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Auditor General: FG’s 2019 Audit Report Contains N4.973trn Unsubstantiated Balances Deji Elumoye The Auditor General of the Federation (AuGF), Adolphus Aghughu, has painted an unpleasant picture of the audited accounts of federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies in 2019, saying unsubstantiated balances totalling the sum of N4.973trillion was observed by his

office in the audit carried out on the consolidated financial statement for the fiscal year.

He also lamented that his office had been incapacitated in so many ways from functioning effectively and efficiently as far as the detection of mismanagement of public funds by the various MDAs was concerned.

Speaking yesterday while submitting the 2019 Audit report to the Clerk of the National Assembly (CNA), Ojo Amos Olatunde, the Auditor General revealed that, "from the audit carried out on the 2019 Federal Government Consolidated Financial Statement, unsubstantiated balances amounting to N4.973 trillion were observed

"The N4.973 trillion unsubstantiated balances are above the materiality level of N89.34 billion set for the Audit," he explained.

In auditing, materiality means not just a quantified amount, but the effect that amount would have in various contexts.

During the auditing planning process, the auditor decides what the

level of materiality will be, taking into account, the entirety of the financial statements to be audited.

According to the AGF, auditing of consolidated financial statement of the federal government on yearly basis would be expeditiously carried out once made available by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

He said: "You will recall that on March 25th this year, Audit of Consolidated Financial Statement of the Federal Government for the 2018 was submitted to this office for the required investigation of queries raised in it by the National Assembly. Just five months after, we Continued on page 8

Sanusi’s Exposé on Buhari, APC, Vindicates Us, Says PDP... Page 8 Thursday 19 August, 2021 Vol 26. No 9628. Price: N250

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PIA: Buhari Blames Past Leaders for Lacking Political Will to Transform Sector Says Nigeria lost $50bn investments in 10 years over non-passage of PIB Sylva: NNPC will no longer handle federation crude sales Govs pick holes in new law Legislation can be brought back to NASS for amendment, says Lawan FIRS: Act will affect Nigeria’s 2022 revenues New law not perfect, but step in right direction, says NEITI boss Ozekhome: It's Robbing Peter to Pay Paul Statute reflects APC's commitment to restructure Nigeria’s Economy, Say APC Governors Deji Elumoye, Alex Enumah, Emmanuel Addeh, Adedayo Akinwale, Udora Orizu, in Abuja; Dike Onwuamaeze, Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie in Lagos President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday accused his predecessors of not having the political will to transform the petroleum industry in the last two decades.

He also disclosed that Nigeria lost an estimated $50 billion worth of investments in 10 years, due to uncertainty over the non-passage and signing of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law, lack of progress and stagnation in the petroleum sector.

Also, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has explained that with the PIA set to take off in earnest, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will no longer handle the sale of crude oil that goes into the federation account.

But in spite of praises the federal government has been receiving Continued on page 8

PIA ON THEIR MINDS …

L–R: Deputy Senate President , Senator Ovie Omo–Agege ; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase ; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; President Muhammadu Buhari, and Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, shortly after the inaugural remarks on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: GOWIN OMOIGUI

US Commits $73m Towards Nigeria’s COVID-19 Response… Page 50

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

IRONING OUT AREAS OF COMMON INTERESTS… L-R: Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission. NIDCOM, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission, Mr. Lamido Yuguda; Director Admin and Finance, NIDCOM, Mrs. Victoria Adeosun; Head Legal, NIDCOM, Barr Abdullahi Bello, and SEC Executive Commissioner Operations, Mr. Dayo Obisan, during a meeting between the SEC and NIDCOM in Abuja ... yesterday

Report: Women Hold Less Than 25% Corporate Board Positions in Nigeria Dike Onwuamaeze A new report on board gender diversity trends in Nigeria’s corporate organisations has revealed that less than a quarter of board positions in companies quoted on the Nigerian Exchange Limited’s (NGX) top 20 quoted companies are occupied by women.

The report stated that 56 seats (23.4 per cent) out of 239 board seats available in the top 20 companies were held by women, while 183 seats (76.6 per cent) were held by men during the period under review.

This represented a marginal increase of 2.5 per cent, compared with the 20.9 per cent recorded the previous year.

The report titled, “The 2021 PWR NGX Top 20 Gender Diversity Scorecard,” however, showed that the number of female board chairpersons decreased from three in 2020, to two in 2021, adding that none of the top 20 companies were led by a female CEO during the period under review.

The report was derived from

a study by the PWR Advisory, a leadership, diversity and inclusion advisory and advocacy firm.

It also showed that female representation in Nigeria’s corporate board was slightly better than Ghana’s 23 per cent, but lower than South Africa’s 29 per cent.

The PWR Advisory stated that the top 20 companies were selected based on the size of their market capitalisation on the NGX. It stated that, “in 2021, 23.4 per cent of board directorships of the NGX’s top 20 companies by market capitalisation are held by women. This is slightly up from 20.9 per cent in 2020.

“The 25 per cent of the top 20 companies have at least 30 per cent female representation on their boards. Last year 30 per cent of the top 20 companies met these criteria.

“Ten per cent of the companies have female board chairs against 15 per cent in 2020. These companies are all banks as was the case in 2020. Same as last year, none of the 20 companies on the list has a female CEO. Two companies on the list do not have any female representation

Bandits Kidnap Nine Islamiyya Pupils, Teacher in Katsina Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsin State Police Command yesterday confirmed the abduction of nine pupils of an Islamiyya School in Sakkai village of Faskari Local Government Area of the State.

The Command's Public Relations Officer, SP Gambo Isah, who confirmed the abduction of the pupils in an exclusive interview with THISDAY, said the pupils were abducted by the hoodlums last Tuesday.

Isah, who did not disclose the name of the school, explained that the pupils were kidnapped by the marauding bandits while returning home from the Islamic school after closing hours.

He said: "Yesterday (Tuesday), after closing from school, some pupils while on their way going to their respective houses were abducted by bandits who went into Sakkai village.

"Nine of them (pupils) were abducted by the bandits but we are making frantic efforts with the view to rescue them from the hand of the hoodlums. Effort is on top gear".

However, a resident of the village, Ibrahim Dan-baba, who also confirmed the abduction of the pupils to THISDAY, added that the bandits also kidnapped one of the school teachers.

He said the bandits stormed the school on motorcycles when the pupils were about to close for the day and started shooting indiscriminately, the development which, he said, caused a commotion in the school premises and in nearby communities.

"They (bandits) are yet to contact the family of the abducted pupils or the school management.

In fact, the school is now closed and many people are running to Faskari town for fear of the unknown," he said.

on their boards. There was only one company in this category in 2020.”

The five highest ranked performers were Lafarge Cement, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Nigerian Breweries, Access Bank and Guaranty Trust Holdings Company.

Lafarge, IBTC and Nigerian Breweries earned four stars each, which signified 40 per cent or more of female representation, while Access Bank and Guaranty Trust got three stars each, indicating 30 per cent or more female board representation.

Sectoral breakdown of the figures further revealed that the financial sector is the most gender-friendly in terms of female representation in their

boards with 29.67 per cent while the consumer goods sector was the least gender sensitive in their board compositions with 17.46 per cent.

The oil and gas scored 21.43 per cent while ICT and the industrial goods sectors earned 20 per cent each.

The report added: “Twenty per cent of the banks in the NGX Top 20 have at least 30 per cent female board representation. (This does not include Holding companies with banking subsidiaries).

“The Central Bank of Nigeria stipulates 30 per cent female representation on the boards of Nigerian commercial banks. In the financial services sector, 28.6 per cent of the boards in this list are chaired by women. Across

the other sectors represented (consumer goods, industrial goods, ICT & oil/gas), none of the boards are chaired by women.”

The Founder of the PWR Advisory, Ms. Ivana Osagie, who presented the gender diversity scorecard, said the 2021 report was meant to build on the momentum that was galvanised by the inaugural edition last year in corporate Nigeria, which raised awareness of the business case for gender diversity in boardrooms.

Osagie noted that, “since then there has been a slight increase in the number of appointments of women to boards, particularly as non-executive directors and as managing directors. This is not necessarily in listed companies.

“I have no doubt that Nigerian businesses will greatly benefit from having a greater diversity of perspectives in boardrooms and on executive leadership teams.

While some progress has been recorded, it is minimal and far from satisfactory. Much more needs to be done to accelerate the rate of change and unlock untapped value.

“Businesses and communities in Nigeria and across the African continent will reap significant economic return by fully unleashing the potential of half the population. Corporate boards as custodians of economic prosperity have a key role to play in achieving this,” noting that “there is safety in diversity” because “it’s a win-win for all.”

FG, Cross River Set to Build 1,000 Social Housing Units

The Federal Government in partnership with the Cross River State Government is set to commence the construction of 1,000 housing units to be spread across the three senatorial zones of the state.

The social housing program is under the National Social Housing Program being promoted by the Economic Sustainability Committee in the office of the Vice President.

Disclosing the flag of the project during a presentation to the state governor, Sir Ben Ayade in Calabar, Managing Director of Family Homes Funds Limited, Femi Adewole, said "the scheme is a new program that was instituted in October 2020 as one of the economic sustainability plans of the federal government in response to the effects of Covid-19."

Adewole said the development of the housing units was going to be in phases with the first phase or part that will see to the construction of “a thousand units under the affordable housing programme."

Continuing, he revealed that "the social housing program is one of the economic sustainability plans of the Federal Government in response to the effects of Covid-19 on the economy and also to alleviate its impact on Nigerians on very low income.

"By it's nature, this program is

targeted at Nigerians on very low income with the directive from the committee that the houses should cost no more than two million naira and that is basically to ensure that it is affordable to civil servants who are earning the minimum wage."

On how the scheme will be funded, Adewole stated: "The program will be funded under a two hundred billion naira debenture deed between the Family Homes Funds and the Central Bank of Nigeria with the beneficiaries expected to pay for their houses over a 15-year period as a minimum. And if you work that out for the two million naira house, it will give you just under nine thousand naira monthly repayment schedule and that meets the affordability criteria."

Giving a breakdown of how the projects will be distributed, the Family Homes Funds CEO, revealed that "three sites have been identified in Cross River State and they are Odukpani, Ikom and Ogoja and the designs for all of these and the documentations have now been completed and we expect to finalize the funding by the end of this month with a prospective groundbreaking at a date to be agreed with His Excellency.

"The second part is the affordable housing program and that is what we call the vanilla of the

family homes funds and this is aimed at low/middle income earners."

According to Adewole, "having done the social housing, we are also making provisions for commercial spaces, green areas and parks and that has reduced the number across the three sites for the social housing to a total of 886 Units which is slightly short of our 1000 units target. So your Excellency that is where we are."

Expressing excitement at the choice of Cross River for the pilot project, Governor Ayade recalled that "Our first discussion on this was back in Russia and back then you told me that you would make sure Cross River gets into the scheme and today you are here to keep your promise. I want to thank you very much."

Ayade said "having listened to your presentation, I know the board of Family Homes Funds will definitely give the final approval on the 24th which is next week Tuesday. So I cannot wait to have your phone call with the good news to tell me all is done."

The governor said with Cross River population at 4.2 million, 886 housing units were grossly inadequate, adding that "We have the NLC here, we have the civil servants, we have market women, so I am worried about 886 units when we have about

15000 people already interested.

I think that 886 is such a small number for Cross River State with a population of 4.2m people."

On the cost of two bedroom bungalow as proposed by Family Homes Funds, Ayade beamed: "So your provision of N 2 million for a one bedroom house for the poorest of the poor and not necessarily tying it to a formal income regime is very commendable.

"But we must also be very sensitive to the quality of the houses even though we are desperate to keep the price at N2 million so as to avoid disasters in the future."

Governor Ayade promised that "for us as a government, I will want to do something a little better than what you have offered and this will be at no extra cost to the beneficiaries but to the state because we want Cross River to be your extraordinary shining example.

I know that a two million naira house will not be fitted, given the kind of rain fall pattern we have. And the reality is that for this house to last up to 15 years, you will definitely need state government support so you will see some certain modifications which will also help in facilitating repayments because the beneficiaries will be too happy with the quality."

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ERELU BECOMES NNE GBURUGBURU...

L-R: An official of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Women's Wing, Ekiti State, Mrs. Blessing Egonu; Chair of the group, Lady Patricia Ndubuisi; First Lady, Ekiti State, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Vice Chair, Mrs. Caroline Okonkwo; and Chair, Planning Committee, Lady Patience Juwe, during the presentation of a plaque and conferment of the 'Nne Gburugburu' title on Erelu Fayemi by the Ndigbo Community in Ado-Ekiti... recently

Osinbajo Challenges Laboratory Scientists on COVID-19 Vaccine Production

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has charged laboratory scientists and experts in infectious disease control in the country to rise to the challenge of manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines locally.

This is just as at the 23rd Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD) held in Abuja yesterday, the National President of the association, Mr. Adibo Elochukwu, disclosed that private medical laboratories in Nigeria presently account for an estimated annual trade volume of $1 billion (N456, 250 billion).

While declaring the meeting open, Osinbajo who was represented by the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said there was no doubt that the country possesses the knowledge and expertise to realise the goal of developing local vaccine production facility in no distant time.

He said the outbreak of the virus has continued to emphasise action and innovation in vaccine manufacturing as well as invitro-

diagnostics, specifically with regards to invitro diagnostic not only in Nigeria but across Africa.

Osinbajo added: “The vaccine manufacturing capacity in Nigeria will greatly impact on the national response against COVID-19 and other diseases and this should not be left to government alone.

“As you know, the window of opportunity that exists in the development of vaccine is a priority in the national budget.

"This window will not last forever. It requires more than just the usual to ensure that plans are followed up with delivery to scale up our ability to produce the vaccine and invitro-diagnostics that will be used in our country.

"I trust that the keynote session on harnessing the resources of Public-Private Partnership for the production of human vaccine and invitro-diagnostics in Nigeria will be helpful in doing what is necessary."

He further said one area where the COVID-19 has led to tremendous success was in the area of public-private partnership.

Earlier in his welcome address, Elochukwu praised laboratory scientists for making reasonable contributions to the economy and health of the nation.

In terms of trade volume, Elochukwu said the economic contribution of laboratory scientist translates to 5.1 per cent of Nigeria's annual Gross Domestic Product.

Also, he disclosed that over 4,000 laboratory firms in the

country employ about 22,000 skilled and unskilled labour and process 91, 250,000 pathological samples annually.

Elochukwu said over 80 private laboratories in the country had set up molecular laboratories and have increased in-country testing

Governors under the umbrella of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) yesterday cancelled a meeting scheduled to discuss the implications of the recently assented Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

THISDAY learnt that all things been equal, at today’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, the issue would form the main agenda.

The NEC meeting is always chaired by Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

A statement by the Head, Media and Public Affairs, NGF, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, had stated that the 33rd Teleconference meeting of the Forum was to hold on Wednesday, 18th August, 2021 to discuss the fallout from the PIA, Water Resources Bill and

Withholding Tax. "Other items on the agenda according to Mr. Okauru include an update on the refund of Withholding Tax (WHT) and Stamp Duties, the Nigerian Postal Service Bill, 2021 and Collection of Stamp Duties, and the recently signed Petroleum Industry Act where the governors are expected to identify next steps among other issues," a previous notice of the meeting read.

But Tuesday night, the NGF’s office sent words round that the meeting had been put off.

THISDAY later gathered that the Presidency mounted pressure on the governors to put off the meeting to enable the governors to discuss the PIA’s fallout with the presidency at the NEC meeting scheduled for today.

According to a reliable source, the governors have been engaging

"We see a huge opportunity if resources from private and government sectors are harnessed to improve Nigeria's healthcare services, especially in the area of human vaccines production and manufacture of in vitro diagnostics," he added.

Despite Curfew, Gunmen Kill Six in Fresh Plateau Attacks MACBAN denies involvement Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Gunmen suspected to herders have again attacked Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing five persons, despite the curfew.

But the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has denied any complicity in the latest attacks, warning that Fulani should not always be linked to all attacks in the state.

Also, the Plateau State government, which had imposed a 24-hour curfew on Jos North, Jos South and Bassa LGAs, has relaxed it. The curfew would now be observed from 6pm to 6am daily, beginning from today, Thursday,

August 19, 2021.

This notwithstanding, the assailants attacked Tafi-Gana village on Tuesday night, where they descended on their victims in their sleep.

In another attack in Dong village, some gunmen also killed a resident, a development confirmed by leader of the community, Danjuma Auta, to THISDAY National President of the Irigwe Development Association, Mr. Ezekiel Bini, confirmed the killings on Wednesday, adding that the whereabouts of four other persons have remained unknown after the attack.

He said: “Yes, it is true that five persons have been killed in fresh attack on us. We are now

Govs to Engage Presidency over Act, other Issues Today Chuks Okocha in Abuja

capacity.

He expressed optimism that governments would rally international and local support organisations for the private sector who hitherto had been grossly excluded from funding allocations as well as research grants.

the president since the National Assembly sent the bill to the President, but the break by the lawmakers did not help the governors to conclude the engagement.

The source said that the presidency had promised to look into the governors complaints, but were taken aback when they heard about the signing of the bill into law.

It was even gathered that the presidency had assured the governors separately that their positions would be amended before the eventual signing of the PIB. "We had assurances that the PIB will be sent back to the lawmakers for amendments, but what happened that made it to be signed baffled us, hence the need for the meeting," a source said.

According to the source, the

governors from the southern states were deeply worried that the PIB has been signed into law and urged the secretariat to summon a meeting and ensure that the issues concerning the law features prominently in their teleconference.

Another source from the NGF secretariat said. "One of the basic reasons why the meeting was put off, was to douse the tension generated already in south-south states and handle it with at the NEC level," assuring that at the end of the day amendments to the act would be sent to the National Assembly once the lawmakers are back from break.

Another source also said, "The aim of signing the PIB into law was first to break the jinx. We now have the PIA. Every further amendments would follow. The PIA is work in progress. It is not a concluded piece of legislation.”

Lalong relaxes curfew

on our way to meet the governor over the continued killings in our communities of Bassa, despite the curfew by the state government.

"They were killed right in their homes. Their corpses have just been deposited at the mortuary. Aside the five persons, four others have been missing.”

The Military Information Officer of the Special Task Force (STF), Major Ishaku Takwa,could not be reached to respond to the recent killings.

But in a statement by state chairman of MACBAN, Mallam Mohammad Nuru Abdullah, the association said Irigwe should be blamed for dehumanising the Fulani by abusing their human rights.

He said, "Condemn what we describe as outright violation and abuses of human rights, through discrimination, dehumanisation, genocide, ethnic cleansing and brutality by Irigwe warlords under the instructions of their great warriors and leaders.

"We condemn the incessant attacks and killings of indigenous Fulani herdsmen in our ancestral home by the armed Irigwe bandits.

We are stressed and stretched beyond elasticity by the oppression of our people entrapped in Miango chiefdom. Therefore, we seek urgent intervention and actions from all walks of life.

“The narrative had always been accusation against the Fulani over committing every attack under the sun. A press statement signed by one Danjuma Auta alleging that Fulani had attacked and killed five Irigwe persons at Tafi Gana village. This misinformation will never help us. The statement is meant to cause distraction from the real happenings.

“The Iregwe should know that Fulani will no longer remain

passive under such deliberate and sustained attacks on its integrity and dignity; we, therefore, call on government to stop this provocation and unwarranted insults,” he said.

However, announcing the relaxation of the curfew, a statement

by Governor Simon Lalong’sDirector of Press, Simon Macham stated that the decision was reached after the State Security Council meeting held at the Government House, Rayfield, yesterday, where the governor received briefings from the heads of security agencies and also reviewed the situation.

In relaxing the curfew, Lalong warned troublemakers to desist from threatening lives and properties of citizens or be ready for a showdown with security forces that have been directed to be tough with anyone causing a breach of the peace.

The governor expressed outrage over the desperation of criminals bent on causing mayhem in the state, as there were isolated attacks, which led to loss of lives and destruction of properties in some areas of Jos North and Bassa LGAs during the curfew.

While the curfew was relaxed in Jos North, security agencies would mount permanent checkpoints in volatile areas; deploy more uniform and plain clothes personnel; and also observe the conduct of citizens round the clock.

The governor reiterated that the prohibition on processions was still in force and anyone found violating the order would be dealt with according to the law.

He urged parents and community leaders to prevail on their wards to maintain peace as the government did not want to be forced to always resort to curfews, which affect the economy and freedom of the people as well as the state as a whole.

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Sanusi’s Exposé on Buhari, APC, Vindicates Us, Says PDP Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said the exposé by a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, that the gains made by Nigeria

in 35 years were wiped out in the last five years, has vindicated its stance that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration has wrecked the nation.

The PDP further said the declaration by Sanusi directly

reflected the position of a majority of Nigerians across the country.

The PDP, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the dire situation had gone beyond politics, and called on more stakeholders

to speak out irrespective of ethnicity, creed and political party affiliations, so as to save the nation from a total collapse.

According to the PDP, "The Buhari Presidency and the APC have in the last six years, only succeeded in destroying every sector of our national life with

their manifest incompetence, unbridled corruption, treasury looting, impunity, exclusionist and restrictive economic policies that have brought our nation to her knees.

"Nigerians can recall that the PDP handed over a robust economy, rated the largest hub

WORKSHOP FOR LEGAL RESEARCH ASSISTANTS… L-R: Secretary, National Judicial Institute, Abubakar Maidama; Administrator of the Institute, Justice Salisu Garba, and Justice of High Court Kogi State, Justice Alaba Ajileye, during PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE the National Workshop for Legal Research Assistants, organised by the institute in Abuja... yesterday

UAE Excludes Nigeria from Countries to Benefit in Visa-on-Arrival Policy Michael Olugbode in Abuja Nigeria has been excluded from a list of countries, whose citizens were deemed eligible to apply for visa-on-arrival by the United Arab Emirates.

According to reports, the Etihad Airways has released a list of

countries, whose travellers landing at Abu Dhabi airport could receive visas from its immigration desks and Nigeria was missing.

The list of about 70 countries, whose citizens were eligible for visa-on-arrival at the UAE included Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados,

Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France and Germany.

Also on the list were Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR of China), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan,

Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, People’s Republic of China and Peru.

Others were Poland, Republic of Mauritius, Republic of El Salvador, Portugal, Romania, Russian, Saint

PIA: BUHARI BLAMES PAST LEADERS FOR LACKING POLITICAL WILL TO TRANSFORM PETROLEUM SECTOR over the history that was made with the birth of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) might not be excited about the development.

This is because the NGF had six days before the president signed the PIB into law, expressed concern about the structure of the legislation that was passed by the National Assembly, saying without considering the interest of the federating states it would be recipe for national disaster if signed into law.

However, in a veiled response to concerns raised by the NGF, host communities as well as other stakeholders, President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, yesterday said pitfalls identified in the PIA could be brought back to the National Assembly for amendment.

This is just as the Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Muhammad Nami has said the PIA would negatively impact government’s revenue expected from petroleum profits tax next year.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the passage of the PIA, which preceded the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja, President Buhari gave the nine-man steering committee headed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, which was constituted to oversee the implementation of the PIA 12 months to complete its assignment.

The president stressed that assenting to the PIB marked the end of decades of uncertainty and under-investment in the petroleum industry.

He said: “We are all aware that past administrations have identified the need to further align the industry for global competitiveness, but there was lack of political will to actualise this needed transformation.

This lack of progress has stagnated the growth of the industry and the prosperity of our economy.

“This administration believes that the timely passage of the PIB will

help our country attract investments across the oil and gas value chain.

"In view of the value our nation and investors will derive from a stable fiscal framework for the oil and gas industry, our administration found it necessary to work with the two Chambers of the National Assembly to ensure the passage of the PIB." President Buhari noted that signing of the bill was part of the administration’s commitment to building a competitive and resilient petroleum industry that would attract investment, improve the country’s revenue base, create jobs and support our economic diversification agenda.

The president said as a, “nation that depends on oil resources for the development of other sectors, Nigeria runs a petroleum industry that is governed largely by laws enacted over 50 years ago such as the principal legislation; the Petroleum Act of 1969 and other obsolete legislations.’’

He said the Presidential assent of the bill to PIA 2021 marked the beginning of the journey towards a competitive and resilient petroleum industry that would attract investments to support the nation’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

According to him: “The PIA 2021 creates a regulatory environment that would ensure efficiency and accountability across the oil and gas value chain and reposition NNPC to a commercially driven National Petroleum Company that is accountable to the Federation.

“The Act also provides for a direct benefit framework that will enable sustainable development of Host Communities. I appeal to the host communities to look carefully at the contents of the Bill which in the implementation will bring real and lasting benefits to them.

“Furthermore, the Act provides for deliberate end to gas flaring which would facilitate the attainment of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined

Contributions of the Paris Agreement through a funding mechanism to support gas flare out project in host communities."

While directing immediate implementation of the framework for the PIA, he urged all relevant stakeholders to comply and reposition for full activation within 12 months.

The president said Sylva, would head the implementation team, urging all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA) to adjust to the transition, designed to reposition the economy.

“To consolidate the commitment of this administration to delivering the value proposition of this law, I have approved an implementation framework commencing immediately to ensure the industry envisaged in the new law begins to take shape.

“The implementation process to be headed by the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources is hereby tasked with the completion of the implementation of this act within 12 months. I am therefore directing all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to fully cooperate in ensuring the successful and timely implementation of this law,’’ he said.

Other members of the steering committee are Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum Resources; Group Managing Director, NNPC; Executive Chairman, FIRS; Representative of the Ministry of Justice; Representative of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Natural Resources; Mr. Olufemi Lijadu as External Legal Adviser, while the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Technology Development Fund, will serve as Head of the Coordinating Secretariat and the Implementation Working Group.

The primary responsibility of the steering committee shall be to guide the effective and timely

implementation of the PIA in the course of transition to the petroleum industry envisaged in the reform program, and ensure that the new institutions created have the full capability to deliver on their mandate under the new legislation.

The ceremony was attended by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan; Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase; members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mele Kyari.

Sylva: NNPC Will No Longer Handle Federation Crude Sales

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources has said with the PIA, the NNPC will no longer handle the sale of crude oil that goes into the federation account.

Speaking on a national television, the minister noted that the function will henceforth be performed by the Upstream Regulatory Commission, which will sell the commodity and retire the funds to the account from which the federal, state and local governments share monies monthly.

He stated that because NNPC Limited will be a company that would be operating commercially , it would no longer be dependent on the government, while the corporation would stop being the custodian of the crude oil as currently obtains.

“That will no longer happen because NNPC will be a commercial venture, completely decoupled from government and will be operating commercially. So, for the average Nigerian, he will be seeing a more serious NNPC and a more professional NNPC. “Monies will still accrue to the federation account, but NNPC will now have to give the federation crude to the upstream regulatory Continued on page 10

Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Vatican, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America and Uruguay.

The report also showed that visitors, who had been in Nigeria or South Africa in the preceding 14 days before travel would not be allowed to enter the UAE. Nigeria has for some months now being on the spot at different times with the UAE, whichonce banned travelling from the country.

In June, the UAE suspended flights to and from Lagos and Abuja. Emirati authorities also prohibited their nationals from visiting Nigeria and some other countries as the country controled exposure to COVID-19.

Both nations since late last year have been embroiled in diplomatic spat over fraudulent activities by Nigerian nationals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which has resulted in several flight restrictions, visa bans, and the exclusion of Nigerians from visiting Dubai.

in Africa and one of the fastest growing in the world with Fitch B+ rating and Gross Domestic Produce (GDP) of $574 billion to President Buhari and the APC in May 2015.

"Sadly, in the last six years, Buhari-led APC administration has reduced our productive sectors to a complete wreckage with alarming 33.3 per cent unemployment and 17.38% inflation rates; over 60 million hitherto flourishing businesses folded up and the naira crashing from N167 to a dollar in 2015 to N512 under the APC corrupt and directionless watch."

More depressing, the party said, was that the corrupt APC administration has practically erased all the gains of the debt repayment achieved by the PDP, returned the nation to a beggar state and mortgaged the sovereignty of the country with reckless borrowing and accumulated N33.107 trillion.

"Life has become so unbearable in Nigeria under President Buhari and the APC, that more than 82.9 million Nigerians are no longer able to afford their daily meals and other necessities of life, with our nation now ranking as poverty capital of the world and 98th out of 107 in Global Hunger Index.

"Today, under the APC, a liter of fuel, which sold for N87 under the PDP now sells for N165, a bag of rice, which sold for N8,000 now sells for N30,000, a measure of garri and beans, which sold for N150 and N250 now sell for N600 and N800 respectively; a measure of maize and guinea corn, which sold for about N150 now sells for N400, a kilo of meat,which sold for about N800 now sells for about N2,300 while a 12.5 kg of cooking gas, which sold for N3,000 now sells for over N6,000 – all thanks to the incompetence and corruption of the Buhari-led APC administration," the PDP said.

The party further said the compromises of the APC administration have led to the escalation of terrorist activities, banditry, kidnapping, killings, bloody agitations as well as other acts of violence that have turned our nation into a large funeral palour, with no hope in sight.

AUDITOR GENERAL: FG’S 2019 AUDIT REPORT CONTAINS N4.973TRN UNSUBSTANTIATED BALANCES

are here again to make submission of the 2019 Audit Report".

The Auditor General, however, lamented that his office was not performing optimally due to myriad of factors crippling its operations and invariably giving room for all forms of financial infractions across the various MDAs. He explained that, "One of such problems is the absence of Federal Audit Service Law, which is a big challenge as far as effective and efficient public sector auditing are concerned. This is a law that is needed as basis of fiscal sustainability.

“Absence of it at the federal level is very worrisome going by the fact that some of the states of the federation have the required law in place.

"Another problem incapacitating optimal functionality of our mandate as far as thorough and appropriate auditing of financial statements of the MDAs are concerned, is gross underfunding, which is telling much on

our efficiency.

“For example, the office is understaffed but there is no money for recruitment. Imagine many of our state offices, having just two or three staff. Auditing is done by a team not by an individual.

"Accommodation is also part of the problem as our staff in Lagos are about to be evicted from their office due to litigations. These are aside problem of insecurity seriously affecting our scope of coverage."

In his remarks, after receiving the Audit report, Deputy Clerk to the National Assembly, Bala Yabani, who stood in for the Clerk said the report would be submitted to the Clerk for onward submission to both the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, for the required legislative consideration.

According to him, all the complaints made by the AGF would be tabled before the leadership of the National Assembly for required actions and solutions.

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TEN PIA: BUHARI BLAMES PAST LEADERS FOR LACKING POLITICAL WILL TO TRANSFORM PETROLEUM SECTOR commission, and NNPC will no longer be in charge of the federation crude, they will be in charge of their own crude.

“The commission will sell that crude and pay to the federation account, so the federation of course will still get their crude, but it will no longer be through the NNPC,” he said.

Sylva assured that no jobs would be lost as a result of the new Act, noting that rather, the benefits to the workers as a commercial entity may even be more, since they would henceforth operate under a largely more efficient organisation.

He further clarified why President Muhammadu Buhari gave the implementation committee more than six months, saying while the incorporation of the NNPC Limited would be done in six months as provided for in the law, the implementation of the whole piece of legislation would go beyond that period.

According to the minister, with its incorporation , NNPC would need to sit up to meet stakeholders’ expectations as it would no longer operate as an agency of government.

“NNPC today is more or less a parastatal of government, the NNPC of tomorrow will no longer be a parastatal of government. It will be a Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) company, operating commercially.

“The shareholder of that company will then be the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated and the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, but it will be registered as a company in Nigeria, and will operate according to the laws of companies and allied matters act.

“Today, for example, NNPC cannot be taken to court, NNPC is not operating under the CAMA. But now, it means they can be sued.

And of course, because of that, you expect that there will be a lot more seriousness within the corporation,” he stated.

Sylva added that if petroleum products are sold at deregulated prices, then there would be no need for the Petroleum Equalisation Fund (PEF) which would then be subsumed into the midstream and downstream sectors.

On labour unions not being carried along, he promised that they would be part of the implementation process which takes off today, but pointed out that there was no need to add them statutorily to the new document, since it’s no longer a wholly public company.

He reiterated that frontier basins are not only found in the north, saying that they exist in the southwest, Anambra in the south-east and Cross River in the South-south.

“Everybody knows that we are at the last mile of the oil economy and there's a lot of places in Nigeria where we still have the possibility of finding crude but we have not.

“We have those frontier territories.

That is where we believe we can find oil that we have not found. We have them in the north, we have them in the southwest. You have the Anambra basin in the southeast, you have the Calabar basin,” he explained.

Governors Pick Holes in New Law

The NGF had six days before President Muhammadu Buhari signed the PIB into law, expressed concern about the form that the legislation was passed by the National Assembly, saying without considering the interest of the federating states it would be recipe for national disaster if signed into law.

The NGF’s warning was contained in a letter it addressed to the president dated August 10, 2021, which was titled, “Petroleum Industry Bill 2021- Appeal to Mr. President to Withhold Assent,” that was signed by its Chairman and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

In the letter, the 36 state governors in the country had expressed, “great shock and displeasure that the interest of the sub-nationals were not put into consideration in the bill that was recently passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.”

They said the PIB as passed by the National Assembly without giving

adequate consideration to all facets of Nigeria’s federation could be, “a recipe for disaster” and “we respectfully pray Mr. President to withhold assent pending resolution of all the thorny issues.”

The NGF were worried that the PIB conferred on the federal government alone the sole ownership of all the shares of the commercialised Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the sole beneficiary of the proceeds of the NNPC and totally excluded state governments from owning a stake or enjoying from the proceeds that would accrue from the business operations of the NNPC. According to the governors, none of the proceeds of the NNPC would be transferred to the Federation Account for onward sharing to all the tiers of governments in the country, adding that, “setting aside of 30 per cent profit oil and gas as frontier exploration funds constitute further depletion of the fund that should ordinarily accrue to the Federation Account.”

The NGF specifically had grudges with Section 53 of the PIB that provided for the incorporation of the NNPC Limited under the Companies and Allied Matters Act to carry out petroleum operations on a commercial basis.

It noted that the same Section 53(2) went on to provide for consultations between the Ministers of Petroleum and Finance on the number and nominal value of the shares to be allotted which, “shall form the initial paid-up capital,” of NNPC Limited and further added that the company shall subscribe and pay cash for the shares.

However, the NGF observed that the wording of sub-section (3), “suggested that only the federal government would have shares in this company and stated that all shares in the company shall be vested in the government and held by the Ministry of Finance as the sole custodian of the shares.

“We then recommend that a framework that accommodates states be worked out and included in the allotment of shares and incorporation of the NNPC Limited.

“We observed that excluding the states from this arrangement precluded them from having a voice in the running and administration of the company and exclude them from sharing in the distribution of dividends when they become due.”

The governors lamented that, “in the same vein, Section 53 (4) of the PIB provides that the Ministry of Finance incorporated in consultation with the government, may increase the equity capital of NNPC Limited.

“Here again, we note the noninclusion of sub-nationals in the consideration of this very important provision and recommend that the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and Central Bank of Nigeria in consultation with the Federation Governments and Federal Capital Territory, may from time to time increase the equity of NNPC Plc. “The removal of the requirement to transfer fiscal payments to the Federation Account is unconstitutional and of grave concern to Nigerians. NNPC Limited is an entity created from a national asset whose proceeds always went to the Federation Account for distribution amongst the tiers of government and we are at a loss as to the reason for excluding a necessary component of the Federation from owing stakes in a successor vehicle.”

The NGF further observed that in Section 33, “the imposition of gas flare penalties arising out of midstream operations which penalty shall be paid into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, an account within the control of the NNPC and one in which only the NNPC alone would have access to carry out any infrastructural projects, constitute significant loss of revenue to the federation account.”

Again, the NGF noted that, “Section 54 (1) and (2) of the bill empowered the Ministers of Petroleum and Finance to jointly determine assets, liabilities, and interests to be transferred to NNPC Limited.

“Again, we recommended that the states ought to be consulted and involved in the process to determine

the transfer of these assets, liabilities and interest of the new company.

“Our advice was predicated on the joint ownership of these assets, liabilities, and interests. We extended our opinion on this to the winding down process covered by Section 55 (1).”

The NGF also disagreed with section 64 (b) that granted the NNPC an additional responsibility to act as state agent in all Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and entitled to oil and gas profits.

They were worried that this provision has made the NNPC to appear, “in every commercial arrangement making its status even less commercial oriented and more favoured than is obtainable today.

“We are concerned that rather than reforming and by extension the oil sector, the PIB as presently constituted makes NNPC Limited an even more powerful oil company.”

The governors hoped that the President would understand their shocks as the version passed by the National Assembly did not consider the concerns of the NGF and the states.

PIA Can Be Brought Back to NASS for Amendment, Says Lawan

Lawan has said issues identified in the PIA could be brought back to the National Assembly for amendment.

Lawan stated this while answering questions from journalists shortly after a brief ceremony at the Presidential Villa where the President announced the setting up of an implementation Committee for the new law.

He said it is when implementation starts that people would start to see where amendments are required.

According to him, "So this is something we all have to address with some optimism and hope that it would be okay. But because we are human beings, no act of human beings could be perfect. So when we are able to see issues, the National Assembly is there. Bring them for amendment. Even the most difficult issues can still be brought back to the National Assembly.

“If it is worthwhile to do so. But I believe that there is no need for us to be emphasising the problems rather than the prospects.''

Responding to questions on the agitation for more funds for the host communities, Lawan described the host communities as winners as well.

He said, "But you know from zero to over $500 million and with time, such issues will be further addressed, but I want to also caution that it is not the $500 million that is more but how we are able to prudently and transparently deploy this $500 million in the host communities. This time around, there should be no excuses for anybody to tamper with this money. The host communities have suffered enough, even when NDDC was established, I'm sure it was established because of the host communities' issues and yet the host communities did not get much attention.

"This time, the host communities have been specifically mentioned and these funds should go there.

We want to see people who will be appointed, taking this as trust and do what is right. Of course, there will be so much employment and jobs especially in the midstream of the value chain. This midstream has not been in existence so to speak.

What we have is the upstream and then, the downstream. When our refineries will be better and more will be established, I'm sure the value chain will have opportunity for more Nigerians to have jobs and so on.”

FIRS: New Law Will Affect Revenues in 2022

Meanwhile, Nami has said the signing of the PIA would negatively impact government’s revenue expected from petroleum profits tax next year.

According to Nami, the agency had projected some N10.1 trillion revenue generation for the country in 2022, but reckoned the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) would now affect the projection.

However, he said with certain investigations being carried out as well as an audit, he was certain

that 2023 hold better fortunes for government in terms of revenue generation.

Nami made these disclosures, when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Finance at its ongoing 2022-2024 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper (MTEF & FSP) Interactive Session with MDAS at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja.

He noted that of the total amount projected, N2.053 trillion would be remitted to the federal government while the balance would go to the states and local governments of the federation.

Nami, who told the lawmakers that the agency generated N4.9 trillion revenues in 2020,which was about 98 per cent of its set target for the year, said there was the possibility of surpassing the set target for revenue generation in 2022.

He assured the lawmakers that after some investigations and audit, which would be carried out by the agency in 2022, government’s revenue might increase significantly in 2023.

He also disclosed that the FIRS has taken cognisance of the coming into effect of the digital economy in the country and was taking advantage of it to increase revenue generation, adding that Twitter and other social media platforms were already registering with the service for the purpose of tax payment.

"We expect that with the new Petroleum Industry Act, there are some reconciliations that will be carried out that might affect the projections for 2022. We expect that there are new expenditure that will be rolled over to the new regime.

“So, what we are trying to do is to ensure that we adjust those expenses for the year 2022. We know that if we do that, it is going to affect our ability to collect more revenue in that area. There are currently some allowances they have been able to use; but they will use it because this will be a new regime.

"It is not going to be the one that has investment tax allowance any more. It is going to be based on actual performance. But we are going to recognise whatever they have now as a cost before you arrive at the actual profit they are going to generate. So, what we have planned to do is to aggressively conduct audit and investigations in the year 2022.

So, we are projecting that by 2023, the result of that audit will begin to manifest. That is why we have projected 2023 to be N6.2 trillion," Nami said.

PIA Not Perfect, But Step in Right Direction, Says NEITI Boss

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji has said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) may not be a perfect document to address all the challenges in the petroleum industry, describing it as a legislation in the right direction.

He stressed that the PIA would encourage unity and development of oil host communities.

Orji who spoke yesterday on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said: “No law can be perfect, but the PIA law has a template that will bring about transparency and level playing ground to manage our oil asset.

“It will go a long way to address challenges of insecurity, and weak resources and also address key issues like access to education, hospitals, and roads. The most important thing about the implementation of PIA law is that it will make Nigeria move forward.”

According to him, the PIA law would allow for two standing independent regulatory authorities - one for the upstream sector and the other for the mainstream sector – adding that they would afford host communities a lot of benefits and opportunities.

He said accountability has been the challenge for oil host communities in the past, but explained that all of that have been addressed in the PIA. He further explained that Act would accommodate the interest of host communities, because of

the trust fund embedded in the document.

He said the situation where host communities ended up not getting the actual disbursement from oil companies and the situation where projects were designed outside of the needs of host communities, would be addressed in the PIA. A legal practitioner, Frank Tietie, who also spoke on ARISE NEWS Channels, about the steering committee put in place to guide the implementation of the PIA law, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the speed in the passage of the PIA law and the speed with which he assembled the steering committee on PIA implementation.

He expressed the optimism that the document would address a whole lot of issues in the petroleum industry.

Commenting on the three per cent set aside for oil host communities, Tietie said it would help in developing the host communities.

He, however, said the make-up of the steering committee, does not translate into a true representation of the oil communities.

According to him, “There are uncertainties that the steering committee needs to address. Before now oil companies disburse money to host communities in the manner that please them, which has generated crisis among host communities in the past.

“The steering committee must ensure that the money from the minimum three per cent operational expenses of oil communities, is well disbursed among oil communities, and avoid all forms of manipulation.”

Reacting to the position of state governors who have expressed their displeasure over the contents of the PIA law, Tietie said the governors were only selfish and do not have the interest of the masses at heart.

PIA Reflects APC's Commitment to Restructure Nigerian Economy

But members of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), the umbrella body of the governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the signing of the PIB into law

by Buhari presents a convincing credential of the commitment of APC to restructure the Nigerian economy.

The Chairman of the Forum and the Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said with the PIA, Buhari has demonstrated unwavering commitment to change Nigeria democratically.

The Forum noted that the Act also created a Host Communities Development Trust to be managed

by Board of Trustees as provided by the Act, adding that the three per cent of profit from the operations of oil and gas businesses would be used for the development of the host communities.

It added that it was noteworthy that this is in addition to the existing 13 per cent derivation to oil producing states and funds allocated to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The Forum said: "After more than two decades of endless national debates and stalemate, there is today a new Petroleum Industry Act in the country, which has provided six months transition for the emergence of new institutional framework for the operations of oil and gas industry in the country."

The Forum added that with the NNPC now unbundled, and in its place three new structures – Nigerian Upstream Regulatory Commission, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited – stronger accountability structures, each with a Board drawing representation from stakeholders in the oil and gas industry is instituted.

It noted that the monopoly status of the old NNPC, which vested it with both the powers of regulating the industry as well as extraction and sales of crude oil in both the upstream, midstream and downstream has been abolished.

"It is noteworthy that this is in addition to the existing 13 per cent derivation to oil producing states and funds allocated to Niger Delta

Development Commission (NDDC), which Mr. President has continuously emphasised that all the resources must be put to judicious use for the benefits of the people in the oil producing areas."

The Forum pointed out that even critics APC and its governments cannot ignore the fact that the coming into law of the Petroleum Industry Act was an important democratic milestone.

It added that the development signposts the commitment of the party and the government to develop the oil and gas sector and resolve all the challenges associated with the operations of the sector.

It said with the new Act, there should be remarkable improvement in revenue collection from the oil and gas sector, noting that this is expectedly the ‘Next Level’ governance initiatives that APC promised Nigerians during the 2019 campaigns.

"The new Petroleum Industry Act present a convincing credential of the commitment of our party, APC, to restructure Nigerian economy through democratic process in line with provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended. “Inspired by our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, we are confident that democratic engagements based on strategic considerations of legislative proposals in the National Assembly to make or review existing laws, the Nigerian economy will be fully restructured," it noted.

Ozekhome Says Its Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

Also yesterday, Human Rights activists and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Mike Ozekhome has condemned the Petroleum Industry Bill just assented to as an Act of Parliament by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ozekhome, who described the Act as a mere ruse, carefully crafted, to actually do irretrievable violence to Nigeria's progress, said it constitutes a direct assault on age-long cherished principles of federalism and the doctrine of separation of powers.

"The PIB Act seeks to frontally attack the provisions of section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, which state that all revenues accruing to the Federation shall be paid into a Federation account from which sharing shall be made amongst the three tiers of government – the federal, government, the 36 states and the 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria.

"No expenditure can be made by the Federal Government outside the provisions of section 162. Nor can any monies be expended without going through an Appropriation Bill through submission of budgetary proposals", he said.

He added that to the extent that the Act seeks to redesign the provisions of the Constitution to that extent is the Act unconstitutional, and that it must therefore be struck down.

In further condemning the Act, the senior lawyer argued that the NNPC, ought to be totally unbundled , to make it more viable, productive, transparent and accountable to the Nigerian people.

He queried why the federal government alone should have shares in NNPC to the total exclusion of the other three tiers of government, major stakeholders, oil-bearing communities and the long-suffering people of the Niger Delta.

According to him, the Act was never designed to reform the NNPC, nor passed to advance the principles of federalism or doctrine of separation of powers.

"The 36 States Attorneys- General should immediately approach the Supreme Court and challenge this latest Federal Government's impunity and the outrageous acts of executive lawlessness and legislative rascality we are beholding , by invoking the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction under section 233(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

"That is the way to go. Allowing the Act to stay will further cement the present misguided unitary system of government that Nigeria is currently operating, under our thinly garnished disguise of a pseudo-federalism" he added.

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COMMENT

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

AFGHANISTAN: THE FUTILITY OF UNILATERAL USE OF FORCE The swift takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban holds lessons for the world, writes Ikenna Emewu

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n The High Cost of Peace by Yossef Bodansky in 2002, he made a statement that fits into the situation in Afghanistan this week after the Taliban overran the country shortly after the US finalized withdrawal of its troops after 20 years of humanitarian intervention.

Bodansky had lamented “the bitter legacy of a peace process that has cost tens of thousands of lives, emboldened such outlaw countries as Iran and Iraq, enriched Arab militaries with billions of US dollars and mobilized an underground network of terrorist cells around the globe.”

Unfortunately, US keeps paying the high price every now and then.

Again, unfortunately, it is self-inflicted cost in a show force. Most times, these interventions are not particularly for peace.

From history, since its intervention or interference in Vietnam, US has done that 10 times and only two of them were at the mandate of the United Nations. The rest were unilateral show of force and military prowess which it often dubs as rescue missions.

But the moves are better known in international law as humanitarian interventions which actually centre on the threat and use of military force by a state on another state to enforce an intended action.

In the Vietnam theatre, after President J.F. Kennedy mobilized 16,000 soldiers to the South Asian country as military ‘advisors’ U.S stepped into full blown war in 1965 when Lyndon Johnson sent more troops after the Communist North Vietnam attacked US soldiers. It was so costly that in the late 1960s, U.S had at least 500,000 soldiers fighting in Vietnam at a whopping cost of $77b annually.

The expedition was just to contain ideological spread, so that Vietnam that had got divided into two parts after her civil war with the north communist and south capitalist would not go full-blown communist. Eventually, it ended in 1975 when US pulled out with the issues still inconclusive. Today, Vietnam is communist. Quite unfortunate.

Like in Aghanistan, after America withdrew her troops in 1973, Vietnam northern forces took the city of Saigon in the south and renamed it Ho Chi Minh. The capture came as fast as Talibans did in Kabul.

Every humanitarian intervention by a state in another state with the guise of going to resolve disputes or rescue descent into human rights violations as often cited, but without the authorization of the United Nations, is a violation of international peace.

That is against the provisions of Article 2(4) of the Charter of the United Nations that: “All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.”

It is only on the invocation of Chapter VII of the UN Charter that the Security Council can rely on to order measures to enforce on a state international peace and security that may come by way of economic sanctions or military actions enforced through peacekeeping.

Since the Vietnam escapade, the U.S got really emboldened and hasn’t looked back as it continued to Granada in 1983; Panama in 1989 with the eventual overthrow of President Manuel Noriega in January 1990; in 1990, it was Iraq that U.S invaded; Somalia in 1993; Afghanistan and Sudan in 1998. This attempt in Afghanistan was targeted at Osama bin Laden who escaped death only to unleash blood cuddling terrorism on U.S few years later. However, U.S and NATO staged another theatre in 1999.

Again in 2001, after the September 11 shocking terror attacks on U.S, in a justified retaliation, the country unleashed blistering bom-

THE SWIFTNESS IN RETAKING AFGHANISTAN AFTER 20 YEARS OF U.S MILITARY OCCUPATION SEEMS TO PROVE WRONG THE UNILATERAL USE OF FORCE BY ANY SINGLE NATION

bardment on Afghanistan where Osama, a Saudi Arabia citizen till 1994, lived and operated from. That is the one that ended chaotically this week with the Taliban bouncing back almost immediately.

In 2003, Iraq got another dose of this U.S tradition, as the powerful country had persistently deployed drones to attack and neutralize terrorists in Somalia, Pakistan and Yemen. Libya was the next port of call in 2011. This was authorised by the UN and had NATO as part of the execution. It ended immediately Muamar Ghadaffi was killed.

The swiftness of the Talibans in retaking Afghanistan after 20 years of U.S military occupation seems to prove wrong the unilateral use of force by any single nation. That confirms the UN law against unilateralism as wise since these actions, some of them buoyed by seeming good reasons, never really enforce compliance in the involved countries or restored peace. In few of the states targeted, crises ended, yet in most others, even worse bedlams were sired and left festering as the foreign forces pulled out.

Today. Afghanistan is in the grip of the Taliban again as President Ashraf Ghani fled the country unceremoniously, according to him, to avoid altercation and bloodshed. Afghanistan military offered no semblance of resistance while Taliban amassed forces.

Since the U.S forces retreated according to their plan, President Joe Biden on Monday said the country was in Afghanistan to stop terrorists attacking U.S soil and not to run Afghanistan for Afghans.

Many U.S citizens had over the years questioned the continued stay of the country’s military in Afghanistan at huge costs to the country.

The estimation is that over 3,500 coalition soldiers died in the past 20 years in Afghanistan, and U.S with a share of about 70 percent of the number.

The BBC placed the military casualty figure of the UK at 457.

Between 2009 and 2010, U.S military force in Afghanistan was an average of 110,000 during which the monetary cost was some $100b a year and down to estimated $45b per year when the number of officers trickled down to 4,000 in 2020. NATO pulled out formally in 2014, but still had 13,000 troops.

A Welsh mother who lost her son in the Afghanistan war campaign told BBC as Taliban retake Kabul and other cities that she shed tears because the war might have been fought in vain. Sarah Adams whose son, Pte. James Prosser, just 21 when he was killed in 2009, lamented that “it is absolutely heartbreaking. I have been following it avidly and hardly slept last night thinking about it, watching it all unfolding and feel absolutely heartbroken for the Afghan people and my son, James, and all the lives that have been lost.”

The emotions of this distraught mother summarises the futility of such interventions in history just like President Barack Obama later said his regret was sending U.S troops to Libya. The erstwhile powerful man on April 11, 2016 said his biggest mistake was failing to plan for the aftermath of Muammar Gaddafi ouster, a move that threw the country into chaos. The dust is yet to settle.

Whereas the world would not support the Taliban type of terror on the rest of us, its spill-over spawned and emboldened other groups like the Al-Shabab in north east Africa, Boko Haram, ISWAP and more, but taking on them by foreign countries unilaterally should be thought through.

The best solution would still rest on the UN mobilizing for peacekeeping and tactical take over in order to restore planned and lasting peace.

Emewu wrote from the Afri-China Media Centre, Lagos

NAL QUESTIONS THE HUMANITY IN HUMANS Victor C. Ariole argues that there are many pervasive actions that are not properly thought through

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igerian Academy of Letters (NAL) just ended its combined (8th – 12th August) and 22nd 23rd Convocation and Investiture of New Fellows where Professor Duro Oni was elected new President of the association with a theme: “What is it to be Human”? That theme was dissected in lectures presented by Profs. Olu Obafemi, Lai Oso, Jim Unah and Alex Asigbo. The two most debated ones happened to be the one that concerned the Media by Oso and the other that questions the obligations of humans in an inhuman governance process.

Indeed, Nigeria, currently, is replete with overarching tendencies bordering on more animalistic thinking than humanistic thinking.

Like psychology experts say, if animals are meant to operate on instinct-driven behaviour as a result of no cultural paradigm of what is expected to be the best behaviour of animal culture that ennobles, should it be also the case with humans who have evolved cultures and are expected to show great empathy among themselves?

Indeed, such experts believe that if nature is the “constance”, humans ought to be the music that creates beauty in nature. Obafemi believes that understanding the chords that create musical harmony could help humans reinvent their humanity. And Asigbo wonders why Nollywood

should not respect the rules of verisimilitude that pervaded the theatres in the age of enlightenment so as to showcase a better image of the Nigerian, nay African. In effect, the artist should “unshroud and interpret society and piece out a pull that could help the society to mirror itself”, and government should learn from satires and ironies to better the governance process and not to silence the press or artistic performances.

Lai Oso seems to see artistic performance of inhuman proportion when corpses are lying on the floor and people just go on walking past them as if those corpses are not of human extraction; even media men prefer to make great reports out of such incidents unmindful of the first step to take that ought to be removing them from the glare of people and camera. Lai acknowledges that it was not the practice when he was a fledgling crime reporter before becoming academic. He believes that the 5Ws and H still matter in journalism but that empathy, in sorrow, requires knowing how to present the “meat” of a story so as not to turn humans inhuman as constant reports of obscenity could make humans develop inhuman behaviour that could even make the first law of instinct drive, observed by even animals, be wiped away in humans as even science and religion seem to be converging in not observing what ought to make humans human.

Jim Unah sees it that way as, according to

him, both science and religion had converged in sentimentalism beyond existentialist expectations.

If the scientists, as seen among the West, are planning to have a new abode in Mars so as to blow up the planet earth and render animals of the rest that fail to abide by science, and main religions preach of heaven that will accommodate saintly people, then science has also gone into the realm of religion; being sentimental, and not minding the suffering of the majority on earth.

Ubantu is the African perspective of humanness, that is; “you are” because “I am”. It is also the Bantu philosophy which the Igbos see in “Nma Ndu”, the beauty of life. Humans are known as Nmadu – just like the bible says about the salt of life – you are the salt of life and if you lose your saltiness then you are useless. Humans seem to be losing their saltiness. Yoruba see it as “Omoluabi” – the best of human qualities. Kyau or Mutumin Kirki is Hausa’s way of expressing goodness in humans.

There are so much goodness in humans that there is need for education to start emphasizing the importance of character in all spheres of learning because mere knowledge or astuteness in STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – do not make humans humane; and in STEM there must be Arts hence STEAM – Science , Technology, Engineering,

Arts and Mathematics.

Developing a curriculum that embeds character evaluation seems what NAL is strongly interested in and it can be worked out.

A scientist without character cannot be trusted and a governance process with leaders devoid of character could lead to chimera governance.

Historically, the world had witnessed it; mass suicide by leaders claiming to lead a Christian congregation. Second World War was ignited by inhuman character governance by both divides of paternalistic ideology – whether Nazism, Feudalism, Communism or Liberalism, all competing in the space of the Western world.

Nigeria seems to have entered into the realm of such confused paternalistic ideology as more of inhumanity reigns in all the six geopolitical zones of the country, and no one seems to know who to run to for justice as justice itself runs away from the country that has decided that rule of law must be subservient to the rule of the security of the privilege.

May God help our leaders to direct our noble cause – the cause of human destiny so as to obviate jungle justice. French Academy initiated Human Rights project and, so Nigerian, nay African Academy must initiate Mother Earth Rights as Africa remains the mother continent.

Ariole is a Professor of French and Francophone Studies, University of Lagos

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EDITORIAL

LANGUISHING IN ITALIAN JAILS Nigeria should put its house in order

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ver 300 Nigerian youths are currently languishing in prisons in Italy on alleged mafiarelated offences. The plight of these detainees was only brought to public knowledge after an outcry by a former Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Osaze Osemwingie-Ero. There are similar cases of Nigerians in prisons across Europe and elsewhere, mostly stemming from their inability to defend themselves.

We appeal to the Nigerian diplomatic mission in Italy and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to liaise with the Italian authorities so that the innocent ones among them do not get punished for offences not committed.

Unfortunately, in the past decade or so, and up till this moment, some of our nationals abroad have become synonymous with all manner of crimes--ranging from internet scams, credit card fraud, forgeries of THE CASE IN ITALY HAS travel documents ONCE AGAIN BROUGHT TO to drug trafficking.

THE FORE THE MYRIAD OF While these crimes are committed by CHALLENGES NIGERIAN a handful, they are CITIZENS FACE ABROAD enough to damage the reputation of the entire country and other compatriots in such countries. According to a figure given a few years ago by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and generated from consular records, there are close to 17,000 Nigerians already convicted in prisons across the world.

Meanwhile, the case in Italy has once again brought to the fore the myriad of challenges Nigerian citizens face abroad. In most cases, many of them don’t get a fair trial and are largely left with no legal assistance. The intervention in 2019, which facilitated the evacuation of stranded Nigerians from various countries and allowed the rescue and safe return of those trafficked for heinous activities

Letters to the Editor

like slavery and sexual abuse, is commendable as it will give hope to Nigerians that are in dire need of assistance. However, the government needs to urgently address the root causes why Nigerians are migrating to several parts of the world in search of the proverbial greener pasture without giving a thought to the attendant risk such poses to their lives. In Bangladesh, Malaysia, China and Indonesia, many Nigerians are currently on death row, having been convicted for offences such as drug-trafficking, credit card scam or infractions on immigration laws. Hundreds of our nationals are also in jail across India and Thailand, mainly for drug-related offences. Elsewhere, there are others who are also in jail because of outright racism, some of them convicted without legal representations.

T T H I S DAY EDITOR SHAKA MOMODU DEPUTY EDITOR WALE OLALEYE, OBINNA CHIMA MANAGING DIRECTOR ENIOLA BELLO DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR ISRAEL IWEGBU CHAIRMAN EDITORIAL BOARD OLUSEGUN ADENIYI EDITOR NATION’S CAPITAL IYOBOSA UWUGIAREN MANAGING EDITOR BOLAJI ADEBIYI THE OMBUDSMAN KAYODE KOMOLAFE

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

he economic situation compounds the challenge. On daily basis, we are confronted with the embarrassing sight of several Nigerians, regardless of age and gender, who choose to embark on the perilous voyage across the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. In the process of this risky journey, many of them are either attacked by bandits or lose their lives when navigating the difficult desert terrain.

There have been cases where the ladies are abused by criminals while a good number of those who venture further drown in capsized boats filled with migrants in their bid to cross the sea.

It is only when government tackles the feeling of hopelessness and dejection that is driving illegal migration that there will be a curb on economic migration. Meanwhile, it is important for the government to embark on enlightenment campaigns on the need for our nationals to know the dire implications of committing crimes abroad. Besides, the government should also employ all diplomatic means to assist those who may have been wrongly convicted. Since the principle of reciprocity drives diplomacy, we must insist that other countries treat our citizens the same way we treat theirs.

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

OF KABUL AND ‘REPENTANT’ BOKO HARAM Continued from the backpage

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n August last year, Vanguard newspaper sent reporters to the various Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Kaduna, Maiduguri, and Abuja where Boko Haram victims are kept. Their accounts are heartrending. Abba Ali, taking refuge at Bakassi Camp in Maiduguri, with two wives and four children said, “imagine you had your children murdered, your wife raped and killed. The culprits are arrested, and the government tells you they are now repentant.

And while you are still at an IDP camp, with your family disorganised, and you are struggling to get food to eat, the government brings the culprits, feeds, and clothes them, gives them education and money to start a business and sends them to come and be your neighbours. I learnt that many of them who pretended to surrender were not only given money and certificates after their graduation from a radicalization centre in Gombe, but they were also allowed to be reintegrated into the society to mingle with their victims. It is very shocking to me.”

Let’s be clear. Deradicalisation is not a bad idea, and many countries have different variants of such programme. In 2016, the United Kingdom introduced the Desistance and Disengagement Programme (DDP) with stringent measures to “have individuals develop an identity that is more accepting of others, understand their religion in a more mainstream way, and reject any ideology that is inconsistent with British values.” Singapore

has a similar Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) programme though with a proviso that “no individual is released until the state has confidence they will not re-offend.” The Saudi deradicalization programme commenced in 2004, also based on the idea of balancing traditional security measures with techniques that address ideological sources of violent extremism. So, what Nigeria is doing is not novel. The problem is in how we are doing it.

To effectively tackle the issue of ‘reformed terrorists’ in any country, according to Sabariah Hussin, a research analyst at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, the authorities must be well equipped to handle the various reintegration challenges. “This requires strong political will, adequate resources and the involvement of the wider community,” Hussin wrote. “An under-appreciated aspect of the reintegration process involves community engagement.”

That no such engagement took place before ‘Operation Safe Corridor’ was being implemented is why many are suspicious of the intention behind the whole idea. The greater concern is why these Boko Haram insurgents are now giving up the fight. There are reports that their action may be motivated more by the defining ethos of ISWAP than by any altruism.

A charismatic and more deliberate leader than the brash Shekau, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi is believed to have laid down

new rules of engagement for Boko Haram members. “They are quitting because they can’t raid – they can’t steal – like they used to. All that was acceptable is no longer the case [in ISWAP’s] new normal,” according to Idayat Hassan, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) Director, who spoke to ‘The New Humanitarian; (a publication founded in 1995 by the United Nations) in their latest edition.

In February this year, Al-Barnawi, who in 2016 pledged allegiance to ISIS, displaced Shekau who reportedly blew himself up rather than surrender to superior fire power. Against the background that in July 2018, The Sun newspaper of the United Kingdom had reported that ISIS leaders were furtively bringing their commanders into Nigeria to recruit and train terrorists, the military must understand that they now confront a more strategic enemy. If after 20 years of American efforts the Taliban could retake Afghanistan in the manner they did last weekend, authorities in Nigeria should be careful in the manner they deal with the ‘repentant’ Boko Haram members.

The Taliban had 75,000 fighters. The Afghan government had a well-trained and better equipped 300,000 soldiers that had apparently been infiltrated by ‘repentant Taliban’ fighters. By the time push came to shove last week, the Afghan forces simply adopted a ‘‘tactical maneuovre’. The rest, as they say, is now history.

Enough said!

Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

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POLITICS

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

Okezie Ikpeazu

It’s Not My Business to Worry About Who Succeeds Me Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu speaks to Nseobong Okon-Ekong on his efforts to bequeath a strong economy to his successor and how he was able to reverse the losses in agriculture and education

Ikpeazu

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our work with SMEs has been widely acknowledged as worthy example for other states. How did you achieve that?

You can’t ignore the 250,000 SMEs, according to World Bank records, that are producing shoes and garments in Abia.

As an Igbo man, I know that each person will have four apprentices, at least, so we have six or eight; that is about one million people. You can’t ignore them. Whatever they are doing, you must pay attention. For you to go and craft your own strategy for development and abandon what one million people are doing will be the wrong approach. We decided to focus on leather and garment.

Our first project may be intangible, because you can’t touch it, but it was one of the defining factors in 2015, and that was marketing. I choose to take up the marketing of Made-in-Aba. I took it everywhere, I wanted to achieve two things, one; speak to the psyche of the shoemakers and the tailors, that ‘hey you have an amazing talent.’ There is no difference between you and Gucci. I had to do a trade fair in Abuja and another one in New York; I took them there. I have taken shoemakers and tailors to Turkey and to China. I choose them over and above the usual politicians. I needed to get these people to think like the kings that they are because what killed us in this country is that oil created a consumption economy and now going back to a production economy is difficult. It needs time for you to manufacture and sell item-byitem; the slush money that comes with oil is no longer there. Unfortunately, manufacturing is where we must go. That is why agriculture has remained very unfashionable because people prefer to sell oil and make the money; round trip oil and some subsidy scam and all kinds of things within the oil industry. Having pushed the marketing project to a point, I couldn’t answer the question of how many shoes we produce in two days. This was revealed when the Nigerian Army placed an order for 50,000

pairs. At N10,000 per pair, you can see how much money came in. That is when it became necessary to build capacity; so I took 30 young boys and girls to China and then took them to a shoe factory and they started learning how to use machines to make shoes. Their performance on that manufacturing platform encouraged me so much that I had to import the machine. Today, we have, for the first time, an automated shoe factory in Aba. Capacity built, marketing strategy in place-they have a cooperative society they sit in the board. We have people to guide them a little. They are able to speak with Nexim Bank. If we did not help them set up that structure, Nexim Bank and other financial institutions will not touch them. Recently the Nexim MD came here and went to the factory to see what they are doing. In December, they produced all the shoes that Nigeria Railway Corporation used and they are at the brink of breaking another deal with the military and the police. That is the way to go. That is what I wear too; and my dress. They are made in Aba.

It has gone beyond that I wear to patronize them. If you look at my pictures, I do not think that I appear badly. People ask where I get my dresses. These people are thinking. I have a unique façade of appearance each time I go out. I am very proud to say that these my children produce all of these. The boy who started doing things for me since 2015 has bought a house in the highbrow area of Aba. I don’t know how much he bought it, but it can’t be anything below N60 or N70 million. He is not a small man. These are concomitant of these efforts. A few weeks ago, I went and registered at the footwear academy; that also came organically from all these efforts. I did not build the footwear academy, but I created the environment for Footwear Academy. I am excited by their intervention because they trained as shoemakers in Italy-husband and wife. They came and set up that Footwear Academy- I enrolled there because I wanted to see how I can capture the attention of our children. They are Igbos, but I don’t know if they are from Abia. One of the best tailors here

During the COVID-19 break, we were very resourceful. I was teaching Biology on radio. We had a radio -teaching programme. That time everybody was shouting -how do we close? How do we open? We went into Radio-Classroom. I taught Biology lessons. Others taught Mathematics. I had to do that to encourage my teachers to key in. I encouraged my students.

When they hear that the Governor was going to teach Biology, everyone tuned in, even the parents

is from Cross River. He went to the same law school as my children. I am learning how to make shoes now. I do my lessons-the other day I was able to do the left leg of a sandal, I will go back, if not for the security challenge we had to battle with in the last few days, I would have taken a new lesson.

I still find time to teach. I teach Bio-Chemistry at Abia State University. If you have passion for something, you will find the time. Governance now is no longer mechanical. At the base of all of these is the capacity for leadership. Social mobilization is critical. In doing that you must touch the mind of the people you are mobilizing.

If I want to create a shoe manufacturing hub in Africa to compete with China. Today, it is almost happening-Footwear Academy has an Italian background, where I am learning how to make shoes; there is Nibra, which is from Brazil-Nibra is Nigeria-Brazil Shoe Company, they have set it up in Aba and then we have Enasco, Enyimba Automated Shoe factory-the Chinese background of Enasco, the Brazilian background of Nibra sand the Italian background of Footwear Academy, will simply make this place unbeatable. Do you know that on my enrolling into Footwear Academy, it attracted over 2000 enthusiasts. That is how to handhold your people in a certain enterprise, you cannot stand aloof. Sincerely speaking, how can I come from Aba and I am not a good tailor; I am not a good cobbler? How can I call myself an Aba boy and I don’t know all these things? Time will come when these will become the identity of the people from this area. That is one project that we started and we have completed in the area of Small and Medium Scale Enterprise. We have an SME Bank that does whatever we need to fund both trade and commerce as well as start-ups in the shoe and leather sub-sector. We also established a quality control agency that makes sure shoes that are produced here are consistent and of a quality that is above the national average. Our standard in our quality control unit is higher

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POLITICS than what SON is certifying, that this their vision. If we don’t scale to be higher than the national average, how are we going to move our shoes into Walmart? That is my target. We barely missed it at the heat of COVID-19 in 2020.

We got requisitions and enquiry, unfortunately Enasco was not ready at that time. They placed order from the parent company in China and the parent company was not producing. They were kind enough to hint that they have a full line they sent to Nigeria and then we were monitoring and tracking them. If we were a little bit aggressive at that time, we would have crossed that line. It is possible. That is part of what we have done in the Small and Medium Scale Industry. I want you to look at the tie-up from end-to-end; from the leather sub-sector. I am looking at; from training and then certification of shoemakers and then the practical exposure in an automated factory that Enasco came from and the capacity of the shoe factory to produce 15,000 pairs of shoes and then the collaboration. I am trying to dwell on the things we have completed already. I needed to let you into my vision and how I intend to package it in such a way that it can be sustainable.

If you go to education we have done a few things that are remarkable. This government has built over 7,000 classroom blocks, for model schools-those model schools have full complement of e-library, solar-powered laboratories, residential quarters for the teachers and then beautiful ultra-modern classrooms and a continuing education centre that teaches and retrain teachers. Education is dynamic and in a state of flux. Today, the most critical thing that any teacher should learn includes; one, Classroom Management, first aid, security, what a child should look out for; just like we were taught how to cross the road. Today, with what is happening in our schools, abducting students and all of that; Classroom Management becomes critical and important. Then we needed to create a platform to digitalize our teaching and we have imported the equipment.

We have a smart box that this not bigger than a television decoder that can teach over 450 subjects. We needed to train our teachers to handle that machine and deploy it to the fullest to the benefit of our children. There was need to set up a continuing education centre for our teachers and to drive this we had to bring people from Australia, people from Bangladesh, people from India to come and teach these our teachers. The teaching profession is an international profession. Incidentally, I am a teacher. If you close the doors and the windows; you don’t attend conferences, you don’t attend summits, you don’t deliver papers outside, at some point you will begin to feel deficient, without anybody telling you that. If you are in the sciences, some of the stories you are telling them will be suspect; you may be caught telling people that Mongo Park discovered River Niger, whereas there were people there. Apart from the over 700 classroom blocks, we have done something to move the standard of our teaching and that is why for three years; back-to-back, Abia State came first in the WASC. If you talk about education there are components; which includes the environment and the hardware. The people who will do the teaching-the teachers; and the products are the pupils, these are the people who are in this environment. If you build a beautiful classroom and then you have not done anything about the capacity of the people will teach, then you have not done the work. We had to take all of them together just the way we were thinking when we dealt with Small and Medium Scale Manufacturing. In education, we wanted to see how to bring all the issues, one after another, so that no leg is deficient, going forward and the products are there to show. First in WASC; back-to-back for about four years, Abia came tops; then Abia State University moved ranking from Number 97 to about 26; the Second Best among state-owned schools; at least, that is what it was when I checked last. You can see that there are indices to show that things are beginning to look up.

During the COVID-19 break, we were very resourceful. I was teaching Biology on radio. We had a radio -teaching programme.

That time everybody was shouting -how do we close? How do we open? We went into Radio-Classroom. I taught Biology lessons.

Others taught Mathematics. I had to do that to encourage my teachers to key in. I encouraged my students. When they hear that the Governor was going to teach Biology, everyone tuned in, even the parents. I was getting feedback.

If you go to health, we have also done a few things that many people have not done,

Ikpeazu for instance we are the leading state in Primary Health Care. We have over 800 Primary Health Centres linked to a call centre in Government House, where I have 15 doctors attending to patients from across Abia. They are intervening in many ways; the first is ordinary citizens, a student is reading in ABSU and the clinic is closed by 2am suddenly, he has cramps and he needs to get attention, he can call us and a doctor picks up and then gives advice on what to do and tells him where the nearest government health centre is. We are cutting off quacks and we are giving people standard advice.

They are also available to guide the primary health care centres to do their daily job. A primary health care centre in Osisioma had a delivery to supervise and then suddenly the mother couldn’t push and she needed help. There is this suction machine that we procured and gave to primary health care centres; they called the tele-health centre and through Whatsapp they taught her how to do it and she delivered that baby. I don’t know how many states that are on that platform now. The tele-health centre, the computers, the IT backbone and everything. Abia is perhaps one of the few states if not the only state that is running a geriatric outreach for the aged. We go into the localities for people that are 70 years and above. What was at the back of our mind when we were designing all these? We just wanted the life expectancy that is above the national average. It is 80 for males in Cuba; 84 for females in Cuba.

That is higher than the life expectancy in the United States. What is it they did differently? I had an interaction with the Cuban Ambassador and he shared a few things with us, we decided to look at the entire spectrum of the health care system.

At the extreme left is where you have the Mother and Child. If you can hold mother and child and ensure safe deliveries then

you can be sure that you will be moving towards increasing life expectancy. On the other extreme is the elderly. I wish you could see the videos of the geriatric nurses on duty, it will touch you. Some of our aged people have been abandoned at home. Their children are in Lagos or in Abuja and the man is now left to take his medications. He may not take it at the right time. To handle his personal hygiene becomes a problem. There is this man who had a diabetic sore and it is by the grace of God that our people were there, they had to dress the wound, support him and then get him to the nearest primary health care centre and got them to review his wound from time-to-time and he got better. The testimonies are amazing. Between these two extremes where middle aged people belong, that is where you have the problem of people with cardio-vascular accident and road traffic accident. For them also, we set up an emergency outreach handled by a doctor in the diaspora but he set it up here. We bought ambulances, not hearse, which is what we use to carry corpse.

These ambulances cost us about N95 million. It is a mobile hospital, it can do everything.

We have moved from two ambulances to five. Theirs is to intervene wherever they are called. They have integrated with the Nigeria Police and the fire service just like they have overseas. They have saved so many lives. In addition to that we have four general hospitals-Arochukwu, Okikpe, Obinwa and Ohafia. This is our vision for the health sector. Very soon we will be launching our mobile theatre and laboratory, which is purposed built for us in Germany are awaiting shipment to Nigeria. Poor diagnosis or lack of it is part of why we have treatment failures, medical failures and drug abuse. We need to move our laboratories closer to the hinterland. I think it will respond to the

Nigeria has been orphaned. We only have tribes men.

Who is a Nigerian? Nigeria as a country is looking for ownership. We have Igbo men, Yoruba men, Ibibio men, Fulani men, Hausa men; who is a Nigeria? When some of us elites speak, we betray our understanding of what we owe this society that has given us the opportunity to be educated and to serve at this level. You speak as if there is no tomorrow. There is no place in this world that only one rich man thrives. If the rest of the community is poor, they will dilute your wealth

matter of security and all of that. They can come and leave on good time, as the case may be.

This is part of what we have done.

I want to speak to you about some of our completed projects in agriculture. Here again, we went back to our paradigm. We can’t be masters of everything. What is it that we can do that other people cannot do very well? We looked at oil palm. We raised about 4 million species and we have planted them. If you are very observant if you move around the city very well, you will see some palm trees that are springing up. We said our best flower is palm tree. The greenish foliage adds to the beauty and aesthetics of the city. What I’m I going to do with Hibiscus if I can plant palm tree that will give me something at the end of the day? We calculated that around this time we are going to have a glut of oil palm fruits to prepare for that we have decided to establish agro-allied cottage industry in each community. We are not doing it in clusters but in communities because we are going to reverse the drift from rural to urban centres and then create small economies in the rural centres. We are piloting with six local governments and I can attest to the fact that we are ready in six local governments now as I speak; ready for commissioning. We have an Indian, because we are using Indian technology. Once we commission that we can go into the six local governments and that will happen before the end of this year. We also have one of the biggest poultry clusters around here and we are using clustering now for poultry now because most people who fail in poultry business even young ones, it is because they don’t understand the economics of poultry farming. What you need in poultry farming is not just the poultry pen and the chicken. You also need to be able to project the feed you need. You must be able to calculate; it is an intricate calculation. You can start with your day-old chick today and then you are giving them five bags of feed-that is what they consume in one day. As they begin to grow, you scale up to seven bags. As they add weight, you scale up to 10 bags. Many people are not able to do the calculation and do the progression and know how much money they should have. If your chicken is hungry; if they are layers, they will drop eggs, they won’t lay again. Once you don’t give them the much you are supposed to give them, you will see the result immediately. When that happens you can’t make profit. The other one is that if you give people money to start poultry business and you don’t groom them properly, you will see people getting into poultry and when it is time for vaccination or inoculation, they are unable to fund it. They look at the poultry and say that well, they look healthy, and ‘God has helped me’. But one morning, you wake up and all of them have died. So, we need to put these clusters where we have a veterinary clinic, we have a store for all the feeds. All you need to do is just to come. Once you come and you have your day-old chicks, we give you a pen and all the inputs. There is an extension worker that lives there, to tell you what to do. Your duty is to be sure you come there in the morning.

If you fail to come for one week, we will take over the job and do it for you. If you decide to resurface, when the chicken is sold; we take our money for feed and veterinary services and the money for taking care of the chicken on the days you did not come. That way we are able to stabilize and hold these pupil poultry farmers until they are able to stand on their own. Once we wean them from the poultry clusters, there is one at Izuru, done and dusted.

The other one at Item is going to be the next.

CBN was here the day we commissioned it.

Our intervention in agriculture is in oil palm, poultry, cashew and we are doing a little bit of cocoa too. At some point the biggest cocoa farmer in this country was an Abia man and we think we can re-enact our prowess in cocoa farming. In the agro-allied industry, we will do rice milling, cassava processing, oil palm processing; so that we can get palm oil and get palm kernel oil too. These are our intervention in terms of agriculture.

I did not mention the flyover project, because it is yet to be completed, but it is also a project that is very dear to my heart. Going forward, I think that we are actually inching towards a place where with a little more effort our people understand that we can use the little resources that we have to create a better life. The flyover is in Aba. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

22

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021

POLITICS

Buni: Will This Cup Pass from Him?

GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS

The recent judgement of the supreme Court In the Ondo gubernatorial election seems to be raising unending dust in the ruling All Progressives Congress about the legitimacy of its leadership, Emameh Gabriel writes

Buni

T

he never ending crises rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to be taken a new twist that may see the incumbent chairman of the party’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), and Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni step aside.

Buni who ascended the coveted office with the deposition of erstwhile chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, is in the centre of a storm ignited by the recent Supreme Court judgement on the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Following the judgement, some senior party members have argued that a part of the judgment calls to question the continued stay in office of Buni, a serving governor, as Chairman of the Caretaker/ National Convention Planning Committee of the party.

They contend that the fate of APC is at stake in that all successes, victories and triumphs gained by the party will continue to hang on a very thin thread in the face of the attitude of the courts on election and political matters. That the decision of the Supreme Court had opened the flood gate for endless litigation challenging every action and decision of the APC leadership as presently constituted.

Ameeting last Sunday of the party’s governors which was held at the Kebbi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro on the matter yielded no positive result as the forum members were split on whether or not to approach the matter in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also at a meeting penultimate Friday hosted

by Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the APC state governors and other stakeholders , the party leaders started considering the removal of Buni as caretaker committee chairman and other governors, who are members of the panel.

Apart from Buni, who is the Governor of Yobe State, other governors, who are members of the committee, are Sani Bello of Niger State, who is representing the North-central and his Osun State counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, who represents the South-west.

Those in attendance at the meeting which held at the Vice President’s office were the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Minister of State for Labour, Mr. Festus Keyamo; and Professor Tahir Mamman, a former Director General of the Nigeria Law School and legal adviser/member of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the APC. However, it was gathered that at the meeting, the consensus of opinion was that the party should pause the ward congresses slated for July 31 before weighing other options. But only Malami objected, arguing that the exercise could go ahead, regardless.

Malami argued that Article 18 of the APC Constitution (as amended) vests the National Executive Committee (NEC) with the power to create a standing ad-hoc committee, which was

what happened with the creation of the CECPC, following the emergency meeting of NEC after the sack of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee last year. The Minister of Justice further argued that the Buniled caretaker has neither breached the party’s constitution nor violated the 1999 Constitution.

Professor Osinbajo, at the meeting, however, maintained that the ward congress already conducted should be aborted against the backdrop of the Supreme Court judgment which, he noted, frowned at the eligibility of Buni to combine party and elective offices.

There are even those in the party who are calling for the reinstatement of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC) without the erstwhile Chairman, who was suspended from office by order of a court of competent jurisdiction should be seriously considered in other to cloak the impending ward, local government area and state congresses as well as national convention with the imprint of legality.

The main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has also added its voice to stoke the controversy in the rival camp, saying ward congress conducted by the APC amounted to a nullity, given the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, which invalidated the Buni-led national executive.

The PDP, therefore, vilified Buni and other APC leaders for deceiving innocent Nigerians and cajoling them to participate in the needless exercise, which ended in violent crisis and avoidable deaths, when they knew it was all in futility.

But the leadership of the APC , while dismissing the PDP as no interpreter of the law, has asked it to keep its “baseless comments” on APC leadership to itself, saying it was aimed at distracting attention from its depleting fortunes and rudderless leadership, which has led its members and leaders abandoning the party.

According to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the opposition party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan said, it was indeed callous that the leaders of the APC, despite knowing that any process conducted by the Buni-led national executive, whose legal status, in the face of section 183 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 17(4) of the APC constitution, has been queried by the Supreme Court, could extort from their innocent followers and subject them to a fraudulent exercise that is a nullity.

“While Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) bars a sitting governor from holding any other office while serving as state governor, Article 17(4) of the APC constitution clearly states that ‘no officer in any organ of the party shall hold executive position office in government concurrently,” he said.

The PDP explained that the implication was that with Buni as chairman, the APC has no valid national executive and as such any congress or any other statutory process conducted by the APC under this circumstance remained a nullity.

“Our party, therefore, counsels those who participated in the ridiculous drama called APC ward congress to know that they have been viciously scammed. They should not worsen their situation by allowing the deceptive APC leaders to further set them against one another in bloody clashes for a party that has technically gone defunct,” the PDP said.

But the National Secretary of the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement issued recently said, instead of being humbled by the defeat of the recent Supreme Court judgement on the Ondo Governorship election, the PDP has turned itself to an interpreter of law.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is an old, lonely, toothless and hungry Hyena wandering aimlessly in the jungle of political wilderness.

Nigerians are fully aware of its antecedents and will never take it seriously no matter how much empty noise it makes.

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

Left to Right: Senator Uche Ekwunife (left) the Chairperson of the PDP Anambra State Governorship Election Council for the November 6 election, business mogul Valentine Ozigbo, the flag-bearer of the People Democratic Party and Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, a former aspirant and stalwart of the PDP, at the inauguration of the campaign council at the Senator Ekwunife Event Centre in Awka, Anambra State

Chairman, Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Sam Egwu (left), presenting a plaque to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, at Government House, Uyo recently

Founder, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), Mr. Noah Dallaji, an engineer (third from left) with the organisation’s recent scholarship recipients Olatokunbo Kila to study for a Master’s degree in Energy Systems Management at the University of Francisco (USA); Afolabi Damilola Oluwaseyi, to study for a Masters in Public Health at the Leeds Beckett University (UK), Deborah Amara Okafor, who is studying for a degree in English and Philosophy at the University of Georgia (Georgia) and Onah Ifunanya Rita currently studying Microbiology at Dorben Polytechnic, Bwari, Abuja

Minister, Niger Delta Affairs Ministry, Senator Godswill Akpabio (left) receiving the security report on the NDDC Forensic Audit from Admiral Bamidele Oluwagbamila, in his office in Abuja

THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ 19, 2021

FEATURES

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

Tackling Spiraling Herders-Farmers' Conflict in Katsina The adoption of ranching system by the Katsina State government would tackle prevailing herders-farmers skirmishes and banditry in the state, writes Francis Sardauna

F

armers-herders conflicts is perhaps one of the key security challenges bedeviling Nigeria. This has escalated and transformed to many aspect of crimes which are being orchestrated in form of cattle rustling, armed banditry and kidnapping, thereby heightening tension or apprehension in the country.

This age-long conflict in Nigeria is mainly associated with quarrels over land resources mostly between herders and predominant rural farmers across the nation. Factors that causes the incessant herders-farmers clashes are encroachment into grazing routes and reserves, ignorance about the grazing routes and laws, illiteracy, water scarcity, and desertification, Climate change, population explosion and growth of new settlements are other veritable sources and causal factors of most of these conflicts. Therefore, the significant threat posed by pastoralists-farmers conflicts makes it a critical issue that needs to be tackled immediately and comprehensively.

The violent conflicts between the pastoralists and farmers are widespread with severe consequences ranging from loss of lives, property and disruption of the normal functioning of many states. These conflicts undermine the fabric of the nation's corporate existence as they exacerbate various fault lines with grave implications.

In order to completely arrest this lingering scuffle to its final resting graveyard in Katsina State, the state government under the watch of Governor Aminu Bello Masari adopted numerous revolving and defensible strategies in the state.

Thus, the governor on assumption of office in 2015, launched war against cattle rustling and herders-farmers' clashes across farming villages and communities in the state. It was as result of the offensive and proactive fight that the hoodlums sought for dialogue with the state government for peace and development to thrive.

The governor being the peace ambassador, graciously granted the then cattle rustlers amnesty, which paved the way for rapprochement that yielded positive results between 2015 to early 2019. From the inception of the war against cattle rustling by the present administration to 2019, 56,505 cattle, 24,415 sheep and 36,213 goats were recovered during the first amnesty.

Accordingly, the state government in its restoration agenda in agriculture, has since keyed into the federal government's ranching scheme. The federal government's scheme known as the Livestock Transformation Plan, which is being implemented in 11 pilot states of Katsina, Adamawa, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Oyo, Plateau, Taraba and Zamfara, will gulp N179 billion.

Other milestone measures taken by the Masari-led government to address or ward off the herders-farmers conflicts includes reconciliation meeting with bandits in Kankara town and peace tour to bandits' enclaves in 10 Local Government Areas of Batsari, Danmusa, Kankara, Safana, Dutsin-ma, Jibia, Faskari, Sabuwa, Kurfi and Dandume to ascertain their demands for possible remedy.

To further curb the age-long predicament in the state, Governor Masari officially wrote to President Muhammadu Buhari, soliciting for intervention from the National Resources Funds in order to resettle pastoralists and their livestock in safer villages, communities and towns across the state.

Interestingly, President Buhari approved the request of the governor and released the whooping sum of N6.25 billion to the state government for the ranching scheme in the state. This would enable government to rehabilitate existing infrastructures such as schools, dispensaries, dams, veterinary clinics, stock routes and pasture development in Kukar Jangarai Grazing Reserve popularly known as Rugu forest that has 10 ranges across the 10 frontline local governments.

The funds will also assist the state government for the development of pasture, retracing and demarcation of stock routes to streamline the issue of herders migration from one state or station to another. This noble initiative will further tackle clashes between herders and farmers as well as banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other social vices in the state.

Therefore, the state government resolved to implement the project through its Department of Livestock and Grazing Reserves, where by

"We are going to change their lifestyle, take them away from the streets and from wandering in the bush and develop districts, hamlets and towns and definitely in few years to come you will not see a nomad moving about, wandering or kidnapping. And this will end all these security challenges."

Masari

about 7,000 hectares of grazing land would be utilised out of the 122,000 hectares earmarked for the conflicts-solving project in the state. Thus, 5,000 hectares of land is for pasture development while 2,000 is meant for arable farming and infrastructural development within the ranch.

In view of this, therefore, the state government intends to commence the project in 10 Local Government Areas of Batsari, Jibia, Kurfi, Dutsin-ma, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa and Dandume, which are more vulnerable to security challenges orchestrated by bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers as well as herders-farmers conflicts.

With this development, the state government is expected to provide lands for the production of pastures, infrastructures and identify investors to take up the entire value chain of the project and set up industries for the benefit of the people in the state, thereby creating more employment opportunities for youths.

The livestock development project has ranges 1, 2 and 3 situated in Jibia and Batsari Local Governments, while ranges 4, 5, 6, and 7 are in Dutsin-ma, Kurfi and Safana Local Government. Ranges 8, 9 and 10 are in Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa and Dandume Local Government Areas respectively.

The state government through the department of livestock, had invited team of experts from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) that assisted in the provision of technical guidance for preparation of business design and project plan that

would be of benefit to citizens of the state.

It also sought involvement of private sectors to invest their funds and identify key problems and proffer solutions for the development and sustainability of the ranching project. It is pertinent to note that the 33 earth dams in the ranges would be linked up, milk collection centres would be established while diary scheme would be rehabilitated for commercial activities for improved productivity.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the governor on Livestock and Grazing Reserves, Dr. Lawal Usman Bagiwa, while addressing participants at an stakeholders meeting on ranching in Katsina, said government had concluded arrangements for the commencement of the project in the state.

He said with a design of a 7,000 hectares in the project area for pasture development, other important facilities such as nomadic schools, veterinary clinics, dispensaries, slaughter houses, solar powered boreholes, artificial insemination centre, feeder roads, Mosques and police station would be constructed.

Other value additional infrastructures that would be constructed in the ranch, according to him, includes hatchery, bottle water factory, filling station, milk and meat processing factory and hides and skills would be available in partnership with key private investors.

He explained that the ranching scheme would enable herders and farmers to engage in arable farming within the range for food security and homestead pasture, while recreational facilities, capacity

building workshops and empowerment as well as livestock census would be conducted in the proposed ranch areas.

He said the provision of ranching system popularly known as Livestock Transformation Plan in the state will mark the end of herdsmen having to transport their herds mostly by foot and avoid conflict with local farming communities within and outside the state.

He said, "We will also bring in investors that will set up modern centres where cattle breeders can slaughter their animals. When we do that, a lot of other things will come up.

"We are going to change their lifestyle, take them away from the streets and from wandering in the bush and develop districts, hamlets and towns and definitely in few years to come you will not see a nomad moving about, wandering or kidnapping. And this will end all these security challenges".

According to Bagiwa, "Therefore, I wish to call on everybody to give his cogent contributions on how to have sustainable access to the area for a successful implementation of the programme".

Apparently, Masari's justifications for accepting ranching are that it would constrain cattle movement and herders will be settled in an organised locality with basic amenities like schools, hospitals, veterinary clinics, markets and manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meat and animal products.

Thus, Governor Masari needs the unflinching support of all and sundry to make the project realistic and sustainable in Katsina State in order to avert the spiralling herders-farmers' conflicts bedeviling farming communities across the state.

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T H I S D AY ˾ ˜ ͯͷ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

#THISISNIGERIA -Edith Yassin

HUSBAND?

T

hrough information gathered from the media, it might be safe to conclude that Ruth Pogu, Saraya Musa Mutah and Hassana Adamu have regained their freedom after over 7 years in Boko Haram captivity.

Reports indicate that Ruth, the two children she bore, alongside someone she was said to have married while in captivity, surrendered themselves to the Nigerian military on July 28, 2021, at a location in Bama, a town in Borno State.

Saraya Musa Mutah, the second girl, was found last week wandering in the forest. The third girl, Hassana Adamu, alongside her two children, also presented themselves to the Nigerian Army, according to Governor Zulum’s office.

Their unpleasant ordeal began on the night of 14th April 2014, when 276, mostly Christian female students, aged from 16 to 18 were kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School Chibok, Borno State by the Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram.

Years after, 109 #ChibokGirls are still in captivity. Leah Sharibu, taken from her school in Dapchi, is also being held captive.

It is therefore triggering to see reports where their captors are referred to as husbands. Their captors are terrorists. Their captors are criminals. Their captors are slave drivers. Their captors are members of a deadly terror group that has engaged the Armed Forces of Nigeria in war for over 12 years.

Their captors are NOT husbands.

These terrorists have a war economy that thrives on gun running, illegal taxation, drug trafficking, human trafficking and sex slavery. These sons of Nigeria abducted the daughters, nieces, and cousins of other sons of Nigeria. It is cruel. It is evil. It is wicked.

Years after, 109 #ChibokGirls are still in captivity. Leah Sharibu, taken from her school in Dapchi, is also being held captive.

It is therefore triggering to see reports where their captors are referred to as husbands.

Their captors are terrorists. Their captors are criminals. Their captors are slave drivers.

Their captors are members of a deadly terror group that has engaged the Armed Forces of Nigeria in war for over 12 years. Their captors are NOT husbands

Several fathers have died from heartbreak.

Many have developed life threatening ailments. It is therefore brutal to refer to any of these abductors as husbands. A husband is a legitimate partner, a celebrated spouse, and a bringer of joy and support.

There is no religion, tribe or creed that will confer the title of husband on this violent abuse of Nigeria's daughters. Media reportage should be more circumspect and words must be chosen carefully. Careless and insensitive use of words can confer nuances that benefit perpetrators of sexual violence to the detriment of victims and survivors.

The female victim suffers a hundredfold when her captor and abuser is referred to as husband.

Welcome home Ruth.

Welcome home Saraya.

Welcome home Hassana.

May you get all the help you need. May Nigeria not continue to fail you. #BringBackOurGirls #SevenYearsTooLong #HopeEndures t &EJUI :BTTJO JT B CSPBEDBTU KPVSOBMJTU CBTFE JO "CVKB

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THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

REPO

OBB OVERNIGHT

16.75% 17.25 %

A T

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

08056356325

A U G U S T

S & P INDEX

1 6 , 2 0 2 1

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MONTH-TO-DATE

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1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

2.8% -18.25%

N410.80/ 1 US DOLLAR* *AS AT LAST FRIDAY

Broadband Expansion Imminent as Facebook, Orange, Vodafone Consortium Extend Cable to South-East Nigeria

Emma Okonji Nigeria’s current broadband penetration level of 39.97 per cent and subscription of 76.29 million as at June 2021 are poised to soar in the coming years following the recent extension of new broadband cable branches to the South-East region by the a consortium.

Nigeria had in December 2018 surpassed its 30 per cent broadband penetration target and further increased the penetration level to 45.93 per cent in October 2020, before sliding to 39.59 per cent in May 2021.

It inched up higher to 39.97 per cent penetration level in June 2021, according to figures released by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Analysts are however of the view that the recent extension of broadband cable to the SouthEast by 2Africa Consortium will

further widen penetration across the country.

The 2Africa consortium, which comprises of China Mobile International, Facebook, MTN GlobalConnect, Orange, stc, Telecom Egypt, Vodafone and WIOCC, recently announced the addition of four new branches to the 2Africa cable.

According to a statement by the consortium, the branches will extend its connectivity to the Seychelles, the Comoros Islands, and Angola, and bring a new landing to South-east Nigeria adding, “The new branches join the recently announced extension to the Canary Islands. 2Africa, which will be the largest subsea cable project in the world, will deliver faster, more reliable broadband internet service to each country where it lands. Communities that rely on the internet for services from education to healthcare, and business will

experience the economic and social benefits that come from this increased connectivity.”

“Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) has been selected to deploy the new branches, which will increase the number of 2Africa landings to 35 in 26 countries, further improving connectivity into and around Africa. As with other 2Africa cable landings, capacity will be available to service providers at carrier-neutral data centres or open-access cable landing stations on a fair and equitable basis, encouraging and supporting the development of a healthy internet ecosystem.

Marine surveys completed for most of the cable and cable manufacturing is underway, “the consortium said in a statement.

“Since launching the 2Africa cable in May 2020, the 2Africa consortium has made considerable progress in planning and preparing for the

deployment of the cable, which is expected to ‘go live’ late 2023.

Most of the subsea route survey activity is now complete. ASN has started manufacturing the cable and building repeater units in its factories in Calais and Greenwich to deploy the first segments in 2022, “the statement reads in part.

According to the statement, one of 2Africa’s key segments, the Egypt terrestrial crossing that interconnects landing sites on the Red and the Mediterranean Seas via two completely diverse terrestrial routes, has been completed ahead of schedule. A third diverse marine path will complement this segment via the Red Sea. Commenting, Spokesperson for Facebook, a member of the consortium, said: “2Africa is a perfect example of our innovative partnership model where everyone benefits through developing scale infrastructure

and shared technology expertise that lead the industry in routes, capacity and flexibility, ultimately providing greater internet reliability across much of the continent, whilst supporting the growth of 4G, 5G, and fixed broadband access for hundreds of millions of people and businesses. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of connectivity as billions of people around the world rely on the internet to work, attend school, and stay connected to the people they care about. With more people using the internet, subsea cables will continue to be a vital investment in advancing connectivity across Africa.

The mission of Facebook as a member of the consortium, is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. Over two billion people use Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Messenger every month to stay connected with

friends and family, to discover what is going on in the world, and to share and express what matters to them.”

China Mobile International Limited (CMI), a member of 2Africa Consortium, is a whollyownedsubsidiary of China Mobile, mainly responsible for the operation of China Mobile’s international business.

In order to provide better services to meet the growing demand in the international telecommunications market, China Mobile established a subsidiary, CMI, in December 2010. CMI currently has over 70 terrestrial and submarine cable resources worldwide, with a total international transmission bandwidth of 98T, and more than 180 Point of Presence (PoP).

GlobalConnect, which is also a member of 2Africa Consortium, is a PanAfrican digital wholesale Continued on page 28

Federal Competition Commission Amends Merger Review Regulations, Clarifies Certain Considerations Raheem Akingbolu The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has said that it has issued an amended Merger Review Regulations to govern the notification and review of mergers under Part XII of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA).

The review, the commission

said, is in compliance with sections 17, 18, and 163 of the FCCPA 2018.

According to a statement issued by the commission’s Executive Vice Chairman, Babatunde Irukera, the amendment largely involves a reduction in applicable fees and clarifications on certain considerations in determining applicable turnover in foreign-

to-foreign business combinations and investments by Private Investments Entities.

The statement said, “Pursuant to sections 17, 18, & 163 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has issued a Merger Review (amended) Regulations, 2021, to govern the notification and

review of mergers under Part XII of the FCCPA. The regulations amend the FCCPC Merger Review Regulations 2020 and modify applicable fees for notifications under Schedule 1 of the Regulations.

“The amended regulations by a renewed matrix and combination of factors generally reduces applicable fees and clarifies certain considerations in

determining applicable turnover in foreign-to-foreign business combinations and investments

by Private Investments Entities.”

The commission noted that the modifications contained in the amended regulations were in response to close monitoring of the operational realities of the 2020 Regulations and feedback from the market, professional advisors and related associations.

It added that it intended to continue monitoring, and responding to emerging trends or practices, as well as appropriate feedback from relevant persons.

“The amended regulations were entered into the Federal Government Gazette (No. 129, Vol. 108) on the 6th day of August 2021 and the implementation is with immediate effect, “the commission added.

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 1 81 , 2 0 2 1 ONNDDSS FFGGNN BBO DESCRIPTION 11.668 FGNSB 11.150 15-AUG-2021 11-SEP-2021 10.301 FGNSB 12.364 16-AUG-2021 12-SEP-2021 11.150 FGNSB 12.175 11-SEP-2021 10-OCT-2021 12.364 FGNSB 11.244 12-SEP-2021 16-OCT-2021 12.175 FGNSB 10.296 10-OCT-2021 13-NOV-2021

BILLS

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0.00

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3.10 2.80

3.11 0.00 0.00 2.80

100.67 101.24

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NGUS AUG 25 2021 420.93

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3.37 0.00 0.00 3.61

5

NGUS DEC 29 2021 426.73

CCPs Ps MATURITY

Discount Discount Yield Yield Change Change(%) (%)

MREPCP CPIII XXXI UNCP 2713-AUG-21 AUG-21 UNCPCP CPIIII 27VAAG 27AUG-21 VAAG CP III 27TTNG 31AUG-21 TTNGCP CPI 2-SEPII 31SIBP AUG-21 21 SIBP CP 2-SEPNBRP CPI XIII 21 2-SEP-21

9.02 3.71

9.03 3.71

0.00 0.01

4.26 9.67

4.27 9.69

0.00 0.01

10.20 4.13

10.25 4.13 0.00 0.01

4.59 3.69

4.60 3.70

0.00 0.01

4.13 4.37

4.14 4.38

0.00 0.01

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THURSDAY AUGUST 19, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

PARTNERSHIP DEAL…

L-R: Founder/CEO, Global InfoSwift Consulting Limited, Mr. Afolabi Oke; Independent Non-Executive Director, Global InfoSwift, Mrs. Adeola Azeez; Founder/CEO, EMTECH, Carmelle Cadet and Executive Director, Africa, EMTECH, Mr. Tunji Odumuboni, during a press conference to announce the partnership between Global InfoSwift and EMTECH in Lagos… recently

Orjiako: Sub-Saharan Africa Region Excellent Hub for Future Upstream Growth, Opportunities Peter Uzoho The Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region remains an excellent hub for future upstream growth with opportunities and a ready market for diversification into other allied areas such as refining, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and power.

This was the view of the Chairman, Seplat Energy Plc, Dr. ABC Orjiako, at the annual Sub-Saharan Africa Oil/Gas Conference held in Houston Texas.

A statement quoted the Seplat Chairman to have also urged Africans and foreign investors alike to harness the growth potential of African developing countries to boost development

and global growth.

Orjiako, the keynote speaker at the event with the theme, “The Future of Upstream, Advancing Digitization and Gas Development Options in Sub-Saharan Africa,” said challenges of SSA present a significant opportunity for those seeking returns.

The chairman of Seplat held the believe that energy corporations must show responsibility in neutralising their respective emission footprints and sign up for climate change policies that will protect the environment, while SSA policy makers should embrace programmes that will strike the needed balance.

“The fastest-growing

economies in the world lie in Africa/developing nations and considering Africa’s electricity/ power deficit,” he added.

“As the world moves toward energy transition with Climate Change/ESG Advocacy/ Policy Changes dominating the energy discussion, Gas will continue to play an increasingly important role. Gas will play a strategic role as a transition fuel, boosting economic growth and development by providing needed energy access.

“While we face headwinds of energy transition and the climate change narrative, we must see these as an opportunity to evolve and be resilient. Oil and Gas will remain part of the energy

mix, and as such, we must be creative and environmentally responsible to survive and thrive”, Orjiako told the audience at the conference in Houston Texas.

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group estimates that over 640 million Africans living in sub–Saharan Africa have no access to energy. This estimate means that the energy access rate for African countries is just under 40percent which is the lowest rate globally.

Africa has 13 per cent of the world’s population, but 48 per cent of the share of the global population without access to electricity.

On the positive side, Africa

is rich in natural resources that can change the narrative on energy access in the continent.

Sub-Saharan Africa has 63 billion barrels and 222 trillion cubic feet of proved oil and natural gas reserves, respectively. The energy potential in renewables is quite significant yet remains under-utilised mainly.

Hydropower accounts for around a fifth of current capacity, but less than 10 per cent of its potential is being utilised. Similarly, the technical potential of solar, biomass, wind and geothermal energy is significant.

“While we see a substantial push to cleaner energy and focus on climate change, fossil fuels will

remain an essential part of the overall energy mix, especially for emerging markets and developing countries. Fossil fuels (especially cleaner natural Gas) remain a crucial game-changer for Africa regarding energy access”, Orjiako further noted.

“We can draw a direct correlation between energy access and GDP growth where countries with low energy access have low GDP growth rates. Only seven countries in Africa - Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Namibia, Senegal, and South Africa have electricity access rates exceeding 50 percent. The rest of the region has an average grid access rate of just 20percent, ”Seplat chairman noted.

Financial, Regulatory Stability Key to Financial Inclusion Growth, Say Experts Emma Okonji Experts in the financial inclusion ecosystem have highlighted the importance of financial and regulatory stability among financial

Group Business Editor Eromosele Abiodun Comms/e-Business Editor Emma Okonji Aviation Editor Chinedu Eze Asst. Editor, Money Market Nume Ekeghe Senior Correspondent Raheem Akingbolu (Advertising) Correspondents James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafo (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters Nosa Alekhuogie (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy) Ugo Aliogo (Development)

regulators, FinTech developers and grassroots beneficiaries in order to achieve seamless operations that will further deepen financial inclusion in Nigeria.

They spoke recently in Lagos while announcing the partnership between EMTECH and Global InfoSwift Consulting (GIC), designed to provide capacity building on Nigeria’s Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Regulatory Sandbox and Open Banking for Nigerian financial regulators and financial services providers.

The capacity building programme is expected to drive innovation and collaboration in the Nigerian financial services regulatory environment.

EMTECH, a FinTech for Central Banks and GIC, announced that the partnership would deliver capacity building in three core and interrelated areas:

Central Bank Digital Currency, Regulatory Sandbox Framework, and Application Programming Interface (API) and Open Banking.

The partnership will enable regulators, banks and FinTechs to accelerate the transformative changes seen in the evolving financial services regulatory environment.

The partnership programme, which is set for launch in the next 90 days with engagements of key stakeholders across the ecosystem, further stressed the need for collaboration and regulatory frameworks to enable successful outcomes that would impact over a billion people across the continent, in line with African central banks’ move towards innovation and digitization.

Founder and CEO, EMTECH, Carmelle Cadet, while giving an overview of the ‘Capacity

Building Programme’, said: “EMTECH is pioneering a new approach as a FinTech for Central Banks, and also other financial services regulators and financial services providers. We are positioned to serve as a bridge between the regulator and regulated within the financial services industry by providing modern technology platforms and tools to enable an inclusive and resilient financial market.”

According to her, the capacity building program would facilitate the convergence of knowledge on innovative solutions, enabling supervisory agencies’ regulatory frameworks to foster innovation, financial inclusion, financial system resilience as well as compliance of financial service providers’ (FSPs) emerging product and business models with relevant regulatory and consumer

protection requirements.

Executive Director, Africa, EMTECH, Mr. Tunji Odumuboni, said the programme would offer global perspectives tailored for the nuance of the Nigerian financial ecosystem as a whole and individual players on the selected knowledge domains.

“We are delighted to join forces with GIC, because of their expertise and experience in facilitating technology– related capacity building programs for different players within the financial services regulatory environment,” Odumuboni said.

Founder and CEO, Global InfoSwift Consulting Ltd, Mr. Afolabi Oke, said: “We are excited to team up with EMTECH, who have hands-on experience with their API-led Modern Regulatory Sandbox Platform, in enabling Central Banks and other financial

services regulators in getting actionable regulatory insights into the broad ecosystem of private-sector innovators while accelerating the readiness of FinTechs for regulatory reviews and go-to-market approvals.”

Independent Non-Executive Director at Global Infoswift, Mrs. Adeola Azeez, said: “New technologies help us level up our lives. Rapid advances in financial innovations provide new opportunities for financial services and allow new products, services and players to enter markets. FinTech is able to strengthen financial development, inclusion, and efficiency both domestically and globally.

With this, it forces the modern financial community to face new challenges in regulation, in particular associated with data privacy, consumer protection and operational risks.”

BROADBAND EXPANSION IMMINENT AS FACEBOOK, ORANGE, VODAFONE CONSORTIUM EXTEND CABLE TO SOUTH-EAST NIGERIA and infrastructure services company, and an operating company in the MTN Group.

GlobalConnect manages MTN’s international and national major wholesale activities, in addition to offering reliable wholesale

and infrastructure solutions for fixed connectivity and wholesale mobility solutions that include international mobile services, Voice, SMS, signalling, roaming and interconnect.

Orange, another member

of 2Africa Consortium, is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators with sales of 42.3 billion euros in 2020 and 139,000 employees worldwide at 30 June 2021, including 80,000 employees

in France. The Group has a total customer base of 263 million customers worldwide at 30 June 2021, including 218 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. The Group is present

in 26 countries.

Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies, under the brand Orange Business Services.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

e-BUSINESS

Addressing Data Infrastructure Shortfall

The continued expansion of data centres within and outside Nigeria will help address the shortfall in data infrastructure, caused by dearth of infrastructure in Nigeria and Africa, writes Emma Okonji

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frican countries, Nigeria inclusive, are faced with inadequacy of ICT infrastructure, especially broadband infrastructure that will drive data centre expansion, connectivity and internet access. Nigeria currently has few Tier III data centre operators across the country, prompting the continued hosting of organisations’ sensitive data outside of Africa.

Nigeria has several submarine cables that have been berthed on the shores of the country, like Glo-1, MainOne, MTN West African Submarine Cable (WASC) and SAT 3 submarine cable, among others. But the country lacks the national backbone infrastructure that will transmit the avalanche of broadband capacities from the various submarine cables at the shores to the hinterlands, which explains the high cost of internet services across the country.

In order to address the shortfall in data centre infrastructure in Nigeria, and West Africa, Tier III Data Centre operators like MDXi, Rack Centre, Glo Data Centre, among others, are expanding their data centre operations in Nigeria and beyond.

Expanding MDXi Beyond Nigeria

Having launched in 2015 in Lekki, Lagos State, MDXi, which is a subsidiary of MainOne Company, has consolidated with its parent company to build a leading Data Centre Business across West Africa with the launch of its recent Data Centre in Appolonia City, Ghana.

In an environment where there is still a dearth of infrastructure, the company has used its affiliation with the MainOne Group, which has presence in several countries, and access to all major operators across the region, to deliver the best-connected content hubs in West Africa.

Starting from its entry into the market in 2010 with the deployment of its $240 million 7,000 kilometer submarine cable from Portugal to Nigeria, MainOne’s arrival has driven the growth of broadband access in the region. Having attained a leadership position as West Africa’s carrier-of-carriers, the company’s investments in Connectivity, Cloud and Data Centre infrastructure, continues to grow with presence in over 10 countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger, and Cameroun.

The company, through her Data Centre subsidiary MDXi, a pioneer in West Africa’s Data Centre and Cloud hosting market, is providing businesses in the sub-region with world-class Data Centre services in Tier III Data Centres in Nigeria, Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire.

These infrastructure investments have led to the development of an interconnected ecosystem of Internet Exchanges, Content Providers and Network Operators across the entire region, MainOne said in a statement.

In Ghana, the company already operates a network connected to all the major operators, ISPs, and the Ghana Internet Exchange (GIX) where MainOne has been a member for over five years. But the addition of the Appolonia Data Centre facility in Ghana was the missing piece to the puzzle. This new Data Centre right from the onset is already

interconnected via dual fiber providers on dual fiber routes through MainOne’s network to all West African regional operators, the statement further said.

Francophone West Africa is not left out as MainOne’s fully operational Data Centre in Cote d’Ivoire is accelerating the building of the MainOne interconnected ecosystem, delivering wholesale capacity and Data Centre services to institutions, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), major enterprises in the country and neighbouring, land locked countries such as Burkina Faso.

The company is not doing it alone as MainOne continues to partner with leading global tech players to enrich West Africa’s tech ecosystem and as a leading player in the region, the company is also driving the conversation in international fora on recent developments in the West African Data Centre market.

Speaking about the importance of critical data and data centre management, the Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Ms. Funke Opeke, said successful data generation would assist in academic research and data analytics for online transaction.

She further said such data were either housed and managed locally or internationally, adding that the MDXi Data Centre, which is MainOne’s flagship data centre that was established in Lekki, Lagos in 2015, had been able to host and manage critical data of different organisations.

She said effective management of data would enhance accelerated growth in digital transformation. She further explained that MainOne has extended its data centre facility to Apollonia City in Accra, Ghana.

Rack Centre Expansion

Rack Centre, a carrier neutral data centre colocation provider in West Africa, with operations in Nigeria, has completed the doubling of its Information Technology (IT) load capacity to 1.5 MW at its Lagos campus, further serving cloud providers, content providers, and enterprise customers with additional 600 square metres of data centre white space.

According to the company, the facility would provide comprehensive carrier neutral ecosystem benefits with over 40 carriers/Internet Service Providers (ISP) and a diverse Cloudmarketplace.

As a key Tier III Constructed Facility Certified hosting location for the Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, it addresses the growing need for proven reliable hosting, flexible interconnection and enabling companies to advance their digital transformation.

With 100 per cent uptime track record since inception, the expansion is the first stage of a trajectory that is in progress to add an additional 13MW of IT load capacity ready for service in 2022 at the same campus in Lagos Nigeria, the company said in a statement.

It further explained that the newly completed LGS 1 facility boasts two redundant, independent, and diverse meet-me rooms, three fibre entry

routes into the facility and an open access mast for connectivity providers.

The Managing Director of Rack Centre, Dr. Ayotunde Coker, said: “The Lagos Campus data centre has grown to be the largest carrier neutral digital infrastructure hub in West Africa and West Central Africa, halving the latency of data transfer from South Africa to Europe and the USA. “All undersea cables are directly connected, so every country on the Atlantic coast of Africa are directly connected. We have achieved a track record of 100 per cent uptime since launch and gained an unprecedented list of high-profile global accolades for an African data centre company, the most recent being winner of the Excellence in Data Centre Award at the 2021 DataCloud Global Awards, which was held digitally and has customarily been held in Monaco.”

He added that Rack Centre had set the bar for quality in Africa, being the first carrier neutral company to be Constructed Facility Certified by the Uptime Institute in April 2017.

In March 2020, Rack Centre announced the controlling stake by Actis, the UK Private Equity company, and Convergence Partners, the Africa technology private equity company, with Jagal remaining a significant investor.

Glo Data Centre Expansion

Nigeria’s national carrier, Globacom, is among the data centre operators that are expanding their data centre operations in order to address the dearth of data infrastructure in Nigeria.

Globacom has set up state- of-the-arts Internet Data Centres in Lagos to provide co-location, disaster recovery and dedicated hosting services to its clients all over the country.

The company is also expanding its existing data management platform by planning to build another world class facility that will be Nigeria’s largest iconic data centre, providing Tier III and Tier IV enterprise data services at Abuja, the federal capital territory.

The additional data centre will provide network based services, applications, equipment and cloud services in a highly safe secure and backed up environment.

According to Globacom, most of the websites and servers of various Nigerian organisations are hosted with established markets, such as in UK, USA, Asia, due to unreliable power supply insecurity and other deficiencies in the system.

“This is why Globacom is stepping in to become one of the top players in the managed services industry across Nigeria and West Africa.

We do this by leveraging on our existing telecoms infrastructure, Glo1 sub-marine cable, reliable power supply network, experienced manpower and experience in building stateof-the-art technologies for our existing voice and data telephony services,” Globcom said in a statement.

Data Centres, especially the Tier III and Tier

IV categories, which provide the highest level of failure proof, redundant, secure and safe environment, fault tolerance, compartmentalisation and continuous cooling, are highly valued by most organisations because all mission-critical/real-time applications today depend on server uptimes.

According to Globacom, Glo’s data centre has achieved 99.99 per cent uptime for all our servers and systems because they are housed in safe, fireproof and secure environment built to international standards with a 24- hour power supply, internet connectivity with data backup capacity and redundancy for all equipment .

The data centre’s products are designed and bundled based on either building and leasing rack space for computing machines or leasing computing space (cloud-based infra or apps stack) and power.

Berthing Of Submarine Cables

In order to drive data infrastructure rollout and bridge the existing gap in data infrastructure in Nigeria, MainOne, Glo 1 and MTN WASC, berthed their submarine broadband cables in Nigeria, some years ago.

In 2010, MainOne launched its operations with the unveiling of the first private submarine cable on the West Coast of Africa. Since inception, MainOne has invested over $400 million in infrastructure in West Africa as part of its efforts to bridge the digital divide and enable the digital economy.

The MainOne sub-marine cable is a 7000km submarine cable, which runs from Seixal, Portugal through Accra, Ghana to Lagos, Nigeria with branching units in Morocco, Canary Islands, Senegal, and Ivory Coast.

MainOne became the first, African-owned company to lay International communications cable delivering open-access, broadband capacity in West Africa.

“We started on this journey to deploy critical infrastructure to bridge the digital divide in West Africa. While we are pleased that we have made an impact, there is so much more work to be done. The recent challenges we have faced with COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for additional investment and smarter policies to deploy shared infrastructure required to make access to broadband a reality for more Africans at a price they can afford.

MainOne has been leading that charge across West Africa for 11 years and we are even more committed to realizing our vision,” Opeke said.

In 2011, Globacom built a $800 million high-capacity fibre-optic cable known as Glo-1, a submarine cable from the United Kingdom to Nigeria.

It is the first successful submarine cable from the United Kingdom to Nigeria. Glo-1 is the first successful submarine cable from the United Kingdom to Nigeria, and it has the potential to provide high speed internet services, faster, more reliable and cheaper telecom services.

The 9,800 km long cable originates from Bude in the UK and is laid from this origin to Alpha Beach in Lagos, where it has its landing station.

Glo-1 has improved teleconferencing, distance learning, disaster recovery and telemedicine, among several other benefits for Nigerians and the people of West Africa.

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THURSDAY AUGUST 19, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Underscoring Benefits of Road Infrastructure Project The commitment to address road infrastructure development in the country is one of the cardinal goals of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The government is matching words with actions, especially with the construction of Abuja-Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi-Oturkpo-Enugu road project. Sunday Okobi, Ugo Aliogo, and Adibe Emenyonu examines the nexus between robust road infrastructure and economic development

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ffective road network remains a vital factor in the economic development and prosperity of any country because of its role in driving commerce and transportation. The inability of people and goods to move from one point to another has over the decades been identified as a barrier to development.

In the Nigerian context, the task of building good road networks rests majorly on the federal and state governments. But the sad narrative today is that the state of most roads across the country has left too much to be desired; some are even death traps causing numerous fatal accidents on a daily basis.

Due to misplaced priorities, budgetary allocations meant for road infrastructure are diverted elsewhere, thereby causing a delay in project initiation and completion. The sorry state of Nigerian roads is the aftermath.

Building good road networks remains the political mantra employed by politicians to score cheap political points at electioneering campaigns, but after assuming office, the promise becomes a mirage.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s second tenure in office has tried from all indications to change the narrative of road infrastructure with the repair of major federal roads and bridges in the country.

The desire of the government is to match words with action and not to follow the same path as its predecessors.

According to information from the Ministry of Works, the government is changing the narrative in the area of road infrastructure with the construction of 5.4km of Abuja-Keffi expressway and dualisation of Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi Road (Phase I) and construction of Lafia Bypass road and dualisation of 9th Mile (Enugu)-Otukpo-Makurdi road project (phase II).

The construction of the project is of immense significance to domestic, social, and economic development in the country. The project aims to create a perfect linkage between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and the oil-producing region in the South. The project will help relieve the pressure on the old roads caused by the increasing traffic volume. The project, accordingly, will bring a large number of jobs to the local residents, improve road safety, and promote regional economic development.

MAIN WORK IN PHASES

The expansion of 5.4km of the Abuja-Keffi expressway and dualisation of the Keffi-AkwangaLafia-Makurdi road is located in the Southwest axis of Abuja, crossing the FCT and Nasarawa and Benue States, with a total length of 227.2km,

including the Abuja-Keffi and Keffi-Makurdi sections.

The 5.4km Abuja-Keffi section will have a two-lane auxiliary roads on both sides of the existing six-lane section. The 221.8km Keffi-Makurdi section will see an expansion of the existing two-way two-lane section to a two-way four-lane section.

Phase II: The construction of Lafia Bypass road and dualisation of 9th Mile (Enugu)Otukpo-Makurdi Road is located east of the Lafia city and the North Central and South-eastern parts of Nigeria, connecting two states of Benue and Enugu. The total length of the route is about 268.5km with a two-way two-lane design, with 261 culverts and three bridges.

Phase I of the project is through Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, and Makurdi, the capital of Benue State. The two cities have large populations and are developing rapidly.

In Phase I of Keffi-Makurdi Road Project, except the urban section of Lafia road, is four lanes, the other sections are two lanes.

During the construction process of Phase I, under the condition of limited financial resources, the basic requirements of improving national trunk roads A234 and A3 will be from two lanes to four lanes. In order to solve the problem of serious pavement damage and improve the operation conditions of the section, the pavement repair and pavement was carried out to restore its function as a four-lane arterial road.

Through the pavement repair and work of Phase I Project, the A3 road will become more comfortable, fast, and safe in the Lafia section.

However, the work has not addressed the problems in urban section of Lafia as heavy traffic volume seriously scope of street traffic congestion problems caused by north-south A3 highway and east-west Lafia-Shandamu and Duma-Lafia road transit vehicles passing through the city and meeting in the city center, as well as imperfect road network constraining the development of the city.

Moreover, since the start of Phase, I Project in 2012, with the rapid growth of Nigeria’s economy, the traffic volume of A3 road is increasing, and the urban population and scale of Lafia are gradually expanding. At that time, the traffic bottlenecks of Lafia section of A3 road and the imperfect road network of Lafia city were becoming more serious. The urgency of the construction of the Lafia Circle Road has also attracted increasing attention from the Local Government Council.

During the Phase II Project, professionals

studied how to solve the congestion of A3 road and how to expand the urban road network for the future development of the city, and finally decided on the plan of building the circle city road in the east of Lafia city to realize the expansion of the road network. This implied that through the expansion of the new four-lane circle city road, the bottleneck problem of the Lafia section of A3 road will be thoroughly solved, the urban road network will be expanded, and the development of Lafia will be led to the flat area in the eastern part of the city.

The strategy also conforms to the planning of the federal government and the state government for the Lafia road network and urban development. The necessity of the construction of the Lafia Circle City Road Section is described in detail as follows.

Firstly, there will be a need to improve the national trunk road network in Nigeria and improve the transportation capacity of the main roads. Nigeria has basically formed a federal highway network with national trunk highways as its skeleton.

The North-South direction mainly has ‘four verticals’ constructed by the four vertical trunk roads of A1-A4. The east-west direction is mainly the ‘seven horizontal highways connecting the four vertical trunk highways of A1-A4. The ‘four verticals and seven horizontals’ road network basically covers the major states and major cities in Nigeria.

The project is a section of the vertical trunk highway A3 in the Nigerian national trunk highway network and is connected to the national horizontal trunk highways A233 and A344. A3 road starts with Port Harcourt in Rivers State and ends at the vertical national trunk road in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, radiating Abuja horizontally.

Secondly, there is a need to build a transportation corridor for the ‘Golden Strip’ economic zone; construct the national high-grade road network which with the capital city of Abuja as the center will connect Lagos in the Southwest, Port Harcourt in the South-south region and Kano in the North.

Among them, Lagos, the former capital and largest port city as well as the economic center of the country, gathers one-third of the national industrial enterprises and the number of employees, and its total industrial output value accounts for 60 percent of Nigeria.

Port Harcourt, located in the heart of the oil industry, and is the second-largest port in Nigeria and the capital of Rivers State. Presently, Port Harcourt has become the main export

port of coal, oil products, tin mines, antimony ore, and peanuts. While Kano is now a major commercial town, culture, and transportation center in the northern part of Nigeria.

The Abuja-Lagos section has completed the transformation from two lanes to four lanes, except that the 28km of the Ogbomoso-Atiba section and the 326km of the Lokoja-Ilorin section have not been transformed from two lanes to four lanes. Abuja and Lagos belong to two central cities in Nigeria. There are currently two main passages between Abuja and Lagos, namely Lokoja-Ilorin-Lagos and Lokoja-Benin City - Lagos respectively, both are two-lane highways, with a total capacity of equivalent two-way four-lanes.

The Abuja-Kano section currently has the only main passage, and the current road has completed the four-lane renovation and upgrading.

Abuja-Port Harcourt also has only one main passage. In addition to the Keffi-Makurdi section, which has been launched, the Enugu-Port Harcourt section has basically completed the four-lane upgrading and reconstruction. Currently, only the Makurdi-Enugu section is a two-way two-lane highway. After the completion of the project, from the perspective of upgrading and renovation, the ‘Golden Strip’ road network will complete 87 percent of the four-lane upgrade and renovation; in terms of the overall transportation function, the 4-lane main skeleton road network has been basically completed.

Abuja and Lagos belong to two central cities in Nigeria. There are currently two main passages between Abuja and Lagos, which are the Lokoja-Ilorin-Lagos and Lokoja-Benin-city-Lagos respectively, both are two-lane highways, with a total capacity of equivalent two-way four-lanes. The Abuja-Kano section currently has the only main passage, and the current road has completed the four-lane renovation and upgrading. Abuja-Port Harcourt also has only one main passage. In addition to the Keffi-Makurdi section, which has been launched, the Enugu-Port Harcourt section has basically completed the four-lane upgrading and reconstruction.

RESTORING EXISTING ROADS

As the most important North-South passage in the eastern Nigeria corridor, the project undertakes the vital role of freight transportation northwards from Port Harcourt, especially to such areas as Abuja and Kano; and the proportion of heavy vehicles in the project is high, reaching about 22.5 per cent.

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 19, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Babaeko: There is Need to Bridge Knowledge-gap in Creative Industry President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN), Mr. Steve Babaeko, touches on the challenges facing the advertising industry in Nigeria, especially as it concerns the unbridled practice of poaching among agencies and corporate bodies. He sat down for an interview with Raheem Akingbolu AdCademy recently announced dates for its second masterclass in partnership with Henley Business School. How would you describe the inaugural edition and what are the benefits accruable to participants in the forthcoming edition? ell, the maiden edition was quite fantastic and it was a dream that was 20 years in the making. Several administrations have talked about the AdCademy; so for us to finally get it off the ground was a huge step in the right direction.

And from all the participants we spoke to and feedback that we got, it was quite beneficial to them. For this next one, we think it should be quite exciting. You can see that the line-up of experts is very robust in terms of years of experience and the high caliber speakers that we have put together. We think this second edition will be very beneficial to the participants.

W

What category of participants are you expecting to participate in the second edition?

This edition is designed for people who are already practicing Advertising. The first edition was for beginners, but this is for slightly more experienced people, either in advertising agencies or on the client side.

For the faculty, we have lined up both local and international speakers who are highly experienced.

So, we recommend this course for those who are marketing enthusiasts and those with marketing functions.

The partnership with Henley Business School, a top-tier institution, is an interesting one.

What, in specific terms, is Henley Business School bringing to the table?

First and foremost, we are really proud of the partnership with Henley Business School and if you research well, you’ll find out that HBS is one of the heritage business schools across the world with a really robust business portfolio and curriculum, which is the benefit we are looking for.

When it comes to advertising and marketing communications, we don’t have a shortage of people who can bring some learning and experience. But we also realize that for the advertising industry, we need to broaden the business side of things for our people so you are not just learning marketing communications, you are also learning how to run a business. So, with HBS’ robust business curriculum, we believe this is a match made in heaven.

Will the partnership between AdCademy and HBS be an enduring one or one for the short-term?

I speak for both of us when I say we are looking forward to a long-lasting relationship.

It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. With the partnership, we can expand HBS penetration into the most populous black nation on earth, which is Nigeria. The partnership will also help us develop human capital here and expose them to the best practices when it comes to business management principles. We see it as a partnership that will go a long way.

Is the AdCademy open to partnerships with other institutions?

We’ll take it one step at a time. For now, we are pretty much happy with HBS, and we believe they are the best fit in terms of partnership.

Babaeko The AdCademy had been in the works for a long time. How did it finally get off the ground?

This is close to how the Wright brothers must have felt after years of trying to fly a plane and finally succeeding. This feeling comes second to what they must have felt at the time.

For so many years, a lot of administration used the AdCademy as a campaign point and for 20 years, we never got it off the ground. So, I’ll say a big shout out to the Vice President, Jenkins Alumona, Sunkanmi Atolagbe, acting AdCademy Director, and the entire team in charge of the AdCademy.

We have removed one point of the campaign for presidency. We will never have to come with the AdCademy as a campaign point.

Since this is the second edition, can you please share with us the feedback from the pioneer class?

What is good about the pioneer class is that immediately after the successful completion of the training, you become a member of the Alumni program of HBS. You are included into a database of thousands of people who have graduated from the school. This creates an opportunity for participants to connect and interact on a larger platform. So, the AdCademy certificate is like a gift that keeps on giving. The feedback has been fantastic.

People really loved it and they gained a lot.

A special shout out to Professor Moira Clark, Head of the first masterclass session. We believe this edition will be even more spectacular.

What are the specific impacts you think the academy will have on advertising practice in Nigeria?

It’s going to be huge and absolutely phenomenal. We might not feel the immediate impact now, but from short to medium term, we will start feeling it.

Using a scenario that exists today, Agency A is poaching talent from Agency B, while Agency B also poaches from another agency.

That’s how we’ve been poaching each other’s talent because the pipeline supplying talent to the industry has been pretty narrow.

Even though there are a few advertising academies around, I don’t think they are able to produce enough talent that will fill the requirement for the industry.

On another hand, there is contention with clients also poaching talent from agencies.

So, we need a bigger pipeline that will bring more talent into the industry and that is the gap that the AdCademy is hoping to fill.

We need younger and fresher talent joining the industry; people with different kinds of thinking, so we stop recycling the same.

Beyond the academy, what other achievements can you attribute to the current leadership of the AAAN?

Usually, I would rather let people judge us than me doing self-appraisal. But since you’ve asked specifically, I would mention a few. The first is the massive renovation done at the AAAN secretariat which I’ll also like to thank the current exco for their contributions. I encourage you to come and check it out.

Secondly, for the first time in almost 50 years in the history of the association, we have a female as the director. Personally, this is a great achievement and like I always say, women rights are human rights.

I think we are trying to bridge that gender gap and create more equality within the association to increase the participation of women in our affairs. We have also seen an increase in the number of new agencies that have signed up with the AAAN and we are excited to work with young and vibrant agencies How has your journey been to the AAAN presidency?

Honestly, it has been an exciting journey. Don’t forget there is no individual membership in the association. Agencies constitute the members of the AAAN. The members of the AAAN usually serve the association at one point or the other under different capacities. I started serving as deputy publicity secretary of the association some years ago. Later, I became Chairman of the Lagos Advertising Ideas Festival (LAIF) and I did that for three years. Later, I was elected as the Publicity Secretary at some point. I was Vice-President of the association about two years ago. On July 2, 2020, I was elected (unopposed) as the President of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN). I feel very privileged to lead the association, especially at this critical time.

Would you describe the pundits’ views that your leadership connotes a generational shift in the history of the association?

I must start by giving a big shout-out to all the founding fathers of the advertising agencies in Nigeria. They made giant strides to lay a solid foundation for the association.

The association started as the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria (AAPN) in 1973 and it metamorphosed into Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) during an epoch-making Annual General Meeting in 2004. The association has been over forty-seven years old now. How many institutions in Nigeria have lasted for that long? With all the intricacies and complexities of this country, it is not a mean feat for an association to have stayed that long and strong. A lot of credit goes to the founding fathers of the association.

I am always of the view that the framework for which the universe was built and erected is that the old shall give way to the new. It is no surprise that we are passing the baton to the next generation. On the day of my inauguration, I made reference to the fact that this was the first time in the 47 years history of the association that we are having our AGM on a virtual platform. To that effect, you can call me the “digital president”. It is a shift of some sort in the way things are done because it is the new normal. A new dawn beckons.

I feel very privileged to lead the association at this time.

As a young president, you came on board with a mantra ‘Advancing Together’. Looking back, will you say you are on course with the goals and vision for the association?

Yes, the theme of my campaign was “Advancing Together”. Though I contested unopposed, I campaigned vigorously. I am not taking it for granted leading the association at this critical period. The association is an honourable body and I did contest for an honourable position.

There is no time in the history of this industry that I believe we need to stand together as one body, one people, than now.

The “Advancing Together” campaign theme was premised on a four-point agenda. One of those points include among the others, the issue of empowering women who are members of the association. If you count agencies owned by women in this country, you can count them on your fingertips. I am hoping during my tenure as president that that can be changed.

Even on the board of the association, we have been able to move from having two women to having three women. We have also been able to appoint some women as committee chairmen.

Again, there is a small vibrant group in the association called “Women in Advertising”. We would like to support and empower this group.

Our aim is to adopt inclusivity in running the affairs of the association and also foster unity among the members.

How far have you gone in achieving all of these?

There is no industry in the world where unity of purpose and team building are not as key and crucial as the advertising industry.

If you run an agency, you can’t do it all alone.

You can write the copy, do the aggression or be the brand manager yourself. My approach has been to physically take myself in that zone where people know I’m working for the industry and not just trying to feather my nest. I just want to see that the industry survives. If the industry survives, I will survive. When people see that open demonstration, we will make one or two steps forward.

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

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THURSDAY AUGUST 19, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Bamgbelu: Interior Design Industry Needs to Step Up its Game The Creative Director of SpazioIdeale, Tomi Bamgbelu, speaks about the interior design industry in Nigeria, its impact on the future of work, and the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the industry. She also stressed the need to improve employees’ productivity. Sunday Ehigiator presents the excerpts: What is your take on the current state of Nigeria’s interior design and space transformation industry? he interior design and space transformation industry in Nigeria is evolving and has gained some momentum but it is not quite Uhuru. Compared to developed countries and the likes of South Africa on the continent, skilled in interior design, Nigeria has a long way to go. There is a growing awareness among millennials, baby boomers, and even Gen Z about the need for interior designers to create a contemporary ambience in their offices and homes.

However, this interest is still low and prevalent in a few segments of society, such as the middle, upper class, and commercial segments of society.

One predominant raw material used in interior design is processed wood and laminated boards, and this, like other related materials, is still being imported. I believe there is room for much-needed growth in other segments of the industry, such as manufacturing, as it is closely related to the interior design industry.

These developments will significantly improve the interior design industry, create job opportunities, attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) via exports to other countries, and improve the nation’s economy.

T

How is the industry being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

I do not think the industry is significantly impacted by COVID-19, because though not at full capacity, things went on as usual.

From my interaction with other interior designers, I gathered that many people had jobs during the pandemic, with existing and even new clients seizing the opportunity to design their home offices.

However, the impact was felt indirectly from

related industries like manufacturing, where the lockdown, border closures, and the country’s general economic situation necessitated the steady increase in the cost of goods used for projects, as a result of FOREX concerns.

How did SpazioIdeale tweak its business model to navigate the effects of the pandemic?

We created client retention strategies to ensure we survived the pandemic, but we didn’t have to do much. We planned to pivot to manufacturing and to infiltrate a different market segment at some point, but haven’t done this due to current project overload.

We see the market for the freelancer or remote working population, as many people worked from home in 2020. And in conjunction with a sister company in Ijoko, we will tap into it and launch soon.

However, we targeted the healthcare industry because hospitals, Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) providers, and hospital equipment manufacturers and providers, were doing well at the time. Our operational flexibility and proper strategy got us to pivot and focus promptly on that specific industry, and this ensured that we remained relevant at the height of the pandemic.

“There are many things involved in designing spaces for people. Form follows function, and designers must communicate the vision of the company in its space.”

What distinguishes SpazioIdeale from other industry players?

The SpazioIdeale process sets us apart from other players. We have an airtight process that ensures that we deliver excellent quality to our clients. This has helped us retain repeat clients such as Paystack, SoFresh and many others.

All SpazioIdeale’s processes revolve around two key pillars; design and execution, which are delivered to clients over time. Project deliverables feature a distinctive trademark of creative design, experiential spaces, and excellent execution, as usual.

Our slogan is ‘connecting people to spaces’. So, all projects are designed with an experiential feature to enable clients to create memories through their interaction and flow with people within the space.

What are some of the challenges facing Nigeria’s interior design industry?

The biggest challenge is probably the vulnerability of the manufacturing industry and its correlatedness with the interior industry. Though some of the items we use can be made locally, we are mostly import-dependent due to different concerns.

Again, the quality of vendors and artisans and the absence of professional associations to monitor interior design are other issues. Many people think interior design is purely aesthetic; have a good eye for colours and voila, you can be an interior designer. There are many things involved in designing spaces for people. Form follows function, and designers must communicate the vision of the company in its space.

In many industries in more advanced climes, companies cluster together

geographically for joint advantage. In the United States, for instance, carpet makers can be found in Dalton, Georgia; furniture makers in High Point, North Carolina; automakers in Detroit; film and TV in Hollywood, diamond sellers on 47th street in New York, and so on in Silicon Valley,and Madison Avenue. This is similar to watchmakers in Geneva, or manufacturers of ski boots in Montebelluna, of ceramic tile makers in Sassuolo, Italy, or even a Ladipo, in Lagos for vehicle spare parts.

Nigeria’s design industry needs such a cluster that improves collective efficiency, allows them to trade among themselves, and make the right investments to move the industry forward.

What are key lessons Nigeria can learn from developed markets in space transformation?

I think Nigeria needs to create the structures and enabling environment for design. We need to develop the manufacturing sector and other sectors that impact interior design and the industry at large, encourage cocreation and collaboration, etc. Also, we should learn why space transformation is important, and how it affects/improves lives, among others.

What is your outlook for the interior design sector in Nigeria?

I believe there will be more growth over the next few years. We have been evolving over the years and will continue to do so, not just in Nigeria but in most parts of Africa. Apart from South Africa, Nigeria is the next largest industry in interior design on the continent. With more commercial, enterprise, and startup activity, we expect to see more office designers, especially from Nigeria, expanding to other African countries with less sophisticated interior design industries.

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T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Danbatta Challenges Nigerian Youths on Digital Skills Acquisition Emma Okonji The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof Umar Garba Danbatta has charged the Nigerian youths, who participated in the nationwide digital literacy training conducted by the commission, to put the skills acquired as well as the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools received during the exercise, to appropriate and legitimate use.

Addressing the participants at the closing ceremony of the NCC’s Digital Literacy Training for the North-west held at the Kano Campus of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Danbatta enjoined the youths who have had the privilege of participating in the training to apply the skills acquired in gainful activities in order to enhance self-employed.

“The training has provided for you, useful skills, which you have acquired to earn a living for yourself without necessarily relying on government to give you a job. It is our hope at NCC that you will apply the skills appropriately and impact on your friends and associates.

I also urge you to resist the

temptations to sell the laptops and other IT tools you are going to be provided with,” Danbatta told the participants.

Speaking further, the EVC commended President Muhamamdu Buhari, the supervising Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami and the Governing Board of the Commission for the implementation of the digital capacity-building initiative, describing the scheme as an important intervention approved by the federal government to make more Nigerian youths self-reliant.

“We therefore express our profound appreciation to the President and to our Ministry for making this particular training, which is a practical demonstration of one of the important pillars of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS) 2020-2030, possible,” he pointed out.

According to the NCC boss, the federal government’s policy in this direction, “is aimed at lifting Nigerians, particularly the youths, out of poverty, stressing that to achieve this, there was a need to impact skills to the youths who will, in turn, use the skills

for self-employment”.

Danbatta further said: “It is consistent with this important policy of President Muhammadu Buhari that the Board of the NCC, two years ago, set up a committee of experts chaired by the former EVC of the commission, Ernest

Ndukwe, to develop modalities and syllabus for the digital training of youths across the six geo-political zones of the country.”

According to him, the implementation of the recommendations of the committee of experts, as approved by the

government, gave rise to the training, which targets 1,000 Nigerian youths to be digitally trained for self-employment.

The President of DBI Kano Campus, Prof. Muhammad Ajiya, who praised Dabatta for his untiring efforts to ensure the implementation

of the federal government’s policy, said the various modules of the digital, moral and leadership skills given to the youths during the course of the training would go a long way in making the beneficiaries earn a living and be self-reliant.

ICT AWARD…

Fuel Retailing Company, Enyo, Motivates Clients Coding for Employment Skills Programme with Incentives

L-R: Acting. Head, Business Operations, Inlaks, Suraj Wahab; Brands, Communications and Marketing Manager, Inlaks, Chioma Iloeje; and Founder/Editor in Chief, Nigeria Communications week, Ken Nwogbo, at the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) PHOTO: KOLAWOLE ALLI Awards held at Victoria Island, Lagos… recently

Raheem Akingbolu To appreciate and reward customers for their loyalty and support, leading fuel retailing company, Enyo Retail and Supply Limited, recently organized its Happy Hour recreational event.

The event, which took place at the Enyo Service Station, Stillwaters, Lekki, gave consumers an opportunity to win free fuel and other gift items.

Customers also had game sessions and moments of interaction with Enyo officials to get feedback and improve on the services provided by the company.

Speaking at the event, the Lead Corporate Communications at Enyo Retail and Supply, Arinola Shobande said the initiatives became necessary to make

customers happy.

“Everyone deserves to be happy. Our customers are the most important part of what we do, and the Happy Hour is part of the activities to encourage and show them that we are always here for them. The event provides that opportunity to have fun, bond and get them excited’’ she stated.

Enyo was established in 2017 with a desire to expand professionalism in the downstream energy space thereby creating the most exciting fuel retail brand. The company was said to be currently operating more than 95 service stations across 19 states in Nigeria, with the assurance that it would continue to drive good customer service in fuel retailing and renewable energy products in Africa.

Records 13,000 Enrolments

Emma Okonji The African Development Bank (ADB) said it enrolled a total of 130,000 users in its Coding for Employment digital skills programme.

The milestone comes as Coding for Employment works to equip African youths with Information and Communication Technology (ICT), entrepreneurship and soft-skills training to compete in a digital economy.

The programme’s online platforms offer in-demand technical courses such as web development, design, data science and digital marketing for free.

With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting

in lockdowns and school closures across the continent, the Coding for Employment platforms experienced dramatic increases in the number of users. During a one-week period in September 2020, registrations skyrocketed by 38.5 per cent.

Through the bank’s partnership with the government of Nigeria to launch the Digital Nigeria eLearning platform during the pandemic, Coding for Employment has hit a combined total of 130,000 students, and all registered students are achieving a course completion rate of more than 80 per cent.

The Director, Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department of AfDB, Martha Phiri, who made the disclosure

in a statement recently, said: “To win the battle against poverty in Africa, we must equip our youth with digital skills that empower them for the jobs of the future.”

Students who took the online courses in the wake of Covid-19 in Africa said learning digital skills helped them advance their careers.

One of the programme graduates from Nigeria, Hajara Ayuba, said: “During the lockdown period, I taught myself MS Excel, using the Coding for Employment platform.

Participating in the training not only smoothed my rough Excel skills but also gave me the platform to network and push myself.”

“Thanks to the Coding for

Employment programme, I met one of the major criteria – data fluency and MS Excel skills, at my present NYSC place of primary assignment in Borno State Board of Internal Revenue Service. I was later retained in the job,” Ayuba added.

Another graduate of the programme, Shaawanatu Shuaibu, from Gombe State in Nigeria, said the course had broadened her understanding of content writing.

“I was able to organise the content of my Curriculum Vitae (CV), which secured me a call for an interview at Jaiz Bank Plc. My performance at the interview and fluency in communication got me posted to the Customer Service Unit of the Bank,” she added.

Eat ‘N’ Go Limited Inaugurates Warehouse, Accion MFB Extends CSR Initiatives to Primary Healthcare Centre in Lagos Commissary to Deepen Operations Raheem Akingbolu Eat ‘N’ Go Limited, one of the leading QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) operators and lead franchisee for Domino’s Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Pinkberry Gourmet Yoghurt in Africa, has described the opening of a new warehouse and commissary facilities in Mowe and Magboro communities as part of its investments to strengthen the company’s corporate vision.

The company explained that having passed its goal of 150 stores across Africa, the decision to establish stronger roots in the continent is to further demonstrate that they are indeed in Nigeria to stay. According to them, the

move was also meant to be a testament to the organisation’s mandate to provide Africans with quality food and snacks.

The Head of Development and Project of Eat’ N’ Go, Sola Adeeko, while speaking at the inauguration recently said, “We believe in the need to establish structures that better enable us to serve our host communities.

The warehouse and commissary would not only positively impact our ability to provide our customers with their favourite treats, but it would also most importantly provide jobs for the locals.”

He also added, “The Warehouse and Commissary are avenues for the company to expand, not just

in production scale, but our ability to excite customers through our tasty treats nationally”.

Eat ‘N’ Go has consistently shown that they prioritise the development of members of the communities in which they operate. The scale of production that occurs in a warehouse and commissary would demand labour, and this means that indigenes of Mowe and Magboro can expect employment opportunities across the production chain as these facilities begin operation.

Furthermore, Eat ‘N’ Go Limited is an environment where excellence is rewarded, so growth and training are available at any level of employment.

Ugo Aliogo

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Accion Microfinance Bank (MFB) recently unveiled its new project for the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Ikeja, Lagos.

The CSR projects executed at the center included the supply and installation of wash hand basins with water taps, construction of pipework for water and wastewater, relocation of the water tank and placement on 1000mm dual 225mm block wall filled with three strength lanes, evacuation of sewage from soakaway pit, and repair waste pipe.

Others include, repair and fixing of pumping machines,

re-plastering of top of the septic tank, installation of additional tiles at the lobby of the center and others.

Speaking during the unveiling of some of the refurbished facilities at the healthcare centre, the bank’s Managing Director, Taiwo Joda, stated that the CSR project fits perfectly into the thrust of Accion MFB’s CSR policy of healthcare for its clients who are at the bottom of the pyramid.

Joda, who was represented by the Head, Value Chain Partnership and Product Development, Accion MFB, Adetokunbo Elliot, said one of the bank’s objectives is to give back to the communities where it operates while assuring the partnership with Ikeja Health

Centre and the community would be a long-lasting one.

“We are here to unveil some CSR projects which we are carrying out in Ikeja Primary Healthcare Center in line with the bank’s CSR policy. As a bank, we want to give back to the communities where we operate and we know that we have many customers here in Ikeja who visit this PHC and we know our staff at the Ikeja community and so we decided to give back. So far we have done about five CSR projects and we hope to do more before the end of 2021 and we will continue to support the healthcare center in any way possible in line with our CSR policy,” he said.

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T H I S D AY ˾ AUGUST 19, 2021

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

ÜÙßÚ ÏËÞßÜÏÝ ÎÓÞÙÜ˝ Chiemelie Ezeobi ×ËÓÖ chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, Tel: 07010510430

Accelerating Healthcare Delivery with Drones At an incredible speed, hundreds of primary healthcare facilities, healthcare institutions and private homes are receiving medical supplies delivered by drones in Ghana. This revolution in healthcare delivery is on its way to Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria as Cross River and Kaduna are the flagship states for this innovation in healthcare delivery. Yinka Olatunbosun reports on the operation of these life-saving drones at the Zipline Distribution Centre in Omenako, Ghana

“S

pinning motors…3, 2, 1” was the announcement from the drone launcher and the journalists watched in awe. The drone would deliver in five minutes to the designated health care facility in need of the packaged medical supplies. The drone flies approximately 101km per hour and can fly up to 100km round trip on a single battery. The two-metre long drone usually has another battery as backup. 60 of those deliveries happen on a daily basis at the facility in Omenako, Ghana.

This innovation in healthcare delivery system is the brainchild of Zipline- rated as the world’s only last-mile aerial logistics company delivering medical commodities. Zipline is an American medical product delivery company with headquarters in South San Francisco, California that designs, manufactures, and operates delivery drones. The company operates distribution centres in Rwanda, Ghana, and the US and has an academy where professionals such as pharmacist, biochemists and engineers are trained on aspects of their operations. As of February 2021, Zipline drones have flown more than 4 million miles and made nearly 400,000 deliveries in the last five years.

Mission With a mission to provide every human with instant access to vital medical supplies, Zipline began this movement in Africa since 2016, starting with Rwanda and then Ghana.

Delivering services to over 3,600 facilities from the current 13 hubs across the continent, Zipline has gained its altitude from helping to reduce the rates of avoidable deaths.

It is very rampant to hear that someone died because there was no blood pint within reach or there was delay in accessing a particular drug. Usually, emergencies are reflective of the preparedness of any given healthcare system that is created to save lives. Hence, Zipline’s drone services became a necessity in the rapid and efficient delivery of emergency product, providing timely stock-gap resupplies and disaster response, powered by a reliable distribution system for remote and underserved communities. Zipline warehouse is built as an effective storage system for perishable medical products like blood which can only be stored for 42 days.

Fore Gleam A walk through the warehouse was conducted with the journalists from Nigeria who came to witness first-hand the operations of Zipline Ghana Limited as a fore gleam of Zipline in Nigeria. Nestled in the thick bush was the Zipline Distribution Centre in Omenako, about an hour drive from the city of Accra.

The previous day, Senior Vice President for Africa, Zipline, Daniel Marfo had received the journalists with a brief presentation and a documentary to showcase how the life-saving drones function.

“Technology has opened the door to new possibilities-being able to connect with a doctor through your phone and now receiving delivery of your medications at your doorstep via drone.

This partnership could lead the way in defining what instant decentralized service delivery will look like globally,’’ he declared.

He further revealed that Zipline would start delivering COVID-19 vaccines, pharmaceuticals, blood plasma and more to Kaduna and Cross River states.

“We want to make sure that lives are not lost through logistical impediments. We want to deliver drugs, blood to people during emergencies like snake bites for instance,’’ he said. With that piece of good news, the journalists were buoyed up, ready to tour the facility the next day.

Unzipping Zipline Most shops in Ghana were yet to open by the time the team set out on the journey to Omenako. On arrival, their feet were clad in protective blue covers before access was granted into the maze of medical supplies. Like commercial flights operations, Zipline drones are housed at the drone port which is a critical component of every hub. Each hub contains the warehouse and the drone port. The warehouse parades the best in-class inventory management including specialized storage equipment and flight controls.

The drone post comprises the office and backup systems, flight area, launcher and drone recovery area.

But unlike airplanes, the drones do not land.

Zipline flight personnel prepares to launch a drone at Omenako

A nurse takes delivery of the package dropped by a drone at a primary healthcare facility in Ghana

It is very rampant to hear that someone died because there was no blood pint within reach or there was delay in accessing a particular drug... Hence, Zipline’s drone services became a necessity in the rapid and efficient delivery of emergency product, providing timely stock-gap resupplies and disaster response, powered by a reliable distribution system for remote and underserved communities They simply drop off the deliverable and return to the drone port. The drones fly on predetermined routes and stay on their flight path using GPS under the monitoring eyes of Zipline staff.

While journalists were curious as to the safety of the medical supplies when dropped by the drone, the Performance Operation Lead, Florence Haruna explained how each package is protected during the flight.

“Our packages are wrapped in a parachute.

Once the drone gets to the facility, it decreases its height to about 30 feet and with the aid of the parachute, the package falls in a controlled manner. A wrapping paper is padded to protect the products and beyond this, we have something that serves a s a shock absorber when the package falls on the landing area.

“With all the safety features, there is a parachute that allows the product to fall without damaging. We have a product validation team that is responsible for validating every product that we fly out.

We do several drops of the package and then we eliminate packing procedure that will cause breakages. During the tests, we discover breakages and we eliminate that packaging procedure and then do proper simulations and take out the best packaging procedure,’’ she revealed.

She walked past the refrigerating units, explaining how blood products are stored and Zipline’s intervention in the current COVID-19 pandemic.

“We recently started flying the COVID-19 vaccines. We came up with a packaging procedure that kept the product intact. We

did the validation and were able to fly over five hundred and forty packages to them without breakages,’’ she said.

The Zipline distribution centre in the Northern part of Ghana executes between 130 and 150 deliveries per day. A package weighs about 1.75kg. Some routine checks are carried out on a daily basis while some on a weekly basis to ensure best air travel practices.

“The drone has its in-built parachute so that if there is an error it can come down by itself. And we have sensitized the community where the drones operate so that they are not alarmed. That is an integral part of our service. We recover all our drones,’’ she said.

Medical products are safety stored at each Zipline hub to ensure that they are readily available at health facilities, thus promoting patient trust in the healthcare system which in turn influences healthcare utilisation. The facility has high safety and maintenance culture, that makes drones consistent and reliable in strong winds, heavy rain and high temperatures and deliver virtually any medication including prescriptions, cold chain and infusions.

However, windy conditions might just make a package move slightly from its usual target but not beyond the mapped out landing area as we soon discovered.

The sound of the approaching drone cut through the serenity of the lush garden in front of the primary healthcare centre some kilometres away from the hub.

“As a result of this drone delivery services, we have more patients because we don’t run

out of drugs. Instead of writing the drugs for them to go and buy, Zipline delivers it at no cost,’’ Frank Klomlawunu Deputy Chief Physician at the Apedwa Health Centre said after a drone delivered a package at the facility. The cost of delivery had been covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana. The Zipline intervention has made it possible to save no less than 600 Cedis every month at the facility.

Why Nigeria Needs Drone Delivery Services The World Health Organisation defines access to medicine as a priority for citizens. It must be available at all times in adequate amounts, in appropriate dosage and quality an at an affordable price for individuals and communities. It is estimated that two billion people do not have access to medicines and four million lives per year could be saved in Africa and Southeast Asia with improved access to medicine.

In Nigeria, challenges that beset the supply chain for medical supplies include inadequate forecasting, insufficient funds, limited use of technology solutions, poor road infrastructure, insecurity and availability of vehicles.

It is against this backdrop that the Zipline aerial logistics brings reduction in overall supply chain expenses, reliable cold chain infrastructure, 95 per cent wastage reduction due to reduction in expiries and optimisation of safety stock and good distribution practices.

Samuel Timothy, a Performance Operations Lead, trained pharmacist and a Nigerian from Kaduna state, who was part of the team that set up the KD1 hub in Kaduna state explained why Nigeria is in dire need of Zipline drones to fast track access to medicine.

“People have incidents of post-partum hemorrhage. A woman just got delivered and the nearest facility could be two hour-drive away.

But in just 25 minutes, a drone could reach her.

Yesterday, we still had the incident of a snake bite about 7pm and I was able to attend to that.

There is no cost to human life,’’ he said.

Considerations for Flying Drones There are several pre-conditions for flying any drone to avoid any counter-productivity.

The wind direction and wind limit are some of the factors that are considered. Also, there are legal expectations that must be met to be able to operate. The Communications Consultant, Komla Buami who led the team to a nearby healthcare facility that took delivery of a package dropped by a Zipline drone explained why there was a little delay in the flight.

“We wait for air clearance to fly. The military is doing some operations around the area so once they finish, then we can fly,’’ he said.

Airspace authorities in the countries of operations have their flight schedule recorded and monitored which explains why there is no chance that a drone would collide with an airplane.

T H I S D AY ˾ AUGUST 19, 2021

35

NEWS

FERTILITY

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

Celebrating Four Decades of Implication: A Major Barrier Biomedical Pharmaceuticals Cost Preventing Access to Fertility Rebecca Ejifoma writes that to mark its 40th anniversary, Biomedical Pharmaceuticals is set to launch an ultra-modern syrup factory, just as they reflect on the journey so far and the challenges that confront them as they expand their services for the benefit of the wellbeing of Nigerians

Treatment and Services (Part 1)

T

he Biomedical Pharmaceuticals Limited, manufacturers of intavenous fluids, is set to launch its ultra-modern syrup factory with 22 new syrups to the Nigerian market to mark its 40 anniversary in Ilorin, Kwara State on August 27 this year.

The pharmaceutical company also listed other activities lined up for the day including massive deworming of 400,000 children as a corporate social responsibility, recognition of deserving business partners who have continued to support them, and the presentation of its newly produced 22 syrups for various ailments among children and adults.

Addressing newsmen in Lagos ahead of the anniversary, the Chairman, Mr. Idowu Obasa, a honourable, noted that although celebrating 40 years of existence as a pharmaceutical company may not amount to anything to certain persons, “for us it is a pressure valve that challenges us, reminds us constantly that we must keep raising the standards and meeting them.

“At a time when most medicines were being imported into the country and even those being produced in Nigeria was dominated by foreign multinationals, a courageous Nigerian ventured into manufacture of inta-venous fluids”.

In all its years of existence, the chairman highlighted that Biomedical had focused on infusions production, but in its 40th year is expanding. “First the syrups factory recently completed has started putting syrups in the market, made possible by the Bank of Industry.”

While acknowledging the courage of the original visioner, Dr. Farouk Abdulazeez, Obasa said the firm plans to deworm 400,000 children as its corporate social responsibility, which will commence across various states of the country on the same day of the event.

Obasa For Obasa, the occasion of the anniversary presents an opportunity to reflect on the journey so far and the challenges that confront them as they expand their services for the benefit of the wellbeing of Nigerians.

While describing Nigeria as an importdependent country, the chairman lamented that for almost everything produced in Nigeria, you have to import the raw material.

Hence, on the delay of goods including pharmaceutical products at the Port, Obasa called on the government to provide concessions.

“Because of the nature of the pharmaceutical productions, the government should provide concessions that will be given to those who are involved in the production”.

Private Sector Healthcare Providers Offering 60% of Nigeria’s Needs, Says Fayemi Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi has said private healthcare providers are responsible for 60 per cent of health service delivery in the country.

Fayemi stated this at a one day roundtable dialogue on private sector intervention in health care in Abuja organised by the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria (AGPMPN).

Speaking on the role of the private healthcare providers in the country, Fayemi said the contribution of the private healthcare professionals is a very critical one, “given that 60 per cent of health service delivery is offered in the private sector”.

He said it is important for government to work together with the private sector to ensure the delivery of the goal of Universal Health Coverage.

As a country, Fayemi said Nigeria is experiencing its worst recession in the past 40 years, adding that the limited fiscal room at the federal level of government has affected the states.

He further stated that states

have had to adjust their spending and priorities to stay afloat.

According to the governor, the prevailing fiscal realities have also affected the poorest households.

He however, said that while mitigating the immediate consequences of the pandemic, focus must be on building back our economy and a health system which is resilient to global health crises and economic shocks.

The governor also said there is a need to address challenges in human resources for health, adding that this can be achieved by prioritising recovery plans that tackle multiple challenges.

“Nigeria can recover in a way that is more inclusive, sustainable and resilient. Neither individual governments nor the global development community can entirely prevent the emergence of diseases.

“However, we can be better prepared by strengthening our health system through investment in health security and Universal Health Coverage.

“Investing in health security through financing epidemic preparedness is a smart and

cost-effective way to protect lives and safeguard the economy with a significant return on investment.

“In addition, the resources and infrastructure required for pandemic preparedness also facilitate efforts to fight endemic diseases,” he said.

He disclosed that Ekiti State government has decentralised testing to 145 testing centres, the highest in the country, and improved on its disease surveillance capacity to pick up early signals of possible outbreaks.

Earlier, President AGPMPN, Dr. Iyke Odo, urged governments at the federal, state and local levels to give maximum support to the private medical practitioners for the growth of the health system in Nigeria.

He also called for the establishment of the Health Bank so that private practitioners in the health sector can have access to loans with minimal interest rates.

Odo explained that in all countries of the world whose health system is doing well, the private practitioners had benefited from the support by the government both financially and in terms of infrastructure.

I

n most cultures, the notion of child bearing is regarded as a hallmark of womanhood.

Chelsea polis of the Guttmacher institute estimated that about 31% of Nigerian couples fails to conceive a child after 12 months of unprotected sex- a rate at least as high in the western countries, but the high premium placed on children by extended families as well as difficulties in the procedure for legal or permanent adoption make stigmatizing attitudes experienced by infertile women particularly severe in non-western culture.

With the increasing awareness about the causes of infertility and acceptability of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Nigeria, there has been a corresponding proliferation of fertility clinics. This high incidence of fertility has also fostered the growth market for all other forms of fertility treatments which includes religious fertility treatment, traditional fertility treatment.

It has been reported that the desperate infertile woman go to varying lengths, visiting orthodox medical practitioners, herbalists, traditionalists and spiritualists In search of needed reprieve and solution while others visits clinics for regular counselling but not able to afford the treatment outlined, thus compounding more burden in fertility clinics. One of the fundamental human rights is the ‘Reproductive right’ because it is the fundamental rights of all people to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the means to do so. It is the right to attain the highest sexual and reproductive health and to make decision concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence.’’

While family planning program, a component of Reproductive Health enjoys huge support from government policy as well as renowned NonGovernmental organizations (NGOs), fertility treatment remains the business of the couples involved. Some western countries where the reproductive rights of the citizen are fairly valued, government are not only involved in family planning for couples needing it but also supports and funds infertility treatment even up to IVF cycles.

Social stigma is common in the African society as well as being unrecognized nor supported by the government. Cost remains the greatest barrier to the use of Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART). The fact that no single ART technique guarantees a 100% success rate further compounds the issue. Although success rate of ART is influenced by factors such as age of the woman, egg quality, sperm quality, tubal and uterine factors etc. On the average, a cycle of IVF treatment is considered expensive and this cost usually will depend on the age of the couple and cause of their infertility. ART treatment ranges from conventional In-vitro Fertilization (cIVF) to Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI),

Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing/Screening (PGT/ PGS) and may involve third party reproduction (use of donor egg/sperm) and in some cases surrogacy.

Only very few fertility clinics are owned by the government and situated within teaching hospitals.

Most IVF centers are owned by private practitioners.

Even the government owned fertility clinics are not subsidized enough to offer treatments for average Nigerians, thus the big question is how many Nigerians can offer that type of fees for a fertility treatment that is not even 100% guaranteed?.

However, fact remains that the chances of success with fertility treatment increases with number of cycles attempted, while it is possible to get pregnant following one attempt of IVF or intra-uterine insemination (IUI), international guideline for management of infertility postulates after extensive researches that for every 6 cycles of IUI a couple does, they have a 50% chance of pregnancy and for another additional 6 cycles they have 75% chance of conception. A cycle of IVF may give about 30% chance of conception but 3 cycles of IVF is likely to increase the success rate to about 60-90%. The implication of this is that couples attempting IVF cycles are likely to back out following a first failed cycle due to financial constraint to try further cycles.

In the traditional African setting where the woman is viewed as always the culprit for the couple’s inability to conceive, a lot of women bear this huge financial responsibility alone without the supports of their husbands who in some cases do have a choice to remarry as the society and culture still permits polygamy.

WHY IS IVF EXPENSIVE? IVF treatment is seen as the last resort in the management of infertility which may not necessarily be true. Many people wonder why IVF is so expensive, one of the reasons is that, unlike other medical procedures it is often not covered by insurance, so patients have to pay out of pocket.

IVF treatment may remain expensive for as long as the equipment or consumables used remains expensive, most of which are purchased and imported into the country using foreign currency.

The field of Assisted Reproduction also requires personnel with specialized skills and trainings, most of which they undergo outside the country and mostly self-funded. Another key factor in fertility set up is power source. As we all know that the supply of electric power in the country is very erratic yet the incubator which is very important equipment in IVF centre must always be powered when in cycle. Most centres make use of heavy KVA inverters and generators as back up to ensure a 24 hours power supply while in cycle. All this summed together makes IVF/ART services expensive with add on costs.

TO BE CONTINUED

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T H I S D AY ˾ AUGUST 19, 2021

NEWS

Governor Abiodun Commends RCCG for Donating Only Functional Dialysis Centre Mary Nnah The Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun has commended His Love Foundation, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCGG) Charity for donating another dialysis centre – the Enoch and Folu Adeboye Dialysis centre - at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, to the state government Speaking through the Deputy Governor, Engineer Noimot Salako, he said, “Ogun State is very grateful to RCCG as we have witnessed several donations since the commencement of our administration especially during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic where RCCG ICU center was emptied to support Ogun State isolation centers’’.

The governor acknowledged that Dialysis is a major necessity for the state adding that this full-fledged and ultra- modern unit with state-of-the-art facilities that include three Dialysis Machines, a Medical Water Reverse Osmosis Purification System and a 30KVA generator, will improve healthcare delivery at the hospital.

Abiodun noted further that the donation will also guarantee better outcomes for patients with impaired renal functions, adding that the new dialysis centre will fit perfectly into

the administration’s plans to rehabilitate and equip hospitals and health institutions.

“This is as we are continuously improving Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) not only as a tertiary institution, but to serve as an effective referral centre for the lower tier healthcare delivery centres. “ On behalf of the staff and management of OOUTH, I promise that the government will support this facility and it will be well maintained and used to improve the health of our people.”

The General Overseer RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, represented by Pastor (Prof) Aboaba Folagbade, in his goodwill message reiterated that the church will not relent on its efforts to impact lives positively by providing spiritual and physical support to everyone irrespective of where they are from in Nigeria.

He expressed the belief that the dialysis center in Sagamu will complement the ICU center at RCCG Redemption Camp, Mowe and will be put into good use by the authorities to the glory of God and many lives will be saved to God’s kingdom.

The clergyman further thanked the HLF team for the good work that the foundation is doing and the Ogun State government

Academy of Medicine Warns, Cites Lipstick, Others as Cause of Infertility r*OEVDUT 'FMMPXT Rebecca Ejifoma Following the induction of 136 fellows into the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria (AMSN), medical experts have warned women against wearing lipstick, driving barefooted, and proximity to insecticide, citing such as factors for infertility in both male and females.

The President of the Academy of Medicine Specialties of Nigeria, Professor Oladapo Ashiru, said this at the inauguration and induction ceremony of Honorary, Emeritus and Foundation Fellows of the Academy held in Lagos.

In his lecture, Ashiru cautioned that lipsticks and insecticides are toxins, yet society does not pay enough attention to them.

“Driving barefooted, consuming stockfish and fish that have a large presence of mercury in them are embryo-toxic and are major causes of infertility.

“Some women do not drive with their shoes because they find it easy. Many of the patients who had miscarriage after going through IVF is caused simply because the upper lining of those pedals have antimony and antimony has been proven to be embryo-toxic. Not until we remove this antimony from them, they can’t be pregnant or keep a pregnancy.”

He also extended the same warning for mercury which he said is present in large fish and stockfish. “The various colleges

have now recommended that to get pregnant, avoid such fishes.

“Fumigation, oil spillages, the use of lipstick and pesticides are also injurious to the health and affect pregnancy. “ Fumigation and pesticides can affect a woman who is carrying a baby. It will affect the baby and the child to be born by that baby.

That is, toxins from pesticides affect three generations.”

In the words of Ashiru, a woman uses a lot of lipstick in her lifetime. Unknown to women, lipsticks carry a lot of toxins especially if they are cheaply made. He added, “Oil spills are also toxins to the sperm and eggs. It causes miscarriage.

Until you detoxify them, it is risky.

In his remark, the Minister of Health and one of the inductees, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, enjoined young doctors not to be swayed by the offers they get abroad, explaining that they need to remain in the country for a while to contribute their part to the development of the health ministry.

He said, “It will be fair if all doctors trained in Nigeria stay and serve their country in return for the training they got, especially those that were trained at public expense.

The training of doctors in Nigeria is highly subsidised.

“It will be good if they remain for some time to practice and also support the country, especially now that there is a high demand for doctors even outside the country.

for the kind cooperation and partnership.

Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Assistant Continental Overseer and Intercontinental Overseer CSR, while making the donation of the Dialysis Center to the state government noted that “a critical look at the needs for Kidney Dialysis in Nigeria gives the dire picture of the task at hand and based on needs assessment, we discovered that Kidney Diseases represent 8-10 per cent of hospital

admissions in Nigeria with only 175 functioning Dialysis machines in the whole of the country to take care of the over 25 million patients”.

According to him, the case burden for Kidney disease management is quite heavy, but with the special grace of God, the Christian Social Responsibility arm of RCCG will continue to uphold the divine mandate of our Lord and Saviour that “I was sick and you visited me.

(Matthew 25: 36)”.

Acting Chief Medical Director, Mrs. Oluwabunmi M. Fatungase in her appreciation to the HLF and RCCG said “we sent letters to several corporate organisations and religious bodies but to our surprise without our physical follow up, HLF came to inspect our facility and promised to overhaul the facility which is what we are witnessing today”.

She then assured the leadership of RCCG and HLF that

the hospital management will adequately maintain the facility for good usage of Ogun State residents and Nigeria at large.

Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland while appreciating the HLF and RCCG on behalf of the people of Sagamu and Remo land said that he considers this an auspicious event and thanked the foundation and Pastor Enoch Adeboye for the great work he has done.

L-R: Ogun State Commissioner for Health Dr. Tomi Coker; Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako Oyedele; Pastor (Prof) Aboaba Folagbade; His Royal Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, the Akarigbo of Remoland; and Member OOUTH Board of Management, Dr Mrs Bisola Sodipo-Clarke

Nigeria, WHO, UNICEF Urge More Emphasis on Breastfeeding Onyebuchi Ezigbo ÓØ ÌßÔË World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF have urged countries to brace up for more sensitisation of families to improve on the practice of exclusive breastfeeding for six months and for up to two years as means of avoiding child malnutrition.

In the same vein, the federal government has urged Nigerians to ignore insinuations that COVID-19 pandemic may have effect on exclusive breastfeeding.

The two UN agencies said the call has become necessary due to high cost of baby foods caused by the COVID-19 pandemic imposed disruptions.

In a joint press statement issued last Sunday, the UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore and Director General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, lamented that COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in breastfeeding support services, while increasing the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.

“Breastfeeding is central to realising this commitment.

Initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, followed by exclusive breastfeeding for six months and continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond offer a powerful line of defence against all forms of child malnutrition, including wasting

and obesity. Breastfeeding also acts as babies’ first vaccine, protecting them against many common childhood illnesses,” they said.

While there has been progress in breastfeeding rates in the last four decades – with a 50 per cent increase in the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding globally, UNICEF and WHO said the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the fragility of those gains.

According to the statement, “in many countries, the pandemic has caused significant disruptions in breastfeeding support services, while increasing the risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.

“Several countries have reported that producers of baby foods have compounded these risks by invoking unfounded fears that breastfeeding can transmit COVID-19 and marketing their products as a safer alternative to breastfeeding”.

It said that in Nigeria, where one in eight children do not reach their fifth birthday and three in 10 children are stunted, optimal breastfeeding practices are known to reduce neonatal and child morbidities and mortality rates as well as stunting reduction.

“Optimal nutrition provided by breastfeeding along with nurturing, care, and stimulation strengthens a child’s brain development with positive impacts

that endure over a lifetime.

“Available statistics in Nigeria reveal that the average duration of exclusive breastfeeding is approximately three months and only three out of every 10 children under 6 months of age were exclusively breastfed (29 per cent).

“This is an improvement from 17 per cent in 2013 to 29 per cent in 2018 (NDHS,2013; 2018), however, this still falls significantly below the target of 50 per cent set by the World Health Assembly to be achieved in 2025 and the SDG target for 2030.

“The percentage of children who were breastfed within one hour of birth (42 per cent) remains less than 50 per cent.

Breastfeeding rates in Nigeria reduce with age - 83 per cent of the children are breastfed up to one year, while 28 per cent are breastfeeding till 2 years.

Furthermore, the proportion of children who are not breastfeeding increases with age”.

“This year’s World Breastfeeding Week, under its theme ‘Protect Breastfeeding: A Shared Responsibility’ is a time to revisit the commitments made at the start of this year by prioritising breastfeeding-friendly environments for mothers and babies”.

Some of the suggested strategies for improving on breastfeeding practices include,

ensuring that the international Code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes is established to protect mothers from aggressive marketing practices by the baby food industry and that it is fully implemented by governments, health workers and industry.

Another measure is ensuring that health care workers have the resources and information they need to effectively support mothers to breastfeed, including through global efforts such as the baby-friendly hospital initiative, and guidelines on breastfeeding counselling.

It is also suggested that employers allow women the time and space they need to breastfeed; including paid parental leave with longer maternity leave; safe places for breastfeeding in the workplace; access to affordable and good-quality childcare; and universal child benefits and adequate wages.

In his remarks at the ceremony marking the Breastfeeding Week in Abuja, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Alhaji Marshi Abdullahi allayed the fears of mothers that due to this period of COVID-19 pandemic, that exclusive breastfeeding is unsafe, describing it as baseless.

According to him, breastfeeding remains a very effective means of protecting the infant and child from infections and fortifying the health of the young one.

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021

37

IMAGES

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

A cross-section of some participants at the inauguration of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) sensitisation campaign in some selected states, in Abuja…recently

L-R: Minister of Environment, Mohammad Mahmood-Abubakar; Director-General, National Agency for Great Green Wall (NAGGW), Dr. Hassan Bukar; and Director-General, National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency, Prof. Aliyu Jauro, at a news conference on positive developments in the environment sector in Nigeria, in Abuja…recently

L-R: Chairman, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Wahab Alawiye King; Chairman, Lagos Country Club, Board of Trustees (BoT), Aare Kola Oyefeso; state Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; and state Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Wale Ahmed, at a lecture, organised to mark the 72nd anniversary of the Lagos Country Club, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria, Muhammed Rudman; acting Chief Finance Officer, inq.Digital Nigeria, Ngozi Akamelu; and acting Chief Technology Officer, inq.Digital Nigeria, Olumide Idowu, at the 2021 Beacon of ICT awards ceremony in Lagos... recently PHOTO: ABAYOMI AKINYELE

L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotosho; state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Alara of Ilara Epe, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo; Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Mr. Solomon Bonu; and state Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Akinderu Fatai, during the induction and retreat for the newly elected chairmen of the 57 local government areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos…recently

Head of the Editorial Department, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Abdulfatai Babatunde (left), presenting a gift to a retiring NAN Editor, Mr. Emmanuel Okara, during his send-forth party at NAN Lagos office...recently

L-R: Project Director, West Africa Innovation Awards, Mr. Abidemi Adesanya; General Manager, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF), Ololade Johnson; Technical Committee Member, BATNF, Mr. Fatai Afolabi; and Managing Director, Ezona Group and Director, West Africa Innovation Awards, Mr. Cammil Chimezie, during the West Africa Innovation Awards where BATN Foundation won the awards of ‘Best Sustainability in Agriculture’ and ‘Best Sustainability in Youth and Economic Development’, held at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos...recently

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

SEC to Collaborate with Stakeholders on Capital Market Dispute Resolution Darasimi Adebisi The Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Lamido Yuguda has expressed the commission’s readiness to collaborate with relevant Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals as a means to ensuring effective dispute resolution in the capital market.

Yuguda stated this when the Abuja Chapter of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) led by its chairman, Mr Sola Ephraim-Oluwanuga held a meeting with him in Abuja yesterday.

Yuguda stated that the need for a veritable dispute resolution mechanism has

long been recognised in the capital market.

He said that traditional litigious and adversarial dispute resolution mechanism has fallen short of achieving its purpose, adding that investment in the sector would suffer if disputes among investors are not well resolved.

According to him, “The whole nature of the market is that people come together to make investments. But along the line, something happens and the same people actually fall out.

“And the problem with investment is that if the true parties to an investment fall out, investment falls. We understand that both parties usually cling to their positions

but there is a superior situation, which could benefit both parties. This is where an arbitrator is needed to actually bring them to that position. And that arbitrator, who is seen as independent, performs his professional duty by talking to the parties.”

Earlier, the CIArb Chairman, Mr. Ephraim-Oluwanuga said the institute was desirous of partnering with SEC to deepen the access to justice in the Securities Industry.

He said CIArb has trained competent International arbitrators with demonstrable experience in capital market issues, adding that the institute can also assist the SEC in training and capacity building of its personnel.

FCMB Supports PSP Operators with N3bn Loan Lagos residents hoping for improved waste management can heave a sigh of relief, courtesy of a N3billion credit line extended by First City Monument Bank (FCMB) to the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN) in the state.

The credit line, facilitated by the Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA), will boost the working capital of Private Sector Participants (PSPs) in waste collection, aggregation, and recycling. It will empower them to purchase modern equipment such as trucks and upskill their human resources for smooth and efficient waste management.

Commenting, Managing Director, First City Monument Bank, Mrs. Yemisi Edun, said: “We are excited to provide loans to AWAMN members,

with the support of LAWMA, to upscale their operations in order to safeguard the Lagos environment. FCMB recognises that a cleaner and more sustainable environment is key to building a better world for present and future generations.”

Edun commended LAWMA for striving to maintain the city’s sanitation standards to prevent the outbreak of diseases associated with poor waste management.

Also speaking, the Regional Head, Lagos, FCMB, Mr Adelaja Adeleye, said, “Efficient waste management requires capital intensive equipment without which AWAMN cannot perform optimally. As a financial solutions provider of choice, we are bridging the financing gap in the waste management ecosystem in Lagos with this N3billion intervention fund.

We are optimistic that it will improve the city’s waste management process, starting from collection, transportation and treatment to disposal.”

On his part, the President of AWAMN, Mr David Oriyomi, described the credit line from FCMB as a welcome development. He noted that it will benefit operators and the state at large because waste managers can now access funds at a minimum interest rate.

“With improved access to funding, there will be more trucks in the system and service delivery will be greatly enhanced. No matter how small the income or expected income, every member of AWAMN would have access to this credit facility. For this reason, Lagos residents should expect a more consistently cleaner Lagos, “he said.

Avila Naturalle to Expand Production with New Factory Sunday Ehigiator Avila Naturalle, largest manufacturer of organic and natural beauty hair products in Africa has revealed plans to expand its production and distribution chain with the launch of a new factory in Lagos.

In a statement signed by the Company’s Director, Temitope Mayegun, revealed that the newly launched five story building, located at Shobukola Street, Idimu-Ikotun Road, Lagos, would also serve as a new head office for the company.

“As you are aware, we first launched in 2017 with the Beauty and Hair care division, which has now grown to a 2000 Pan-African and International distributorship chain network.

“The product line has also expanded to over 400 products.

This also includes the recent launch of Avilan Foods, Water and Beverages in 2019,” she said.

Mayegun attributed the successes of the company so far to divine inspiration, the distributors across various levels; the great team roles

played by staff of the company, and the excellent management skills of the company’s Chairman, Mr Abiodun Mayegun.

She revealed that the vision of the company through her various campaigns, sensitisation and immense support from her consumers, is to be in every household all over the world.

Mayegun equally seized the occasion to launch her new book, titled, ‘Visions, Values and Victory’, through which she hope to mentor aspiring youth to a successful climb through life and their career.

Wema Bank Supports Stage Plays on Awolowo, Obasanjo Wema Bank Plc has partnered with a theatre and stage play production company to produce stage plays on two great Nigerian leafets, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the late Premier of Western Region, and former president of Nigeria Chief Olusehun Obadanjo.

Specifically, Wema Bank is partnering with “The Dike of Shomolu”, a theatre and play production company.to produce the stage plays on the lives and times of the two great Nigerian leaders A statement issued by the company said the stage plays titled “Awo” and “Aremu”,

will help people, especially the younger generation, understand the history and core values of the country, whilst learning about the history and culture. of the country.

The bank said it anchored it’s support for the stage plays on the need to build a bridge between its cultural heritage and present-day Nigeria.

It notes that Nigeria’s history is incomplete without the mention of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who, through their selfless acts, have written their names in the sands of time.

The bank said its support for

the arts, creativity, innovation, and entertainment is good for Nigerians as it will expand avenues for relaxation and escape from the hard issues that affect them.

Wema bank added that its support will also help to educate the younger generation and help them understand the history and core values of their country entertainingly.

The play, it added, will depict his soft side, with a spotlight on the quick rise of his wife, Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo who stood by him through his challenging career as a state leader.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE AS AT THURSDAY, 15 JULY 2021

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $73.15 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $75.29 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

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T H I S D AY THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021

MARKET NEWS

Profit-taking in GTCO, 16 Others Down Stock Market Darasimi Adebisi Transactions on the Nigerian equities market yesterday closed on a negative note, to overturn the previous day’s bullish sentiment, as market dropped by 0.01, resulting in a mixed movement of four alternating days of gains and losses.

The downturn was as a result of investors’ sell interest in the insurance sector, amid an increase in other major sectors.

In summary, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) AllShare Index (ASI) declined by 4.69 basis points, representing a drop of 0.01 per cent, to close at 39,545.67 basis points from 39,550.36 basis points as the overall market capitalisation value shed N2 billion to close at N20.604 trillion from N20.606 trillion it opened for trading.

Consequently, Month-to-Date and Year-to-Date return printed +2.6per cent and -1.8per cent,

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

respectively.

Analysing by sectors, the Insurance (-0.9per cent ) index declined while the Consumer Goods (+0.1 per cent) and Banking (+0.1 per cent) indices recorded gains as the Industrial Goods and Oil & Gas indices closed flat.

The market loss was driven by price depreciation in large and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are; Guaranty Trust Bank Holding Company

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

(GTCO), SCOA Nigeria, Caverton Offshore Support Group, Access Bank and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI).

However, investor sentiment as measured by market breadth closed positive, as 19 stocks advanced while 17 declined.

Pharma Deko recorded the highest price gain of 10 per cent to close at N1.43, per share.

BOC Gases followed with a gain 9.78 per cent to close at

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

N10.10, while Honeywell Flour Mills went up by 9.72 per cent to close at N2.71, per share.

Courteville Business Solutions rose by eight per cent to close at 27 kobo, while Associated Bus Company gained 6.06 per cent to close at 35 kobo, per share.

On the other hand, SCOA Nigeria led the losers’ chart by 9.66 per cent to close at N1.59, per share. Prestige Assurance followed with a decline of 8.33

O F

per cent to close at 44 kobo, while Regency Alliance Insurance lost 6.98 per cent to close at 40 kobo, per share.

Mutual Benefits Assurance lost 5.71 per cent to close at 33 kobo, while Caverton Offshore Support Group shed 5.49 per cent to close at N1.72, per share.

The total volume of trades increased by 19.2 per cent to 132.077 million units, valued at N2.674 billion, and exchanged in 3,307 deals.

1 8 / 0 8 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

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THURSDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

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THURDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 • T H I S DAY

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 17Aug-2021, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 156.09 157.44 -3.58% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 4.82% Nigeria International Debt Fund 317.78 317.78 -17.84% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 110.62 110.62 -1.31% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.52% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.28 3.45 -3.33% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.76% Anchoria Equity Fund 140.98 142.61 5.99% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.12 -15.49% 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 19.57 20.16 7.92% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 430.33 443.31 7.48% ARM Ethical Fund 38.15 39.30 13.16% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.10% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.97 0.97 -7.57% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.17% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 105.74 105.74 3.96% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,018.23 1,018.23 1.82% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.76% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.02 2.02 -10.09% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.12 2.16 -7.70% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.01 1.01 2.42% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.03% Paramount Equity Fund 16.56 16.87 3.56% Women's Investment Fund 136.58 138.16 2.63% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.58% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 119.10 119.86 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.81 107.81 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 7.72% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.20 1.22 0.20% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.39 1.39 -12.47% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,403.49 1,403.49 11.34% FBN Balanced Fund 191.19 192.54 1.87% FBN Halal Fund 111.89 111.89 8.41% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.09% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

126.71 156.46

126.71 3.60% 159.77 3.49% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.96 1.60 1.18

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 5.67% 3.96 2.44% 1.63 4.73% 1.18 4.22% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 3,716.67 3,358.16 100.00

Offer Price 3,771.45 3,358.16 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn -0.74% 2.50% 3.71%

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.94% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.68 2.74 -6.22% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.58 152.30 -2.06% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.33 1.94% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 0.92% 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 1.42 1.44 4.17% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,144.65 1,144.65 5.42% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.47 11.53 9.56% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 7.62% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.66 1.69 7.18% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.47 11.52 -5.47% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 5.62% PACAM Equity Fund 1.64 1.66 3.78% PACAM EuroBond Fund 112.78 114.61 2.66% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.76 134.35 8.60% 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 10.11% 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 3,284.24 3,319.16 2.26% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 232.31 232.31 3.32% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.21 1.23 3.39% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 305.92 305.92 3.82% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 224.10 227.42 2.68% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.16% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,402.02 10,553.53 -0.86% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.27 1.27 3.43% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.29 115.29 3.79% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 103.06 103.06 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.30 1.32 1.81% United Capital Bond Fund 1.91 1.91 4.18% United Capital Equity Fund 0.87 0.89 9.45% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.73% United Capital Eurobond Fund 119.76 119.76 4.64% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.06 1.07 3.85% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 5.96% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.89 13.00 8.60% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.24 14.36 16.54% Zenith Income Fund 24.28 24.28 1.25% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.13%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

125.34 51.90

10.92% 2.86%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.28

13.38

0.44%

122.15 97.25 17.47 18.25

125.20 99.38 17.57 18.35

1.59% -1.98%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund

SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.90 5.65 17.57 1.00 19.67 154.17

3.94 5.73 17.67 1.00 19.87 156.17

3.41% -0.66% 8.24% 6.31% -4.13% -29.74%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

46

THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

47

48

THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 • T H I S D AY

49

THURSDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

MEMORIAM

IBRAHIM MANTU: EXIT OF A

FLAMBOYANT ENFORCER

Samuel Ajayi writes on the life and politics of a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, who passed on Monday, August 16, 2021

H

olding his trademark Benson and Hedges cigarette, he dozes off even as the cigarette smoulders away.

Intermittently, he jerks back to reality, responds to this reporter, who is sitting in front of him only to doze off again.

Out of respect, the reporter fondles away with his phone praying that the distinguished Senator jerks back to reality and stays there so that the session could end. But that is not to be. Respite, however, comes when his aide-de-camp peeps in through the door to inform him that he has a visitor. And it is a visitor that cannot be kept waiting: Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.

He eventually comes round and stands up. The two go into an ante room and are there for over two hours.

That was the life of Senator Ibrahim Nasir Mantu, the Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when he held sway as a powerful deputy to three Senate Presidents: Senators Anyim Pius Anyim, Adolphus Wabara and Ken Nnamani.

The drums stopped for Mantu on Monday, August 16, at the age of 74. He dropped the baton and he breathed his last.

He was seen as stabiliser in the Senate, a power broker and a willing ally of the Presidency,who was always ready to help it serve as an enforcer within the Senate.

Before he became the Deputy Senate President on August 11, 2001, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information. Even at that, he positioned himself as an influential senator, who could help get things done in the Senate.

So much was his influence that when

Mukthar Shagari was nominated minister (later assigned the Water Resources portfolio) by then President Olusegun Obasanjo, Mantu was one of the few Senators he was asked to see that his screening would not run into any glitch inside the Senate Chambers. So were other ministerial nominees.

When he became the Deputy Senate President, the influence only grew. And that was when he became a very strong ‘friend’ of the Presidency. But it was not always the case. He used to be one of the fiercest critics of Obasanjo in the Senate before he became the Deputy Senate President, succeeding the late Haruna Abubakar, former Managing Director of Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC).

“I was never a fan of Baba (Obasanjo) before”, he told this reporter sometime in 2002. “I used to criticise him and ensure that nothing he brought to the Senate would be passed. But one day, he sent for me and we discussed and you could see that he really loved Nigeria and that if he had to put his head into a guillotine for Nigeria to work, he was ready. That was the day I decided to support him.”

And Mantu nearly took that support to a level that bordered on the side of the ridicule. This was in 2006, when the now infamous Third Term agenda surfaced and the Senate was required to pass an amendment to the constitution that would have allowed former President Obasanjo to run for third term.

The intrigues and the power play were something else and the nation waited with bated breath sometime in

April 2006, when the amendment bill was defeated roundly. Unfortunately, over a hundred and twenty other amendments were thrown away with that term extension amendment.

“The nation lost biggest and best opportunity since independence to rewrite its history with the way that amendment was thrown away,” Mantu told this reporter shortly after the defeat of the Bill in the Senate.

“Many Nigerians were made to see the Third Term agenda in the whole exercise. But there were other many amendments that would have strengthened our federation and helped the federating units. We may never have that opportunity again.”

He was ominously right.

His last days in the Senate were marked with allegation of financial impropriety and he was running from pillar to pole while he appealed to his colleagues to let him have a safe landing and be allowed to run out his term till 2007. He did and he never returned to the Senate again as he lost out in the 2007 nomination and the subsequent elections.

Whatever might be said about him, Mantu was a consumate politician, who knew how to build bridges across religious, ethnic and political divides.

He never discriminated and his doors were always open to anyone.

Born on February 16, 1947, Mantu started working with the Public Works Department (PWD) Jos, as a Stores Requisition Clerk between 1962 and1963. He then proceeded to the Gindiri Teachers College in 1964

and on leaving in 1967, he joined the Nigerian Tobacco Company Zaria in 1968 as a Quality Checker. He later went to BEAM, a Division of UAC Nigeria as a Kalamazoo Specialist Salesman in 1971.

He bagged a degree in Political Science from the Washington International University and became the Deputy State Chairman of the now defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), in Plateau State in 1978 at age of 31. He joined others to form the Liberal Convention in 1989,when the ban on politics was lifted and even contested the national championship of the now defunct National Republican Convention, NRC, where he lost narrowly to Chief Tom Ikimi. This was in 1990.

When the military returned and political activities were banned, he was undaunted. In 1996, he joined the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP), and was elected a Senator on its platform before the death of the late Sani Abacha sounded the end of that transition programme. And by 1999, he was elected, yet again, as the Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On getting to the Senate, he was named Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and in August 2001, he became the Deputy Senate President till he left in 2007.

And when there is never going to be cigarette to puff away from, only a few of his generation could match his flamboyance and colourful politicking.

50

THURSDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

PERSPECTIVE

At 80, IBB Associates, Proteges Reconstruct, Cement His Legacy

By Habib Aruna

E

ighty years have always been a milestone in the life of any person. More so, when such a person or persons have made a meaningful impact in the life of a nation or a people. It is even not uncommon for others to bring out the drums and pump champagne to thank God for a life well spent.

It was therefore not a surprise that the handlers of former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s (IBB) image, decided to use his attainment of this enviable age to remind Nigerians, and indeed, the world, his contributions to the economic, political and other areas of development in the country. The first glimpse of the celebration was the interview IBB granted to the rave making television, Arise News, few days ago, where he spoke on a wide range of issues affecting the country.

Of course, and expectedly, his views on sundry and crucial issues did not go without thorough scrutiny by concerned observers, most of whom are always conscious of anything coming from the mouth of the Minna born General. He spoke on the worsening insecurity across the country; on the leadership deficit, which he ascribed to many of the problems plaguing the nation; he also spoke on the 2023 presidential election and those he thinks are in the best position to steer us in the right direction. He even suggested that the next president of Nigeria must be someone who has the capacity to unite the country by having friends from every part of the country.

Yet, he did not fail to comment on the June 12, 1993 presidential election, widely believed to have been won by late Chief Moshood Abiola and annulled by the Junta under his leadership. IBB again tried albeit unconvincingly to put the blame on the doorstep of the military, that according to him, have vowed not to allow an Abiola presidency, and would instead topple him in a coup if he was allowed to take over.

The many debates triggered by his interview were still raging when his associates again organized a talk shop, which they called “IBB Legacy Dialogue”, to celebrate a legend. The theme of the dialogue was: IBB, the man, His Vision, His Legacy. Held in Abuja, the event provided an auspicious opportunity for friends, associates and those who served in his eight years government, to try to reconstruct and redefine what IBB achieved during his eight years in office and how his legacy should be seen by both students of history and posterity.

Media mogul and staunch supporter of IBB and his philosophy, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, who chaired the event, in his opening remarks looked at the career of IBB in the military and how he participated in all the coups that have taken place in the country except that of General Aguiyi Ironsi. He said for a man who took office at the age of 44 and who understood the various challenges the country was facing, it was not difficult for him to hit the ground running. The first thing he did, according to Dokpesi, was to appoint the best and capable Nigerians into strategic positions. This in turn helped him to build infrastructure; introduced economic reform in the form structural adjustment programme (SAP); liberalized the media and political space and so forth.

Dokpesi argued that IBB had been the major issue in the Nigerian political space for more than four decades. He specifically accused the Lagos/ Ibadan media for misrepresenting IBB’s intention and also undermining his many achievements.

On the purported 12 billion dollars oil windfall which was alleged to have been stolen under

Babangida IBB, Dokpesi said investigations have found it to be false. “How could one and a half years of oil windfall from Gulf War have brought in 12 billion dollars?” he asked.

Dokpesi further said that IBB established lasting and viable institutions that are still very vital in the development of the country today. That he appointed the right and qualified people into his government who helped him to consummate his vision for the country.

Other participants at the Dialogue include former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Professors Jerry Gana, Sam Oyovbaire, Adele Jinadu, Bolaji Akinyemi, Tunde Adeniran, George Obiozor, Senators David Mark, Ike Nwachukwu, Dr Chidi Amuta, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, Dr Kalu I Kalu, Former Osun Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Brigadier General Haliru Akilu (Rtd), Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (Rtd) amongst others. Most of the above eminent Nigerians were part of the government led by IBB between 1985 and 1993.

While Dr Kalu’s intervention was purely on the economic policies of IBB and its impact on what we are currently witnessing, Professor Gana dwelled on how IBB was pragmatic enough to open the political space and went on educating people at the grassroots to participate more in politics.

Kalu explained that IBB predicated his economic policies on the dwindling price of oil at that time and the need to diversify the economy to be able to withstand the vagaries of the world oil market. He said only a poor leader would be unconcerned when the price of oil was as low as seven to eight dollars per barrel. He therefore justified the introduction of SAP and the privatization and commercialization of the economy by IBB, which according to him came at the right time.

“As long as the economy is deficient, policies must be introduced to address the problems.

Economy is always a work in progress, but Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) as a policy was misinterpreted. What we did was to lay down the rules. Debt management and economic diplomacy were well tackled. IBB’s vision on the economy was apt and pragmatic.

I knew for sure that if we are to make progress that is the way to go. The moving spirit behind the intellectual discussions was the environment that IBB provided”, Kalu posited.

Professor Gana, who was a visible cabinet member under IBB, in his own submission, said his boss is a man of ideas and always in the midst of people with the right ideas. He said IBB believed that real development must come

US Commits $73m Towards Nigeria’s COVID-19 Response Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The United States government has disclosed it has committed more than $73 million in COVID-19 assistance to Nigeria.

The Country Representative of US agency, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Dr Mary Boyd made the revelation in Abuja during the flag-off exercise of the phase two of the COVID-19 vaccination programme.

She said the donation covered the assistance that ranged from the deployment of personnel to support the response, to the delivery of a mobile screening pod at the Federal Medical Centre, Jabi, Abuja, to the provision of more than 200 ventilators, Personal Protective Equipment and other COVID-19 control measures.

Boyd stated that the US government is ready to leverage all resources, including those already

in the country to support the roll-out of the phase two vaccination in Nigeria given its importance to the US government.

It would be recalled that the US government donated about 4,000,080 million doses of Moderna vaccines to the federal government to boost the national response to the pandemic.

According to the CDC representative, the donation of the Moderna vaccines to Nigeria was in fulfilment of the promise by the US President, Joe Biden to donate 80 million vaccines from the US supplies to countries throughout the world and to lead the fight against the pandemic.

She added that up to date over 110 million vaccines had been donated by the US to more than 60 countries worldwide.

“This donation of 4,000,080 doses of Moderna to Nigeria is in fulfilment of that promise and

a clear commitment of the US government to lead the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

“Over 180,000 Nigerians have been reported to be infected with COVID-19 and nearly 2,500 have died.

We mourn the lives of those that we lost because they could not benefit from the vaccines that we are sharing today, but we are grateful for the ingenuity of the sciences and commitment of the American people that allows us to be in a position to help others today by donating 4,000,000 doses,” she said.

She lauded Nigeria’s leadership for being ranked as the No 4 in the world in the overall COVID response, while lamenting that 95 per cent of people that were infected and died from the virus were unvaccinated people, who either chose not to be vaccinated or could not benefit from vaccines.

from the people and not from anywhere else, adding that in addition to providing roads and other social amenities, IBB was of the view that real production must come from the people who must key into the vision of the government for it to succeed.

Gana said the establishment of Peoples Bank and Community Banks was to empower people at the grassroots to participate actively in economic activities. The professor of Geography pointed out that one of the institutions that IBB created at that time, MAMSER, was established because of the need to effectively educate and mobilise the people on the need for them to participate in politics.

Gana indeed situated the protests by Nigerians against the annulment of June 12 election within the context of the mass political mobilization that took place under IBB. To Oyovbere and Jinadu, two of the top political scientists behind IBB’s policies, there was the need for his achievements, policies and programmes to be put under proper perspectives for the sake of posterity. They were of the view that some of IBB’s initiatives, particularly his political transition, which according to them were of good intention, were misinterpreted by Nigerians.

Mark and Oyinlola, who both served as Military Administrators under IBB reminded Nigerians of the leadership qualities of the former Military leader, adding that he has uncommon human relations which helped him in managing the affairs of the country. While Mark said Babangida told them a leader must take decisions and be ready to defend and be responsible for them, Oyinlola noted that IBB was kind to both his superiors and subordinates, adding that he should be celebrated for all the sacrifices and leadership he gave the country.

Halilu Akilu, a retired Intelligence Officer, who is a known protégé of IBB said he was a leader who was not afraid to take decisions that he feels are in the best interest of the country.

“He single-handedly took the seat of power to Abuja. He told us if you’re not coming with me I’m going. The wonders of Abuja are some of his major achievements”, Akilu said.

The Dialogue also provided an opportunity to recollect the contributions of IBB’s late wife, Maryam, who was very visible during his time in office. Her pet project, Better Life For Rural Women was variously mentioned and the impact it had on women all over the country. Ojikutu, former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, praised IBB for appointing women into leadership positions and for introducing programmes that changed the standard of living of women in the country.

Former leaders of the country, from General Yakubu Gowon to Chief Earnest Shonekan, Goodluck Jonathan and Namadi Sambo joined the programme through Zoom to celebrate the birthday of IBB and wish him many happy returns.

Most of them described him as a detribalized Nigerian who appointed the best brains to rule the country. They also reiterate his continued relevance in the politics of the country.

“Many decades after leaving office, anybody who aspires to lead the country must visit the Minna Hill top residence of IBB”, said former President Jonathan, while also adding that IBB will always be a force in the politics of the country.

Needless to add that IBB’s foreign policy monks like Akinyemi, Adeniran, Obiozor and General Nwachukwu were on hand to remind Nigerians of many of the foreign policy successes recorded under his eight years rule. Concert of Medium Powers; the nation’s engagement in Liberia and Sierra Leone; economic diplomacy among others were mentioned.

An obviously delighted birthday ‘boy’ (IBB) later came on the big screen to thank the participants and expressed gratitude to God for sparing his life and for granting him the wisdom and good health to serve the country.

Kassim Afegbua, IBB Media Adviser, who gave the closing remarks, thanked everyone for coming to celebrate the birthday of a great leader, who he said is either part of the issue or the main issue in the country for decades. He said the Dialogue will remain a reference point in controlling the narratives of the IBB legacy.

“We want to come out with facts and figures to put the IBB years in proper political and historical perspectives”, Afegbua stated. It is however still unclear what impact the Dialogue will make in redefining the IBB years and ultimately, his legacy.

What is evidently clear and implicit at the end of the day was that the ghost of June 12 will take a long time to go away. But the organisers should be applauded for again reminding us of the eight years that IBB held forth at the helm of affairs in the country and what he was able to achieve.

Aruna is the Publisher of the Thepledge.

THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

51

NEWS

Insecurity: Nigeria, Bulgaria to Sign Defence Pact Kingsley Nwezeh inAbuja The Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), said yesterday that Nigeria and Bulgaria were working towards signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation.

Bulgaria is an arms manufacturing country.

The minister said plans were in motion to contextualise and conceptualise the draft documents for the proposed MoU between Nigeria and the Republic of

Bulgaria.

He spoke when the Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Yanko Yordanov, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Defence Headquarters Abuja.

Magashi said: “The bilateral relation between Nigeria and Bulgaria spanning over five decades is long enough to snowball into a stronger defence cooperation especially now that the country is confronting internal security threats being orchestrated by non-state actors”.

He said the time was ripe for the two countries to emplace a robust, workable MoU by ensuring that that the necessary areas were covered in the expected legal document.

The defence minister disclosed that the proposal was being transmitted to the Ministry of Justice for perusal and assured the Bulgarian Ambassador that the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Musa Istifanus, was equally germane to the

final draft of the MoU. He also pointed out that the Director of the Joint Services Department, Mr Olu Mustapha, would also do the needful expeditiously.

He said that the processes and procedures the documents were subjected to required due diligence that would bring out the best in safeguarding the interest of the two cooperating nations.

On his part, the Bulgarian Ambassador, Yordanov, thanked the defence minister for the

bilateral talks which he said would culminate in the long, overdue significant signing of the MoU expected to deepen the existing exchange of military training and explore other critical areas of defence cooperation between the two countries.

He use the opportunity of the courtesy visit to invite the minister as a special guest to the forthcoming military exhibitions in Bulgaria by June next year.

He said opportunities await

both countries if the Nigerian Armed Forces participated in the invitational event expected to showcase an array of new military technology and harvest of modern weaponry developed by the Bulgarian Armed forces.

Meanwhile, the minister also granted audience to the representatives of the widows of the officers, who died in Hercules C-130 plane crash in 1992 led by the National Coordinator, Mr. Ogale Jude.

Group Pushes to Recall Two Abia Senators from N’Assembly

Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie

The Abia League of Professional Initiatives (ALPI) is pushing for the recall of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Theodore Orji from the National Assembly, for allegedly not participating in the National Assembly voting exercise for electronic transmission of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill.

The group had in a statement, commended Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe also from Abia State, for voting in support of electronic transmission of election results, but condemned Senators Kalu and Orji for their ‘deliberate absence during the

voting exercise at the National Assembly’.

The lawmakers had decided to put into vote ‘for or against electronic transmission of election results’, during the consideration of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, where both senators were said to have been absent, just to avoid voting. At the end of the voting exercise, the lawmakers, who voted against the adoption of electronic transmission of results, out-numbered those that voted for the adoption of electronic transmission of results.

Worried about the action of Kalu and Orji, the group said both senators must be recalled since they no longer represent the interest of the Abia people who they were supposed to represent at the National Assembly.

NIMASA Donates Relief Packages to Ekiti Disaster Victims Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has donated relief materials to victims of disaster in Ekiti State, saying this is part of the continuous efforts to cushion the adverse effect of natural and man-made tragedies on the people.

The Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, who received the packages in Ado-Ekiti, said the humanitarian materials for persons suffering severe economic conditions, especially Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), would help in stabilising the situations of the victims.

Recalling some recent incidents in the state, including communal clashes, flooding, and fire disasters, which resulted in the displacement of communities, Egbeyemi said: “The state government had intervened in some areas within its capacity, but due to inadequate resources, there are still some affected victims that have not been attended to.

“It is on this note, the state government is finding this kind gesture worthy because the provision of these items will go a very way to cushion the effect of these disasters on the victims.”

Director, Administration and Human Resources, NIMASA, Mrs. Ronke Thomas, who represented the Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the economic relief and empowerment gesture was a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative that was expanded to cover the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Jamoh said: “NIMASA is doing

something that had not been done to this magnitude before. We are on a mission to reach out and help people in the face of daunting socio-economic circumstances, often outstripping government’s official planning, and requiring extra-governmental mitigation measures and intervention from organisations and individuals.

“Principally, we want to empathise with Nigerians going through difficult conditions, and raise awareness about the dire conditions of less privileged citizens, as well as draw society’s attention – at the governmental, organisational, and individual levels – to the need to continually lend the underprivileged a helping hand.

“This event is a strategic demonstration of the agency’s commitment to a better life for all Nigerians. We are here to succour the distressed, strengthen the weak, and encourage the discouraged. We want all to feel at home, especially those who have been physically displaced or emotionally hurt by natural and man-made disasters.”

Jamoh stated that the agency had integrated support for the less privileged and capacity building for citizens into a national CSR strategy regularly implemented according to the availability of resources.

He called on privileged Nigerians to take a cue from NIMASA and “get involved in activities that support the lives of the underprivileged”.

The agency donated food stuff, household items, educational materials, and Small and Mediumsized Enterprises (SMEs) support tools to ameliorate the plight of the less privileged.

NIMASA SUPPORTS NEEDY…

L-R: General Manager, Ekiti State Emergency Management Agency (EK-SEMA), Mr. Olajide Borode; Chairman, EK-SEMA, Captain Sunday Adebomi (rtd); Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mr. Bisi Egbeyemi; Director, Administration and Human Resources, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs. Ronke Thomas, during a visit by NIMASA to hand over economic relief and empowerment packages to the state government in Ado-Ekiti…recently

Lagos Bans Street Begging, Begins Arrest of Beggars Segun James The Lagos State Government has banned street begging in the state, and has, therefore, begun massive raid and clearance of beggars and street urchins from the streets in the state.

In order to achieve this, the state government has set up a special team for the raid, which began immediately.

At a joint news conference

by the state Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, in Alausa, Lagos, the state government vowed to eradicate street begging by all means.

The government also said it would not fold its arm and allow beggars to turn Lagos

to their haven.

Dawodu emphasised that beggars in Lagos streets and roads have constituted themselves into considerable nuisance to law-abiding citizens who are entitled to go about their businesses without any fear or hindrance.

According to him, “As a responsible and responsive government, the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

administration will not fold its arms and watch the state become a haven for beggars; it will take action to curb this menace.

“Street begging is a social vice that we cannot afford to watch attain uncontrollable level before we act. Otherwise, all the good plans and programmes to transform our state would be adversely affected. The same goes for street hawking.

Osun Probes Mysterious Death Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo Osun State Government yesterday ordered an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of seven members of a family last Tuesday in Apomu, Isokan Local Government Area of the state.

While sympathising with the community, the state government also ordered that an autopsy be

carried out on the corpses of the seven members of the family who were reportedly found dead in their abode.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Health, Rafiu Isamotu, yesterday, the state government also reiterated its commitment to security and welfare of its citizens, and that it would go the whole hog to unravel the circumstances leading to the mysterious death.

Members of Oke Suna community in Apomu had last Tuesday morning found the deceased in their house, and reported the incident to the police before the corpses were taken to the morgue.

There was palpable tension in Apomu, Isokan LGA of Osun State as seven members of a family of eight were found dead last Tuesday morning, while one was still in critical condition.

However, it was gathered that it was a chemical poison, but their bodies were evacuated to a hospital where they were pronounced dead.

Also, the state police command spokesman, Yemisi Opalola, who confirmed the incident, said the deceased bodies have been taken to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife for an autopsy.

Kaduna Approves Resumption of JSS3 Students John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State government has approved the resumption of students in Junior Secondary Schools 3 (JSS III) to enable them write the National Examination Council Basic Education Certificate Examination (NECO BECE).

The examination is scheduled for Monday, August 21 to Monday, September 6,

2021.

Commissioner for Education, Dr. Shehu Mohammad, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Kaduna.

The statement said only students in JSS3 should resume school on Wednesday, August 18 and should not appear in uniform.

The three paragraphs statement read: “The Kaduna State Ministry of Education

has approved the resumption of JSS III students, who are scheduled to write the 2021 National Examination Council Basic Education Certificate Examination (NECO BECE).

“The exams will be conducted from Monday, 23rd August, 2021 to Monday, 6th September, 2021. Secondary schools are hereby directed to resume operations ONLY for JSS III students with effect from

Wednesday 18th August 2021, and to inform the students to appear in mufti.Schools are expected to strictly comply with the above directives.”

The state government, had on August 6, 2021, announced the postponement of school resumption till further notice, following security advice on the operations against bandits and kidnappers terrorising residents.

Obaseki: No Plans to Increase Taxes in Edo The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured people in the state that his administration has no plans to increase taxes, noting that the state seeks inclusiveness and participation from citizens in revenue generation and administration.

The governor gave the assurance after a closed-door meeting with

stakeholders in tax administration at the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) head office in Benin City.

Obaseki’s visit to EIRS office followed the expiration of the tenure of the board led by Mr. Igbinidu Inneh.

He said the state’s revenue service needed to be re-energised

before the appointment of a new board.

The governor said the ratio of people who pay taxes compared to the taxable population in the state is very small.: “There is no need to increase taxes. What we need to do is to engender citizen participation and achieve inclusiveness. Today, the ratio of citizens who pay taxes

relative to the population is very, very small and the burden is only on a few persons who pay tax.

“Everybody who has a source of income, by law, should pay money to the state. That is what we are trying to do by ensuring that everybody pays something directly to the state government’s treasury,” he said.

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FEC Okays N21.107bn Contracts for Aviation, Education Ministries, Four Agencies Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Federal Executive Council (FEC) rose from its weekly meeting Wednesday with the approval of projects worth N21,107,212,510, in both the Aviation and the Education Ministries, as well as four other federal agencies.

The approval was made

known to newsmen by two Ministers after the virtual FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja.

This week’s Council meeting was the first official assignment of the President after his selfisolation, following his return to Abuja last Friday after an 18-day visit to the United Kingdom.

The post-FEC briefing, moderated by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina was addressed by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, and the Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.

On his part, Sirika said, Council approved four memoranda for his

ministry, the total cost of which amounted to N16,697,742,839.

He named the projects to be executed in the contracts to include construction of Wachakal Airport in Yobe State at N6.3 billion; post construction services for the same airport at the cost of N219.8 million; procurement of eight airport rescue and

firefighting vehicles at the cost of N9.5 billion; and a contract for the deployment of sniffer dogs to the Lagos and Abuja international airports at the cost of N658.8 million.

His words: “FEC approved four memoranda from civil aviation.

One of it is approval for the construction of Wachakal Airport

in Yobe State and at the contract sum of N6,284,065,056. Even and in our drive to develop the sector and ensure connectivity within our region and also improve on our security architecture and also attend to the various needs of civilization, we found this airport and many others that are coming across the country useful.

‘Anambra APGA Not Intimidated by Membership of APC Campaign Council’ David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said that it is not intimidated by the membership of the national campaign council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the party’s governorship candidate, Mr. Andy Uba, in Anambra State.

The spokesperson of the APGA Campaign Council and Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C.Don Adinuba, made the assertion while receiving the newly elected executive of the Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, led by Mr. Chuks Ilozue.

Adinuba said: “We are

not surprised that the APC inaugurated its campaign council for Anambra State on Tuesday with all those names.

“Anambra people know what they want, and they have chosen APGA, and all those people they are inaugurating as members are not relevant.”

Adinuba said Anambra people are happy with the level the APGA has taken the state, adding that no Anambra indigene would wish for Anambra to drop to the level of the states governed

by APC government.

“Would you like Anambra to degenerate to the level of Imo State? Would you be ready to forfeit the level of security and freedom you have in Anambra to what is happening in Imo State?

Of course, the answer is no.

WHO: 5,000 Young Persons Die Daily from Accidents, Maternal Injuries Onyebuchi Ezigbo inAbuja The World Health Organization (WHO) has claimed that about 5,000 young people in the world die everyday as a result of injuries from road accidents, violence, self-harm and maternal conditions.

According to WHO, injuries from road accidents, violence, self harm, maternal conditions were the leading causes of deaths among adolescents and young adults.

The report on the alarming rate of casualties among young persons due to preventable deaths, came on the heals of the flag-off of a conference by the Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health in Nigeria (SAYPHIN), in collaboration with its partners on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, President of

SAYPHIN and Vice President SubSaharan Africa for the International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH), Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, said the conference was long overdue as Africa was the only region in the world that was yet to hold this type of conference on adolescent health, which he said was the future of the continent.

“Our investment in Africa has been the lowest in the world compared to other regions.

Investment in young people’s health produces high yields leading to healthier young people and society, reduction in adult deaths, because twothirds of preventable deaths in adults happens as a result of health risk behaviours initiated during adolescence and also, it is an investment in the next generation.”

Wema Bank Supports Stage Plays on Awolowo, Obasanjo Lovers of art and culture in Nigeria, particularly the theatre, are in for some great and exciting moments as Wema Bank Plc is partnering to produce the stage plays on the lives of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The stage plays titled, “Awo” and “Aremu”, produced by The Duke of Shomolu with the support of the bank, will help people, especially the younger generation, understand the history and core values of the country, whilst enjoying learning about history and culture.

In a statement the bank

said it anchored its support for the stage plays on the need to build a bridge between its cultural heritage and present-day Nigeria.

It said Nigeria’s history is incomplete without the mention of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a former Premier of Western Nigeria, and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, who, through their selfless acts, have written their names in the sands of time.

The bank said its support for the arts, creativity, innovation, and entertainment was good for Nigerians as it would expand avenues for relaxation and escape from the hard issues that affect them.

JUDICIAL INSTITUTE WORKSHOP…

L-R: Secretary, National Judicial Institute (NJI), Alhaji Abubakar Maidama; Administrator, NJI, Justice Salisu Garba; and Judge of Kogi State High Court, Justice Alaba Ajileye, during the national workshop for legal research assistants by NJI in Abuja…yesterday KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

Court Adjourns for Accelerated Hearing on Killer of A’Ibom Job Seeker Okon Bassey in Uyo An Akwa Ibom State High Court sitting in Uyo, the state capital, has adjourned to November and December 2021 for accelerated hearing on a murder case involving one Uduak Akpan, accused of killing a female job

seeker in the state, Iniuobong Umoren.

The Presiding Judge of the State High Court 6, Justice Bennett Ilamoh, announced the adjournment of the case for accelerated hearing yesterday after one of the witnesses, Iniuobong Umoren’s sister testified in court.

The first accused person, Uduak Akpan, is standing trial for the alleged murder of Umoren, a 26-years old graduate of Philosophy of the University of Uyo, whom he allegedly lured, raped and murdered with the pretext of offering her a job.

Akpan’s father, Frank Akpan

who is the second accused is being prosecuted on one count charge of accessory after the facts.

The first accused had, in his first arraignment, pleaded guilty to the murder charge while returning a no guilty plead to the second charge bordering on rape.

House Member Petitions Customs over Extortion, Harassment Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Member representing Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo State, Mr. Dennis Idahosa (APC), has petitioned the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) over alleged extortion and harassment of motorists and other road users by its officers at Ekiadolor along the Benin-Ore-Lagos

Highway, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

The petition, which was dated August 17, 2021, and made available to newsmen in Benin yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Friday Aghedo, said his constituency office has been inundated with complaints arising from the activities of these officers.

He said that the activities of

men of the NCS have made that axis of the federal highway unfriendly to road.

Idahosa recalled that the activities of these officers on that axis of the highway have resulted to deaths of some innocent Nigerians.

Acknowledging the fact that activities of smugglers and importers of contraband goods must be checked, he

noted that this should not be used as an avenue to extort and harass innocent and hard working Nigerians.

He said: “Not only have I received calls, but I have received letters to this affect about the unwholesome activities of the officers of the NCS on this axis of the road, which falls under my constituency.

ICPC Arraigns University Don over N20.6m Fraud Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged a Dean at the University of Calabar, Professor Francisca Ime Bassey, to court over her alleged involvement in N20.6 million contract fraud.

Bassey, who is the Dean and Director of the Pre-Degree Programme of the university, was arraigned at the Cross

River State High Court Six, Calabar, by the Commission for allegedly holding private interests in multiple contracts awarded by the school to four companies directly owned by her.

The commission, in a 10-count charge filed before Justice Elias.

O. Abua, noted that the alleged crime occurred between 2013 and 2017, in violation of Section 12 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The charge sheet revealed that

Bassey, at different times, benefited from series of contracts totaling N20,679,324.63 awarded to Bakuf Ventures, Rivet Investment Nigeria Ltd, Joebas Enterprises and Arumo Nigeria Ltd. A statement by ICPC said investigation showed that contracts amounting to N7,819,916.24 was allegedly awarded to Bakuf Ventures on four occasions between 2013 and 2017 and other contracts worth N4.7 million were awarded to

Rivet Investment Nigeria Ltd between 2013 and 2015 by the institution.

The Dean further used her two other companies, Joebas Enterprises and Arumo Nigeria Ltd to commit multiple contract fraud.

She allegedly benefitted from N5,736,797.84 contracts awarded to Arumo Nigeria Ltd and N2,450,700 awarded to Joebas Enterprises within the same period.

‘ Amosun was Never Okupe’s Campaign Coordinator’ A former Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ogun Central Elders Caucus and Campaign Coordinator for Senator Ibikunle Amosun during his Senatorial Campaign between 2001 and 2003, Mr. Francis Gbenga Adenmosun, has faulted Dr. Doyin Okupe’s allegation that Amosun was his (Okupe)’s campaign coordinator.

While featuring on the Morning Show programme of ARISE NEWS few days ago, the former presidential aide had alleged that the former Governor of Ogun State and two-term Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senato Amosun was his (Okupe’s) campaign coordinator in Ogun Central Senatorial District during the run up to the 2003

gubernatorial election.

However, disputing that allegation, Adenmosun said he was taken aback by the strange claims made by Okupe in a public medium.

“It is on record that I was the Secretary of PDP, Ogun Central Elders Caucus and Campaign Coordinator for Senator Ibikunle Amosun during his Senatorial

Campaign between 2001 and 2003, and I can authoritatively say that Senator Amosun was a candidate himself and definitely not the campaign coordinator for Okupe. Indeed, as a candidate himself, it would not have been possible for him (Amosun) to have been the campaign coordinator for Okupe or any other candidates,” he said in statement..

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Armed Forces Committed to Tackling Insecurity, Says Irabor Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, said yesterday that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), remained committed to tackling the myriad of security threats confronting the nation.

Irabor made the disclosure

at the Chief of Defence Staff Interactive Session with Retired Senior Military Officers in the North Central geopolitical zone held at the Tactical Air Command (TAC), Nigerian Air Force, Makurdi, Benue State.

According to the CDS, “The military as an institution remains at the forefront of leading the

war against every form of criminalities as the constitution avails the AFN the mandate of supporting civil authorities, which is in this case championed by the Nigeria Police.”

He explained that the oneday security parley was in

continuation of the nationwide consultation and engagements with military veterans towards proffering lasting solutions to the perilous security challenges.

The CDS, while admitting that the manifestation of the wave of insecurity in the North Central

occasioned by farmers/herders and communal clashes, said the ongoing military engagement was crucial and as such required the input of its veterans towards sustainable peace and progress.

He urged the senior citizens, whom he described as military

officers even in retirement to be open-minded in proffering suggestions to the security threats, promising that there would be interventions in the security dispositions in the North Central and the entire nation.

S’Court Disowns List of Successful Candidates for SAN Awards Alex Enumah inAbuja The Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC), has denied the list of candidates for the award of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (CJN) currently published by an online newspaper, loyalnigerialawyer.com.

The committee in a statement by the Director, Information, Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande, described the publication as false, fake and calculated to cause confusion in the public space.

He urged members of the public to discountenance the report, adding that any information, regarding the award of the rank of SAN could only emanate from the office of the LPPC Secretary/ Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“Our attention has been drawn to a story by an online medium that goes by the name, “loyalnigerianlawyer.com” with the

above caption, which is currently in circulation with a purported list of “successful candidates” that emerged after the second filtration exercise by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC).

“We wish to state clearly that the above information is fake, unofficial and untrue. It’s a mere figment of the imagination of the authors, who may ostensibly be on a mission to impugn and malign the reputation and integrity of the LPPC with a view to causing confusion and skepticism in the public space.

“The information should be discountenanced by whosoever might have come across it. For the umpteenth time, we wish to let the public know that any information, especially, issues regarding the above topic can only emanate from the office of the LPPC Secretary/Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Christian Group Demands Justice for Two Freed Chibok Girls John Shiklam in Kaduna The Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN), has demanded justice for Ruth Ngladar Pogu and Hassana Adamu, two of the students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, recently freed from Boko Haram captivity.

The two girls, who have given birth to two children each, returned home with their captors,who paraded themselves as their “husbands” after seven years in captivity.

They were among the 276 female students abducted when terrorists invaded their school in April, 2014.

The Christian body, in a statement by Reuben Buhari,

its Research and Press Officer, said the violators of the girls, who paraded themselves as their husbands must be brought to justice.

The statement said the terrorists, who raped and forcefully “married” the girls should not be allowed to escape justice.

Buhari said the Nigerian government might continue with its re-radicalisation programme with the worrying terminology of ‘repentant terrorists’, noting however that Nigeria was governed by laws and the law must take its course.

The statement also called on the federal government to take full responsibility of rehabilitating the freed girls.

We are in Emergency Times, Says UN Michael Olugbode in Abuja The United Nations has said the world has passed the stage of possibility of climate emergency but at a point of living through it.

The UN in a statement issued yesterday to mark the World Humanitarian Day (WHD), a day that honours humanitarian aid workers all over the world, said: “This year’s WHD theme is climate change, and the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) is taking this opportunity to remind everyone in Nigeria that we are no longer talking about the possibility of a climate emergency, we are now living

through it.”

The statement stated that last year, like every year, humanitarian organisations and workers helped people affected by extreme weatherrelated events. In West and Central Africa, climate change effects are felt in rising temperatures, droughts and floods that are affecting people’s livelihood, shelter and physical and mental well-being.

The statement quoted the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Nigeria, Edward Kallon, to have said: “The climate emergency is a race that we cannot afford to lose.”

COURTESY VISIT…

L-R: President, Apparel and Accessories Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (AAMAN), Mrs. Folake Oyemade; Chairman, AAMAN Board of Trustees /former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Onikepo Olufunmike Akande; and Vice President of AAMAN, Mrs. Folake Majin, during a courtesy visit to Mrs. Akande by AAMAN executives in Lagos…recently ETOP UKUTT

Adamawa Police Arrest Gang of 14 Kidnappers Daji Sani in Yola The Adamawa State Police Command has apprehended a syndicate of 14 notorious kidnappers terrorising innocent citizens of the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by the state police spokesman, DSP Sulieman Nguroje, who noted that the suspects were all arrested at their various

hideouts following a credible information from a reliable source.

According to the police, the investigation also led to the recovery of 18 phones with 23 sim cards of different networks.

The statement said: “The suspects had confessed during interrogation for the kidnapping of Alhaji Sale Idi of Farang in Fufore Local Government Area; Ya’u Adamu

of Ganye town and Jones Hayatu of Kojoli Village in Jada LGA respectively, where they collected huge amount of money as ransom.”

It said on the strength of that, the state Commissioner of Police, commended the officer in charge of SIB and his men for making it difficult for such criminals to escape arrest.

According to the statement,

the CP further called on members of the public to continue to give credible information on any person of suspicious character around their neighborhood to police.

It stated that the state police boss had further directed for discreet and thorough investigation into the matter, and assured the state that the suspects would be prosecuted accordingly.

CNS: Youths Education, Panacea to National Security Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, has stated that the education of youths in any society is a panacea to development and national security.

Gambo spoke yesterday at the CNS’s annual inter-schools debate, quiz and STEM

competition finals held at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the theme “Education as a Catalyst for Youth Development and National Security,” Gambo who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sanusi Ibrahim, stated that the students showcased various levels

of leadership in the future, have shown that they are able change today’s narrative a d move the country to an enviable statues He said that the competition for the programme was carefully chosen to provoke critical and analytical thinking among the contestants with a view to improving the quality of education in the schools.

“The Year 2021 Competition

is designed to provide a platform on which Nigerian Navy welfare Secondary Schools test their academic might, debate topical issues and showcase their ingenuity in science and technology.

This is in consonance with the importance the Nigerian Navy places on youth mentoring and empowerment as preconditions for national security and nation building.

Nigeria’s Political System Not Favourable to Youths, Says Don Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano It has been observed that Nigeria’s political culture does not encourage the participation of the country’s youthful population in politics.

This view was expressed by a Lecturer with the Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Dr. Maikano Madaki.

Madaki disclosed this yesterday during a two-day

roundtable discussion in Kano, which was organised by the university’s Centre for Gender Studies in collaboration with German Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung.

He said: “The environment is no longer favorable to our youths because it has been dominated by those that are seen as the most powerful and wealthy individuals who always try to rotate and

recycle themselves within the political positions.”

Madaki, who is also a Sociology lecturer, explained that “this has created a very serious vacuum for our youths who have the potential and skills to offer and have been deterred from contributing to the system.

“Our democratic system is not favorable to many, including the youths and

the poor. It is so expensive that the talent of our youths who don’t have the financial capacity could not be harnessed.”

Madaki explained that the discussion is timely in changing the youth’s mindset in order to develop their leadership potential and skills.

He argued that the system relegated the youths to favour the old and the rich.

Olu of Warri Coronation: Delta CP Deploys 1,000 Policemen Sylvester Idowu in Warri Delta State Commissioner of Police, Ari Mohammed Ali, has deployed 1,000 policemen to ensure adequate security before, during and after the coronation ceremony on August 21, 2021.

According to a statement signed by the acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Delta State Command, DSP

Bright Edafe, two bomb squads have been deployed to report 48 hours before the coronation day in order to sweep the venue and ensure it is completely safe.

It added that two units of mobile police personnel and conventional police officers, which include traffic personnel, have also been deployed in Warri to ensure watertight security.

According to the statement, “The CP warns mischief makers to steer clear as the police command is more than ready to deal decisively with anybody who tries to disrupt or cause any form of mischief during the coronation.

“All that needs to be done to ensure that the event is itch-free and devoid of any form of violence has been put

in place. To this end, the CP has directed the Area Commander in Warri, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Operations Officers of the Command to leave no stone unturned towards ensuring thorough supervision of personnel deployed to achieve peace and tranquility during and after the coronation ceremony in Warri.”

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THURSDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Amuneke: Nothing to Worry About Eagles’ AFCON 2021 Group D Says: “I see Nigeria, Egypt coming out of the group but Eagles must focus on Sudan, G’Bissau" Femi Solaja While most football pundits are expressing doubts over Super Eagles ability to come out of the AFCON 2021 Group D fixtures that pit Nigeria against seven-time champions Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau, former African Footballer of the Year, Emmanuel Amuneke has insisted there is nothing to worry about.

The former FC Barcelona winger said Super Eagles need such tough pairing to challenge them to reach the summit of the tournament in Cameroon next January.

In an interview with THISDAY from his base in Spain yesterday, Amuneke, who scored the

winning goal against Zambia as Nigeria triumphed in the tournament for the second time at Tunisia ’94, said that Super Eagles are in a better group when compared with other groups like host Cameroon who have Stallions of Burkina Faso, Black Stars of Ghana and Atlas Lions of Morocco to contend with in Group C. Algeria are also in tight group stage fixtures against Cote d’ Ivoire and other dark horses like Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea in Group E. “Both Nigeria and Egypt are formidable teams on the continent with not too much historical rivalry of sort. They both know that they are good and will play

Nigeria Wins Inaugural 4x400m Mixed Relay Gold in Kenya WORLD ATHLETICS U-20 CHAMPIONSHIP Team Nigeria lived up to pre-race billings as the 4x400m mixed relay team won the gold medal in a new Championship record time of 3:19.70 at the World Athletics U-20 Championship in Kenya.

The quartet of Johnson Nnamani, Imaobong Nse Uko, Opeyemi Oke and Bamidele Ajayi also made history as the first winners of the event, beating Poland (3:19.80) and India (3:20.60).

Team Nigeria made one change to the quartet that ran a then championship record of 3:21.66 in the semifinal by bringing in Nse Uko, the fastest girl in the quarter-mile coming to the championship and the 17-year old didn't disappoint as she handed over the baton to third leg runner, Oke in first position.

Nse Uko has also qualified for the individual 400m final scheduled for Saturday and stands as the favourite to restore Nigeria as World U-20 champions since Bisi Afolabi

succeeded Fatimah Yusuf as queen of the quarter-mile in 1994 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Meanwhile the duo of Godson Oghenebrume and Praise Ofokwu qualified for the 100m men and women's final scheduled for today.

Oghenebrume ran 10.22 seconds to win his semifinal heat while Ofoku was also first in her semifinal heat, clocking 11.57.

In the men's javelin throw, Team Nigeria's Chinecherem Nnamdi throw a massive new personal best and Nigeria U20 record of 78.03 to qualify for the final.

The 19-year-old 2019 African Games bronze medal winner added almost 5cm to his previous best of 73.24m to jump to the queue as one of the favourites for the gold medal.

Nigeria has not won a medal in the event at the World U-20 Championship and Chinecherem could make history when the final is held on Friday.

each other with respect devoid of hatred or bitterness.

“The global community will definitely look forward to a good match from the two sides who are loaded with top football stars playing in Europe.

“But when you look at the match between cup holders, Algeria against Cote d’ Ivoire, the memories of the last edition is still fresh and there is tendency for revenge or repeat at stake.

Either of these two sides may be forced to struggle to knock out qualification from that group phase.”

He also analysed the group having host Cameroon and insisted anything can happen there.

“Same thing applies to host

Cameroon when they face fellow Francophone nation Burkina Faso in the opening match of the tournament. The Frenchspeaking sides on the continent have this unending rivalry and a good performance from the 2013 finalist on Match-day one will add pressure on the Indomitable Lions if they falter in that opening game,” Amuneke added.

The Atlanta ’96 gold medal winner in football also explained that both Morocco and Ghana in Group C have rich history of previous encounters in the tournament and the football world should look up to best performance when both sides meet at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.

On whether the Pharaohs’ Mohamed Salah will be a major threat to Super Eagles in the opening group match in Garoua, Amuneke stressed that it all depends on the technical crew and the players ability to rise to the occasion.

“Salah is not an island in the team but one can admit that he is a motivator. We have high profile players in our team as well. The Egyptian will be feeling same way too, hence no cause for alarm. I see the two teams coming out of the group but they have to keep their head up against Sudan and Guinea Bissau,” concludes Amuneke who led Tanzania’s Taifa Stars to qualify for the last AFCON in Egypt in 2019.

Emmanuel Amuneke...Eagles have nothing to worry about Group D of AFCON 2021

L-R: Nigeria’s U-20 4x400m mixed relay quartet of Imaobong Nse Uko, Bamidele Ajayi, Opeyemi Oke and Johnson Nnamani celebrating their victory at the U-20 World Athletics Championships in Nairobi, Kenya…yesterday. PHOTO: Dan Vernon

Aisha Buhari Cup: Super Falcons Draw Morocco, Mali Nigeria and Morocco have been drawn to kick off the Dr. Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament, which the City of Lagos will host between 13th and 21st September.

At a glamorous draw ceremony held yesterday in Lagos to heralded the much-anticipated women’s tournament, ten-time African champions Super Falcons were drawn in Group A along with Morocco and Mali.

They are to play their matches at the newly refurbished Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, while Group B, consisting of the Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon, Black Queens of Ghana and Banyana Banyana of South Africa will play their games at Agege Stadium.

A clutch of dignitaries, including captains of industry, top officials of Lagos State Sports Commission, top acts of the local organizing committee, Super Falcons’ player and Super Falcons’ assistant coach, women’s football financiers and enthusiasts, and representatives of the media witnessed the epoch

Aisha Buhari event at the Australia Hall of the Eko Hotel & Suites in Victoria Island.

The draw ceremony was preceded by a press conference, where Chairman of the LOC, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi outlined the objectives of the tournament, which includes galvanizing the critical sectors of the country to support the women’s game better in view of the abundance of talent in the country; promote and project what Her Excellency, the First Lady, Dr Aisha Buhari

is doing with her Future Assured Programme; highlight the several opportunities and possibilities embedded in women’s football; showcase Lagos State, the Centre of Excellence and; further project to the international sphere Nigeria’s immense talent in women’s football, the good attitude of Nigerians and the organizational skill of Nigerians.

Director of Organization, Ms Aisha Falode minced no words in saying that the coming tournament is more than just football played on the field. She contended that what Her Excellency is doing with the Future Assured Programme dovetails excellently with the tenets and spirit of the FIFA Women’s Development Programme, which is all about the girl-child and her health as well as economic empowerment and educational enhancement. She revealed that the organizers want to use the tournament to build positive and enduring narratives about women’s football, Lagos State and Nigeria generally.

A member of the LOC

representing the Office of the First Lady, Dr Wole Aboderin, read Her Excellency’s speech, in which she appreciated the President of NFF and the LOC, saying the tournament provides another window to meaningfully impact the life of the girl-child. She added that she has given her full support to the project, and charged all the participants to observe Fair Play as they will be Playing for Good. There were also messages of goodwill from Super Falcons’ players Asisat Oshoala, Onome Ebi, Desire Oparanozie, Rasheedat Ajibade and Gift Monday.

THE DRAW GROUP A Nigeria Morocco Mali GROUP B Cameroon Ghana South Africa

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THURSDAY, ͹΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

Kane to Miss Spurs’ Europa Playoff Clash in Portugal Tonight Harry Kane...out of Spurs trip to Portugal

Harry Kane will not play for Tottenham in today's Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Pacos de Ferreira.

The England striker, who reportedly wants to leave the club, was not part of the group who flew on Wednesday to Portugal for the game.

Kane, 28, also missed Sunday's 1-0 win over Manchester City, the team who are trying to buy him.

He returned to training late after a post-Euro 2020 holiday in the USA.

TRANSFER NEWS Kane had been named in the 25-man squad for the game against the team who finished fifth in the Portuguese league last season.

The winner of this twolegged tie go into the group stage of the inaugural third-tier European competition.

It is thought Kane is still working on his fitness and could face Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday.

Batshuayi Seals Season-long Loan at Besiktas Forward Michy Batshuayi has joined Turkish side Besiktas on loan until the end of the season after extending his contract with Chelsea until 2023.

It is the 27-year-old's fifth loan spell since joining the Blues in 2016.

Batshuayi has previously

Manuel Locatelli...in Turin to seal Juve switch

Euro 2020 Winner Locatelli Switches to Juventus Italy and Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli has arrived at Juventus for a medical as he closes in on a move to the Serie A club.

Locatelli, 23, was part of the Italy squad that won Euro 2020 last month, scoring twice in five games and coming on as a late substitute in the final.

According to Italian media Locatelli will sign a two-year loan deal before being bought by the record 36-time Serie A champions for 35 million euros ($42.2 million) The former AC Milan player joined Sassuolo in 2018.

He has been linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool during this summer's transfer window.

Juventus missed out on the title for the first time since 2012 as they finished fourth last season and reappointed former boss Massimiliano Allegri in May

after sacking Andrea Pirlo.

Star player Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday criticised media reports linking him with a move away from the Turin club.

will feature in the Champions League.

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Marseille for £33m, Batshuayi has scored 25 goals in 77 appearances for the Blues.

He scored six goals under Frank Lampard in the 201920 season but with Tammy

Abraham and Olivier Giroud in fine form that season he struggled for opportunities.

He helped Chelsea to win the Premier League in 2016-17, his debut season.

The move comes as Romelu Lukaku returns to the Blues and Abraham departs for Roma.

“33” Export Lager Charges Super Eagles after Exciting AFCON 2021 Draw

Super Eagles of Nigeria have been charged to excel when the Africa Cup of Nations tournament starts next January in Cameroon.

The brand, “33” Export Lager beer which is the Official Beer of the Super Eagles has thrown its weight behind Nigeria in the quest to win their fourth

Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tourney Logo for Unveiling Friday The unveiling of logo for the maiden edition of Betsy Obaseki Women Football Tournament is scheduled to hold on Friday morning, August 20, 2021 at the new Banquet Hall, Government House, Benin.

A statement from the Head, Media & Communication Committee, Comrade Ebomhiana Musa said the maiden edition of the women’s football tournament will hold in the ancient city of Benin from September 26 through October 3, 2021.

had stints with Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and two spells at Crystal Palace, where he scored two goals in 18 league appearances last season.

The Belgian has not featured for Chelsea since February 2020.

Turkish side Besiktas won the 2020-21 Super Lig and

In all, 12 clubs have been invited from across the country to participate in the tournament.

The tournament, amongst others, is aimed at encouraging women football in Nigeria and to help put the invited clubs in top shape for the take off of the new league season.

In line with the pet project of the Edo State First Lady, the tournament is also aimed at pulling out adult females from the streets, especially those who show talents in football.

African title.

While reacting to the draw ceremony held in Yaoundé, Cameroon on Tuesday night which pit Nigeria against seven-time winners, Egypt, Sudan and Guinea Bissau in Group D, Senior Brand Manager of NB Plc, Aishat Anaekwe, remarked that the team should strive hard and never underrate any of the teams and make Nigerians proud.

She noted that “going by the performance of Super Eagles in recent time, there was no doubt that the team have all it takes to qualify from the group phase into the knockout stage of the competition,” she remarked.

“33” Export Lager Beer, is a partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the official lager of the Super Eagles.

Nigeria won bronze at the last edition of the tournament in Egypt in 2019 after a lone goal win over Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in the third-placed match in Cairo.

Michy Batshuayi...has sealed season-long loan spell at Besiktas

Thursday, August 19, 2021

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MISSILE Audu Ogbeh to Federal Government “We are currently witnessing large scale surrender of large numbers of Boko Haram insurgents, among whom are bomb makers, commanders, arsorrists, rapists, and child snatchers. Do we have good reason to cheer and hope for an end to this decade-old insanity? Is ‘I am sorry’ enough to bring relief to Nigerians and the thousands of dead and maimed?”

—Former Agriculture Minister and ACF chairman on ‘Operation Safe Corridor’

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

Of Taliban and ‘Repentant’ Boko Haram

T

here are different accounts of how ‘Afghanistanism’ became an English word. But the most popular is the one that traces its origin to the 1947 American Society of Newspaper Editors Convention in Washington DC. In their column, ‘Behind the Front Page’, Robert H. Stopher and James Jackson wrote that it was coined by Jenkin Lloyd Jones of Oklahoma’s Tulsa Tribune who said: “The tragic fact is that many an editorial writer can’t hit a short-range target. He’s hell on distance. He can pontificate about the situation in Afghanistan with perfect safety. It takes more guts to dig up the dirt on the sheriff.” In another account of the convention, Jones was quoted as saying, “I don’t wish to belabor this subject of Afghanistanism, this business of taking forthright stands on elections in Costa Rica, while the uncollected local garbage reeks beneath the editor’s window.”

Regardless of who first used it, the word essentially depicts a situation where people ignore pressing domestic challenges to focus attention on problems in some distant parts of the world. But as the Americans have learnt in recent days, there is really nothing like ‘Afghanistanism’ anymore.

In the world we now live in, ignoring what happens in far-flung places like Kabul can be perilous. It is a lesson that will also serve us in Nigeria, especially now that the authorities are sending ‘repentant’ Boko Haram killers back to their communities, almost as if they just returned from the Tokyo Olympics with gold medals.

I arrived New York, United States, on Sunday night to the news that Taliban fighters had finally taken Afghanistan barely a week after launching a nationwide attack. And since then, American media have gone ‘Afghanistan’ though this time, in a different context: Kabul has become the most defining political issue with far reaching implications for President Joe Biden. On Monday, the New York Times led with this headline: ‘Taliban Capture Kabul, Stunning U.S. as a 20-Year Effort Unravel in Days’. In the accompanying news analysis, the newspaper wrote on how what Biden said five weeks ago has come back to bite him.

However, Biden is not alone in proving that talk is cheap. As a scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, and Johns Hopkins University (and later, UN and World Bank official) in the United States for more than two decades, the run-away Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani was a regular opinion contributor to the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, etc. In a post in Los Angeles Times in February 1979, Ghani wrote: “The Soviets have left Afghanistan, making the collapse of the besieged puppet regime in Kabul, just a matter of time.”

The last image of Ghani (co-author of the 2009 book, ‘Fixing Failed States: A Framework for Rebuilding a Fractured World’) was of him peeping through the window of an aircraft as he fled Kabul, following the collapse of the American ‘puppet regime’ he also headed!

It is instructive that the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on the day President Muhammadu Buhari wrote, in a Financial Times opinion article, that Africa has become the new frontline for terrorism. It is an apt summation of the challenge now confronting us, made more complex by the likely resumption of Afghanistan as the global operational headquarters for the training of terrorists. Therefore, events in Kabul should compel a rethink of some of the choices we are making in the war against insurgency in Nigeria.

There are quick lessons to draw from Afghanistan. One, the capacity for endurance

President Ronald Reagan’s meeting with the Taliban at the White House in 1985

“These gentlemen are the moral equivalents of America’s founding fathers –Ronald Reagan, 1985 and staying the course by terrorists is grossly underrated. The Taliban waited out the Americans for 20 years. The moment their troops left; they simply took over the country without much trouble.

To rub insult on injury for the United States, the Taliban reportedly captured an array of modern military equipment, including combat aircraft, guns, ammunition, helicopters etc. Two, the ease with which the Taliban achieved their military objective indicates that democracy has not served Afghan people well, so they apparently saw no reason to fight for a government that has made little or no impact in their lives. Flowing from that is how the civil populace in a badly governed country can easily surrender to anything when disenchanted with the status quo. The less said

on this the better but I hope the political class in Nigeria gets the message. Three, there is no magic wand in Washington for resolving complex security problems. We have for years listened to American experts on how we could have ended Boko Haram insurgency within days but after spending more than a trillion dollars, as confirmed

by President Biden in his broadcast on Monday, all the political, military and security structures the Americans built in Kabul collapsed within days. Four, when people are desperate, they will take stupid risks as we also saw with the Afghans climbing the underside of the departing American plane on the tarmac. Five, terrorists are smarter than we give them credit for, especially in Nigeria. The manner of the Taliban take-over

When Teenagers Dare to Win!

I

n her opening remark at the 2021 Teens Career Conference of The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) last Saturday, Ms Elizabeth Ekpenyong reminded the audience that the past two years have ushered in a dramatic change in our world “and in the months and years ahead, we will require more than the wisdom of the past to navigate this new world.”

Navigating this new world was indeed the thrust of the interventions by each speaker, beginning with Chinedu Azodoh, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer at MAX, whose ‘home coming’ was celebrated, as a former teenager in the church. According to Azodoh, while COVID-19 may have come with some restrictions that have changed the way we used to live, the epidemic has also thrown up rewarding opportunities for those who can innovate. The Group Managing Director (Nigeria), NewGlobe Education, Mrs Omowale David-Ashiru, argued along similar lines. While it is true that every venture in life begins with a dream, according to her, achievement is found only with those who can raise their hands a little higher, acquire

the requisite knowledge and stand out to be outstanding, “for this brave new world is for the strong, not the slothful.”

For Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Chairman of Talent City, the first issue for young people to resolve is that of identity by asking themselves such questions as ‘Who am I? What is the purpose for my existence? What am I called out to do?’ Aboyeji concluded that dealing with those questions would help young people to avoid the tragedy of becoming successful failures.

Like previous editions, the Teens Conference this year was a great success. But we must express our appreciation to those who partnered with us to make it so: the GMD, Sahara Energy Group, Kola Adesina, CEO, Beloxxi Industries Limited, Obi Ezeude, Chairman, Phase3 Telecom, Stanley Jedege, and president, Pro-Health International, Iko Ibanga. May God continue to bless and prosper them.

In his ‘Father’s Blessings’, Pastor Eva Azodoh reminded the teenagers that to dare is to recognize that success is not achieved overnight, “it is the product of deliberate, gradual effort.”

of Afghanistan is similar to the seamless way Boko Haram operatives dissolved into the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP), following the death of Abubakar Shekau. That speaks to dexterity in leadership by the insurgents that some people delude themselves into believing have been ‘technically defeated’.

This is where I come to the controversial ‘Operation Safe Corridor’ initiative of the Army started in 2016. Few people subscribe to the idea, which means there was never a buy-in from critical stakeholders prior to implementation. The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar El-Kanemi said it would be difficult to cohabit with insurgents who have killed thousands, including at least 30 traditional rulers. “Many people were killed along with their property for 12 years. And you people and the media expect us to forget and forgive the repentant terrorists?” he queried at the weekend. Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, is no less vehement. “The war is not over and some criminals that have been killing people you say that you are doing Operation Safe Corridor for them. I am completely against that idea. They know my position on that,” said Ndume last week. “You are just telling people to go and join Boko Haram and then repent…that’s a totally unacceptable way of solving the problem.”

Ndume has been consistent on this issue and his view cannot be discountenanced because it is about his constituency. When in February last year the military announced that the second batch of 603 ‘repentant’ Boko Haram insurgents had completed their de-radicalisation programme, Ndume alleged that most of those earlier integrated into the communities had gone back to their old ways. “Many among those released have since run away. They will never repent. The government should know what to do about them, but not reintroducing someone to you, who has killed your parents or your relations”, said Ndume who cited specific examples to buttress his position.

I agree with Ndume on the factor of timing and the issue of justice. You don’t pamper killers with goodies and send them back to the families of their victims in the middle of a war that has no expiry date. Any policy based on the appeasement of criminals at the expense of justice for their victims is bound to fail, no matter the justification for it.

NOTE: Piece concluded on page 15

Adieu Baba Joda On two occasions in 2019, in the office of the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre Director General, Ms Jackie Farris, I had the privilege of sitting down with the late Alhaji Ahmed Joda to chat about ordinary issues. And I found his power of recall (he was 89 at the time) as well as capacity for analyzing complex local and international issues rather incredible. But most importantly, despite his towering figure and the respect he had earned by dint of his achievements, he was such a very simple man. At 91, Joda had lived a full life. Yet, his passage remains a huge loss to our country and Nigerians across all generations. “God gave us the gift of life,” according to French historian and philosopher, Voltaire. “It is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.”

By every standard, Alhaji Ahmed Joda certainly did. May God comfort the family he left behind.

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