seventies, Senator Danjuma belongs to the generation that saw a better Nigeria than what we witness today. That has inspired her to give back through quiet acts of philanthropy. But much more importantly, as she joins the elite club of septuagenarians, Daisy Danjuma has proved that for Nigeria to develop and thrive, ‘The Other Room’ must be for our women a place of gender equality and mutual respect rather than a place of subjugation by men.

I wish Senator Daisy Danjuma happy birthday, long life and good health.

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