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NNPC Records N20.36bn Trading Surplus in July Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) said yesterday that it recorded an increased trading surplus of N20.36 billion in July 2020 compared to the N2.12 billion

surplus in June 2020 in its operations.

NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, explained that the details of the figures were captured in the July 2020

NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR).

The corporation indicated that the 858 per cent overall growth in performance was largely due to the 178 per cent rise in the surplus posted by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company

(NPDC), NNPC’s flagship upstream entity.

It stated that NPDC’s impressive result was bolstered by the continuous improvement in global crude oil demand for the third consecutive month.

Similarly, the report said

the corporation’s fortune was further enhanced by the 739 per cent increased profit posted by the Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL) and a 51 per cent growth in performance by Duke Oil Incorporated, both subsidiaries of the NNPC. The corporation said:

“Returns from NNPC Retail Limited and Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC) during the period under review also grew by 28 per cent and 24 per cent respectively, owing to increased Continued on page 9

FG Asks Bank Account Holders to Undergo Self-certification Process... Page 10 Friday 18 September, 2020 Vol 25. No 9293. Price: N250

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Buhari Urges Caution as 2,210,534 Voters Decide Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu, Others’ Fate 483,769 fail to collect PVCs IG orders restriction of vehicular movement Omololu Ogunmade, Kingsley Nwezeh, Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin President Muhammadu Buhari last night advised political parties, candidates, and security agents to behave responsibly at tomorrow's Edo State governorship poll in which 2,210,534 voters that have picked up their permanent voter cards (PVCs) would be deciding the fate of

the gladiators.

Fourteen candidates, including the incumbent, Mr. Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would participate in the election.

Also, in a move to curb the movement of illicit arms, hard drugs, and political thugs ahead of tomorrow's Continued on page 9

Govs Direct State Attorneys General to Review Water Bill To meet finance commissioners, others on economy Chuks Okocha in Benin Governors of the 36 states of the federation have called on their Attorneys General to review the controversial National Water Resources Bill before they would take a position on it.

The governors have also resolved to play more active roles in the revival of the Nigerian economy and would schedule a meeting with state commissioners of finance, budget and planning.

Continued on page 9

COVID-19 GREETINGS...

President Roch Kabore of Burkina Faso (left) and President Muhammadu Buhari during the visit of Kabore to the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday godwin omoigui

Buhari Pledges Nigeria’s Support for Consolidation of Democracy in W’Africa... Page 5

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

Buhari Pledges Nigeria’s Support for Consolidation of Democracy in W’Africa Signs Police Bill 2020 into law

Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday pledged that Nigeria would do its best to support efforts to consolidate democracy in West African countries within the limit of its resources.

The president has also signed the Nigeria Police Bill 2020 into law.

Speaking yesterday in the State House, Abuja, while receiving President Roch Kabore of Burkina Faso, who was on a day official visit to Nigeria, Buhari said he knew countries preparing for elections and Nigeria would give them the needed support. “We are keeping tabs on situations in countries that have elections ahead. We know the countries that are calm and the ones where there have been unfortunate casualties.

"We will always support those

who have elections ahead, so that things can go smoothly,�

Buhari said.

A statement by the president's spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, said Burkina Faso would hold legislative elections in November, this year.

It noted that Kabore, who is the Chairman of the Economic and Trade Liberalisation Scheme of ECOWAS, said he was in Nigeria to discuss crucial subregional issues with Buhari.

The Burkinabe president listed such issues to include: convening a joint commission meeting between Nigeria and Burkina Faso, trade difficulties among Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of Benin and Niger Republic, and the way forward.

The statement added that Kabore commended Buhari for providing “strong leadership and support� in his capacity as Chairman of COVID-19 response

in West Africa. “I must also applaud your strong leadership against terrorism in the sub-region,�

Kabore said.

Adesina said Kabore also spoke on the situation in Mali and expressed optimism that the summit held in Accra, Ghana, on Tuesday, would yield positive results that would guarantee cohesion across West Africa.

Meanwhile, Buhari yesterday signed the Nigeria Police Bill 2020 into law.

Adesina disclosed this in a separate statement titled: “President Buhari assents to Police Bill, 2020.�

He said the president had in a memo dated September 16, 2020, communicated his assent to the bill to the National Assembly through the clerk of

the legislature.

The statement read: “The Act repeals the Police Act Cap. P19. Laws of the Federation, 2004, and provides for a more effective and well organised Police Force, driven by the principles of transparency and accountability in its operations and management of its resources. “Among others, the Act establishes an appropriate

funding framework for the police in line with what is obtainable in other federal government key institutions, enhances professionalism in the Force through increased training opportunities, and creates enduring cooperation and partnership between the Police Force and communities in maintaining peace and combating crimes nationwide.�

FG Launches Central Database for Recovered Loots

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The federal government yesterday launched two tools - the Central Database on Recovered Asset and the Central Criminal Justice Information System (CCJIS) to enhance transparency in its fight against corruption in the country.

The tools, offshoot of the Asset Tracing, Recovery and Management Regulations, 2019 and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, were to give a bite to the President Muhammadu Buhari administration's war against corruption by preventing the re-looting of recovered assets and win international collaboration towards checkmating illicit financial flow and other crimes.

The scheme, which was unveiled by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), in the presence of critical stakeholders, was aimed specifically at bringing into one central platform, recovered loots by the various anti-graft agencies in the country.

"What we are witnessing today is a product of our commitments, as a government towards the fight against corruption with particular reference to our membership of international organisations, inclusive of Financial Action Task Force, Open Government Partnership targeted at deepening transparency within this context of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

"The database that will be put in place will ensure uniformity of process and real-time access and information feeding," he said.

The minister, who noted that without the central database it would be difficult to know the exact figures of recovered assets disclosed that since 2018, Buhari has included recovered assets in the budget, adding that they are tied to specific infrastructural projects, including Kano-Abuja Expressway, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and 2nd Niger Bridge, amongst others.

Also speaking, Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, who represented the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the

occasion, noted that asset tracing, recovery, and management is a core value of good governance.

He added that the "effective management of this venture will serve as a deterrent to would be fraudulent minded individuals who may find themselves in public offices."

"States’ resources must not be allowed to be stolen, but if that happened by fraudulent individuals, efforts must be taken to trace the proceed, recover the same and manage for the interest of the generality of the people. Remember that ‘a crime is a crime,' therefore, when the proceeds of crime are traced and recovered but again re-looted by government officials, I dare to say such act amounts to the crime of tertiary capacity and must be avoided," he added.

Ozurigbo, while arguing that the initiative could not be done without effective coordination of various anti-corruption bodies in the country, said the National Assembly particularly the House of Representatives would continuously collaborate with AGF in areas of oversight and amendments of legislations when the need arises.

In a goodwill message, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Mohammed Umar, described a central database as very important in the fight against corruption.

Umar added that the establishment and efficient functioning of the centre is a task that all anti-corruption agencies must support and ensure that it succeeds.

He disclosed that EFCC already has in place a functional database where all court's orders on forfeitures are kept, adding that EFCC would key into the central database.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, said the need for a central database was long overdue. He added that information about seized assets is critical to advance the fight against corruption in the country.

ECONOMY MATTERS...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) during the virtual meeting of the National Economic Council in Abuja‌yesterday

Babalakin Resigns as UNILAG Pro-Chancellor Says outcome of visitation panel predetermined Kuni Tyessi in Abuja Pro-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), has resigned following an alleged disagreement with the federal government on the Visitation Panel sent to the university.

He said there were too many vested interests in UNILAG crisis, who were not approaching the issues objectively.

This was coming as the Special Visitation Panel set up by the federal government to look into the crisis at the university, yesterday submitted a report of its findings.

Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who inaugurated the panel, headed by Prof. Tukur Sa’ad, received the report on behalf of the federal government in Abuja.

He said the recommendations of the panel would be thoroughly scrutinised with the aim of full implementation.

Adamu said: “I am very happy to learn that the panel worked very hard within the two-weeks given to it in order to arrive at recommendations which I hope will assist the visitor in making an informed decision to solve the lingering crisis. “It is my hope that the panel directs all officials and all stakeholders who are supposed to contribute towards the resolution of the crisis in the course of his assignment in order to have a fair balance of issue at hand.

“The visitor of the university after due consideration of this report will take a decision on the matter as appropriate in order to resolve the crisis and produce a learning atmosphere in University of Lagos and the university system as a whole.�

But, Babalakin alleged that the visitation panel was raised to exonerate the Vice Chancellor and implicate the Pro Chancellor.

Babalakin, who appeared before the panel in protest, made it clear that the panel could not determine the issues before it and emphasised that he would also not be available again to serve as the chairman of the Federal Government’s Negotiation Team on the Agreement reached with university unions in 2009.

Babalakin’s letter of resignation to Adamu was dated September 15, 2020, but it was made public barely a few hours after the submission of the report of the Visitation Panel.

The same letter was copied President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the Visitor to the university.

The letter reads in part: “I would like to thank the President of the Federal of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for giving me the opportunity to serve as the Pro-Chancellor of University of Lagos from May 2017 to date. “I am also grateful that I was considered fit to be

the Chairman of the Federal Government Negotiation Team on the Agreement reached with university unions in 2009, from 6th January 2017 to date. I equally want to thank you, sir, for your role in recommending me to the President.�

He cited the reasons why he led the Governing Council of the university to remove the vice chancellor of the university from office, to include corruption and financial recklessness; forgery; complicity in the collapse of the university library and planned cover-up; deliberate policy of wrongfully concealing information; and depriving the faculties in university of funds.

The other reasons, he listed, include: concealing and distorting finances of the internally generating units of the university; undermining the academic process and seeking to appoint a professor by fiat; siphoning of the university’s funds through dubious contract awards; undermining the office of the registrar; failure to follow due process in organising the university’s convocation ceremony; and sponsoring or acquiescing in the unconstitutional actions of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Lagos chapter. “Sir, it is noteworthy that all the federal government representatives who are the independent members on the Governing Council voted for the

removal of the Vice Chancellor,� he said.

Babalakin noted that after calm had been restored in the university, the visitor acting within his powers, set up a Presidential Visitation Panel to review the actions taken by Governing Council.

According to him, the vice chancellor, who had been removed from office and himself were told to recuse themselves for the duration of the visitation panel.

Babalakin argued that he found it difficult to understand how a non-executive chairman of a governing council could be requested to recuse himself during the visitation. “The Vice Chancellor could only recuse himself if he were still in office. Implicit in this position is that the Vice Chancellor was acknowledged as still being in office despite his removal,� he added.

Babalakin faulted the terms of reference of the committee, which he claimed were set to achieve a predetermined agenda.

He added: “The terms of reference of the Visitation Panel clearly indicated to any discerning person that the Visitation Panel was empanelled to exonerate the Vice Chancellor and implicate the Pro-Chancellor.�

He insisted that the vice chancellor was removed for various reasons and not just as a result of the findings contained in the Dagari Report.

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FG, States, LGs Share N682.060bn in August 2020 Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared N682.060 billion August 2020 federation account revenue to the Federal, States and Local Government Councils and agencies.

This was made known after the monthly Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meeting for September 2020 through virtual conferencing chaired

by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmud Isa-Dutse.

The gross statutory revenue of N531.830 billion was received for the month of August 2020.

This was lower than the N543.788 billion received in the previous month by N11.958 billion.

The gross revenue available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) was N150.230 billion as against N132.619 billion available in the previous month, resulting in an increase of N17.611 billion.

A communiquĂŠ by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) indicated that from the total distributable revenue of N682.060 billion; the federal government received N272.905 billion, the

state governments received N197.648 billion and the local government councils received N147.422 billion.

The oil-producing states received N30.881 billion as 13 per cent derivation revenue, while the cost of revenue collection and transfers collectively received an allocation of N33.205 billion.

The federal government received N251.948 billion from the gross statutory revenue of N531.830 billion; the state governments received N127.791 billion and the local government councils received N98.522 billion.

N30.881 billion was given to the relevant states as 13 per cent derivation revenue and N22.689 billion was the collective total for the cost of revenue collection, transfers, and refund to agencies.

The federal government received N20.957 billion from the Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N150.230 billion.

The state governments received N69.857 billion; the local government councils received N48.900 billion, while the cost of revenue collection and transfers collectively had an allocation of N10.516 billion.

The communiquĂŠ stated that for the month of

August 2020, Oil and Gas Royalty, Companies Income Tax (CIT), Import

and Excise Duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) increased considerably, while the

Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) decreased significantly.

The balance in the Excess

Crude Account (ECA) as at September 17, 2020 stands at $72.409 million.

ROYAL VISIT...

L-R: Chief Ebigoni Ngoseigha; Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; Governor Douye Diri; and the Paramount Ruler of Oluasiri Clan, Chief Iyerite Awalulu, during the courtesy visit of Oluasiri stakeholders to the governor in Yenagoa‌yesterday

NEC Directs NUC to Develop Digital Learning Platform Wants lecturers trained on technology teaching Omololu Ogunmade in Abuja National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday rose from a virtual meeting in Abuja with a resolution asking the National Universities Commission (NUC) to equip Nigerian universities with the capacity to evolve digital learning platforms.

The council, which also directed the National Commission for Colleges of Education and National Board for Technical Education to be part of the initiative, said implementation of the directive should commence from November this year.

Briefing reporters after the meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the State House, Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, said the resolutions were the fallout of a presentation by the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba.

El-Rufai said the council also resolved that the tertiary schools' regulatory authorities should accelerate and strengthen the use of electronic digital system for all Nigerians, pointing out that doing so would enhance enrolment, retention and completion of studies at all levels and as well as eliminate fraud, forgery and certificate alteration.

The governor said NEC also resolved that the regulatory

agencies should come up with capacity building programmes for all tertiary institutions in Nigeria, including training programmes for lecturers to enable them deliver distance learning to their students.

"A national training programme to equip all university lecturers in delivering blended learning, especially the open and distance learning component should be developed by NUC, National Commission for Colleges of Education, National Board for Technical Education and implemented starting from November 2020.

This should be a rolling capacity building programme covering all our tertiary institutions.

"Finally, accelerating and strengthening the management of an electronic digital identity management system for all Nigerians. This will aid easy enrolment, retention and completion of learning at all levels as well as curb and eliminate fraud, forgery and alteration of certificates," he said.

El-Rufai, who said the outbreak of COVID-19 had had adverse effects on the country's educational system, reported that Nwajiuba told the council about measures put in place by the Federal Ministry of Education to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on schools.

He listed such measures to

Warns against complacency in handling and attitude to coronavirus

include the development of education sector COVID-19 strategy and national education sector COVID-19 response plan in collaboration with parastatals, development partners, public health experts, and the Nigerian education group.

He said the objectives of COVID-19 education response plan are to ensure continuous learning for children "through access to the best remote learning programmes appropriate for each context to meet the need of each child, including the most vulnerable."

He added: "Some may have access to the internet, but the poorest can get their lessons over the radio; some through television. So, the whole plethora of platforms were made available so that no one is left behind."

He said the plan was also aimed at building the capacity for teachers to deploy technology teaching technique the country is hitherto not used to teaching through digital technology.

"So, we need to do a lot of training. Second, we need to provide technical assistance in the selection and delivery of online digital content and offline learning resources among others," he added.

El-Rufai disclosed that the federal government had put in place some financial incentives aimed at assisting

the states in implementing the education COVID-19 response plan, explaining that select states would benefit from the COVID-19 global partnership for education (GPE) funding.

He said states that are above the national average from at least two of three criteria spelt out would benefit from GPE funding from the World Bank and other donors.

He listed states that are already qualified for GPE funding as Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Ebonyi and Jigawa states.

Others are: Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Nassarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto and Zamfara states, adding that "these are the states that made two of the three criteria for GPE funding."

El-Rufai said the council was also briefed on measures being taken to forestall an increase in the number of out of school children, bearing in mind the situation of things before the pandemic and during the pandemic.

He classified such measures into three categories, which include: the intervention of Universal Basic Education (UBE) in states, almajiri integrated quoranic teaching; and open schooling.

"Disbursement of the federal government of Nigeria, UBE intervention funds to states on equality

basis to enable them to implement tangible statebased priority projects, including the building of schools or additional classrooms, renovations, rehabilitations, procurement of furniture and equipment et cet era with a focus on enrolling more pupils or having more flexibility to do shifts.

"The Almajiri Integrated Quaranic teaching school programmes to mainstream the Almajiri boys into basic education and eradicate the out-of-school children syndrome in northern Nigeria.

"Open schooling, which is principally aimed at reducing the number of out-of-school children in the country, amongst others," he said.

In his own briefing, the Director-General of National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, said the council discussed the impact of COVID-19 on other healthcare services in the country.

According to him, the pandemic resulted in the reduction of access to other healthcare services such as immunisation, family planning, cancer care and routine health services.

However, he said in the last one month, such services have begun to pick up, adding that "we will continue to encourage people to come

forward for their health services," as doctors, nurses, healthcare workers, laboratory scientists had been trained and retrained on how to protect themselves and their patients.

NCDC DG, however, said following the reopening of the aviation sector and prospective reopening of schools, there may be a resurgence of infections, adding that "we have to be prepared for this and we have to mitigate the impact of this; we cannot lock the economy down again."

He said Osinbajo and the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, warned against complacency as a result of seeming reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases, saying "we must not look at the curve and think we have come out of this; this virus will remain with us until we have a vaccine and until we have distributed that vaccine across the country; until we get to that situation, we have to keep doing the work that we are doing."

On her part, the Minister of Finace, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, gave balances in federation accounts as at September 15 as: Excess Crude Account (ECA) $72,408,743.16; Stabilisation Account - N43,603,048,431.80 and Natural Resources Account - N138,770,528,353.88.

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PAGE NINE BUHARI URGES CAUTION AS 2,210,534 VOTERS DECIDE OBASEKI, IZE-IYAMU, OTHERS’ FATE governorship election, the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, yesterday ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in the state.

The president, in a message to voters, political parties, election officials and security personnel, said he was passionately committed to the conduct of free and fair elections.

However, he said his commitment would not be enough if other players at the poll fail to abide by the rules.

A statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, quoted the president as admonishing politicians to shun do-or-die affairs in the effort to bring democracy to the next level.

He said: "I want to see democratic standards in the country raised higher at every level, but these cannot be achieved when politicians resort to do-or-die methods to gain power by any means or machination.

"The do-or-die mentality to politics is a threat to free and fair elections because the actors are more focused on winning than caring about a fair outcome that reflects the Will of the people."

The president appealed to all political parties and their candidates to be peaceful and respect law and order.

He also advised election officials and security agents "to remain neutral to ensure free and fair elections and avoid any action(s) capable of compromising the integrity of the elections."

Buhari added that conducting free and fair elections is one of his main concerns for democracy. “I want this commitment to be one of the legacies I will leave behind when I depart office," the president said.

A total of 2,210,534 voters would tomorrow determine the fate of Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu and 12 others in the race.

According to the election bulletin obtained by THISDAY from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 1,159,325 of these voters are males, while 1,052,209 are females.

However, 483,769 voters failed to collect their PVCs. The document also showed that youths between the ages of 18 and 35 make up 50 per

cent of voters.

The electoral commission has, however, pledged neutrality and fairness in the conduct of the election just as the police have promised to deploy three officers to man each of the 2,627 polling booths in the state.

According to INEC document, Edo South Senatorial district has the highest number of registered voters with 1,281,414; followed

by Edo North with 564,122, while Edo Central Senatorial district has the least with 364,998 voters.

The document revealed that among the 14 political parties participating, 12 of the 14 governorship candidates are males, leaving two females.

The candidates for the elections are Obhafuoso Paul for Action Alliance (AA); Akhigbe Ehiabhi for the African Democratic Congress (ADP); Ibio Emmanuel for Action Democratic Party (ADP); Osagie Ize-Iyamu for APC. Others are: Lucky Idehen for All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); Igbineweka Osamuede for Allied Peoples Movement (APM); Amos Osalumese Areloegbe for All Peoples Party (APP) and Osifo Uhun-Ekpenma for Labour Party (LP).

The Nigerian People’s Party (NPP) will field Agolebun Tracy as the governorship candidate; Stevie Ozono for National Rescue Movement (NRM); incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki for PDP; Jones Osagiobare for the Young Progressive Party (YPP), while Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) would field Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena.

The election would be conducted in 193 wards located in 18 local government areas of the state.

IG Orders Restriction of Vehicular Movement Meanwhile, in a move to curb the movement of illicit arms, hard drugs, and political thugs ahead of tomorrow's governorship election, the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, yesterday ordered the restriction of vehicular movement in the state.

A police statement said the restriction of vehicular movement would commence from 11:59 p.m on Friday (today), September 18, 2020, to 6.00 p.m on Saturday, September

19, 2020.

IG, in the statement signed

by Force PRO and Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Mr. Frank Mba, said the restriction order was in line with concerted efforts at ensuring public order and safety during the election slated to hold on Saturday.

He said the measure "was informed by the need to prevent the free flow, circulation and use of illicit arms and hard drugs and checkmate the movement of political thugs and touts and other criminallyminded individuals especially from contiguous states from hijacking and disrupting the electoral process."

Adamu warned that the force would not sit idly by and watch citizens who may want to engage in any criminal, violent and destructive acts, snatching of ballot boxes, vote-buying, vote-selling, hate speeches, and other acts capable of compromising the electoral process.

He enjoined the citizens to see the restriction as part of the necessary sacrifice towards the enthronement of democracy.

PDP Protests, Demands Free, Fair Election Meanwhile, PDP national leadership yesterday led all members of NWC of the party to INEC, demanding that the commission must remain neutral in the tomorrow’s election.

Speaking with journalists after their protest to INEC headquarters in Abuja, PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, said: "We are deeply worried and in pain because of our past experience especially those of Kogi and Bayelsa states.

"We are worried because the country is in crises: crisis in economy, crisis in the area of security, virtually in all facets of the life of the nation; and the only way out of all these crises is to conduct free and fair elections, which will at most reduce the tension in our country today.

"Let me also use this opportunity to call on all the security agencies, especially the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Director-General of DSS. We have been reliably informed that over 1,500 men and the special squad are on their way to Edo State to carry out their lawful duties. We

agree, but the past elections have shown that some of the officers in plain clothes are used

by APC to replace results; it has happened.

"I believe that the situation in the country demands from all of us some level of responsibilities, to be lawabiding. Let them conduct free and fair elections, according to the rules, the electoral law. The securities are there to prevent violence, to help INEC." According to PDP national chairman, "In an election in a state like Imo where somebody that came fourth according to the results announced by INEC, but the man who took fourth was declared the winner by the court; that is not what the country needs today.

"We pride ourselves as the most populated Black country in the world in our continent, but if we cannot conduct a credible free and fair election, what will be our position? As you are aware, Ghana is setting the pace whereas Nigeria is supposed to be setting the pace for the rest of Africa to follow but today we are behind Ghana, it is a shame."

He said what took place at INEC office was a "peaceful protest to remind INEC to also speak to other security agencies not to damage the image of INEC, strictly that they should follow the rules. We believe that our message will be delivered to the chairman and we have confidence that INEC will not fail again."

He said INEC in its response pledged to conduct a free and fair election.

"They made promises before; even the security agencies made a promise before and they failed. “What legacy are we going to leave behind for the next generation of Nigerians? We want to appeal to you to use your good offices to make sure that the final order and meetings with security agencies lead to the conduct of free and fair elections. That’s all we demanding - free and fair election, transparent election, credible election - so that our country can move forward," he said.

INEC Expresses Readiness for Edo Poll, Assures of Fairness

Receiving PDP team in Abuja, INEC National Commissioner in Charge of Election and Party Monitoring, Prof. Antonia Okoosi-Simbine, told party: "The commission is aware of your fears and we will do our best to deliver on a free, fair, credible, and safe election. The commission has just returned from a visit to Edo State; the chairman and members of the commission went to Edo State to check on the processes for the election, last-minute processes.

"By the time we departed, we were very sure that virtually everything is on course. What remains is the distribution of sensitive materials and that is to take place today. Just before you arrived, the process has been concluded and all the local government has proceeded, in fact, we started with the farthest local government, they have received their materials.

"All the vehicles are being tracked to ensure and to be able to say where they are, at any point in time. So, the processes are on, if there is any local government outstanding, they are the ones within the city of Benin and that process in on.

"The commission has always given you assurances like you said. What we shall continue to do is to assure you that on our part, as the election management body, we will continue to give you our best. I want to tell you that on Saturday, we may not all be in Benin, but we are going to operate a virtual situation room where we will be seeing all that is going on in all locations and we will be dealing with problems as they arise.

"For the second time, election observers, civil society organisations, the media will be allowed access into this virtual situation room. They will be given codes with which they can join and they can ask questions; we can respond to issues as they see them. I think that is already a very high level of openness of the process. So, we have done our best.

"You raised an issue regarding result sheets. I’d like to say that at the stakeholders’ meeting that was held in Benin, your party made a request that the result sheet, the registration area which is the ward collation sheet, the local government collation sheets should be signed by REC. The

commission has directed that REC does that and that was done in the presence of parties, civil society organisations, and the media.

"So, once again, I just want to assure you that it is in our own interest, it is for our own good that a free fair, credible election goes on, on Saturday and that is what we promised that we are going to deliver."

INEC National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Chairman of Information and Publicity, Mr. Festus Okoye, also told THISDAY that the commission is ready for the election.

"We are ready for the election.

Everything is in order as planned. Yes. We are ready. All the materials for the election have been distributed. Both sensitive and non-sensitive materials have been sent to their respective and designated places under the eagle eyes of the security agencies.

"Yes, we are ready and we are ready to go,� he stated.

Okoye added that by the provisions of the Electoral Act, all campaigns ended yesterday (Thursday).

Nigeria Police had earlier warned would-be "miscreants and other political thugs� that might be planning mischief on the election day to desist from it or they would be dealt with severely.

The Deputy InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Adeleye Oyegbade, told journalists in Benin City on Wednesday that the police had carried out a security threat analysis, noting that all identified vulnerable points, entry, and exit points have been mapped out for special security coverage.

The DIG said: "Adequate police officers comprising conventional, plain-clothed policemen and Special Forces have been deployed to provide robust security, during and after the election.

"We have carried out security threat analysis hence, all identified vulnerable points, entry and exit points have been mapped out for special security coverage, while the military is expected to perform the required complementary role of outer cordoning.

"For effective manning of polling booths, no fewer than three police officers and personnel of other security agencies will be deployed in each of the 2,627 polling booths."

Aba-Enugu network accounted for 28 per cent each, while PHC-Aba and the other locations recorded 14 per cent and the remaining 31 per cent respectively. “NNPC in collaboration with the local communities and other stakeholders have continuously striven to reduce the menace of pipeline vandalism," the statement said.

The July NNPC MFOR published monthly on the

corporation’s website, national dailies and online media was the 60th edition in the series, the corporation said, was meant to sustain effective communication with stakeholders.

NNPC RECORDS N20.36BN TRADING SURPLUS IN JULY sales and improved debt collection. “In the gas sector, gas production in July 2020 increased by 2.19 per cent at 236.34 billion cubic feet (BCF) compared to the output in June 2020; translating to an average daily production of 7,623.98Million standard cubic feet of gas per day (mmscfd). “Likewise, the daily average natural gas supply to gas power plants stood at 707mmscfd,

equivalent to power generation of 2,421MW,� the national oil company noted.

It stated that for the period July 2019 to July 2020, 3,079.64BCF of gas was produced, representing an average daily production of 7,812.11mmscfd during the period.

Period-to-date Production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and NPDC, the

corporation noted, contributed about 70.88 per cent, 20.37 per cent and 8.75 per cent respectively to the total national gas production. “In the downstream sector, to ensure continuous stability in Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) supply and effective distribution across the country, 1.02 billion litres of PMS translating to 32.95mn litres/day were supplied for the month.�

In the July NNPC MFOR,

the company stated that the corporation had continued to diligently monitor the daily stock of petrol to achieve smooth distribution of petroleum products and zero fuel queues across the nation.

The report noted that during the period under review, 36 pipeline points were vandalised, representing about nine per cent increase from the 33 points recorded in June 2020. “Atlas Cove-Mosimi and

GOVS DIRECT STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL TO REVIEW WATER BILL These were some of the resolutions contained in a communique issued after the 17th Teleconference meeting of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, held on Wednesday.

The communiquĂŠ, which was signed by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was released yesterday in Abuja.

According to the communique, the governors "while commending the Minister of Water Resources for taking an integrated approach to water resource management as a national good, resolved that the proposed Bill and other relevant laws,

including the River Basins Development Authorities Act 2004; the Natural Water Resources Act 2004; and the Nigeria Hydrological Resources Act 2004 will be reviewed by their Attorneys General and Executive Councils of states after which a common position of the states will be presented to Water Resources."

The communique said the decision was reached when the Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, briefed the forum on the National Water Resources Bill 2020.

The minister emphasised that the basic philosophy behind the bill is to integrate

water resources management in the country by bringing all laws related to water resources management into one consolidated code.

He noted that the new bill is consistent with the Land Use Act, and would promote equitable development, management, use and conservation of Nigeria’s surface and groundwater resources.

The governors resolved to schedule a more intensive session on economic management with their commissioners of finance, budget and planning based on the presentation of Mr. Bismarck Rewane, a member of the Presidential Economic

Advisory Council.

Fayemi said: “The forum will be playing a strategic role in the forthcoming 26th Nigerian Economic Summit (NES #26), which is designed to focus on the sub-nationals as the frontiers for economic growth and development in the country. “It will bring together local and global policymakers, business leaders, development partners, and scholars to lead and participate in sessions that will focus and participate in sessions that will focus on building strategic partnerships and cooperation between governments, business

enterprises, and civil society. “At least 18 governors will take part in physical and virtual high-level panel dialogues from 26th to 27th October 2020.�

The communique said the governors received further updates and presentations from Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which provided updates on behalf of NGF Sub-Committee interfacing with the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

In his brief, the communique said, the governor highlighted the role of government in monitoring controls as the country welcomes international travellers.

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10

FRIDAYSEPTEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

FG Asks Bank Account Holders to Undergo Self-certification Process Peter Uzoho The federal government has directed holders of accounts with financial institutions to

undergo a self-certification process.

The directive was announced yesterday via the federal government’s Twitter handle.

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Rise By 131 to 56,735

Martins Ifijeh

Nigeria has recorded 131 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 56,735 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Lagos recorded 45 new cases; Kaduna and Plateau, 17 each; Federal Capital Territory (FCT),16; Delta

and Niger, six each; Kwara, five; Oyo, three; Akwa Ibom, Ekiti, Cross River, Enugu, Osun and Sokoto, two each; while Bauchi, Ebonyi, Katsina and Rivers recorded one each.

It said: “Nigeria has so far recorded 56,735 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 48,092 patients have been discharged, while 1,093 persons have died.”

Account-holders are required to obtain, complete and submit the self-certification forms to their respective financial institutions.

The federal government said individuals who hold accounts in different financial institutions would have to collect and submit separate forms to each of the institutions.

Three categories of forms

for entities, individuals and controlling person -individuals having a controlling interest in a legal person, trustee, are said to be available “The forms are required by the relevant financial institutions to carry out due diligence procedures in line with the Income Tax Regulations 2019,” it said.

“Failure to comply with the requirement to administer or execute this form attracts sanctions which may include monetary penalty or inability to operate the account.”

The Cable reported that it was not yet clear how the selfcertification process differs from the bank verification number (BVN) and national identification

number (NIN).

The BVN is a prerequisite to owning a bank account and it is used to link all bank and pension accounts owned by an individual.

The NIN is also another form of identification introduced by the federal government and is a prerequisite for getting an international passport.

Nigerian Travellers Must Pay for COVID-19 Test, FG Insists

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The federal government has again insisted that it is the responsibility of Nigerians travelling abroad to pay for the cost of COVID-19 test as specified by several countries.

The Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha made the clarification yesterday when the task force addressed the media.

Although the matter is already before the Senate Joint Committee, Mustapha admitted that it would be out of place to use public funds to conduct COVID-19 test for travellers as such is not provided in the 2020 budget.

Mustapha, who is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, estimated the figures of persons that travel out of the country at about six million yearly.

He also stated that it costs the country at N13 billion to obtain one million test kits. ‘’If you calculate that money, it is a huge amount of money and it is a matter of balance.

Do we want to pass this huge expense to the public purses?

Travels are leisure and private; we must share the responsibility as

it is the common global practice.

I don’t think the commonwealth of Nigeria should be used for that purpose. ‘’If you go the UK today and you want a test, you will pay for it. It is £250. It is $360 in Iceland; $206 in Austria and $165 in Cambodia. Several countries have set their own requirements for tests. What is provided in the budget is what will be used for the National Response. The Senate Joint Committee appreciates that and said they will engage with the ministries and the FCTA to see how they can provide responses in the 2021 budget,’’ Mustapha said.

Meanwhile, the National Coordinator on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu has said that children below the age of 10 have been excluded from undergoing PCR test if they do not require the test outside country.

While speaking at yesterday’s PTF briefing, Aliyu, however, said the exemption does not apply to foreign diplomats who are required to present their PCR Negative results at the airport and the second test seven days after arriving at the country.

Fayemi Mourns Demise of Nollywood Veteran Actor, Jimoh Aliu Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the passage of renowned theatre arts practitioner and prominent indigene of the state, Chief Jimoh Aliu, who passed on yesterday.

Fayemi said the death of Aliu was a huge loss to the state and Nigeria in general given his contributions to the development of performing arts and the state.

The governor described Aliu as a rare and extraordinary talent whose impact was felt in the entertainment industry locally and internationally.

Fayemi said Aliu’s worth has been recognised by the Ekiti State Government during his first tenure when

the late theatre practitioner was honoured with the Ekiti State Merit Award, and by the federal government as a Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR).

He further described the deceased as a multi-talented personality who functioned as an actor, dramatist, playwright, singer, film maker, producer, director, costumes and location manager and sculptor.

The governor credited Aliu with producing blockbuster movies like “Iku Jare Eda,” “Arelu,” “Irinkerido,” “Yanpon Yanrin,” “Fopomoyo,” among others.

He noted that the late culture icon was a promoter of Ekiti brand and was proud of his state of origin in the course of his 61-year-long career on stage.

MILITARY COLLABORATION UNDERWAY...

L-R: Outgoing Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, Maj. Gen. Wakar Ahmed Kingravi (rtd); Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas; Pakistani Defence Attache, Col. Iftikhar Ahmed; and Chief of Naval Transformation, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Matthew Emuekpere, during the envoy’s working visit to the Naval Headquarters in Abuja...yesterday

Nurses, Midwives Issue Strike Notice over Petrol Price, Electricity Tariffs The National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) has handed a two-week ultimatum within which the federal government should reverse the increase in the price of fuel and electricity tariffs or face an indefinite strike.

The NANNM expressed these decisions in the directive signed by its General Secretary, T.A. Shettima, issued to its State chairmen and Secretaries and sent to journalists in Abuja yesterday.

The document reads, “I write to forward herewith the communique issued at the

end of the Central Working Committee of the NLC held on September 16 2020.

“In summary, the meeting discussed the unprecedented hike in the cost of petrol (and) the outrageous increase in electricity tariffs.

“The meeting resolved to issue a 14 days ultimatum

to the Federal Government within which to reverse the increases or face an indefinite strike.

“You are by this letter directed to start mobilisation and sensitisation of our members. We shall keep you posted on any further development in this regard.”

FG Establishes COVID-19 Vaccine Company Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government yesterday said it has established a vaccine company that will help in the procurement and possibly manufacturing of vaccines for the treatment of COVID-19 in the country.

Making the disclosure yesterday while speaking at a media briefing by Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19

in Abuja, the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, said Nigeria is ready to grab the opportunity to collaborate with any country that shows genuine promise of developing reliable vaccine for COVID-19.

He said: “We are in conversation with Russia, and our strategy is to look at countries that have vaccines that proved to be reliable, and then seek ways of collaborating

with them, obtain vaccines from them or manufacture them under licence where possible.

“The federal government has a vaccine company that is just beginning to work on projects known as Bio-vaccine Company Limited, which it has a share in.”

The minister disclosed that the company is being positioned to serve as a vehicle

for further engagement with countries and other entities in sourcing vaccine for the treatment of COVID-19.

With regard to the engagement the federal government had with the Russian envoy on possible collaboration to get COVID-19 vaccine being developed by that country, Ehanire said both sides are continuing discussion over the issue.

Reforms Push Non-oil Tax Revenue up Ndubuisi Francis and James Emejo in Abuja The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) stated yesterday that it has continued to record significant increase in collectable tax revenue from the non-oil sector of the economy, despite the huge negative economic impact caused by the COVID-19

pandemic.

The Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Muhammad Nami made the disclosure in Abuja during a courtesy call on the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, by the FIRS’ board.

Nami attributed the increase in the non-oil sector receipt to reform measures introduced

by the FIRS’ Board and management as well as the renewed vigour in the Service’s workforce.

According to Nami, non-oil tax receipts have consistently contributed 75-90 per cent of total tax revenue in recent months.

He disclosed, for instance, that out of N490 billion collected by

the Service in July, only N52 billion was from the oil sector while the balance was through non-oil receipts.

Nami commended the minister for her support to the FIRS and its board since their inauguration earlier in the year and solicited a closer working relationship between the Service and her ministry.

Edo Election: Obaseki Declares Friday Work-free Day Ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Edo State, Governor Godwin Obaseki has declared Friday (today), September 18, 2020 as work-free day to enable workers in the State Public Service travel to their respective constituencies to

exercise their franchise.

In a statement issued yesterday, Edo State Head of Service, through the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Aziegbemhin PE, noted that: “Sequel to the forthcoming Edo State gubernatorial

election scheduled to hold on Saturday September 19, 2020, Mr. Governor has approved Friday, September 18, 2020 as a work-free day to enable workers in the state public service travel to their respective constituencies to exercise their

franchise” “Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments are requested to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of their staff,” the Head of Service directed.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

11

NEWS

ICPC Quizzes Four Officials of REA over Solar Power Contracts Kingsley Nweze in Abuja Operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) yesterday interrogated four senior officials of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for alleged corrupt practices.

The four senior officials, THISDAY gathered are the Managing Director of the agency and three other directors.

It was alleged that the top officials are under investigation for alleged abuse of procurement laws on four projects.

The N143.9million projects were 53kWp Solar Hybrid Mini-Grid at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital; 25KWF Solar Mini-Grid at Public Health Laboratory in Lagos; 20KWP Solar Mini Grid in Ikenne; and 10 KWP Solar Mini-Grid in Iberekodo Isolation Centre

We Inherited N106.9bn Unpaid Welfare Debt, Ogun Tells Workers Ogun State government has called on the representative of the organised labour in the state, to return to the negotiation table to finalise the grey areas of the demand for better welfare for the workers and in the interest of the generality of the people of the State.

A statement issued yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Adetokunbo Talabi, noted that government considered the abrupt withdrawal of the labour team and unilateral declaration of one-week strike as unfair, indecorous and violation of the principles of collective bargaining, adding that it was a surprise that labour would take the step even when the negotiation process was still on.

The statement informed the

labour that the state government inherited N106.9billion unpaid welfare package.

Tracing the genesis of the crisis to the Pension Reform Bill, passed by the State House of Assembly ,which labour noted did not seek their opinion and inputs, Talabi said the government, after due apology for the lapses, set up a team to liaise with the House of Assembly and representatives of labour to trash out arreas of concerns.

He said government was taken aback as “labour manifested brinkmanship, where instead of labour input into the Pension Reform Bill as agreed, they issued a notice of trade dispute with demands that transcended the Pension Reform Bill”.

Diri Seeks Peace with Rivers over Boundary Dispute Onungwe Obe in Yenagoa Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the Rivers State Government to accept the initiative offered by Bayelsa State Government for the peaceful resolution of the dispute between Oluasiri Clan in Bayelsa State and their Kalabari neighbours in Rivers State.

The Oluasiri communities in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and their Kalabari Ijaw kinsmen are locked in a dispute arising from the location of oil wells within their common boundary.

Speaking in the Government House in Yenagoa during a meeting with stakeholders from the Oluasiri clan led by the Paramount Ruler, Chief

Iyerite Chiefson Awululu, Diri equally sought the support of Ijaw leaders and elders to resolve the age-long feud between the two Ijaw communities.

In a statement issued by his acting Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor assured them that the state government would protect its territories and work with the communities to ensure that they are secure.

He said, “I’m calling on my brother governor of our sister state that this is the time that we need to look at the realities. As a people from the old Rivers State, we need to sit together and resolve our internal disputes, which should be easy to do because both feuding communities are of the Ijaw extraction.

North-east Govs Appoint Senator Abba Aji Forum’s Executive Secretary The North-east Governors’ Forum has appointed Senator Muhammad Abba Aji as Executive Secretary in charge coordinating the forum’s affairs and head of secretariat for an initial period of two years.

Borno State Governor who is the Chairman of the forum, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, conveyed the appointment in a letter he signed, which was dated September 15, 2020.

“Following the unanimous decision of the Governors of the North East Forum, and in

my capacity as the Chairman of the North East Governors Forum (NEGF), it is my honour and pleasure to offer you the position of the Executive Secretary of the North East Governors Forum from the date of this letter.

“Your academic background and wealth of experience in both public and the private sector, with particular mention to your legislative experience in the National Assembly and corporate experience in the financial sector informed the decision of the forum on your choice.

in Ogun State.

It was also learnt that the projects were allegedly executed before the Certificate of No Objection for the contracts was received by REA on August 13, 2020.

Another petition has been sent to the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Anti-corruption (PACA), Prof.

Itse Sagay, against the same four officials The REA officers were invited by the ICPC through a September 10, 2020 letter by its Acting Director, Investigation, Mr. Hassan Mohammed.

The letter read in part: “The commission is investigating a case of alleged violation of provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related

Offences Act, 2000. “In view of the foregoing and pursuant to Section 28 of the cited Act, you are requested to appear before the undersigned at the commission’s headquarters, Abuja on Thursday, 17th September 2020 at 1000hrs for interview.

“Accordingly, you are also required to direct the under listed officers of your agency to appear before the before the undersigned on dates specified against their names at 1000hrs.”

The affected officers are the Director, Procurement, Executive Director, Technical Services and Executive Director, Rural Electrification Fund.

“You are all expected to come along with anyone of the following: A lawyer, Justice of

Peace, Official of the Legal Aid Council or any other individual of your choice. Accept the assurances of the chairman’s high regards, please.”

As at 11a.m, the MD of REA and the three directors were ushered in for interaction by the investigators.

A top source in ICPC said: “The REA officials came in respect of some contracts. They are with us but we will not detain them after interrogation.

“It is normal to interview those connected with any petition sent to us. It is a routine questioning based on allegation of corrupt practices.”

It was learnt that ICPC acted on a petition by Maarifa Solicitors against the Board of REA. In the petition, which was

signed by Olakunle Tayo Fapohunda, the solicitors alleged serious complaints of corrupt practices, circumvention of due process and procedures which are incompatible with the code of conduct for public officers.

“We are aware that every public servant in Nigeria has a bounden duty not to do or direct to be done in abuse of his office any arbitrary act prejudicial to the rights of any other person knowing that such act is unlawful or contrary to any government policy.

The petitioners raised issues concerning two Sola Hybrid mini-grids projects by REA in Abuja and Lagos.

They alleged that the two projects were trailed by corrupt practices.

CRIMINALS IN TROUBLE...

L-R: Commander, Police Area Command Headquarters, Orba, ACP Edwin Ogbeghagha; Enugu State Commissioner for Police, CP Ahmad Abdurrahman; Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and a member of the House of Representatives, representing Udenu/ Igbo-Eze North Federal Constituency, Hon. Simon Atigwe, during the inauguration of the new Police Area Command in Orba, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State ... yesterday.

WHO: 41,000 African Health Workers Infected with COVID-19 Over 41,000 health workers have been infected with COVID-19 in Africa, the World Health Organisation (WHO), said yesterday.

While calling on African governments and other stakeholders to make greater investments and sustained commitments to the working conditions and safety of healthcare workers, the agency stressed the need for patients and health workers protection

from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, the federal government commended the heroic roles played by healthcare workers at the frontline of COVID-19 including working at odd hours, suffering discomfort, stigma, risk to infection, and death.

The government stressed that many health workers have lost their lives to COVID-19 globally.

The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, and Minister of Health, Dr.

Osagie Ehanire, stated this in separate messages to mark this year’s World Patient Safety Day with the theme: ‘Health Worker Safety: A Priority for Patient Safety.”

Moeti said the agency, in collaboration with its partners, national and provincial authorities, has trained more than 50,000 health workers in the African Region in COVID-19 infection, prevention, and control.

She said, “In the WHO African Region, more than 41,000 health workers have been infected with COVID-19, accounting for 3.8 per cent of all reported cases. Some countries, like Sierra-Leone and Cote d’Ivoire have made progress in reducing the proportion of health worker infections. Others such as Eritrea, Rwanda, and Seychelles have not recorded a single case of COVID-19 among health workers.

Oyo APC Resolves Crisis, Vows to Unseat Makinde Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Prominent chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State yesterday met in Ibadan, the state capital, and vowed to settle all crises within the party and reclaim the state from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The APC chieftains, who called on their supporters and members of the party to see

themselves as one, insisted that the need to come together is necessary in sending the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, packing.

Present at the meeting held in Ibadan included the Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof.

Adeolu Akande; a former Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu; Senators Soji Akanbi and Ayo Adeseun, and

Alhaji Abu Gbadamosi who chaired the meeting.

Others were Chief Goke Oyetunji, Chief Niyi Akintola, Alhaji Fatal Ibikunle, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, Bosun Oladele and Sunbo Olugbemi.

In a communique issued at the end of the meeting and signed by a former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), who is the Chairman of the communique drafting

committee, Alhaji Waheed Olajide, and Chairman of NCC, Prof. Akande, who is the secretary of the communique drafting committee, the chieftains urged the various groups in the party to sheath their swords and work for the unity of the party in order to unseat the ruling PDP, disclosing that all contentious issues within the party have been examined and resolved.

Ondo Guber: ZLP Rules out Alliance with PDP James Sowole in Akure

The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in Ondo State yesterday said it is not and will not contemplate any alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The party made the

declaration against the backdrop of a report in a national daily that the ZLP would be collaborating with the PDP in the forthcoming election.

The ZLP made the clarification in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Felix Olatunde, saying all stakeholders and the public should note that it

has not and will not contemplate any alliance or collaboration with the PDP in the governorship election.

“The blatant lie reported could at best be a product of the fertile imagination of the author and or his undisclosed source or sources.

“The only alliance we

have is with the people of Ondo State to oust Governor Oluwarotime Akeredolu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Government House, Alagbaka, and for this purpose, will welcome those who are interested in joining our party in that direction,” Olatunde said.

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FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Police Confirm Killing of DPO, Inspector

By Bandits in Sokoto Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed that two of its officers were killed by bandits in an attack carried out yesterday by bandits.

A statement issued yesterday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Muhammad Abubakar Sadiq, identified the victims as an unnamed Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and one Inspector Mohammed Abdullahi.

The statement added that one ASP Sani Abdullahi sustained injury on his leg.

The statement confirmed that the DCO of Gidan Madi

Divisional Headquarters in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state reported the unwarranted bandits attack.

“On 17/0/2020, there was an unwarranted armed banditry attack reported by DCO, Gidan Madi Division.

“The Divisional Police Headquarters was attacked by a group of about 100 armed men dressed in army camouflage uniform.

“As a result of an overwhelmingly heavy exchange of fire, the DPO and one Inspector Mohammed Abdullahi were shot dead, while one ASP Sani Abdullahi sustained injury on his leg”.

The statement further said the Commissioner of Police

immediately led a team of forces which include: DCP Operations, Commander of PNF and Area Commanders to the scene of the incident.

“He assess the situation, held emergency meeting with the sole administrator, district head, heads of sister security agencies with a view to strengthening the security architecture of the area to forestall further attacks

and bring the perpetrators to book” The statement however disclosed that a team of investigators led by DCP SCID has commenced investigation in earnest while intelligence report is also being gathered for aerial support operations.

The gunmen were also said to have abducted two wives of a prominent businessman

in the area.

According to sources, the marauders struck around 1am, while the policemen were ambushed and killed while trying to rescue the abductees.

Another account said the bandits first stormed the station, killed the DPO, and one inspector of police before abducting the housewives at their residence.

It was said that the bandits went away with the guns of the slain officers.

The spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, Sadiq, had earlier confirmed the attack.

“At the moment, it is confirmed that there was an unwarranted attack on the Gidan Madi Divisional Headquarters last night.

Okunbo: Secured Anchorage Area Has Saved Nigeria Billions of Dollars Eromosele Abiodun and Nume Ekeghe Business mogul, Captain Hosa Okunbo has disclosed that his operation of the Secured Anchorage Area (SAA) has saved Nigeria billions of dollars Okunbo also pointedly accused Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki of being behind clandestine plots to attack his business and demarket him.

Speaking yesterday on ‘The Morning Show,’ a programme of the ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspaper, Okunbo claimed that the governor tried to stop his operation of the SAA through the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi and his pipeline contract with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

While stressing that the SAA is fully operational despite the plots, he vowed that no individual or entity can stop the operation of SAA because his company Ocean Marine Services (OMS) Limited had an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy for the protection of vessels, which still exist.

According to him, “There was never an issue about the secure anchorage, I want to make it

clear that the secure anchorage area in Lagos, I have no contract with Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and with NIMASA. What I have is an MoU with the Navy and there is no way L-R: Special Assistant in charge of Operations to the Managing Director of Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Mr. NPA would be able to cancel Adegbolahan Dixon; Managing Director of LASAA, Prince Adedamola Docemo; and the Head of Client Services and Registration, Mrs. Buky my contract without the Navy. Ayodele, during a press conference on the palliative for outdoor advertising practitioners in Lagos...yesterday I am providing a service in the anchorage for safety of ships in this country. Before that, Lagos area was a mess.

“The secure anchorage is still working. I still have the MoU with the navy. I know how much yesterday while addressing also stressed that the APC a problem by saying there are I have saved this country from Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja journalists after he held a leadership in the state is united issues about leadership, we pipeline vandalism, I saved this don’t have faction in leadership country billions of dollars and A member of the Caretaker meeting with APC stakeholders and there are no factions.

Mamman added: “We don’t in Adamawa State. Since I was the record is there. We have been Committee of the All from Adamawa State.

Asked about the rumoured have that (leadership crisis) as appointed, I have been meeting able to bring a solid brand of Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Tahir Mamman (SAN), extension of tenure of then an issue at all. As a member with all the stakeholders value addition.”

Okunbo, who is a stakeholder has stated that the committee caretaker committee, he of the caretaker committee, from the Northeast, not just in Edo State politics, denied been led by the Governor of Yobe explained: “I don’t know I’m telling you now that as Adamawa State.”

Meanwhile, four aspirants, a member of the All Progressives State, Mai Mala Buni, was not anything about that. As far far as we are concerned, we contemplating the extension as we are concerned, we are don’t have that as an issue who contested the APC Congress (APC). working within our mandate. It at all. There are very senior primary election for the “I just have sentiment for of their tenure. is left for those who appointed stakeholders-all members of Cross River North senatorial He added that as far as the APC at this moment. I am a stakeholder just like the market committee is concerned, it is us to feel if there is a need to the National Assembly, the bye-election, have all agreed women and every citizen in the working within its mandate, give an extension, but at the Secretary to the Government to support the winner of the state. Whatever I have to support which is to heal, rejuvenate moment, we are not working of the Federation (SGF)-these primary, Mr. Joe Agi (SAN), with any extension.” are very senior stakeholders. to win the senatorial seat for the candidate who is facing a and rebuild the party.

The caretaker member So, we don’t want to generate the party.

Mamman disclosed this monster of a state government who has all the resources at his disposal to do what he likes in this state. Some of us would be committed to actually supporting Eromosele Abiodun According to Moghalu, “there was also a briefing on important for us in the Maritime a candidate that has not worked the meeting looked at issues Nigerian Railway Corporation Sector to have decided to for a God knows how long.

The Managing Director of concerning maritime security (NRC) for its support on cargo setup a platform we can share National Inland Waterways and safety adding that briefings movement from the ports to the ideas, synergize where we Authority (NIWA), Dr. George were received from NIMASA and dry Port especially in Kaduna, can contribute our quarter in Moghalu has disclosed that all NIWA on efforts made so far in there was update from the DG developing polices and building federal government agencies in the area of trade, development of NIMASA on the deployment the Maritime Industry.

“This is our third meeting and the maritime sector are looking of manpower, enforcing the of a modular floating dock.

“The committee also looked at is expected that this meeting will for ways to harmonise their protocols to reduce the carnage on Nigeria’s waterways, and the the movement of cargoes from continue as we set issues that operations.

Moghalu disclosed this while removal of wrecks, “which is Lagos Port to Onitsha River concern the Maritime Industry. briefing journalists at the end of being address by all the sister Port and other Ports within the We will discuss to find solutions its best capabilities. The EFCC the monthly meeting of heads of agencies in the country.”

Country putting to active use of so that we can put them to use in performs three functions albeit maritime agencies in the sector He further stated, the meeting the Waterways and also other our various establishments and related but unnecessary to hosted by NIWA its headquarters set up a committee on multi- related issues were deliberated. “ at the same time bring solutions concentrate on one agency- in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Model approach to cargo delivery, He added, “It is very to the government at large.” investigations, prosecution, and assets recovery.

“The standard recommended and indeed prescribed by the Financial Action Task Force, the Nigerians irrespective of religion the endless pursuits. perpetrated nationwide, the such an egalitarian society, international agency mandated or political divide have been These remarks were unfortunate insecurity, as where all will be proud of as with proceeds of crime matters, assured of God’s very divine contained in the Sermon well as other ungodly diseases a nation, especially where no is that these functions vested in glorious restoration, provided delivered by the Bishop of enveloping the nation and the man is oppressed.

EFCC must be carried out by they religiously adhere to God’s United African Methodist entire globe might still persist.

Sanyaolu reminded Nigerians distinct agencies for competence dictate and absolute obedience Evangelical Church, Abule To this end, Sanyaolu, while to praise God at all times, and efficiency and transparency. to the 10 Commandments, as Ijesha, Yaba, Lagos, Rt. Rev. admonishing those embracing support the Church, especially “I fully support divesting well as to firmly demonstrate Zaccheus Sanyaolu, at its the divine godly characters, during harvest thanksgiving EFCC from managing assets recovered from proceeds of such Godly divine tenents, in 2020 year Adult Harvest was very also quick to warn service.

Sanyaolu, however, berated crime and further divestment making life very worthy than Thanksgiving Service, with its others against satanic, demonic Theme, ‘Gracious Restoration’. characters, such as rape, the unfortunate state of the of their power to prosecute is they met such.

In addition, they must also The cleric stated that except kidnapping, fraud and other nation, stemming from very necessary. This will make the diligently believe in being their Nigerians fervently repented heinous characters to, desist godless, painful, economic anti-corruption strategy more brothers’ keepers, as well as in from such unholy life being forthwith, in order to build situation of the country. effective.”

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No Plan to Extend Tenure of APC Caretaker Committee, Says Member

Agencies Move to Harmonise Operations in Maritime Sector

Agbakoba Backs FG on Proceeds of Crime Assets Recovery Agency A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), yesterday praised the federal government on its decision to establish the Proceeds of Crime Assets Recovery Agency.

Agbakoba said the agency would reduce the workload of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which, hitherto, handled that activity.

Agbakoba said: “I congratulate the federal government and especially the Attorney-General of the Federation on the establishment of the proceeds of crime assets recovery agency.

“My reason is simple; the EFCC is saddled with far too many responsibilities beyond

Cleric Promises Nigerians Divine Restoration

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

13

NEWS

APC Raises the Alarm over Alleged Arrival of Thugs in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has raised the alarm over the alleged arrival of thugs in the state capital, Benin-city, yesterday night and the alleged recruitment of thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the state Governor, Godwin

Obaseki, stating that the latest alleged recruitment occurred in Warri in Delta State.

This was revealed in a statement by the Publicity Secretary of the state APC, Mr. Chris Azebanmwani, who said the alleged thugs gained entrance into Benin-city and that more are ready to arrive in the city.

He disclosed that: “One of my good sources in Delta State called me and told me that our election will be “bloody”. He told me that thugs in Delta State are currently mobilising. He has some of them in his contact, and that Obaseki is looking for more thugs. Some of

them have already taken off from Warri yesterday and more will be leaving there in morning. These are people that were given clear instruction on what to do once they enter Edo State.

They will lie low and carry out some kidnappings then unleash myhem on Saturday

morning.”

On the direness of the situation, Azebanmwan said: “The security agencies that have been deployed in the state and the resilience of our people will nullify all the thugs that the governor is bringing in. People are so tired of Obaseki that they

actually believe that the governor’s second term must not be. Second term with the man is as good as packing out of Edo State.

His governance is like giving gun to a baby to play with, so the people will come out to collect the power of Edo State from him.”

PDP Alleges Plot to Move Money from Lagos to Rig Edo Poll Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has raised the alarm on alleged plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use private jets and helicopters to move money from Lagos to Edo State in order to rig the state governorship election in favour of the APC. The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chris Nehikhare, who stated this yesterday, noted that last Tuesday, the electorate in the state were awakened to a vexatious broadcast by a national leader of APC, “where he insulted the intelligence of the Edo people by asking them to overlook the developmental strides made by the candidate of the PDP in the election, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and hand him the treasure of the state to extend his empire to our dear state.

“We have it on good authority that APC national leader, working in concert with the leadership of the APC in Edo State, has gone a step further from the inciting broadcast by sending down helicopters and

private jets loaded with money in an attempt to buy our state and annex it as a part of his fiefdom.

“We want the electoral umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), observers and other stakeholders in the electoral process to take note of this move and ensure that necessary actions are taken to avert the sinister plot to subvert the will of the Edo people on Saturday.”

Nehikhare further alleged of plot by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) in league with the APC to cut off power supply to the collation centres across the state at critical time like on Saturday, urging the National Electricity Regulatory Company (NERC) to sanction the Disco if it goes ahead with orders issued by the management.

“We are alerting BEDC and its management that we are aware of their plot, and that Edo people would vehemently resist the role to cooperate in attempting to undermine their will in this election,” he stated.

TOWARDS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION...

L-R: Chief Executive Officer of Infracredit, Mr. Chinua Azubuike; Chief Commercial Officer of Ikeja Electric, Enobong Laureatta Ezekiel; Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Olalere Odusote; Chief Executive Officer of Mojec International, Chantelle Abdul; and Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Innovation and Technology, Mr. Olatubosun Alake, during the Software Solution Selection Day at Access Bank’s head office, in Lagos… yesterday SUNDAY ADIGUN

Wike Redeems N30m Pledge on Bobisky’s Arrest Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt The Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has redeemed his pledge of N30 million being a bounty placed on the arrest of a notorious criminal and kidnapper, Honesty Digbara, popularly known as Bobisky.

The State Commissioner for Police, Mr. Joseph Mukan, disclosed this to journalists yesterday during a briefing at

the state command.

Mukan described Wike as a promise keeper and assured that the command under his watch will continue to do its best to ensure the State is crime-free.

“I am glad to inform you that today (Thursday) His Excellency redeemed that pledge he placed a bounty on Boboski.

“He released the sum of N30million as he promised to the command to get it across to

the informants who assisted the police in the arrest of Boboski.

“He (Wike) equally appreciates everybody, including the media who have been so helpful with vital information and other members of society.

“I will like to appreciate him sincerely on behalf of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for fulfilling his promise,” he stated.

He, however, said it was not

the bounty placed on Boboski that made the police to pursue the criminal and got him eventually but that he had assured people of the state that he will fight crime to a standstill when he assumed as the new police boss.

He assured the people of Ogoni and other parts of the state that the command will continue to do its best, saying the promise kept by the governor was a morale booster.

Ahead of the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States, the Police Service Commission (PSC) yesterday warned that personnel of the Nigeria Police deployed in Edo and Ondo States must operate within the law.

It said any infractions on the laws and rules guiding election policing by any officer would be investigated and appropriate sanctions applied.

powered team of the PSC was already in Edo State to monitor the conduct of policemen on electoral duties during the state governorship poll scheduled for September 19.

The statement signed by the spokesman of the Commission, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said the team was led by the Commissioner representing human rights organisations

representative of the media in the commission, Hon Austin Braimoh.

“The commission wishes to advise that all police officers on electoral duty in Edo State must operate within the law and rules of engagement, as any infractions on the laws/ rules guiding the election policing by any officer will be investigated and appropriate sanctions applied,” it said.

the leadership of the police charged with maintaining peace and order during the election in the state that every security arrangement was in place to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful poll.

He added that the commission also released dedicated telephone numbers for complaints and commendation on the conduct of police during the exercise.

NERC Bars Landlords from Imposing Outstanding Bills PSC: Police Must Operate Within the Law in Edo, Ondo Elections on New Tenants A statement issued by the in the commission, Hon Ani said the commission Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja commission said a high- Rommy Mom, and the received assurances from

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed landlords to stop imposing outstanding electricity bills in an apartment on new tenants.

The commission said this in a tweet yesterday that “Landlord’s outstanding electricity bills cannot be enforced on a tenant. A judge recently ruled that the bills of a previous tenant cannot be enforced on a new customer.

Send us details if you are in such a situation.”

According to the NERC’s Commissioner in charge of Finance and Management Services, Nathan Shatti, “a landlord’s outstanding electricity bills cannot be enforced on a tenant.” This he said was in agreement with a court ruling that the bill of a previous tenant cannot be enforced on a new customer.

Shatti asked new tenants who are asked to pay the outstanding bills of their landlords to report the issue to the NERC for appropriate action.

Shatti stressed further that tenants who purchased meters

with their own money would be reimbursed through an arrangement the NERC was about to make.

There is a court order in force that has made the violation of the Nigerian capping policy a punishable offence.

The capping policy stipulates that power Distribution Companies (Discos), disallowed from charging electricity consumers under the estimated billing system more than they do consumers with prepaid meters in the same vicinity.

“An order was issued on capping in February. The capping order is still in force.

Discos should take note. The commission is doing everything to enforce compliance. We will do even more,” the commissioner said.

Shatti told Discos to refrain from the illegitimate practice of taking money from customers without providing them with meter.

“The intention of the regulation is that payment should not be made if meters are not available. Where you have, write to the Commission with your details.”

Osun Set to Commence Massive Water Project As part of efforts to address impediment in critical water supply services to households in Osun State, the state government has finalised arrangements for the commencement of a 250 million litre-capacity water project in the state.

At the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the state government and Efficacy Construction Company in Osogbo, yesterday, the state Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Dr.

Amidu Tadese Raheem, said the project, which commenced with immediate effect, set the tone for the fulfillment of yet another electoral promise of the state Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

According to him, “We are aware that water is essential to human life, and it became even more necessary during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The governor, having promised the citizens during his election campaign that one of his primary foci would be to provide potable water in

reliable quantity for the people of the state, has seized this opportunity to provide 250 million litres of water for the people of the state.

“So, the essence of our gathering here today is to sign the formal agreement between the state and Efficacy Construction Company for the immediate pursuance of this important agenda.”

In his address, the Managing Director of Efficacy Construction Company, Dr. Oyeleke Ajiboye, expressed appreciation to the governor for the foresight, describing

the project as the beginning of great things to happen in the state.

Describing the scope of the project, Ajiboye said: “Our focus for this project is to develop 250 million litres of water, with production and delivery to 2.5 million residents across the state.

In his remark, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources, Felix Ibitoye Adeniran, commended the governor on the project, describing it as a milestone as far as water supply is concerned in the state.

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COMMENT

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

THE RISING TIDE OF INSECURITY

Kesiena Igho Oghoghorie canvasses collaborative eort between local security outďŹ ts and other security agencies to tame insecurity

T

he daily dispatches of news on the security situation in recent times must have seemed like a particularly repetitive exercise in dÊjà vu. The insurgency in the North East, banditry in the North West, herders/farmers’ clashes in North Central, to kidnapping, armed robbery, youth militancy and vandalism in the Southern region: they read like battle honours in a regimental war memorial.

The Police are, by the Police Act, Cap P19 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, saddled with the responsibility of addressing the situation through the enforcement of orderliness and restoration of public order in the country.

Yet, the operational difficulties of the police are laid bare by a cocktail of issues, not least funding, poor welfare resulting in poor motivation, lack of adequate tools and equipment.

There are also structural issues, including manpower and its depleting numbers relative to the growing population contrary to United Nations Standard requirements of 400 to one ratio.

The state of affairs has, clearly, exacerbated concerns about the security question, with the din of the drums of insecurity steadily, but almost imperceptibly, becoming louder; the threats getting worse; the atrocities more brutal; and the impact more corrosive. Quite apart from the incessant loss of lives and property, the economy has also taken a hit, in terms of local and foreign direct investments.

Thus, whilst the COVID – 19 pandemic may have contributed to the contraction of the economy by 6.1 per cent year-on-year, as per the August report by the National Bureau of Statistics, the frightening insecurity in the country has, equally, contributed to the economic downturn. There is, therefore, the need to re-examine the country’s security system, with a view to sustaining its socio-economic and political development.

Section 214 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, clearly signposts the Police as the only Police force in Nigeria, forbidding the establishment of any other Police force in the country. Yet there are always things to be found in any structure that can be criticized, and things which could be done better. The debate on the desirability of state police is gathering pace and would, in the longer term, require constitutional amendment. In the short to medium term, however, there would be need to address the security question by opening up the entire security structure to include its localisation.

Security, broadly, relates to the protection of citizens from exposure to danger or harm which, sadly, has not been the case. The rising tide of insecurity has, therefore, led to the increasing need for the localisation of security through the establishment of security outfits by organisations and several states, with some collapsing into regional outfits.

There are, for example, the “Shege-ka-Fasa�, established by a coalition of Northern Groups in the North; the Western Nigeria Security Network, Amotekun, in the South West, with the South-South and South East regions making moves to establish theirs.

The increasing push for the localisation of security, it is noted, is in response to the truism that when a tribe is

THE INCREASING PUSH FOR THE LOCALISATION OF SECURITY IS IN RESPONSE TO THE TRUISM THAT WHEN A TRIBE IS UNDER ATTACK, THE WAGONS INSTINCTIVELY DRAW INTO A CIRCLE

under attack, the wagons instinctively draw into a circle.

The moves are seen as concerted efforts to address local security concerns and strengthen the security architecture in the country, with a view to protecting lives and property in their localities.

Being locals, the security outfits are endowed not only with the knowledge of their terrain; the hide out of criminals and the mode of their operations; but also the skills and capabilities to nip criminal activities in the bud before their implementation. This is contrary to the modus of the police which, given the limited knowledge of their area of operation deals, more often, with the effects of crimes after the impact has been unleashed on communities.

Further, the localisation of security through the establishment of security outfits by states, and the pulling of resources at regional levels, would enhance the position of state governors as Chief Security Officers of their states.

The accountability and transparency in the appropriation of revenue by the State Houses of Assembly would be enhanced, through its channelling to equip and maintain local security outfits.

There would also need to be, moving forward, the erection of appropriate collaborative mechanism between the local security outfits, the police and other security agencies.

There is, clearly, no single stroke that will slay this enemy of insecurity; no one repost will take out the problems of insecurity. More co-operations would therefore be needed, not less; more understanding, not less. Compromises, which are usually easier than bold gestures, would be needed, to achieve the ultimate goal.

Finally, a criminal database system, based on the Entity Relationship (ER) model, would need to be created to aid in solving insecurity issues. Such a move would help in the individual description of persons and form the basis for the sharing of ideas and information between local security outfits, the police and other security agencies.

Adequate safeguards would however be needed so as to prevent the abuse of the use of such data. There are presently no statutory instruments on Data Privacy and Protection in Nigeria. Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, guarantees the right to privacy, but its application is limited to homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and telegraphic communications of citizens.

There is also the 2019 Nigeria Protection Regulation, the only major law regulating and controlling the use of data in Nigeria, which is only a subsidiary legislation. There would therefore need to be, as part of the reform process, the enactment of a specific statute to regulate Data Privacy and Protection in Nigeria.

Efforts must now be made to look outside the tramlines to formulate a clear road map to address the security question.

By dealing with the insecurity situation step by small step, as we have done, to some extent, we forgot to think about what Nigeria should be in 10, 20 or 50 years’ time. We must now try to fix the roof while the sun is shining. r0HIPHIPSJF XSPUF GSPN /JHFSJBO -BX 4DIPPM &OVHV $BNQVT

DEREGULATING NIGERIA’S DOWNSTREAM SECTOR The weak economy has made deregulation of petrol inevitable, argues Dan Aibangbe

O

il exploration commenced in Nigeria as far as 1903 under licence given to Nigeria Bitumen Company and later to Shell BP (1908). A series of realignments and some six million British Pounds worth of exploration expenditure culminated in the discovery of the first active oil well in Oloibiri in 1956 and production in 1958.

Incidentally, the first three refineries built in Nigeria were of the ‘Complex’ Class. It is worthy of note that the three were built by government rather than private/ commercial ventures. These are among the possible reasons for their current decrepit states and the refusal of International Oil Companies (IOCs) to invest in that sector. The fear of competing directly with government!

Another historical element worthy of exploration is the history of Oil (PMS) price adjustment in Nigeria. From the regime of Gowon, right through to the current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, there have always been price increases, except for during the short regime of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

Most recently, precisely at the end of May, 2020, the current administration reduced fuel price by an unprecedented 16.55%, from N145 to N121! During that space, the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mr Mele Kyari indicated that government had decided to scrap the subsidy regime, recently nicknamed ‘under-recovery’ by the NNPC. The fact that this government reduced fuel price at all is an indication of the good intentions and the hope that we may yet experience another reduction if and when the parameters are right.

What was not made clear then, is whether the government has commenced total privatization. It now appears government has

been checkmated from the prodigal subsidy regime by a number of factors such as declining revenues from Crude Oil exports and worsening Naira-Dollar exchange rate, both caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Bretton Woods ‘Big Brothers’ have been watching and warning the nation of the unsustainability of oil price subsidy.

It is a grotesque economic phenomenon that government would ever consider subsidizing consumption of a generic utility (energy) in an economy suffering acute under-development. This evil has been sustained by the warped logic that uncontrolled fuel (PMS) prices will cause untold hardship for the common man, when, in fact, it is the subsidy of the widely consumed product that actually fuels corruption, mis-allocation of scarce government revenue and most importantly, vital foreign exchange to the detriment of the development of vital infrastructure and the real sector.

The case for complete removal of subsidy is extensive. Firstly, subsidies on fuel consumption are unbudgeted and cannot be budgeted for in a scientific manner that would ensure expenditure is controllable.

That is a perfect recipe for corruption.

Secondly, there is no doubt as to the need for complete deregulation or privatization of the fuel supply sector of the economy.

Privatization magnetizes foreign direct investment and creates jobs in a sustainable manner. This midstream and downstream sectors of this our God-given resource should have been the largest employer of labour in the last six decades!

Thirdly, considering that the PMS consumed in Nigeria is virtually 100% imported, it carries with it imported inflation due to the declining exchange rates of the naira to the dollar. This phenomenon is apparent to a basic student of accountancy.

If fuel price is N145 per litre when a dollar exchanges for N360, then the price must be automatically adjusted to N156.6 now that the exchange rate has become N387 to a dollar! What I am saying here is that government has not really increased the price of PMS, but merely reflected the current reality of the increasing weakness of the dollar, which is a result of our reduced export earnings, increasing external borrowing and dwindling foreign reserves.

All these would have been needless, had Nigeria been refining her own crude for domestic consumption!

A fourth reason for the necessity of increasing the fuel price is the need to dump this economic anathema of subsidizing the consumption of a foreign good. Yes, PMS is a foreign product in Nigeria as of today, a big shame. It is even far worse than rice importation. I had argued on another platform that government did not fully maximize the rice project. It would have been better to use the rice project to solve the petroleum issue (one stone to kill two birds). The mechanics of that model will be presented on another day.

Fifthly, there must be something compelling about fuel price deregulation if all but one regime since Gowon to date have embraced it. Military, civil-military, civilian, PDP, APC and any other will always return to this crossroad, unless the present regime finds the courage to go the whole hog of privatizing the sector. The maxim that government has no business in business may be roaring here.

A sixth reason is that the recurring error in idea that there is any benefit in maintaining a unitary price of fuel across the Nigerian jurisdiction is desirable or beneficial to any part of the country is a mirage. For simple illustration, assuming

fuel price in the North is 15% higher than in the South, economic arbitrage will even out the negative impact on the north with the positive impact in the South within six months. The reason is that the goods in the North required in the South will import the excess price to the South, while the goods and services in the South will export the reduced fuel price to the North. That is the power of allocation of resources, a basic economic principle!

Seventh, government subsidies are disincentive to the real sector from providing a lasting and sustainable solution to local production of fuel and derivative refinery products. By my experience in value-chains, about 60% value is created between harvest of the raw or crude product and delivery of the final product for consumption. Of this 60%, Nigeria losses at least 50% to the external refineries in the fuel sector.

The eight reason why fuel prices need to go up is to discourage smuggling. You may ask whether smuggling is still going on with the border closure. The answer is blowing in the wind! But outside the direct smuggling, there is indirect smuggling.

The current fuel price increase is a necessary travail for Nigeria to emerge unhurt from the impending doom. Government revenue has been seriously impacted

by COVID-19. Nigeria is approaching her borrowing peak. The creditor institutions are demanding for a stop to our crazy subsidies on utilities, failing which they will blacklist the nation. This may not be apparent for now, but the international financial market can be unforgiving and cruel. You do not wait for them to come calling. You better go to them before they come! r"JCBOHCF B .FEJB BOE 1VCMJD 3FMBUJPOT $POTVMUBOU XSPUF GSPN -BHPT

15

T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ ÍŻÍśËœ 2020

EDITORIAL

COVID-19 AND RESUMPTION OF SCHOOLS All schools must enforce Covid-19 safety protocols

A

s schools in different states prepare to reopen for academic work, beginning from this month, there is a need for the various authorities at all levels to take adequate precautionary measures aimed at curtailing further spread of COVID-19 cases in Nigeria. While the progressive decline in the number of COVID-19 cases at the moment is a welcome development, it must not be the basis to relax the enforcement of all safety protocols outlined by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in our schools. We expect both the government and school authorities to learn useful lessons from various countries which had experienced an upsurge in cases of COVID-19 infections after reopening their schools.

In Israel, for instance, where WHILE THE PROGRESSIVE schools were DECLINE IN THE NUMBER reopened on May OF COVID-19 CASES AT THE 17, following a noticeable decline MOMENT IS A WELCOME in the number of DEVELOPMENT, IT MUST infections, a total NOT BE THE BASIS TO of 1,335 students RELAX THE ENFORCEMENT and 691 staff contacted the OF ALL SAFETY virus just within PROTOCOLS two months of reopening schools, and more than 28,000 students and teachers had been quarantined. The volume of the spread resulted in the decision of the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to close down no fewer than 125 schools in an aggressive drive to arrest the spread of the virus. Barely two weeks after the schools were reopened, Israel was forced to come up with a new policy, ordering the closure of any school which had recorded at least one case of COVID-19 infection while all students and staff of the school were quarantined. In the same vein, Ghana, a neighbouring West African

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IS NIGERIA A FAILING STATE?

F

ormer President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, has stirred the hornet nest with his provoking, divisive and failed state narrative. Since Obasanjo left office to date, he has chided every government in power, including those he helped to install. One remembers with nostalgia his open abrasive letters to previous heads of state drawing their attention to matters of national importance. Did his criticisms start with the civilian governments?

Actually, no. Even the military, the constituency Obasanjo came from has not been spared.

From Ibrahim Babangida down to Abdulsalami Abubakar military regimes, they had torrent of criticisms during their days in office. Are Obasanjo’s criticisms borne out of passion for better Nigeria or are politically motivated?

Obasanjo is one of the beneficiaries of the Nigerian project. He served as military head of state and occupied the same position during the return of democratic government in 1999.

It is not disputable to say Obasanjo’s years as Nigerian president were eventful and fruitful.

He was able to carry out far-reaching economic reforms which stimulated growth and development. Think about the telecommunication, public service and agriculture reforms. These areas received greater attention and have provided millions of jobs to Nigerians. But there were shortcomings as well. It is on record that during his eight years as a democratically

country, which had reported minimal cases of COVID-19 with low fatalities, also witnessed a rise in infection after reopening schools in early July.

While we support resumption of schools so that our children can go back to learning, we expect the authorities to learn useful lessons from the cases of Israel and Ghana by ensuring that all COVID-19 protocols are not only deliberately put in place ahead of resumption, but are also strictly observed. This warning has become imperative in view of the fact that an outbreak of infections in schools will automatically spell doom for the country. A single infection could spread among students who share hostel rooms and classrooms together, as well as to the staff who could in turn spread the virus to their respective families and the larger community.

This possible scenario was what the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, alluded to in July, when he announced the reversal of the earlier announcement by the federal government to reopen schools for students participating in external examinations. But we do not buy the minister’s idea (expressed as a personal wish) of a possible one-year closure of Nigerian schools when majority have no infrastructure for e-learning. Besides, the experience of several schools whose students were on campus for the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) has also shown that the challenge could be managed. There has been no report of COVID-19 outbreak in any of the schools which is a welcome development. There are lessons to be learnt from that.

We therefore call on the relevant authorities, particularly ministries of education and their agencies in various states to dispatch their staff on inspection tour of every school willing to reopen to ensure that all COVID-19 protocols are put in place before the arrivals of the students. The ministries of health in the various states should also join in these efforts. Prevention, as conventional wisdom teaches, is always better than cure.

In the case of COVID-19, there is yet a cure!

elected president, the country witnessed human rights abuses and cases of assassination. There were incidents of violence during elections.

He was the architect of do-or-die politics.

These glaring imperfections spoke volumes about Obasanjo’s administration. This is to say Obasanjo is not a saint as he wants us to believe. The problem he raised on divisiveness in politics or Nigeria being a failed state predated the present government. However, it got worse under its watch.

The occasion or venue in which Obasanjo raised these vexed national issues gave his narrative a political undertone. How can the former president in the midst of social cultural organisations such as Ohanaeze, Afenifere, Northern Elders Forum and Middle Belt Forum blame the present government for the current woes if not for political reason? Hear his conclusion: “2023 will be marked as a watershed in the history of Nigeria�. While it is true the country has been facing security and economic challenges, the former president has unfettered access to Mr President.

Obasanjo should have reached President Buhari for an advice instead of unwarranted attacks on his government. There is time for politics and there is time to avoid overheating the polity. It seems the former president has chosen the latter. r*CSBIJN .VTUBQIB 1BNCFHVB ,BEVOB 4UBUF

KIDNAP OF OFFICER BINDAWA

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am sure that, with the recent brutal kidnap and murder of the DSS officer Bindawa at Katsina, the skeptical Northern Establishment that aligns in opposition against the creation of state police would agree that now, a little belated though, is the time for the structures of such force to be put in place by all federating states of Nigeria. Katsina holds a special place in my memory-recall and my youth progression because that town was where I did my NYSC stint. Thus, when the family members of Officer Bindawa lamented that, upon initiation of attack by the kidnapping “bandits,� they contacted the police station at Batagarawa but no help was dispatched to the trouble scene behind the Federal Secretariat complex, I was deeply troubled in my soul and wondered what has become of by beloveth Katsina. For us NYSC “corpers� back then, we recall that Batagarawa (I have identified this then hamlet-esque settlement as the smallest local government headquarters in Nigeria) was on an approximately axial line with Kurfi and Dutsin-ma, the location of the NYSC camp. Let all men (and women) of goodwill in

Arewa just imagine the trauma that a lack of a functional security architecture at the grassroots level has caused Officer Bindawa’s family. It is especially painful to note that Bindawa was in Katsina to visit family members and so by extension to do financial remittances.

Let us all accept that the existing federal police force system cannot ensure the security of lives and property of Nigerians anymore since increasingly numbers of the personnel of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) are being drafted to provide bodyguard services to the “big man� class of Nigeria. We also hear that, to reduce attrition rates during active service, policemen have an unwritten order at the moment to just scram and bolt away from “confrontations� with criminal elements, thereby saving the general inspectorate embarrassing sessions to explain away the reasons the NPF is under-performing. Arewa should now accept that a desire for state police does not translate to a desire for Biafra and Oduduwa to surreptitiously secede. r4VOEBZ "EPMF +POBI %FQBSUNFOU PG 1IZTJDT 'FEFSBM 6OJWFSTJUZ PG 5FDIOPMPHZ .JOOB /JHFS 4UBUF

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T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

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POLITICS

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

Yiaga Tasks Stakeholders on Edo Governorship Poll Aisha Abdullahi and Samson Itodo, directors of leading election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa Watching the Vote present the organisation’s observations on the 2020 Edo governorship election

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he 2020 Edo Governorship Election will be the first state-wide election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The election will be regulated by new sets of guidelines and policies developed by the Commission following the Coronavirus outbreak. With the state ranking fifth (as at September 16, 2020) amongst states with the highest number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, INEC and other stakeholders face a huge challenge of safeguarding public health while not compromising on electoral integrity. In line with the new norm of social or physical distancing, INEC introduced online submission of party candidates’ list and online accreditation of observers and media organizations. These technologically driven solutions minimized physical contact remarkably. Also, an election result viewing portal was introduced by INEC to facilitate public access to polling unit results to enhance the transparency of election results management.

Clearly, the stakes are high in the September 19 governorship election as typified by the spate of pre-election violence and the level of desperation on the part of political actors to not only delegitimize the process but ensure they secure political power at all cost. According to INEC, 14 parties are on the ballot having fulfilled all conditions for candidates’ nomination. Yiaga Africa noted in its first pre-election observation, that the electoral campaigns had been dominated by two parties – the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Sadly, the competition was reduced to a contest between personalities instead of a competition of ideas, issues, and proposals for sustainable growth and development. Two-thirds of LGAs in the state were classified as hotspots and flashpoints of violence by Yiaga Africa due to the frequency of violence, arms proliferation, and a spike in cult groups’ activities in those LGAs. The violence rhetoric and strongarm tactics employed by the two major parties for campaigns created a tense atmosphere and a climate of fear. This informed peace talks initiated by the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty Oba Ewuare II and the signing of the Peace Accord convened by the National Peace Committee. Yiaga Africa commends the peace building initiatives led by the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, and the National Peace Committee, headed by the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar.

As one of Nigeria’s largest non-partisan and independent movements of citizens observers committed to promoting electoral integrity, Yiaga Africa WTV will be providing systematic, accurate, and timely information on the election day process.

Specifically, Yiaga Africa will provide accurate information on the quality of the election day process and ascertain if the official results announced by INEC reflects the total votes cast. If the announced results have been manipulated and do not match the polling units’ results, Yiaga Africa will expose it. If the official result announced reflects the polling unit’s votes, Yiaga Africa would confirm it.

Recommendations INEC INEC should ensure strict compliance with the electoral laws and guidelines in administering the election amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Polling officials should enforce the use of facemask and gently remove any voter showing the signs of COVID-19 from the polling unit.

INEC must show utmost professionalism in election administration and ensure timely, effective, and secure deployment of its staff, materials (sensitive and non-

deployment. This includes ensuring the safe delivery of personnel and materials after the election.

INEC ad hoc staff must ensure that polling units are located in areas accessible to all voters, especially PWDs, to disproportionately disenfranchise voters or limit their rights to participation.

SECURITY AGENCIES Security agencies must maintain the utmost levels of neutrality and professionalism in enforcing election day security.

They must respect the law and citizen’s constitutional and civic rights and refrain from excessive force.

There should be proper coordination between all the security agencies deployed for the election; proper communication lines and engagement rules should be strictly adhered to. Deployment of personnel and logistics should be all-round and not restricted to certain parts of the state.

Early warning signs of election violence should be addressed by relevant security agencies to avoid escalation or spill over on election day. These issues should be addressed in a professional and civil manner.

Security agencies should ensure protection for vulnerable voters, especially women and persons with disabilities.

Security personnel should enforce appropriate sanctions for any form of violation of the right to vote. sensitive), and other resources needed for the election to enable early commencement of polls.

We urge INEC to ensure transparency and openness in the management of cancellation of votes and determination of the margin of lead in line with extant

electoral laws. Uniformity of processes and consistency in applying its guidelines should be maintained across all polling units and LGAs. INEC should ensure proper coordination with security agencies for the effectiveness and safety of personnel and materials

Understanding Coronavirus as a Reset Code Iboro Otu, an Abuja-based businessman and politician offers an authentic explanation for the COVID-19 pandemic

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ow many beings co-exist on this earth oblivious of each other? We have our mind and spirit co-existing in perfect harmony amid blurred boundaries/ levels within our bodies.

How many other planes of existence occupy this same space we call earth - yet because our activities are vibrating at different frequencies, we neither can hear, touch, feel, breathe or see each other; which doesn’t mean they’re not here or we are not there. And talking about the senses, that we have five or so of them doesn’t mean there aren’t hundreds more, maybe a thousand, maybe a million. A billion, who knows how many numbers of senses exist? And talking about numbers, as humans, numbers, just like time, gives us a sense of measurement and a metronome for distance. Humans measure any thing linearly, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc, however, others quantize in huge multiples. As we linearly multiply, the complexity of zeros makes it harder to understand. A trillion years, the many zeros behind the 1’s makes it incomprehensible or not easily attainable in the physical realm yet the sun is that far out of reach. In the spiritual and computational helm where time and space aren’t scarce commodities, a trillion to a transistor computer is an easy count. Many computers today can compute trillions in one second! What is that one second to a computer? It can solve a complex mathematical problem that would take a genius 100 years - in that one second. So what does time mean to a computer? Now imagine what time means to a spirit which is a higher quantum computer of unknown

zero number multiples? At different levels, time can slow down, hasten up or stand perfectly still in space like a vector quantity. What is time to a rock? Three weeks is a lifetime to a mosquito. And light? Light travels 3,000,000,000 meters per second!

Spirit, traveling a trillion times faster than the speed of light controls the indivisibility of time.

For all we know, there could be millions and billions of occupants on this earth, each living at different levels and peeking out of different tesseracts beyond our conventional 3-dimension - yet on the same plane and not obstructing each other, we pass through them, they pass through us in perfect harmony. Yet still, there are billions and billions of planets out there and yet still, these planets exist on physical forms. Even within our physical space, the number of abundance thereof is daunting.

Imagine then, the mental and the spiritual, the many quintillion planes and levels we are yet to perceive because we are yet to develop the senses.

Until we vibrate at a certain frequency, we cannot perceive or achieve certain things, as metaphysical and scientific as it sounds, it is true at every level. Primary school Mathematics is simple to you today because you learnt and transcended that knowledge, as such your attitude towards it is different from someone at that level.

Trust me, a lot of other people are still grappling with it this very minute as if their lives depended on it.

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

POLITICAL PARTIES Political parties, candidates, and their supporters should show commitment to electoral accountability by respecting the rules governing the conduct of the elections and refrain from employing violence to win the election at all cost. Parties should continue to call on their supporters to shun every form of violence.

Political parties, candidates, and supporters should continue to abide by the spirit and letter of the Edo State Peace Accord signed on Tuesday, September 15, 2020.

Parties should undertake massive sensitization of their supporters on the elections’ guidelines, especially on the margin of lead principle and the constitutional requirement for determining a winner of an election.

Political parties, candidates, and their supporters must refrain from vote-buying and the related practice of compromising the ballot’s secrecy so that the voters of Edo state are free to vote their preference for governor.

CITIZENS Voters are encouraged to show up at the polling unit and cast their votes in a peaceful manner. Elections are decided by those who come out to vote.

Voters should hold the political parties and candidates to account for their commitment to the peace accord. Any party or candidate who defaults in upholding the peace accord is unworthy of public trust.

Voters should adhere to COVID-19 public health protocols and INEC’s voters’ code of conduct for elections during the COVID-19 pandemic. Voters should go to their polling units wearing their facemasks, practice physical distancing and frequent washing of hands, or use hand sanitizers.

Voters should reject efforts by political parties to buy their votes. Remember to uphold the secrecy of the ballot and be guided by conscience as they cast their vote.

Communities are encouraged not to engage in collusion and should let members of the community vote for whichever candidate they prefer.

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

T H I S D AY ˾ FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

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PERSPECTIVE VIEW FROM

AMERICA

chido@usafricaonline.com @Chido247

Obasanjo, Buhari and the Impunity of Nepotism

Dont Blame Malami for Amendment to Rules for Legal Practitioners

Popular Abuja-based lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo suggests that amendment to the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners by the Attorney General of the Chido Nwangwu, Founder, USAfrica Multimedia Federation may have started the process to whittle Networks draws a comparison between former down the enormous monopoly of power wielded by the President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Nigerian Bar Association

Muhammadu Buhari, while establishing a basis for Obasanjo’s criticism of the Buhari administration

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lusegun Obasanjo, former Head of State of Nigeria and influential diplomatic personage, is a man that is known for his direct, and blunt manner of communication. To put it in the famous usage, the retired army general does not beat about the bush. For the benefit of those who may have forgotten, on July 15, 2019, in the best traditions of informed civic duty, he wrote and spoke truth to power, to his former military colleague, President Muhammadu Buhari, regarding what millions of people inside Nigeria and outside Nigeria consider to be Buhari’s clannishness. Let me characterize it as Buhari’s fundamentalist instinct for nepotism, a dangerous fixation and destructive force against the reasonable goals of governance.

Here is Obasanjo’s direct indictment of what he points to on this matter of nepotism.

“The main issue, if I may dare say, is poor management or mismanagement of diversity which, on the other hand, is one of our greatest and most important assets. As a result, very onerous cloud is gathering. And rain of destruction, violence, disaster and disunity can only be the outcome. Nothing should be taken for granted, the clock is ticking with the cacophony of dissatisfaction and disaffection everywhere in and outside the country. The Presidency and the Congress in the US have signalled to us to put our house in order. The House of Lords in the UK had debated the Nigerian security situation. No one can stop hate speech, violent agitation and smouldering violent agitation if he (emphasis mine) fans the embers of hatred, disaffection and violence.

It will continue to snowball until it is out of control.”

To be sure, Buhari is more restrictive and insular and nepotistic; he relies and prefers the comforting counselings of those whose demographic data are closer, physically, to his native ZIP Code — specifically in terms of ethnic origin and religion.

Since 1976 when he became the military head of state arising from the violent but failed coup d’état against him and late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, Obasanjo has felt a sense of duty to contribute to making Nigeria better. Did he?

This question remains a hotly debated issue in Nigeria. To his critics, he is a selfserving hypocrite. To those who dislike him even more, he came in and he enriched himself, stupendously. Whatever anyone will say against him, the man has shown consistent interest in interrogating the skill and capacity and performance of every government since 1983. There are those who

question or applaud his statesmanship.

Some say he encourages some comparison of him to South Africa’s former President and globally acclaimed freedom fighter , Nelson Mandela.

This issue of comparing Obasanjo to Nelson Mandela in terms of leadership and use of power is analyzed by persons who know both of them in my forthcoming book ‘MLK, Mandela & Achebe: Power Leadership and Identity’: ISBN 978-0-9893970-01-1.

Regarding this conflict between those masquerading as regional defenders of Buhari and a couple of sanctimonious followers of Saint Obasanjo, Nigerians especially those in power seem to forget important stuff too soon, and too quick. There is a willful and deliberate amnesia on the same issues that are very important as long as it concerns someone of their ethnicity or religion. There is not much difference in substance and messaging between what Obasanjo wrote in this his latest letter of September 2020 and his previous letter on July 15, 2019 to President Buhari.

The two retired generals are very different in their style and approach to governance and what I will call the governing circumference of influence and information and advice.. Obasanjo who abandoned his political god son, former president Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 to fight for Buhari has a more global, cosmopolitan outlook engaging more diverse skills and persons from different parts of Nigeria and the world.

Since history is our guide, let us profit from its evidence in the contentious context of the truck loads of insults and malicious attacks against Obasanya for speaking up on his concerns for his country.

On July 15, 2019 he wrote to the president “The issue is hitting at the foundation of our existence as Nigerians and fast eroding the root of our Nigerian community. I am very much worried and afraid that we are on the precipice and dangerously reaching a tipping point where it may no longer be possible to hold danger at bay. Without being immodest, as a Nigerian who still bears the scar of the Nigerian civil war on my body and with a son who bears the scar of fighting Boko Haram on his body, you can understand, I hope, why I am so concerned. When people are desperate and feel that they cannot have confidence in the ability of government to provide security for their lives and properties, they will take recourse to anything and everything that can guarantee their security individually and collectively.”

On this critical issue of security and protection of lives or lack there of in Nigeria, Obasanjo pointedly stated: “For over 10 years, for four of which you have been the captain of the ship, Boko Haram has menacingly ravaged the land and in spite of government’s claim of victory over Boko Haram, the potency and the activities of Boko Haram, where they are active, remain undiminished, putting lie to government’s claim. The recent explanation of the Chief of Army Staff for non-victory due to lack of commitment and lack of motivation on the part of troops bordering on sabotage speaks for itself. Say what you will, Boko Haram is NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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here is no doubting that recent incidents in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) which include the formation of facsimile bodies of legal practitioners seem to reveal that the NBA is going through a turbulent and unprecedented time. These developments have generated hues and hubris from different quarters and strata.

What seems to be the straw that broke the camel’s back was the amendment of some provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners by the Attorney General of the Federation.

Needless to state that the air is thick with raging, reactions, reprimands, all kinds of anathema and diatribe from political pundits, lackeys and constitutional legal minds. This is looking very much like another season of imperceptibleness for the noble profession.

However, in order not to throw out the baby with the bathwater and without prejudice to the rationale for the amendment of the rules by the Attorney General of the Federation, it is important to pensively consider the powers so conferred on him by virtue of Section 1 and 12(4) of the Legal Practitioners Act and other relevant provisions.

Section 1 of the Legal Practitioners Act 2004 as amended establishes the General Council of the Bar. By virtue of Section 1 of the Act, the quorum of the Bar Council shall be eight and the council may make standing orders regulating procedure and proceedings of the council. The composition of the General Council of the Bar includes the Attorney General of the Federation as the President, the Attorneys-General of the states and 20 members of the Bar. One of the functions of the General Council of the Bar as indicated in Section 12(4) of the Legal Practitioners Act, 2004 is as follows: “It shall be the duty of the Bar Council to make rules from time to time on professional conduct in the legal profession and cause such rules to be published in the gazette and distributed to all the branches of the association.”

Be that as it may, my attention has been drawn to the statements accredited to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association to the effect that there were no consultations or notice to the members of the association by the Attorney General of the Federation prior to the purported amendment of the Rules of the Professional Conduct.

Contrariwise, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), who is a member of the General Council of the Bar has corrected the said notion by stating that consultations were duly made by the Attorney General of the Federation prior to the amendment of the Rules.

It is therefore obvious that the unfounded allegations that the lawful and exclusive authority and powers of the General Council of the Bar have been so unabashedly usurped by the unilateral action of the Attorney General have been duly faulted by the assertions and confirmation by the Learned Silk to the effect that consultations were made prior to the Amendment of the Rules.

For the sake of clarity and completeness, I must place on record, pronto, that as stated earlier, Section 1 of the Legal Practitioners Act provides that the quorum of the meeting of the General Council of the Bar shall be eight (8). It, therefore, presupposes that the only persons with the toga to fault the Attorney General’s decision, particularly

the statements of Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN) as to the failure of some members to attend meetings, are members of the General Council of the Bar present at the meeting.

It is apposite in the instance to also add that I find it quite amusing and uncharitable that a lot of commenters are mistaken and misled by speculations. It is no surprise the spectators/observers are mostly excited. Whereas the insiders know better, it is about politics and law as in perception and reality.

The Attorney General of Federation by implication has indicated that the purpose of the Amendment was to bring the Rules in conformity with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which clearly guarantees freedom of association and there have been agitations for several decades on the need to disband the monopoly wielded by the NBA which I strongly believe is a step in the right direction.

Moreso, hundreds of facsimile Bar Associations such as the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), Egbe Amofin, the Nigerian Lawyers Association (NLA), Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria and many more. One is therefore left with an unresolved question as to the reason for the repartee and backlash against the person of the Attorney General of Federation for allegedly amending the Rules of Professional Conduct on the heel of tribalism and ethnic favouritism.

It could be recalled that I have foretold it that until the Rules of Professional Conduct is amended, the Attorney General does not have the power to whittle down the enormous monopoly of power wielded by the Nigerian Bar Association.

I also indicated that the day that the NBA is registered as an incorporated trustee is when it loses its monopoly. It is needless to state that my prophecies have come to pass and the chicken has come home to roost for the NBA. Nobody should blame the Attorney General of the Federation for exercising the powers of his office.

I am compelled to admonish that as ministers in the temple of justice and as members of this noble and sophisticated profession, lawyers are supposed to be bound by a code of conduct, embracing courtesy and chivalry which are the founding tenets of this noble profession rather than raising arguments frivolously fritted on the altar of making needless point and raising banters like market women.

Perhaps, we should look inward and strategize on ways to ensure the unity of the profession rather than allowing unfounded assumptions to pummel and pulverize the labours of our founding fathers.

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T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OBB OVERNIGHT

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A T

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

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EXCHANGE RATE N379/1US DOLLAR* ̩

Quick Takes NDLEA Commends Red Star

ANNUAL BANKERS’ CONFERENCE

L-R: Registrar/CEO, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr. Seye Awojobi; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Mr. Bayo Olugbemi; MD/CEO, Ecobank Nigeria / Chairman, Planning Committee of the 13th Annual Banking and Finance Conference, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, and First Vice President, CIBN, Dr. Ken Opara, during the hybrid 13th annual banking and finance conference held in Abuja...recently

Concerns over Flight Disruptions

by Labour Unions Chinedu Eze Industry stakeholders have appealed to the federal government to wade into the industrial dispute rocking some of the airlines which saw the disruption of flight operations this week.

The stakeholders said most of the airlines are in precarious state since they resumed after the COVID-19 lockdown, insisting that without bailout or any form of financial support, some of the operators may shut down if their flights are disrupted.

The stakeholders also noted that revenues amounting to millions of naira have been lost by airlines and other companies working at the airport due to disruption by labour activities, adding that while it is the responsibility of labour to protect its members, it is of

AVIATION greater responsibility for them to ensure that the organisations they work for sustain their operations because they would lose their jobs when those businesses shut down.

The stakeholders were responding to the shutdown of Arik Air’s operations on Monday, where workers were blocked from access to their offices, thus ensuring that the airline did not operate any flight that day.

THISDAY learnt that Arik Air was forced by the picketing to cancel about 28 flights last Monday and also about N50 million revenue lost, under the precarious post COVID-19 period, when airlines all over the world are struggling to survive.

In October 2018, labour had

shut down the domestic terminal at the Lagos airport, known as MMA2 and both airlines and other business hosted by the terminal were said to have lost about N1.3 billion.

Many industry observers argue that the unions do not exhaust possibilities of dialogue before embarking on picketing of the businesses, which needed the revenue they lost to even pay workers their salaries.

Also, in December 2016, labour had engaged on two days standoff at Arik Air and stopped flight operations at such peak season, forcing the airline to record a loss of over N800 million.

THISDAY gathered that there are few businesses in the aviation industry which activities have not been disrupted in the last three years by the labour

members, with the attendant loss of revenues.

The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, warned that airlines all over the world are facing hard times and many of them have been sacking their workers, despite the fact that some governments have given billions of dollars bailout to many of these airlines.

He said the situation is very, very precarious for the aviation and tourism sectors.

“The financial health of airlines is not limited to Nigerian airlines, it is a global issue, especially due to the impact of COVID-19.

We have seen airlines that have gotten millions of dollars of subsidies from their governments, yet they are having issues.

Continued on page 22

NAGAFF Threatens to Expose Corrupt Govt Agencies at Ports Eromosele Abiodun The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has threatened to expose erring government officials aiding corrupt practices at the ports.

The group said adherence to the directive of the federal government on ease of doing business and transparency at Nigerian ports would help freight forwarders pay the right duty accrued to government.

The National Coordinator of the 100 per cent compliance team of NAGAFF, Ibrahim Tanko, who stated this in a chat with newsmen in Lagos, said his team would identify and expose all corrupt elements within the freight forwarders and government agencies at the ports.

He declared that all perpetrators of illicit activities at the ports would be fished out and

MARITIME handed over to the appropriate authorities.

Tanko disclosed that his team has embarked on a campaign tour of all customs commands and terminals in the Western and Eastern ports to sensitise freight forwarders on the need to be compliant in order to avoid been subjects of endless extortion and harassment by the officials of government agencies.

While rolling out the 10-point agenda of the team, he accused some customs officers of turning themselves into clearing agents.

He also claimed some of the officials use their proxies (camp boys) to extort freight forwarders.

Tanko warned them to desist from these illicit acts, saying his team was ready to report them to the appropriate authorities.

He, however, claimed that

compliance level among importers and clearing agents operating at the nation’s seaports have risen to 60 per cent.

He also disclosed that the increase in compliance level has led to reduction in seizures and Debit Note (DN) raised on cleared cargoes by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

“Before now, we have 20 per cent compliance level among importers but now we have about 40 to 50 per cent compliance but we are expecting to get to 80 per cent before the end of the year.

“Due to the compliance level, Customs record on seizures and raising of DN on cargoes have reduced drastically.

“The customs revenue is also increasing and the risk of containers being detained by Customs, Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), or port police is very low, he,” he said.

He added: “We want to assist customs to achieve revenue because of the complaints against clearing agents and that was why we campaigned to importers on honest declaration. If we do 100 percent cargo evacuation, it will be easy to make genuine declaration and pay exact duty to the coffers of the federal government coffers.”

Tanko, who is the Vice President of NAGAFF, Western Zone, also supported 100 per cent cargo examination embarked upon by the Customs Service.

He said 100 per cent examination will protect importers and clearing agents against extortion by security agencies.

Though he rued the absence of scanners at the seaports, he said clearing agents and importers will have to endure the pains of absence of the scanning machines

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has commended Red Star Express Plc, one of Nigeria’s logistics solution providers, for its collaboration, professionalism, as well as the synergies with its officers posted to the establishment to ensure that packages passing through the systemarewithoutdrugsoranybanneditem.

In a special message to the company, the Deputy Director, Operations and GeneralInvestigation,UloOkon,onbehalfoftheNDLEA,saidco-operationfrom RedStarExpressPlchadresultedtoagreatnumberofseizuresofharddrugs.

“I must confess that your support and assistance, in respect of this, is very wonderfulandhasresultedtoagreatnumberofseizuresofharddrugs,fake documents,passportsaswellasfaketravelerscheques;bothinregularsearches andcontrolleddeliveryprocess.

“TheagencyisproudtobeassociatedwithRedStarExpressPlcandfurther wishesthatthiscollaborationwillbepartandparcelofthesystemculture”.

NDLEA stated that 33 seizures were recorded recently. The items were made up of cannabis, cocaine, Methamphetamine, fake passports, ATM cards, travellers cheques and money orders; adding that these items were interceptedandseizedatRedStarExpressoffice.

TheseizuresfurtherledtocontrolledpackagedeliveriesinEnugu,Abuja,Ibadan, and various locations within Lagos where eight persons were arrested and arenowfacingtrial.

RedStarExpressPlcisaLicenseeofFederalExpress(FedEx)Corporation, theworld’slargestdeliverysolutionsprovider.

Boeing Set to Recertify 737 MAX

It appears that the recertification of the Boeing 737 MAX, which had been groundedsinceMarch2019,iscomingevercloser.Recently,officialsbegun testing the aircraft in line with new developments. Since the grounding of the 737 MAX, Boeing has been working hard to get the aircraft recertified.

There are several projects that it has been completing to achieve this, from softwareupdatestoglobaloutreach.

A critical facet of the recertification is training. This training covers new developments in the aircraft. Also, on September 14th, a Joint Operations EvaluationBoardhostedameetingforthe737MAXatLondonGatwickAirport tonitpickBoeing’straining.Thesessionwasexpectedtolastforninedaysin whichtheboardwouldevaluatethesuitabilityandviabilityofthetraining.

TheseresultswouldthenbesharedinareportbytheFlightStandardisation BoardorganisedbytheFederalAviationAdministration(FAA).Thepurpose ofthereportistogainapprovalfromtheFAAAircraftEvaluationGroupand AirTransportationDivision.

This round of testing follows on from test flights carried out in Canada last week.The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) used the flights tocollectdataontheperformanceoftheBoeing737MAX. ItsaiditsfindingswouldbesharedintheJointOperationsEvaluationBoard meetinginGatwickthisweek.

Qatar Launches Four Weekly Flights to Accra

Qatar Airways has announced that it would operate four weekly flights to Accra,GhanaviaLagos,from29September2020.Thisbecomesthefourth newdestinationlaunchedbythenationalcarrieroftheStateofQatarsince thestartofthepandemic.

TheAccraservicewouldbeoperatedbytheairline’sBoeing787Dreamliner featuring22seatsinBusinessClassand232seatsinEconomyClass.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to be launching flights to the capital of Ghana, one of the fastest growing economies in the region famed for its local hospitality and highly soughtafteragriculturalexports.

“WefirstannouncedourintentiontolaunchflightstoAccrainJanuary2020 andwhilethepandemichasslightlydelayedtheseplans,ithasnotstoppedus fromfulfillingourcommitmenttopassengersinGhanaandaroundtheworld.

“WiththestrongGhanaiandiasporaespeciallyinEurope,theUKandU.S.we are thankful to the Ghanaian Government for their support in helping us to launch these flights providing an opportunity to reunite family and friends withtheirlovedones.

“We look forward to working closely with our partners in Ghana to steadily growthisrouteandsupporttherecoveryoftourismandtradeintheregion.”

With flights to more than 28 destinations in Asia-Pacific, 31 in Europe, 12 in the Middle East and nine in North America, passengers wanting to travel to or from Ghana can now enjoy seamless connectivity via the Best Airport in theMiddleEast,HamadInternationalAirport.

By mid-October, Qatar Airways intends to be operating 46 weekly flights to 14 destinations in Africa, including Addis Ababa, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Entebbe, Kigali, Kilimanjaro, Lagos, Mogadishu, Nairobi, Seychelles, Tunis, WindhoekandZanzibar.

“Nigerian airlines should always carry along the NCAA, the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian embassy while negotiating with the country they want to fly into. We are here to help them grow” Director General, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority,

Captain Musa Nuhu Continued on page 22

22

T H I S D AY Ëž SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD CONCERNS OVER FLIGHT DISRUPTIONS

BY LABOUR UNIONS “Many airlines have sacked workers, BA, Emirates; Lufthansa sacked workers and are withdrawing some aircraft. It is a global thing,� the Director General said.

Also, the Secretary General of industry think-tank, Aviation Round Table (ART), Group Captain John Ojukutu (retd) wondered why labour would be disrupting airline operations at this unfavourable period, where the global economy is in dire straits. “Unfortunately, I do not know the conditions the Arik labour force is demanding now that were not demanded before their engagement. Were these demands in the conditions of service or part of the airline staff career progression? “It is very sad that some of the things that were needed to have been done in the business plans of most operators is what COVID-19 has been exposing and rather than addressing them, the solutions for everyone is ‘government palliatives’. “Operators’ failed business plans demand government palliatives and the labour force is demanding a higher conditions of service in the downturn of earnings in the industry and reversed global economy.

Unfortunately too, the labour force that have been creating problems for the industry are not the necessarily and essentially skilled ones like the crew and technical engineers but the labour assessories.�

NAGAFF THREATENS TO EXPOSE CORRUPT GOVT AGENCIES AT PORTS at the seaports. “We have always been told that scanning machines are coming to the seaports but, since they are yet to arrive, physical examination is the other way out.� “Also, this is a difficult time even though, the service can’t do 100 containers in a day and no one would want to go for 100 percent physical examination but we don’t have option now.� “If I do 100 per cent examination, I won’t be afraid of Customs and that will protect our members. We want all containers to be 100 percent examined because if security agencies arrest any container that is done on 100 percent examination. We won’t be intimidated, “he added.

Group Business Editor

Obinna Chima

NEWS

‘NIMASA Securing Sea Time for Cadets Trained Under NSDP’ Stories by Eromosele Abiodun The Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has stated that the agency has made progress in securing sea time berths for cadets trained under the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP), despite the limitations brought by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Jamoh, stated this in Lagos following a recent three-month extension granted the 400 Nigerian seafarers undertaking sea time in different parts of the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the three-month programme leading to the award of Certificate of Competency (CoC) to beneficiaries was extended for another three months by NIMASA, in the first instance, to enable the seafarers complete their training amid the global lockdowns caused by the pandemic.

Jamoh stated that despite the outbreak of Covid-19, the agency had intensified efforts to secure sea time opportunities for a good number of the trained cadets across the globe.

According to him, “In the first quarter of 2020 alone we secured sea time berths for over 550 cadets in various countries for the three months

programme leading to the issuance of CoCs. However, due to the pandemic, we extended their sponsorship for another three months, which comes with additional cost, and we are still looking to extend it further as we continue to monitor the pandemic and how it affects the programme.�

The NIMASA boss stated that the agency was in con-

stant touch with Nigerian embassies in the beneficiaries’ host countries as well as the students themselves and their leaders to monitor their situations and guard against anything that could keep them stranded in a foreign country. “We have adapted our approaches to the peculiar conditions of the different countries where we have Nigerian seafarers on sea

time training,� Jamoh said, adding, “The feedbacks from the students’ leaders in the various countries have been very encouraging.�

He disclosed that another set of NSDP cadets had been approved for training, but their enrolment was on hold due to the global pandemic.

Jamoh said the problem of sea time training, which is one of the biggest challenges

of seafarers, was gradually being resolved.

The NSDP was initiated

by NIMASA in 2008 to deal with the dearth of trained and certified seafarers in Nigeria.

So far the programme has graduated over 2,000 cadets and many of them have undergone sea time and are currently in the employ of various international shipping lines.

ISO CERTIFIED

Deputy President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole; Managing Director, Bureau Veritas, Mr. Ohioze Unuigbe; President, LCCI, Mrs. Toki Mabogunje; Systems CertiďŹ cation Manager, Bureau Veritas, Mrs. Adenike Akinbote; and Director General, LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf during the oďŹƒcial presentation of ISO 9001:2015 CertiďŹ cate to the LCCI by Bureau Veritas in Lagos... recently

WACT Onne Receives Two More Mobile Harbour Cranes The West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) Onne, has received two more state-of-the-art Mobile Harbour Cranes (MHCs) and two 45 tons Reach Stackers.

Since last year, WACT has consistently implemented its growth and development plan of becoming the most efficient container terminal in West Africa.

The company in a statement said the arrival of the latest set of MHCs brings the number of such gigantic cranes at the facility to four.

WACT Commercial Manager, Noah Sheriff, confirmed that the

two new Konecranes Gottwald MHCs arrived Onne aboard MV Hanna on Tuesday, 8th September.

He said the cranes are highly sophisticated and were designed to provide versatile and economical handling of containers at the terminal. “This feat is unmatched by any other terminal in Eastern Nigeria. In 2019, WACT invested $14 million to acquire its first set of two MHCs and other sophisticated modern cargo handling equipment, including 14 Specialised Terminal Trucks

and two Reach Stackers. “In 2020, the company announced a further investment in its Phase Two terminal upgrade, which includes acquiring three additional MHCs to bring the total in operation to five; 20 Rubber Tyre Gantry Cranes; three Reach Stackers; 13 terminal trucks and trailers, and empty container handlers.

The upgrade will also include the deployment of reefer racks with a 600-plug capacity and expansion of the current yard, new workshop, and a new terminal gate complex.

“These cranes stand for high performance, versatility, and eco-efficiency. Now I can assure you that WACT Onne will maintain her superior services and match our liner customers’ quest to upgrade their vessel fleet calling East Nigeria,� he said.

The Managing Director of WACT, Aamir Mirza said: “The acquisition of additional container handling equipment is part of our earlier announced expansion of the existing terminal capacity - a $100 million investment that started last year

and that will be fully in place shortly. The expansion plan will deliver sufficient capacity to meet the envisaged growth in East Nigeria for the next 15 plus years.� “WACT made history on August 15, 2020 when it received the largest containership ever to berth at any Nigerian port. The huge container carrier named Maersk Stadelhorn, with a length overall of 300metres and a beam of 48.2metres, has the capacity to carry about 10,000 TEUs (Twenty Equivalent Units) of containers,� he said.

‘Accountability, Due Diligence Critical in Post Covid-19 Era’ Oluchi Chibuzor For Nigeria to speedily recover from the shocks of Covid-19, upholding of transparency, due diligence in the administering of public funds will be essential in the new normal era occasioned by the pandemic, the President, Nigeria Shippers’ Council Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Bashir Mohammed, has said.

Highlighting the urgency and imperative of the need for the nation to revive its economy, Mohammed advised that it is patriotic for those in power to display transparent with funds under their purview.

Speaking at the group’s 24th annual general meeting (AGM) held virtually, with the theme: ‘The need for accountability and transparency in administering public fund during and post

Covid-19 Era,’ he said it has become increasingly necessary in the face of current realities in the country and deployment of innovative policies to support various government initiatives. “As we are in the new normal now, it is important that we ensure that transparency, accountability, integrity and due diligence is upheld in administering public funds.

Nobody is allowed no matter

what to be overly; you must be accountable in whatever you are doing and must be seen to upheld transparency. “Colleagues, it is worthy to remind you that this administration took over the helm of activities on the 19th of April, 2017, with the sum of N30, 442, 770.89 only, with your understanding, support, cooperation we have been able to raise the funds to N300, 370,

446.93 in fixed accounts,� he said.

On the success recorded during the year in review, which showed an increase in net surplus to about N34, 185. 67 in 2019 up from N21, 51, 205.17 in 2018, reflecting 60.8 per cent increase, he added, necessitated the need for the introduction of Children Education loan to legitimate applicants.

Capital Market Editor

Goddy Ogene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Emma Okonji

Senior Correspondent

Ă‹Ă’Ă?Ă?Ă— Ă•Ă“Ă˜Ă‘ĂŒĂ™Ă–Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) James Emejo (Finance) Ebere Nwoji (Insurance) Chineme Okafor (Energy) Ă—Ă—Ă‹Ă˜Ă&#x;Ă?Ă– ĂŽĂŽĂ?Ă’ (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (ICT) Ă?ĂžĂ?Ăœ äÙÒÙ (Energy)

NSCDC Urged to Clampdown on Quack Security Companies Sunday Ehigiator The Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN) Lagos Zone, has urged the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to clamp down on the operations of unregistered private

security companies in the state for the safety of the residents.

The association made the plea during a courtesy visit by its newly elected executives to the State Command of NSCDC. The newly elected Zonal Chairman of the Association, Mr. Babatunde Mumuni, assured

the Corp of the support of the association. “We would like to say that the relationship and the bond that we have had with the NSCDC Lagos Command is one that has been really cordial. The visit of the excos here is to reassure you that same cordiality, and even more would be

extended to the Corp. “We have a very close relationship with the Corp and we are seeking ways to deepen that relationship further. The major challenge for us as an association is the issue of quacks, otherwise known as unlicensed security companies. “We would like you to use

your good office and your team to help us. We would work with you to fashion out a process in which communication would be seen clearly, and concise.

So that, when the information comes and we pass it as an Association to the Corp, appropriate actions would be taken,� Mumuni said.

23

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

‘Quaratine Measure Hampering Restart of Aviation in Africa’ Stories by Chinedu Eze The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments in Africa and Middle East (AME) to implement testing as an alternative to quarantine measures when re-opening their economies.

IATA said 35 countries in Africa and the Middle East have government-imposed quarantine measures in place. This is an increase of seven countries since August.

The global body noted that the impact was that the region effectively remains in lockdown despite borders being open, adding that recent opinion poll showed that 88 per cent of travellers would not even consider traveling if quarantine measures were imposed on travelers at their destination. “Mandatory quarantine

measures stop people from traveling. We understand that governments’ priority is on protecting the well–being of their citizens.

Quarantine destroys livelihoods. Testing is an alternative method that will also save travel and tourism jobs,� said IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Muhammad Albakri.

The latest IATA survey of passenger attitudes, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) showed that 72 per cent of people surveyed agreed that those who test negative for COVID should not have to quarantine, and that 80 per cent of people feel that COVID-19 is sufficiently under control in the country to open borders.

The association said quarantines, closed borders and travel restrictions continue to decimate travel demand in Africa

and the Middle East. Traffic levels in Africa and the Middle East saw the largest drop of all regions in July compared to 2019 levels.

Total passenger traffic in Africa in July 2020 was 93.7 per cent below 2019 levels and in the Middle East 95.5 per cent below 2019 levels.

Aviation supported more than 6.2 million jobs and $56 billion in GDP in Africa and 2.4 million jobs and $130 billion in GDP in the Middle East pre-COVID-19.

The economic impact of the collapse in air traffic in 2020 due to COVID-19 could be 3.5 million lost jobs and $35 billion in GDP in Africa and 1.5 million lost jobs and $85 billion in GDP Middle East. “Testing provides a safe alternative to quarantine and a solution to stop the economic and social devastation being caused

by COIVID-19,� said said

NDLEA Foils Attempt to Smuggle Tramadol to Turkey The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.6 kilograms of controlled drugs, suspected to be Tramadol and Flunitrazepam, which were destined for Istanbul, Turkey, barely a few days after the resumption of international flight.

NDLEA, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Special Area Command made this known, revealing that it made the seizure from Michael Ejionye Chukwuka, during the outward clearance of passengers boarding the Turkish Airline flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

The agency in a statement signed by its spokesman, Jona Achema, said the usual trend was the illegal importation of Tramadol from Pakistan and India into the country and not the exportation of the illicit Tramadol.

The seizures were made up of 1.250 kilograms of

Tramadol and 350 grams of flunitrazepam and were concealed in two Ghanamust-go bags.

The Tramadol are in 200, 225, 250 milligrams, which are above the 100 milligramme threshold permissible for legitimate use anything above which is illegal.

Chukwuka, aged 36 and an indigene of Imo State claimed to be ignorant of the content of the bags and that he was given the bags at the airport entrance in Abuja to deliver to a Nigerian woman who deals in food stuff in Istanbul. “I don’t know the woman but Paul, her husband in Warri gave the consignment to one man to bring to me at the airport,� the suspect said.

The agency explained that the suspected drug trafficker who works in a Cargo Office in Istanbul had lived there together with Paul for many years.

“He travelled to Nigeria in March and got trapped by the Coronavirus pandemic during which period, he equally became cash-strapped and had to reach out to friends to enable him validate his return-ticket,� NDLEA said.

According to the Commander, NDLEA Nnamdi Azkiwe International Airport, Kabir Sani Tsakuwa, the arrest and seizure coming less than a week after the resumption of international flight at Abuja International Airport is a clear indication that the drug traffickers are desperate. “But we are equally determined. Most importantly, we need to be extra-vigilant because smuggling Tramadol to Turkey is strange, suggesting that there is an emerging Tramadol market in some of these countries,� Tsakuwa noted.

UAE Impounded Aircraft not Nigerian- NCAA The Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Captain Musa Nuhu has said that those involved in the violation of the Nigerian aviation regulations in the impounded aircraft in Dubai would be sanctioned accordingly.

Captain Nuhu who disclosed this at a zoom meeting during the gateway forum of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondent on Wednesday, said Nigeria had concluded its investigation and forwarded all relevant documentation to the Dubai

Authorities and the State of aircraft registration which is the United States.

He said additional information that was requested, which was received earlier on Wednesday in a letter to the NCAA by UAE authorities and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had been sent, adding that the impounded aircraft was not a Nigerian aircraft but US registered, brought into Nigeria to operate under the Air Operators Certificate (AOC) of Nigeria.

On the 19th of July this year during the pandemic

lockdown, a chartered aircraft from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was impounded at the Dubai International Airport shortly after arriving the UAE. According to reports, it was alleged that after a random ramp inspection by the UAE Civil Aviation authorities, serious safety infractions were discovered on it and subsequently impounded.

The chartered plane was alleged to have flown some Nigerian mineral merchants to Dubai.

As Ibom Air Connects South-east

Water canon welcoming Ibom Air to Enugu Chinedu Eze It was fanfare on Monday when Ibom Air made its inaugural flight to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu two weeks after it was reopened for operations.

The airline, which holds so much promise, was welcomed by the Enugu state government, as the Deputy Governor of the state, Cecelia Ezeilo thanked officials of Ibom Air for choosing to fly to the regional capital of the South-East.

Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other airport workers could not hold back their excitement when the Ibom Air flight landed at 9:07 am that Monday, and was graced by water canon, which ushered it into the tarmac.

Ezeilo, conveyed the Governor ’s message to Ibom Air and said that the government and the people of the state and the whole South East warmly welcomed the airline to the Coal City.

She described the airline as partner, saying, “We are very happy and excited to welcome Ibom Air to Enugu State on its inaugural flight. We are partners in progress and we wish you success as you expand.�

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the airline, George Uriesi explained that in the reasoned and well-planned routes expansion programme of Ibom Air, Enugu was considered strategic because it is growing into regional hub, connecting many states around it; noting that the flight into the Akanu Ibiam International Airport was planned to serve not just the state but adjoining states as well. “We have moved from the federal capital, Abuja, to the commercial capital, Lagos to the Capital of Akwa Ibom, Uyo then we got into Calabar to get that part of the country and now we are in the South East. “Enugu is the gateway to the South-

Work is going on at different areas of the airport. AirďŹ eld lighting is 95 per cent completed, the project will become operational before the end of September

east and there are many states that use this airport, which include Ebonyi, Anambra; some people in parts of Benue State come here to fly, up to Ogoja in Cross Rivers State, so the clientele for this airport is huge. “We are very happy to be here and we come with our unique selling point; schedule reliability, on time performance and excellent service. That’s what we are about and we hope that as we provide that combination of three things to our customers they would reward us with their patronage,� Uriesi said.

He also explained that the advantage the airline has is that it is using the right aircraft for its operations, noting that the capacity of the aircraft dovetails with envisaged passenger traffic at every point. “The reason for this aircraft choice is that we don’t have to carry 100 passengers in order to make good business.

Our break-even point is lower than many of our competitors and as long as we have certain number of passengers per flight, we are comfortable, and certainly the market provides the number of passengers per flights and as long as we have those passengers or more, we continue to be profitable. “What’s important is that when you have the right equipment, if someone carries 60 passengers and it doesn’t work for him, we can carry 60 passengers and it will work for us. “We burn far less fuel than those who fly the bigger aeroplanes, we have more reliability because the aircraft are relatively new and very well maintained.

So far, it’s been good,� he said.

Welcoming Ibom Air to Enugu, the airport Manager, Mrs. Oguama Cecelia, said that facilities at the airport are being upgraded to meet the growing passenger traffic and expressed happiness that the fast rising carrier, Ibom Air has chosen to operate to Enugu.

She gave timeline on the works going on at the airport to make it fully functional and prepare the facility for the huge passenger traffic that it would service in the coming Christmas season. “Work is going on at different areas of the airport. Airfield lighting is 95 per cent completed, the project will become operational before the end of September. “We can take in night landing now.

There are quite a lot of jobs that are being done at the airport. We are doing the toilets, we are doing the fencing, we are doing the perimeter road, we are doing the toll gate, we are doing the drainages, the terminal, you can see we are changing the lighting, the roofing, we are doing all that. “We are also building a fantastic clinic. We have emergency operations centre, which we have completed and we are doing an administration block too. So quite a lot is coming for Enugu airport,� she said.

24

T H I S D AY ˾ SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

AVIATION

Domestic Airlines and Challenge of Capacity Chinedu Eze writes that indigenous airlines must build capacity to be able to compete globally

I

ndustry stakeholders recently reviewed the decision of the federal government to adopt the principle of reciprocity as response to the countries that barred Nigerians from their shores due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the stakeholders argued that the decision had resulted to increase in airfares by foreign airlines, while many others insist that the federal government took the right decision.

They argued that Nigeria should not allow other countries to run roughshod on her, noting that the country should be given the respect it deserved if it adopts the principle of reciprocity in its diplomatic policies.

They noted that there is no better place to start than in the aviation sector, where foreign airlines dominate international operations and while Nigeria “pampers” the airlines, their countries are allegedly harsh on Nigerian carriers and where Nigeria easily makes concessions in her diplomatic relations with other countries; the others are very rigid against her and her citizens.

Poor Capacity The stakeholders acknowledged that foreign carriers have upper hand because they dominate the Nigerian routes and they do that because Nigerian carriers do not have the capacity. As they dominate the Nigerian routes they decide the prices and comparatively, Nigerian travellers pay the highest fares in West Africa. Some of the stakeholders argued that it would be difficult for Nigeria to control airfares on its routes because it does not have strong carriers that can effectively compete.

Industry consultant and CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe acknowledged the above fact and conceded that one protracted problem of Nigerian airlines is effective operations to international destinations.

Aligbe said that it was even difficult for the defunct Nigeria Airways to successfully flying international destinations, remaking that whenever Nigerian carriers start international operation they begin to flounder.

One key reason is lack of capacity and the inability of the Nigerian government and the airlines to respond to the strategies adopted by foreign carriers to dominate their routes.

Having the right aircraft, charging the right fares and scheduling the operations at the right time is the responsibility of the airlines, but an airline can coax its government to introduce policies that will infringe on its rival airline and make it difficult for the foreign carrier to operate. They do this regularly against Nigerian airlines. That is where the Nigerian government comes in.

If for example, Senegal Civil Aviation Authority says that any African airline coming to operate in Senegal must operate a young equipment in order to disqualify Nigerian carriers, for example, the Nigerian government will react and through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) introduce a policy that any African carrier that wishes to operate into Nigeria must have current International Air Transport Association Operational Audit (IOSA) certification.

So while Senegal keeps a Nigerian carrier from Senegal, Nigeria will keep Senegal airline from Nigeria. But over the years, Nigeria has not been able to respond in that way until recently.

Aligbe noted that in talking about capacity it is not only having the right aircraft but also having the operational funds to pay for charges and other exigencies.

“What has been the bane of domestic carriers is international operation. Anytime they operate international routes they start going down and this include the defunct Nigerian Airways Limited (NAL). This has been a major problem.

“NAL had government support but being a carrier owned by government it

“The airline should get consultants to train its personnel and also ensure they attend conferences because it is at such aviation fora that negotiations are made and contact and alliances and reached. AFRAA is important because it represents African airlines and represents them in IATA, African Union and other organisations so Air Peace and other Nigerian airlines should be very active in AFRAA,” Aligbe advised.

Sirika

had government support but also being government airline had negative impact on the airline,” Aligbe said.

Government He suggested that to overcome this major challenge, government should invite at least two major Nigerian carriers that are desirous of effectively operating international routes and government and the airlines would look at this major challenge and find ways to solve it. First the airlines would chose the routes they wish to operate and have the capacity to operate them; then government would give them the needed support.

Aligbe said that government should no more see Nigerian airlines operating international routes as carriers owned by private investors, but government should see such airlines as representatives of Nigeria and Nigerian citizens and protect them as such.

This would help to secure similar respect

Government should facilitate the establishment of maintenance facility to reduce flight of foreign exchange.

This will be located at the free trade zone in the airport environment so that their activities will be excluded from taxes and charges

by other countries and other airlines on those international routes.

“Government should sit down, call two airlines that are ready to operate international service, look at their challenges and allow them to decide the routes.

“Even though national carrier will come in the future, national carrier is not coming to kill existing airlines; rather, they will work in synergy. Nigeria needs at least three major airlines with capacity in order to effectively have presence in international operations,” the industry analyst said.

He also noted that currently Nigerian carrier, Air Peace has the highest capacity in the country and suggested that government should sit down with the airline and find ways it can help it and the airline would in turn table its problems before government and solutions for the problem would be sought with the objective to make Air Peace a more successful Nigerian carrier.

Past Failures Aligbe said that any Nigerian carrier should not go into international operations when it does not have the capacity, the finance and other logistics that will keep it on the chosen routes for long. This will weaken the airline when it begins to owe accumulated debts and would be forced to withdraw from the routes and eventually go under, noting that this has been the bane of the airlines that tried and failed to operate international services in the past.

He said that airline operators must agree to come together if they wish to succeed in domestic, regional and international operations.

Aligbe also said that although there is aero-politics but such should not deter Nigerian carriers. All they need is to train some of their personnel on aero-politics and international relations and alliances.

“Part of the knowledge an operator needs to acquire is international relations and alliances. I expect that Air Peace should have personnel that specialise on this and it should have personnel that are well trained on this. I expect Air Peace to be a member of African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

Enabling Environment Managing Director of Aglow Aviation Support Services, Tayo Ojuri told THISDAY that the major way government can help domestic airlines is to create enabling environment for them. He said this would enhance their operations and this could be achieved through policies.

According to him, such enabling environment will encourage foreign investors to partner with local airlines and more funds would be made available for investment in the industry. This will enable operators to expand their operations, acquire more fleet and position themselves well to compete in the international market.

He advised government to forget about floating airlines but to concentrate on providing social and basic amenities such as water, health system, rail and other infrastructure and encourage the private sector to develop aviation business, including airlines; then government can control the industry through effective regulation.

He noted that because of undulating foreign exchange, cost of aircraft spares is high; the same with the cost of maintenance, so government could facilitate the establishment of maintenance facility in a free trade zone where spares and services will not be taxed in order to have lower prices “Government should focus on security, provision of water, medicare and others but should create enabling environment for airlines through change in policies. If the policies are right in terms of structure it will encourage people to invest, including local and foreign investors. This will enable Nigerian operators to play in the big league.

“Government should facilitate the establishment of maintenance facility to reduce flight of foreign exchange. This will be located at the free trade zone in the airport environment so that their activities will be excluded from taxes and charges. To ensure that fares are competitive, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should make forex available to airlines at discounted rates,” Ojuri said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Mainstream Cargo Limited, Seyi Adewale, said Nigeria already has a major airline with capacity, but needs the support of government and Nigerians to position it in a more advantageous position to compete with international carriers.

Adewale acknowledged that the risk appetite of many top rated foreign carriers has been tempered by Covid-19 and the resultant strategic control of entry point and frequency allowed opens up a new vista of opportunities for capable domestic airlines.

“With the assistance or support of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, local airlines could codeshare with these foreign airlines and ‘feed’ them or take up opportunities for potential slot increase through a partnership deal that is supported by the Ministry in order to meet up huge market demands in and out of their countries. For example, Delta has huge traffic and backlog into Nigeria till Dec 2020. Delta could partner a domestic carrier with capacity to access more slots/ frequency into Nigeria to meet this huge demand. This is possible with negotiations that is supported by the Federal Ministry of Aviation,” he said.

With government support, domestic airlines can grow and become very strong to compete with other airlines that fly to Nigeria. Experts say no airline can thrive without government support. It is so with Nigeria.

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COVID-19, Global Mobility: Outlook for the Future Adenike Yomi-Faseun, Bukunmi Olaniyonu and Ufuoma Edward-Ating Introduction he COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered global mobility, having brought the world to a halt. Many countries have implemented coronavirusrelated travel restrictions and border shutdowns, creating an unprecedented impact on mobility.

Clearly, COVID-19-related disruptions have impacted the ease of global migration and are likely to have longer-term impacts as the world battles to contain this global pandemic.

This article will examine the impact of COVID-19 on Global Migration and an outlook of significant changes that are taking place and will continue to take place soon.

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Global Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic Over the years, economies, cultures, and populations of the world have become increasingly interdependent as a result of cross-border trade in goods and services, technology, and flow of investment, people, and information, enabled by technological advancement. However, nations and individuals have had to scramble for safety with the advent and rapid spread of the coronavirus.

The virus has extended beyond its origin, across borders, nations, generations and social strata, ravaging the society and leaving catastrophic damage in its wake.

Incidentally, the same advancement, which had enabled cross-border travels at previously unimaginable speeds and volume, has increased the global spread of the virus.

Various governments across the world have implemented measures to halt the spread of the virus in their countries.

Such measures include suspending international travel, shutting down airspace and airports, closing land borders, and launching lockdown procedures. For instance: r 5IF 6OJUFE 4UBUFT IBT DMPTFE JUT northern and southern land borders to all non-essential traffic, and imposed landborder restrictions with both Canada and Mexico. Individuals, who were physically present in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Schengen Area, Iran, and the People’s Republic of China during the 14-day period preceding their attempted entry into the United States, are barred from entering. In addition, the U.S. administration, on May 24, 2020, issued a proclamation imposing a travel suspension for individuals who have been to Brazil within the 14 days preceding their intended entry into the United States, till further notice, because of the widespread transmission of COVID-19 in Brazil. r "VTUSBMJB QMBOT UP LFFQ JUT CPSEFST closed for at least another three to four months and restrict travel in-light-of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. r "MUIPVHI UIF DJUZ PG 8VIBO JO $IJOB has lifted transportation control measures and resumed external traffic, authorities in Beijing closed the capital to tourism on June 13, after a new cluster of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases was confirmed in the city. Travel restrictions have also been imposed on Anxin County as cases increase rapidly.

On August 12, China eased Covid-19 travel restrictions for Europeans. The new rules will allow European passport holders from 36 countries - including France, Germany and the UK - with a valid residence permit to apply for a Chinese visa without an invitation letter. r "SHFOUJOB DMPTFE JUT CPSEFST UP OPO residents with effect from 15 March 2020.

The Argentine authorities announced the extension of the mandatory lockdown for the Buenos Aires metropolitan region until 30 August 2020. r 5IF 'FEFSBM (PWFSONFOU PG /JHFSJB eased the full lockdown previously

Marina instituted in the Federal Capital Territory, and states of Lagos and Ogun on 4 May 2020, and introduced new measures such as night-time curfew, compulsory use of masks, closure of schools, clubs and places of worship etc. to curb the spread of the virus.

The Government has also announced plans to resume operation of international flights at the Lagos and Abuja airports from 5 September 2020.

How Organisations are Responding to COVID-19 Disruption The supply of migrant labour, which is the driving force of a globalised economy and thus an essential element of the global economy, has been adversely affected by the global pandemic and the attendant closure of borders implemented to curb the spread of the virus.

As a result, the working world has been forced to switch from business as usual to cautious travel, office closures, and work-from-home guidelines, in addition to implementing protocols for handwashing, and use of sanitisers and facemasks.

Some measures that have been taken to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 strain on businesses include the following: r *NQMFNFOUBUJPO PG B WJSUVBM XPSL policy. Before COVID-19, many organisations viewed the idea of remote working with skepticism. Unfortunately, the virus gave no room for preparation and threw organizations into deep waters where they must swim or sink, in terms of the implementation of remote working. r 4PNF DPNQBOJFT IBWF BEWJTFE FNployees whose work cannot be performed remotely to go on leave, while some have furloughed their redundant workers. r 4QFDJBM FGGPSU JT CFJOH NBEF JO

companies where remote work is not possible, to ensure workspace cleanliness and social distancing by staggering shifts and spacing out work on manufacturing floors.

Outlook for the Future The COVID-19 pandemic is a humanitarian challenge that will have lasting effects on how people live and work.

As many parts of the world cautiously reopen by easing travel restrictions and lockdown policies, there are signs that the following would take place in the near future: r 3FEVDFE OFFE GPS USBWFM 8JUI WBSJous forms of travel restrictions expected to be in place to prevent the spread of the virus, more people, including global employees, would continue to work remotely. r (SFBUFS EFQFOEFODF PO UFDIOPMPHZ It is expected that organisations will continue to leverage technology in service delivery and ensure the continued engagement of their employees. Additional investment is expected to be made to provide required technology tools to achieve significant results with limited physical contact. r $PTU PQUJNJTBUJPO .BOZ PSHBOJTBtions are expected to continue to implement measures to recover from the losses brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. These would also lead to cuts in travel budgets as greater dependence is placed on using cutting-edge technology to facilitate virtual meetings and collaboration. Expenses, which would have otherwise been incurred on obtaining visas and permits, travel, accommodation, and other expenses for global employees and business visitors, would be significantly reduced.

r .BTTJWF KPC MPTT GPS FNQMPZFFT JO UIF travel and tourism industry: The World Travel and Tourism Council has estimated that the COVID-19 could cut 75 million jobs in the travel and tourism industry.

Some employers in the industry have already laid off staff, while some others have ceased paying their employees until business situations improve. This trend is expected to continue. r "VUPNBUJPO PG TDSFFOJOH QSPDFTTFT BU ports of entry/departure: Social distancing and restrictions on physical contact have magnified the importance of digitisation, particularly in terms of traveller experience. More countries would be expected to introduce automated processes at the ports of exit and entry to minimise physical contact with travellers. r #PSEFS DPOUSPM BVUIPSJUJFT XPVME be expected to adopt a forward-looking approach of running watchlist checks to determine admissibility into any country.

More countries would also be expected to further automate the process of issuing immigration facilities. r 5IFSF XPVME CF BEEJUJPOBM SFRVJSFments for issuance of visas as well as entry into different countries, such as evidence of vaccination for COVID-19 (or other deadly virus) to prevent the importation of the virus. r 5IFSF NBZ CF B TJHOJà DBOU JODSFBTF in cost of air-travel tickets since airlines would not be able to fly full capacity in line with social distancing protocols. r )B[BSE BMMPXBODF NBZ CF QSPvided as incentive for expatriates whose physical presence is required in the host country to carry out their work. r *ODSFBTF JO EFNBOE GPS PVUTPVSDFE services - Organisations would be expected to outsource certain parts of their operations, especially those related to Business Support, in order to promote cost-efficiency and financial agility. r *O TJUVBUJPOT XIFSF GPSFJHO UFDIOJDBM expertise is still required, the company’s compensation and benefits scheme may be restructured to only cater for the employed expatriates without their dependants. In the same vein, these expatriate employees may choose to keep their families away from their foreign work locations to prevent possible exposure to the COVID-19 and other deadly diseases.

Conclusion There is no gainsaying the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world forever. However, it is not all doom and gloom as people will become resilient and would continue to evolve to address this challenge and future challenges to ensure continued survival.

We must stay ahead of the curve by embracing the new normal, because, “the pandemic represents a rare but narrow window of opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and reset our world.�

-Yomi-Faseun, Olaniyonu and EdwardAting, are of the Tax Division at KPMG

Stanbic IBTC Pensions Urges Nigerians to Invest for the Future Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited has urged Nigerians to pay attention to their pension savings and use it proactively to support their retirement aspirations.

The firm emphasised the importance of prioritising financial security and wellbeing in retirement that will help Nigerians maintain an acceptable standard of living during post-work life.

Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers Limited, Eric Fajemisin, said as the largest pension fund administrator (PFA) in the country, the organisation remains committed to delivering efficient and innovative customer experience to its esteemed clients.

According to him: “Our leadership in the industry reflects our commitment to providing quality service from a team of dedicated, focused and professional employees who have continued to set the standard for pension management in the country. “Over the years, we have leveraged technological innovations to make pension account access easy for clients via our online platform, mobile app, email and USSD. All transactions are transparent, as our customers get monthly notifications on all contributions to their pension accounts, as well as quarterly statements to enable them to keep an eye on their funds. We also provide

regular market and industry updates via newsletters to keep our clients abreast of updates important to their retirement planning,� he added.

These perhaps were some of the reasons Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers was awarded ‘2019 Best Asset/Fund Management Company in Wealth and Society in West Africa’.

Speaking on Voluntary Contributions, Fajemisin noted that contributors who take advantage of voluntary contributions to supplement their mandatory retirement savings accounts regularly have more lump sum to fall back on at retirement.

He explained that employers contribute 10 per cent toward

retirement savings on behalf of their employees, while the employees themselves make-up the remaining eight per cent mandated by regulation.

However, an employee can add any amount to their monthly contributions as additional voluntary contributions.

He clarified, however, that: “Only an employer can remit contributions on behalf of an employee, individuals cannot remit by themselves. These contributions are invested to yield returns, and the more individuals can make voluntary contributions to their pension accounts, the higher their overall returns over the long term.�

THIS WEEKEND WEEKLY MAGAZINE

NEWS METRO THISLIFE ART WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com 08038901925

Joel Popoola: Tech Expert on a Mission

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Joel Popoola: Tech Expert on a Mission Joel Popoola is a man on a mission. He has skillfully deployed skills to transform Nigeria into Africa’s first digital democracy. Having carved a niche for himself in England with the edge-cutting‘RateYour Leader’app, he shares with REBECCA EJIFOMA the huge potential and long-lasting impact of the technology on the political space

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oung, nimble and refined are the common features of Joel Popoola, a Nigerian UK-based tech expert.

Owing to the fact that the Nigerian youths have run out of steam for current affairs, Popoola an influencer has mapped out plans to make Nigeria Africa’s first digital democracy, reconnecting the youths, especially, and politics using digital technology.

While he is at it, he yearns to save the education of children affected by COVID-19, accelerate voter turnout, engage young Nigerians in national affairs, reduce corruption and export politeness to political digital democracy bate and online communication.

Mission Just in his late 40s, he has solely initiated an organic app called Rate Your Leader, which he described as key to campaigning. The free app gives voters a direct line straight to the elected officials who serve them, person to person, direct from their phone.

Meanwhile, the tech expert recently hit the airwaves after he called for telecommunications firms to remove data charges for educational resources. It was a conscious effort to help Nigeria proffer soothing solutions to a national problem with out-of-school children.

He wants Nigeria to join global technology bandwagon. “More than 10 million of our five to 14-year-olds were not in school before COVID-19, which made it even impossible for them to step into a classroom. But the pandemic has proved education can easily move online�. “The problem is although most Nigerians have the hardware for their children to learn online, all too often they can’t afford the data. Education is a necessity, not a luxury – so why not remove data charges on online learning to help our children catch up after the COVID-19. It seems so simple,� he expounded.

Creating an App Popoola realised that it takes planning and determination to get off the ground. “On some level, the idea has been with me for a very long time, when I was working for the United Bank of Africa Plc. UBA introduced a new appraisal system to improve the bank’s governance and transparency and it was that which got me thinking for the first time that if businesses, organisations and even nations are to succeed, decision makers must be genuinely accountable for their decisions�.

He went ahead to do his Masters in Managerial Psychology from the University of Ibadan, a course that succeeded in shaping his understanding of leadership, governance, and performance evaluation. “These are critical fundamentals for the development of this app�.

Sometimes, it takes a minor change to kick off. “Things moved on when I was working in England. I suddenly realised that I had no idea who my local representatives were. I could find out online, but it took time and effort – and I thought, how simple would it be to just enter my postcode into an app and be able to contact my local representatives straight

social media. “Or can you, for example, email any of the governors as an ‘ordinary’ citizen and get a reply? Their official emails are not even publicly available. Even, then when you have their contact and send them a message, they don’t deem it fit to reply. That’s the kind of non-interactive relationship Nigerians are having with the politicians in power.�

The psychologist, however, highlighted that more than two third of our elected governors are still using personal Yahoo, Google, Hotmail email addresses for official matters.

Popoola

away?

He continued, “Back in Nigeria, I remembered that it can be almost impossible to find any contact details for local leaders – how can politicians be accountable when they aren’t contactable? How can elected leaders build trust when they are not contactable?�

Impressions from Users For Popoola, it was just a matter of meeting minds with the stakeholders to change the narrative. “I sat down with politicians to ask how digital technology could help them serve their populations better. “They told me how much they would benefit from being able to consult local people without having to travel to see them, or visa versa, and how much they wanted to know if something someone was contacting them about was a real local problem or one person’s odd obsession.� “The most shocking thing people have asked is if the app can be abuse-proof.

They can of course contact people using the big social networks but the abuse they get is absolutely horrific. We’re the only social media firm to make it impossible to send abusive messages. “Nigeria is a country where we’re having to legislate to stop teachers sexually harassing students. Hopefully if people use technology like ours where it’s impossible to be abusive, they’ll get into the habit of being more courteous and

civil in all of their communications.�

Inspiring Electorate When the tech expert set out on his quest – it was to accelerate voter’s turn out and direct contact with their leaders. “In a word, trust! Only 35 per cent of Nigerians voted in the last presidential election, compared to 69 per cent in Ghana. For me, the reason is a lack of trust and accountability. People just don’t think politicians care about them – they are just remote, and irrelevant.�

Consequently, Popoola cited a survey which shows that over 70 per cent of Nigerians think all politicians are corrupt. “If people actually met their local politicians, they would probably see that that isn’t the case and that they care deeply about the local areas and people they serve. “Building personal relationships between electors and elected is the first step to challenging that misconception – and the technology exists to do that at a touch of a button.�

Changing the Narrative, Getting Involved Indeed, Popoola is pulling the plug to get youths involved in national affairs. “After God, It’s the government. We have access to God, but Nigerians do not have access to their elected leaders. We elected them to represent us, but we cannot reach them, not by email, phone call or even on

Youth and Technology There is an adage that “the advance of technology is based on making it fit in so that you don’t really even notice it, so it’s part of everyday life.�

Indeed, young Nigerians of today live, shop and interact online. “It’s where they work, shop, socialise, get their news and even date – but our political culture hasn’t changed to keep up. “Young Nigerians are smart and confident and expect to have their say – and the technology they have in their pockets can facilitate that. It’s time for Nigerian youth to get involved and add their voices to their votes.�

As a campaigner, Popoola constantly calls for digital technology to be leveraged to combat fake news and corruption, increase democratic engagement and improve the delivery (and reputation) of public services while reconnecting people and politics using digital technology.

The Rate Your Leaders app has some bells and whistles that help voters and leaders benefit for the good of the nation. “Voters aren’t the only ones to benefit.

The app helps leaders grapple what matters most to the people who chose them, build relationships of trust with the electorate, and get important messages straight to them.

Popoola means well for youths and technology in Nigeria. He has met minds with other inventors. “I once had a chat with the MD of Accenture Nigeria, Niyi Yusuf sometimes in 2018 in Lagos, and I was sharing my thoughts on how corporate organisation can position themselves to acquire and keep the new generation of customers at the formative stage. “The good news is that I just finished testing the platform, theStarwriters.com, ready to be launched now for brands and high net worth individuals to build loyalty and fan base.�

While currently working with his team to develop an online youth training programme, which is central to developing the digital skills, Popoola says they need to make Nigeria Africa’s first digital democracy. “I’ve also recently become a member of the prestigious Chatham House foreign affairs think tank, which is overly exciting,� he said.

Plans for West Africa What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander, this is a soothing saying for every situation.

He enthused: “Absolutely – that’s something we are going to look at over the next two years and we are seriously working at it.�

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Cleric Expresses Concern Over Hike in Fuel Price, Electricity Tariff Mary Nnah and Oluwabunmi Fache The Diocesan, Anglican Diocese of Lagos, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Humphrey Olumakaiye has expressed concern over the hike in the prices of fuel and electricity tariff by the federal government.

He said the recent fuel price hike and electricity tariff is a major concern as this has brought many, including youths, to the street, adding that this was not the promise made by the government at inception.

Speaking during the second session of the 34th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos tagged, “Pray, Serve and Grow�, held at Our Saviour’s Church Lagos, Olumakaiye who was also President of Synod, condemned the timing by government in hiking the prices of such essentials as fuel and electricity when citizens were still grappling with the tolls brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his words: “It is disheartening that all these are coming up at a time when we are just trying to get over the hassles brought upon us as individuals and a nation by the much dreaded COVID-19 disease. In the course of the pandemic, many lost their jobs; some lost their loved ones while many businesses went down and many investments yet to yield. Crime rate

Diocesan, Anglican Diocese of Lagos, Rt. Rev. (Dr Humphrey Olumakaiye

also increased in the country while some even went as far as committing suicide when all hope was lost. “At a time like this, putting manifestoes aside, the government should seek the comfort

of all the citizens. Truth be told, fuel and electricity are essential palliatives that can go round without being short-changed.

We should bear in mind that an increase in electricity tariff and fuel price will definitely

tell on other commodities and the poor masses are always at the receiving end.�

He noted that the government should readily be available to alleviate the hardship of the poor masses and not add to it.

Speaking further the cleric said, “The poor masses should be able to find solace in the government now and not otherwise. Government should aim at reducing burdens now and not increasing them. It baffles one that a whole nation like ours is finding it hard to fix our refineries, when a single individual is building one, yet we keep wasting billions of naira on many other things; so much that it becomes easy for some people to pocket. “It’s high time we made our refineries work and ensure transparency at all levels! We can do this if only we have the will to-do it. Our president should not be ill-advised on the things that most affect the welfare of the masses.�

Olumakaiye appealed to the government to take caution in their dealings with the masses, as the masses seek solace and comfort in them (government). “As a Church of God, we appeal to the government to take caution as the masses seek solace and comfort in them. If there is anytime we need the government most to relief us of incessant hardship, it is now�, he noted.

TYLgames Collaborates 9mobile, MTN to Oer Unique Gaming Experience A new gaming platform, named TYLgames has partnered two telecommunication giants, MTN and 9monile to offer a unique gaming proposition in Nigeria’s lottery industry.

TYLgames has turned the focus away from gaming, and now placing it in gamers’ hands the power to transform lives with each game they play hence the acronym “TYL�.

TYLgames, a gaming (Lottery) platform that is designed to positively touch gamers lives one game at a time. The focus is on gamers rather than on the gaming platform; placing in their hands the power to transform their lives with each game they play hence the acronym “TYL�.

TYL is an Instant Play, Instant Win, Instant Cashout game played on SMS, USSD, and Mobile Web platforms with the short code 33088.

There are currently two games available to choose from, an instant numbers game tagged “SHOKI� and “SHAFFLE� which is a daily raffle game.

With N100 game cost, a player can win up to N100,000 instantly and up to N1,000,000 in 24 hours by dialing or texting to 33088 or *33088# for USSD respectively or log on to www. tylgames.com TYL brings financial relief to the masses by providing the avenue to win instant cash to cover day—to-day living costs. With just N100, a player can win and cash out a minimum of N1,000 instantly, several times a day.

The best part of it is that a player can do this privately

Cycology Club Canvasses Bicycle Lanes on Existing Roads Funmi Ogundare The Cycology Riding Club has called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-olu to incorporate bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways into existing and new roads.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT), Dr. Richard Ajayi, who made this call during a visit of the BoT and executive committee of the club to the governor to discuss its ‘Share the Road: initiative, said such walkways should also be included in the forthcoming 10km Eti-Osa regional road from VGC to Freedom, Way Lekki Phase 1.

According to him, “there is need to deploy the ‘share the road’ signs, to protect non-motorised road users in the metropolis, starting with Falomo, Bourdilion, Lekki link bridge, Gerrard road, Dolphin loop and replicate on other roads with multiple road users.�

He stressed the need to promote cycling as a means of transportation and for the government to pass the non-motorised transport policy into law so as to protect all road users. “There should be proper education of drivers and road signs advocating for the safety of everyone,� the chairman said, adding that the state’s inter-agencies such as LAMATA, LASAA and LASTMA should also support the co-ordination in the implementation of the Cycology ‘Share the Road’ campaign.

Ajayi urged LAMATA to expedite the process of obtaining ratification of the Non-Motorised Policy (NMT) by the House of Assembly, to empower and ensure the safety of non-motorised road users.

He stressed the need for Cycology/African Cycling Foundation (ACF), to be granted access to the drawings of the drainage along the strip of land on Freedom Way (where there is ongoing construction of a canal) to enable the club progress with the bicycle recreation park as previously approved; or an alternative strip for a planned park.

In his response, the governor, who was presented with the first honorary membership to the club, highlighted the health impact of cycling and other environmental benefits and expressed his support for the club.

He said the club should work with his cabinet members, especially the Honorable Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde.

Living Faith Church BoostsAbuja Community with New Project Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

L-R: Product Manager, 9Mobile, Mr Olaniyi Adefabi; Chief Executive OďŹƒcer, Lagos State Lotteries Board, Mr Bashir Are; CEO, Humber International Lottery (promoters of TYL Games), Mr Andrew Humber-OsoďŹ san; and Assistant Director, Lagos Zonal OďŹƒce, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mrs Joy Okum, during the event

and confidentially, 24 hours of the day.

To deliver a dynamic and a superior gaming experience, different from other available gaming or betting platforms in a transparent manner to the masses, Humber Lottery, promoter of TYLgames has collaborated with Telecommunication giants 9Mobile and MTN to touch as many lives, reinforce the brand’s authenticity, and to deliver its promises.

Founder and CEO of Humber Lottery, Mr. Andrew Humber-Osofisan gave his statements as TYLgames launched. “TYLgames is committed to ensuring that people play responsibly and that they are rewarded accordingly�, he said.

He also stated that “TYLgames is much more than a gaming platform. It’s a way to distribute wealth, mitigate

individuals’ daily cash-flow issues, and address some of the societal issues plaguing the masses. We do not claim to make people overnight millionaires, but we guarantee every player a chance to be fairly rewarded daily.

TYLgames is that window of opportunity which they can seize to get the reward they deserve�.

He further spoke on the COVID-19 pandemic and why TYLgames is launching at this time. “The move to launch TYLgames at this time is strategic. As fear, hopelessness, and depression from the pandemic overwhelms, I feel for the people and believe that TYLgames is a spark to rekindle hope for people to get back up and win again�, he said.

On the “Winning Code�, 33088, Humber-Osofisan said,

“We call 33088 the winning code because, with it, you can positively change a life. 33088 is like medicine you take to relieve financial/money issues. Paracetamol can relieve headache, body pain or fever so dialing 33088 can relieve hunger, brokenness, poverty, and all cash-flow symptoms. Just dial the code 33088 for relief.�

Lauding the company, the Acting Director of Marketing 9mobile, Mr. Olayiwola Onafowokan said, “TYLgames will address a problem plaguing the Nigerian gaming industry.�

He also stated that “TYLgames is a gaming platform that’s incredibly unique and innovative. It is not just providing opportunities but also entertainment to people to be rewarded for their participation in a fair and transparent manner.�

The Living Faith Church has provided succour for the residents of Pegi, a community in the Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, by constructing a bridge and an access road worth millions of naira to ease the plight of the residents.

The Resident Pastor, Nimyel Nanfa, said the initiative, which was funded by members of the church, was to assist the community, which had been reeling under the cushioning effects of kidnappers and other criminal elements, to enjoy better infrastructure and curb crime.

Namfa, who spoke at the commissioning of a new auditorium, however, appealed to all members of the community to own the project as there is need to lay laterite, stone base and asphalt to make the road comfortable to ply. ‘’We are also appealing to our guests especially government to officials to assist us in making Pegi community a better place for us all. We need infrastructure such as access road, electricity, transformers, water bore hole projects, health centres and to improve the security of lives and property,’’ he said.

He noted that the church is committed to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and would do its best in funding human oriented projects in areas that they are needed, adding the church felt that constructing the link bridge would help to open up Pegi community for good activities. “This shows that if political office holders and the government support the community, it will have more projects that will have direct impact on the people� he said.

The Chairman of Pegi Community Development Association, Mr. Taiwo Aderibigbe, appealed to other religious and cooperative organisations to emulate the laudable project and uplift the area.

Aderibigbe said that until the intervetion by Living Faith Church, the entire area was prone to flooding and provided a sanctuary for criminal elements. “We know that men of the underworld take advantage of bad road to abduct people and others. In the last eight years, this place was a hideout for criminals. But this link road bridge would ease motorists and enable economic and business activities to thrive within the area,� he said.

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E-TRENDS

MUSIC SHOWBIZ

‌Your weekly entertainment delight

NOLLYWOOD

Fela Told Me to Take My Music to Africa, Says Sir Dauda Stories by Vanessa Obioha

He may not be in the list of artistes who have identiďŹ ed themselves with the afrobeat genre created by the legendary Fela Anikulapo-Kuti but that does not subtract from his belief in the afrobeat legend.

At the listening party of his ďŹ rst body of work since he joined the Bahd Guys family two years ago, the musical artist known as Sir Dauda revealed that before he began his musical sojourn, Fela appeared to him in a dream. “Before I started my music career, I had a dream and in my dream, Fela called me and told me to take my sounds to Africa, take them all to Africa. I feel that is the driving factor for me. I woke up immediately from that dream. I couldn’t go back to sleep.â€?

The dream happened in 2012 but it was in 2016 that Dauda managed to release the song that dream inspired ‘Kalakuta’.

Ordinarily, that spiritual encounter should steer him into the afrobeat genre but Dauda chose to create his own kind of music which he called Jungle Funk. “It is a representation of where I am

from, a composite of all things that make me who I am, the African sounds, and the African stories.�

His new EP titled ‘Love Ex Machina’ parades different flavours of music that speak to the artiste’s versatility. Apart from the bonus track ‘Landlord’, the other tracks are laced with messages of love irrespective of the melodies.

For instance, In ‘Trouble’, he sings about his commitment to his loved one, promising not to be a trouble to her.

But in ‘Woman’, his jazzy R&B ballad with Simi, it’s a wonderment of a powerful love. Soulful and passionate, both artistes complemented each other with their vocals and backed up by the drums, the song is a tranquilising harmony. “Simi brought a different sound to it.

Our collaboration was a beautiful blend,� he said at the EP listening party recently.

According to him, they recorded many verses but stuck to the ďŹ rst recording eventually. For the law graduate born Oluwatobiloba Dauda, music will always be a spiritual experience.

Will TrikyTee Survive Sunday Live Eviction?

TrikyTee after his ďŹ rst Betway Arena games win

For the ďŹ rst time in a long while,TrikyTee, one of the housemates in the ongoing ďŹ fth season of the Big Brother Naija reality show didn’t face the chopping block last week.

Winning the Head of House title last week spared him the eviction jitters. He is the most nominated housemate in this season and so far has escaped eviction.

But with this week’s nomination which placed him up for possible eviction alongside Ozo, Dorathy, and Laycon, fans of the show doubt if luck will shine on him on Sunday live eviction.

UnlessTrikyTee is the proverbial cat with nine lives, his chances of emerging in the top ďŹ ve are very slim. Laycon whose humble plight has won many hearts has possibly secured a place in the ďŹ nals.Dorathy’s escape from eviction on Sunday also showed that

she has a strong fanbase rooting for her to clinch the coveted N85 million grand prize.

Ozo would have been a strong contender in this week’s nomination but he has failed to amass many votes in the past few weeks, mainly because of his perceived obsession over Nengi.

Interestingly, the only couple in the house Neo and Vee strategically distracted other housemates from seeing them as a threat, thereby securing themselves a spot in the ďŹ nals alongside Nengi who won this week’s HoH title.

With only two weeks left to the crowning of a new winner of the reality TV show, fans are anticipating the outcome of this week’s voting, particularly to know the fate ofTrikyTee when Ebuka, the host unveil the names of the evictees.

AFRIMMA Goes Virtual for 2020 Awards In announcing the nominees for the seventh edition of the annual African Muzik Magazine Awards and Music Festival (AFRIMMA), organisers said that this year’s awards will be held virtually due to the strains of the COVID-19 pandemic that have limited travel and social gatherings.

In a statement, the organisers said “The AFRIMMAVirtual Awards 2020 is set to be the ďŹ rst of its kind in the African music world with performances coming from different artists around the world and audience catching the performances, speeches, and

award presentations on multiple streaming devices.�

This year’s nomination list shows a diverse group of musical artistes from different parts of the continent.They include revered names like Burna Boy, Diamond Platnumz, Aya Nakamura, Soraia Ramos, Davido, Master KG who are nominated in the top awards categories. There are also newbies like Oxlade, J Derobie, and Zeynab.

The 2020 ceremony is scheduled for November 15.

Sir Dauda

Odugbemi Highlights the Authenticity of the African Story at Creative Producer Indaba At the virtual offering of the 2020 Creative Producer Indaba - a year-long professional development programme offered by Realness Institute, in partnership with EAVE, International Film Festival Rotterdam’s IFFR Pro, and the Sundance Institute - famed filmmaker Femi Odugbemi attempted to draw the line between African stories and an African story.

In his keynote address, he plumbed what constitutes an African story.“What makes an African story genuine, authentic? Is it the costuming, the language, the locations, the cultural references, or the appropriations of symbols and subliminality? “Do authentic African stories mean a whitewashing of reality as they exist; because the truth is that the news images of young Africans dying on the seas in search of a better life, the stories of the Hush-puppies from Nigeria fleecing innocent people through online scams, the daily stories of government leaders who siphon the public treasury are all real too. “They are not manufactured. They exist. They are the ‘stories’ of Africa.

They do not make up the sum total of the ‘African story,’� he argued.

He also pointed out that despite the negative news that is often told about Africa, some innovations and enterprises sell a different reality about Africa.

In his submission, he stated that thee will always be a constant conflict between stories from Africa and African stories depending on through whose lens it’s been told from. “The real truth is that the ‘African story,’ historical or contemporary is complex. Sometimes confounding. But full of options.�

These include bringing balance to our narratives. “bringing ‘balance’ to the narratives, to the imagery, and the subliminal elements of our stories. It is about acknowledging the complexities of our history, the conflicts of our contemporary experiences, the unarticulated disadvantages of our economic systems,

Odugbemi

and our enduring capacities as a people, in these globally open times, to project our humanity, and to express faith in our values as a culture, to build honest capacities in our pursuit of happiness and prosperity.

Accepting responsibility as an African storyteller to entertain the world with the drama of our stories yes, but to also embrace the opportunity and privilege to educate the world, within those stories, about our humanity, our compassion, our community, our spirituality; and our capacity to enrich the world beyond our gold, minerals, and oil. The true wealth of Africa is beyond what’s beneath our soil, it has always been what’s between our ears.�

Also, he advised that our stories must articulate and foreshadow a future we desire and the storytellers must exhibit purpose beyond the passion of storytelling.

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͹͎

Shomolu, Ikorodu Residents Want LASG to Address Water Concerns

PWAN Group Unveils Premier Build and Sell Estate

The Chairman of PWAN Group, Dr Augustine Onwumere and Group Managing Director, Dr. Jayne Onwumere (in reexive jackets) and PWAN Max squad at the ground opening ceremony of Max Court estate, at Oko Addo, Lekki Lagos recently

Clamour for water

Chiemelie Ezeobi Communities in Shomolu and Ikorodu have urged the Lagos State government to urgently address the dire water situation in their localities that has made life unbearable for them.

The communities also want the state government to rehabilitate and make the waterworks in their domain functional so that they can access clean water for drinking and washing of hands as advised by the government to check the spread of COVID-19.

The communities amplified their demands when Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) visited them in continuation of fact-finding visit to ascertain the level of intervention of the state government since the COVID -19 pandemic began.

The group was in Pedro area of Shomolu on August 11 and Ijede in Ikorodu on August 27.

The engagement in Shomolu had representatives of the communities, youths, and women leaders in attendance.

CAPPA Associate Director, Olatunji Buhari gave a brief background of the organisation and Our Water Our Right Coalition which he said both started in 2014 and works to promote human right to water and challenge impediments to access.

Buhari explained that CAPPA recently launched a report on the status of waterworks in 11 local governments of the state, including Shomolu which was not producing water as at the time the CAPPA team visited on May 12.

He pointed out it was important that the community folks were speaking out and correcting the state government’s claim that they had provided water to meet their routine needs and checking of the spread of COVID-19.

Community representative, Olubukonla Oduwoye

explained that the community lacked water, even as she added that her own apartment is usually the police station in the neighborhood that provides water for them from their borehole, which has also become rationed as there is no public water in the vicinity at all.

Another community representative, Elder Ugbabor, said it was unfortunate that even with the Shomolu and Bariga waterworks within their proximity, there was no water for use, hence most of the residents depend on unwholesome water sources.

When the CAPPA team visited Ijede community in Ikorodu the residents revealed that for upmost of 16 years the taps have been dry, and that most of them have resorted to using water from the river which was not safe for consumption.

They narrated how they frequent the hospitals due to the high incidence of water-related

illnesses and the huge toll it was taking on their income. In his appeal to the government on their behalf, Hon. Tosin Onamade said that constitutionally the government should provide them water. But unfortunately, this was not the case and it had forced residents to resort to self-help at great cost to their health and income.

Onamade appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address their plight by ensuring that the waterworks in Ikorodu are rehabilitated and made to work optimally.

Earlier, CAPPAProgrammes Director, Philip Jakpor, said water is a right and the United Nations has declared so, and such it is the responsibility of the government to provide clean and affordable water for the people.

The CAPPA team also included Aderonke Ige, Veronica Nwanya and Olalekan Fagbenro.

Former PHCN Staff Association Demands Payment of Benefits Stories by Mary Nnah The Association of Former Staff of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) recently stormed Ibadan, demanding the payment of outstanding benefits of almost 50,000 disengaged staff of the defunct PHCN since October 31, 2013.

PHCN was unbundled and discontinued as a government parastatal effective November 1, 2013.

In a press release signed by its General Secretary, Yinka Adeyemo, the association said

payment of outstanding benefits include short payment of severance and gratuity, 7.5 pension counterpart by the Federal Government of Nigeria, 10 per cent Equity, post retirement training allowances of 16 months, including the Pension counterparts of both employees’ and the employer, insurance and others. “Furthermore, there is still an unresolved controversial two per cent deduction from the severance package of all former staff of the defunct PHCN to the two in-house Unions in 2013,� he added.

Adeyemo who read the

prepared text endorsed by the President of the Association, Mr Stanley Ilumah, told journalists that many of their colleagues are dying daily after waiting for almost a decade, seven years to be precise without the settlement of their outstanding benefits but eagerly hoping on the federal government to urgently intervene to avert increasing record of deaths.

A committee setup by the Federal Government headed by a renowned Unionist, Pa Comrade Hassan Sunmonu referred to as “SUNMONU PANEL� to address labour

agitation between the two in-house Unions of the Company representing the defunct PHCN workforce and BPE representing the Federal Government of Nigeria, unfortunately the federal government through her agency [BPE] jettisoned the agreed payment templates by the Committee resulting to the under payment in contest. “This has hitherto generated into untold hardships to the former staff who are soberly and passionately pleading to President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue them from penury and early grave.

Olanrewaju Picks Holes in CRFFN Enforcement Notice Apparently not pleased with the way and manner the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) is being managed since his exit from office, the erstwhile Chairman, Governing Council, CRFFN, Alhaji Hakeem Olanrewaju, has picked holes in the enforcement notice of the council. Olanrewaju, who is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Talod Oceanair Freight Limited, flayed the council for seeking ways to elongate its tenure instead of focusing on an election that will usher in a fresh leadership.

He spoke to newsmen in Lagos on the heels of an enforcement notice on the qualifications of freight forwarders which it intends to

execute after the expiration of the deadline the council made public recently. The immediate past Chairman of the CRFFN Governing Council argued that the present calls for all freight forwarders to come forward and register properly with the requisite credentials ought to have started two years ago if the council meant well.

His words: “The present flyers in circulation being a notice for all members to register themselves properly by possessing the mandatory qualifications is what was expected of the governing council and management to have kicked started since 2018. “ Turning around to issue such professional notice, at this crucial time, when the tenure of the third Governing

Council has elapsed since July, 2020 (that is July 2018 to July 2020) is wrong. “If professional administrative focus is anything to go by, the right notice to be reel out to the professionals is Notice of Election into the Governing Council and the Electoral Guidelines Therein. “One may begin to consider this administrative notice on the grounds of legitimacy and viewed from the point of view of clandestine moves to coaxing the practitioners while the real issues are left unattended to�.

He wondered why up till now there has not been any rebuttal to the news making rounds in some quarters that the Governing Council of CRFFN has an elongation tenure agenda up its sleeves just

as he warned against any form violations of the provisions of the Act that established the council. “You will recall that it was reported in the news where the Governing Council was accused of plotting to extend its tenure by two additional years. “To this moment, there is no official rebuttal to this report. One obvious fact that must be stated and put straight, is that the CRFFN Act 16, 2007 is an extant laws of the federation, as such pending the conclusion of the amendment process presently on going at the National Assembly relevant provisions are extant.

Most importantly, the council remains a professional council with a clear legislative intents and purposes.

Africa’s leading real estate network marketing firm, Property World Africa Network otherwise known as PWAN Group, has unveiled its maiden build and sell exquisite estate, on the bourgeoning Lekki axis.

Max Court, as it is called, is the group’s answer to all the questions that house owners are asking for, said PWAN Group’s Chairman, Dr. Augustine Ownumere as he explained at the ground opening of the estate, held recently at Oko Addo, Lagos.

He explained that Max Court is a unique blend of 39 apartment housing units consisting of Studio houses, one bedroom, two bedroom flats; and 55 semi-detached three bedroom terrace duplexes and the flagship four bedroom terrace duplexes with boys quarters.

Designed to accommodate 84 families Max Courts sits on a little over two hectares of dry land, at Oko Addo, one of Lekki’s prime location, where flooding is a not an issue and located about three minutes drive from Victoria Graden City (VGC), Lagos.

Perfecting the ground opening ceremony, Dr Onwumere, described Max Court as comfort redefined.

He said: “We have taken into consideration everything to make residents enjoy the unique ambience of Max Court and live comfortably. We have fantastic road network, drainages, top notch security and automated gates. “We understand that living is not just being in your house, but how you interact with the environment and how relate to the people around you. “Our independent power plants for round-the-clock electricity supply, and sewage treatment plant are all located away from residential area. A specious green area have also been provided for maximum relaxation of Max Court residents in addition to recreational facilities as well as commercial centers or shopping malls. “Your kids also can ride their bikes within the estate without the danger of being knocked down by traffic within the estate.�

The giant players in the real estate sector, which is reputed for having exceedingly very large bank all over Nigeria, hopes to sale out the entire 84 units within four months.

Addressing marketers and PWAN partners at the occasion, Dr. Onwumere said; “It’s gives us great joy to be in front of you today, to do a ground breaking exercise in this estate call Max Court. “ It is historic in the sense that videos and pictures will always point back to today, when in two years time all the houses here will be fully built by God’s Grace.� “Our vision is that within four months, the whole 84 units will already have landlords that have been committed to pay for their choice of housing units in installment, because the estate is in a good location. “Take pictures, create awareness, this land has Certificate of Occupancy and it’s secured. I believe that your coming here is not in vain, PWAN has given you a new product, a new life in selling Land and developing it. We have a new light in our business, this estate is declared open.�

Invariably there is an added incentive to excite prospective buyers. “We are not just offering beautiful houses in a serene environment, but we are also offering the means to own them by providing mortgage facilities through our partners, Home Base Mortgage and a host of others. “Now I think that makes a whole lot of sense; and we want to make a lot of noise about it because that seems to be the issue with home ownership. Prospective investors can now access the facilities simply by contacting PWAN Max office and the mortgage bankers. “At Max Court estate, a prospective investor can buy a house with as little as two million naira, and one can choose how long he or she wants to pay up for the property of their choice. “The process is without stress, you walk in here, pick your form, make your equity contribution and sign your contract,� Baron Okwuosa, PWAN Max’s Business Development Manager intimated. “We have a very flexible payment plan. One could take as much as 20 years to pay up although it’s subject to reassessment, revaluation by the mortgage institutions. We have negotiated fantastic payment mortgage terms for prospective investors because we want to make this project special. “Those who don’t want to take mortgage facility can also spread their payment plan for as much as eighteen months.

We have put in facilities specifically designed enable you to own it; because if you cannot own it, the aim is defeated. “The truth is; your client, my client and everyone should be able to afford a unit in our exclusive residential estate because we have included the pay-small-small plan into the ownership process for everyone to enjoy.�

While deploying the company’s marketing potentials, the Group Managing, Dr Jayne Onwumere, urged

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ART WEEKEND

‌For pure art enthusiasts

Azuh Arinze: Living a Life of Stories YINKA OLATUNBOSUN reports on a recent encounter with a foremost journalist and motivational speaker, Azuh Arinze, who recently launched two latest literary delicacies based on his career as a journalist Azuh Arinze is a household name in Nigerian journalism. Known for being very influential in delivering high-profile interviews and building strong connection with successful personalities, Arinze had the mien of a regular journalist. Perhaps, his dapper looks, doggedness matched by charming personality had endeared many to him. Any young journalist would want to learn from him even as he sat across the table with the collage of YES! Magazine forming his backdrop.

He reminisced on childhood days when he wanted to study Law. He was only a young boy partly raised in Maroko, a community bordered by Ikoyi and Victoria Island that was demolished by the military government in 1990. His secondary school days in Victoria Island Secondary school was marked by his involvement in literary and debating societies as well as writing competitions. “I never wanted to be a journalist,’’ he began. “My first love was law. I used to represent my school in debating societies and writing competitions.

There was one where I represented Eti Osa Local Government. I have always been fascinated by law but I got carried away in secondary school.

When the accolades were becoming too much, rather than concentrate on my studies, I wrote SSCE and I failed English. For me, that was a big blow,’’ he recounted.

Born of a father who was a business man, he began to oversee some of his father’s businesses. One Saturday out of boredom, he bought a copy of Punch. And that was a turning point in his life. “The anchorperson was Azuka Jibose and so I enjoyed his style of writing and of course, entertainment writing was about stars. Much later, he organised a competition that I won, after some time he left for the United States of America and another gentleman, Mr Femi Akintunde-Johnson took over the column. He also organised another contest which I won.

After that, they set up to organise FAME. They started another completion called Fame Reader of the Month bonanza.

I happened to be the first winner. The prize money then was N10,000. The day I went to collect the money, I saw FAJ, Mayor Akinpelu and they were all well-dressed. I had to do a career detour. Instead of law, I went in for Mass Communications at a polytechnic in Enugu,’’ he said.

During his industrial attachment, he returned to Fame Weekly. His first five stories made the cover of the magazine. That was all he needed to land an automatic employment.

At the completion of the one-year programme, he was unwilling to return to school. But he had good friends who advised him otherwise.

One of them, Ugochukwu suggested that he should combine work and

AGerman Cultural institution, NorthRhine Westphalia KulturSekretariat has released the trailer to the documentary video which is a collage of contributions by the Alumni of the International Visitors Programme to share their thoughts on the situation in their home country.

The video titled, “Culture in Times of Corona� was conceived on the reality unleashed on global cultural workers

Author, Joseph Edgar, fondly called The Duke of Shomolu, speaks to Adedayo Adejobi on his new book ‘Anonymous Nipples’, the naked truth. Excerpts from the inter

Azuh Arinze

study. At the completion of his HND at IMT, Enugu, he applied to Lagos State University where he studied Public Administration. With a career spanning two decades, he worked hard to distinguish himself as a serious-minded professional who was never late for events. “I spent three years in Fame, 14 years in Encomium where I was editor for eight years. I was the longest serving editor for Encomium. It was after the eight years that I felt I didn’t have any point to prove there again,� he said.

Next, he founded Yes! International Magazine where for starters, dissatisfied readers were allowed to return their copies of the magazine.

But that hardly happened with the quality interviews, gists, quotes and coverage of events.

As a journalist, he has a knack for interviewing persons that had been declared “unfriendly’’ to the media. Sometimes, it took waiting throughout office hours and remaining undeterred by several rejections. “You must never give up. When you read my book, “Encounters,� most times, we are closer to success than we know. Sometimes, you might just be on the verge of achieving that thing.

That is one of the biggest lessons that I had learnt. He is the number one advertising man not only in Nigeria but in Africa. I needed him to grace one of our annual lectures. I had written to him three years at a stretch. In the fourth year, I wrote to him and then he saw the letter and responded.

My encounter with Onyeka Onwenu, when I was with fame, I wanted to interview her and when I told my bosses about her, they said okay but didn’t want to discourage me but they told me that they are in court with her. There was no phone so I

went to her office. I wrote a letter to her and gave it to her secretary and then I left but the secretary caught up with me later and called me back to her office. We later became close.

When I had my first daughter, she was the Godmother. You can see the pantheon of sacrifice,’’ he recalled.

With over 30 celebrated Nigerians, footballers, singers, lawyers in “Success is not Served A LA Carte,� the journalist stands a good stead to advise thus: “Serious people don’t come to events late. Don’t give up till you succeed. Don’t be afraid to be critiqued�.

At a recent virtual book launch, Azuh announced the official release of his books entitled Success Is Not Served A La Carte and Encounters – Lessons From My Journalism Career, to the general public.

Compered by multi-awardwinning Nigerian comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, the event had dignitaries like former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who also chaired the occasion; the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi; Orangun of Oke-Ila, HRM Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, Mr Femi Adesina; GMD, SO&U Advertising, Mr Udeme Ufot; EVC, Verdant Zeal, Dr Tunji Olugbodi and General Overseer, Revival Assembly, Apostle Anselm Madubuko in attendance.

Other notable individuals at the event were Vice President, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Mr Emeka Oparah, who reviewed the books and Chairman, Bison Communications, Prince Bisi Olatilo, who was the Chief Host and Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Bashorun Dele Momodu who presented the new books.

NRW Releases Trailer to Documentary Video Yinka Olatunbosun

Joseph Edgar: ‘Anonymous Nipples’ Addresses Issues of Communication between Couples

across the globe.

The video features participants’ comments on how the Covid-19 pandemic has reshaped public life and the consequences for artists as well as theatres, cinemas, art institutions and festivals. All participants are alumni of the International Visitors Programme at different period over the past ten years. Some of them are musicians, painters, performers, arts and culture journalists amongst others.

About 100 international guests have

been visiting North Rhine-Westphalia every year since 2009 and forming good networks. It is expected that in the coming years, the focus of the program will be on maintaining international and inter-cultural networks. In 2019, a total of 16 programs were implemented on video art, dance, theatre, street art, literature, games and jazz music.

The trailer is available on social media platforms and NRW’s vimeo channel.

Edgar

What is the unique essence of the book ‘Anonymous Nipples’?

Annonymous Nipples is a bedside compendium that addresses the very strategic issues of communication between responsible couples.

What is the inspiration behind it?

When I produced Jude Idada’s Play- 3SOME, a play that touched very vividly, issues that we could consider taboo- issues like nudity, forbidden love, incest, kinky sex and self-love, we got tremendous feedback that there was a gaping hole in society as people didn’t even know how to address these issues and in turn continued to suffer broken relationships all because they could not communicate with each other.

Couples didn’t know each others preferences, they didn’t know how to engage themselves and this has led to the problems, that is practical indiscretion at the best and outright breaking down in these relationships as a result.

We got a lot of requests for the play to come back. Also a lot of request for more information on these matters. This is why we are bringing ‘Anonymous Nipples’ as a bedside compendium of explanations and truth-based discussions on issues that would generate and lead conversations, which hopefully would lead to better communications amongst responsible adults.

What are the issues raised and discussed in the book?

Very critical and adult issues like the growing popularity of sex toys in our lives today, the growing phenomenon of same sex relations despite legislation against it, masturbation, body image issues especially amongst our women folk and other such exciting and usually engaging topics that we however remain shy to discuss.

Are they erotic stories?

No sir. They are matters of fact engagements that should generate and lead discussions in the bedroom.

We have Dr. Ibiene Ogolo; legendary actress, Regina Askia; influential Media Personality, Azuka Ogujiuba; iconic actress, Elvina Ibru and an annonymous personality that we will call Mrs X, delved into some issues that will blow open the space and engage readers.

We also had Nigeria’s leading Sexologist Soul Spice contribute a deep essay in the book.

What’s the pagination and is it a breezy read?

For now we are working on about 100 pages because they will be interspersed by some of the most powerful boudoir pictures contributed by two of the most talented and leading Boudoir Photographers in Nigeria- Ibi Sofekun and Femi Olude.

We also have the wonderful Marvellous Dominion grace the cover. If you remember she was the electric character in 3some. She is reprising her role here but this time in print.

Aren’t you bothered that the book might be misunderstood as porn?

This book is not porn. It’s not erotic and should not be saddled into that genre. It’s a serious attempt at engaging ourselves. An attempt to engender discussions around issues that we rather not talk about or at best whisper them in darkened beer parlours or in beauty salons without really having the discussions with those who matter the most- our partners.

This is why we call it the naked truth and it is actually for the bold and courageous seeking to maintain not only sexual bliss in their relationships but also engendering healthy and beautiful relations with their partners. It’s a must read for true seekers of inner peace.

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FERTILITY

with DR. KEMI AILOJE Info@lifelinkfertility.com; Website: lifelinkfertility.com 08033083580

Success: A Possibility after Repeated IVF Failures (Part 1)

I

n-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the most common procedures used in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). An unsuccessful IVF cycle can be emotionally and financially devastating, and it has not been possible for all patients to be successful even after doing multiple attempts at In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

A number of reasons has been attributed which includes but not limited to advanced maternal age, elevated FSH levels, poor responses to fertility medication, decreased number of eggs aspirated, decreased rates of fertilization, numbers of embryos available for transfer, decreased quality of embryos, failure of implantation after embryo transfer, variation in the experience and expertise of the embryology laboratory.

Success after IVF failure remains possible when the following options are utilized.

It is important to ensure that a comprehensive fertility profiling is done and repeat testing done if screening has been more than one year prior to treatment.

There is need to have a review of Hysterosalpingogram(HSG) done to determine and document that hydrosalpinges is not present where the tubes can fill with fluid that can backflow into the womb and be toxic to implantation.

Immunological screenings, Antisperm Antibodies (ASA) and Antiphospholipid Antibodies (APA) may need to be done.

If ASA and/or APA testing is positive, either one can interfere with pregnancy outcome. Positive APA may interfere with the very early blood flow to the uterus and interfere with implantation.

A positive ASA may cause antibodies to attack the paternal contribution of the pregnancy and cause a very early miscarriage, before a woman even knows she is pregnant.

There is also, need for a recent Sonohysterogram (HSN) where saline is injected into the uterine cavity which is

viewed with Transvaginal ultrasound for filling defects, to rule out any abnormalities in the womb like polyps or fibroids. This procedure is usually recommended within three months prior to a uterine transfer. It is appropriate to ensure that the patient is maximally stimulated putting into consideration the age. All clinics are concerned with overstimulation and the risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).

This is a process in which the ovaries can become enlarged and allow large amounts of fluid to pass across them

into the abdomen sometimes resulting in a very sick patient that needs hospitalization.

Although OHSS needs to be taken seriously, not giving enough medication for a woman’s age or circumstances, or cutting down on the dosage of medication, may reduce the risk of OHSS, but it may also cut down on the amount of hormones needed to adequately stimulate normal follicular (egg) production resulting in decreased numbers of eggs, decreased quality of eggs and resulting embryos, and decreased pregnancy

rates. Giving less fertility medication doesn’t necessarily produce less eggs, it may produce the same number of eggs, but with each egg getting less hormonal stimulation to their receptors and resulting in poor egg quality. It is important that a specialist is in charge of patient to ensure individualized dosing adjustments using ultrasound guided tracking of follicles.

Fertility clinics and more specifically, their embryology laboratories differ in their level of experience and expertise than others, which could definitely result in different outcomes in pregnancy rates and on-going pregnancies.

Although looking at a clinic’s success rates are important, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) procedures cannot always be compared due to cycle to cycle variation and so many other factors. Some centres are better than others and consistently get better success rates, even with more difficult and older patients.

Proven researches have shown that the more things that can be done differently than what have already been done, the greater the odds are that success can happen. If we did things the same way as what you have already experienced in the cycles that were unsuccessful, then we would expect the same result.

That does not mean that the clinic you were at did not do things “right�. In other words, it just means that there are different philosophies on how to do things based on experience. Occasionally, it takes an additional attempt at a clinic that consistently has high success rates to be successful. Nevertheless, that clinic needs to be straightforward, to let you know, after carefully looking at your entire medical history and embryology laboratory work sheets, if they sincerely feel that you may be successful with a tweak from experience and required adjuvant therapies

rto be continued next week

Schneider Electric Launches Self-healing Grid Solutions to Boost Power EďŹƒciency Schneider Electric, a leading digital transformation, energy management and automation giant, has launched new intelligent equipment to achieve a self-healing grid and ensure efficient use of power in Nigeria.

The Head of Offer, Strategy and Business Development, Schneider Electric Mr. Ifeanyi Odoh made this known during a one-day utility end user training organised in collaboration with BolarmarkEngineering Limited.

Odoh stated that products which include the Smart Ringmaster (RTU T300 & SCADA); Pix Rof and Auto-Reclosers were launched to enable stakeholders in the power sector, most especially distribution companies (DisCos) fix major faults in grid, restore power after disruption within minutes,using the “self-healing grid� solution with minimal human intervention. “What we have done basically is to provide more intelligent and advanced equipment that enables systems to be smart grid ready and to be able to, at the basic level, restore service operation automatically within seconds needing less human intervention.

As such, it reduces operational downtime of DisCos to less than a minute.�

The training, organised in partnership with Bolamark Engineering, had over 30 participants from about 5 electricity distribution companies and other stakeholders and was centred on improving the grid reliability and efficiency, getting DisCos to improve on System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Frequency Index (SAFI); improving energy efficiency to minimize technical and non-technical loses and distributed energy resource integration to enhance grid stability and accommodate alternative sources of energy like solar, wind, gas among others.

Alhaji Bola Azeez, CEO Bolamark Engineering Limited

According to Odoh, the new solutions would save DisCos significant operational costs, time and money. With the aid of equipment such as the Ringmaster RMU, switchgears, transformers, transient or passive faults which occur 75% of the time, will be addressed. This will save downtime for DisCos. “Take for example, you are driving and you knock down a pole, the system would isolate the line feeding that particular point as close as possible, localize the fault and restore power to the rest of the community not affected so that only that particular pole would then be localized or separated for

manual intervention,� he said.

The Head Channel Marketing, Schneider Electric, Omobolanle Omotayo, stated that the solutions willbenefit not just the DisCos but also consumers with the aid of smart devices such as efficient utility meters, sensorS and release devices connected to software that can be read on mobile devices, or on the web and managed remotely to reduce the face to face time.

PAE and Product Manager for Schneider Electric, Moyosore Oyefuga while speaking, noted that the new equipment will bring extra level of visibility on the network so DisCos can accurately improve their forecast

and make more informed decisions.

He stated that the equipment will help reduce the issue of load shedding by DisCos. “With the kind of automations we bring, some loads could be deferred if for any reason, DisCos realise that there is a little bit more demand than supply or vice versa.�

Other Speakers at the training include Tendering Manager- Power System, Adebayo Adeniran and Prescription Expert, Oladapo Faworaja. Participants from Eko DisCo, Ikeja DisCo, Abuja DisCo, Ibadan DisCo, Lagos State Electricity Board, Viathan Utility and the Bolamark Engineering Team graced the event.

33

T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

POLSCOPE

I

åÓÞÒ ĂŽĂŽĂŁ ĂŽĂ“Ă ĂĄĂœĂ“ Ă?ĂŽĂŽĂŁË›Ă™ĂŽĂ“Ă ĂĄĂœĂ“ĚśĂžĂ’Ă“Ă?ĂŽĂ‹ĂŁĂ–Ă“Ă Ă?Ë›Ă?Ă™Ă—Ëœ ͸΀͸ͽ ͝͸͞ Π͝ͽ͞

Edo Guber: Will the Peace Initiatives Count?

n 24 hours from now, all the palpitations caused by the Edo gubernatorial election should have been over. Tomorrow is the D-Day. So much has been said and done towards the governorship election.

One major concern about the election is not so much about who wins at the end of the day, but how the winner will emerge.

Clearly, it is a two-horse race, even though 14 candidates are on the ballot. The other 12 are more or less like the also-ran group.

The contest is strictly between the two gladiators: incumbent governor Godwin Obaseki, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The duo are the frontliners. They have both shown not only capacity, but have actually been the ones reaching out most to the Edo electorate. So in a way, the choice is largely between Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu.

The tendency associated with the two candidates also has to do with the capacity for violence. Long before now, there have been accusations and counter accusations about which side is massing up arms and spoiling for war. It is not mere accusation.

On several occasions, we have seen the actual unleashing of violence .

Once, it was at the sacred palace of the Oba of Benin. The supporters of both parties clashed. On another occasion, a campaign bus belonging to one of the parties was riddled with bullets.

That there has thus been tension and fear of blood flow and possible loss of lives, is an understatement. The signs are all out there.

So, by tomorrow, will the Edo voters tear themselves down or not?

To forestall this, the Oba of Benin, at the beginning of the month, had invited the duo and their various party leaders to a meeting in his palace, where the monarch made Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu to commit themselves to peace. He warned them against any act of violence, urging them to emulate President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Jonathan.

At that meeting, not only did the duo commit to peace, they embraced each other and laughed .v But a week after, the echoes of violence was still heard in the vvarious camps of the candidates.

Last Tuesday, the National Peace Committee headed by former Head of State, Gen Abdusalami Abubakar and the progressive Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hasan Kukah, moved over to Benin-City.

Mission was to, again, get Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu to sign a Peace Accord aimed at re-assuring the electorate that the election will be violence-free.

Failed State: Is Obasanjo Right or Wrong?

H

ave you been following the rumble in the Rock?

Rumble in the Rock?

Which Rock?

Did you not hear of how former President Olusegun Obasanjo unsettled the presidential Villa with his uncharitable declaration, saying that Nigeria was tilting towards becoming a failed state? That we are now more divided than ever before? Can you imagine that unpatriotic zest from an unlikely quarters?

What do you mean by unpatriotic zest?

Did you really listen to the resolution from that summit? Tell me what part of the published resolution is a misrepresentation of facts as they are in the Nigeria of today.

Ize-Iyamu and Obaseki

Again, at the end of the signing, Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu embraced each other warmly.

But many have asked, and are indeed worried, whether the mere clerical signing of such accords can actually guaranty that the polls will be free of violence. Would these accords indeed, rein in the Edo thugs? Both sides still hold each other in mutual suspicion.

A month ago, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) had invited Tony Adun (aka Kabaka) and nine other APC chieftains, obviously to extract a commitment for peace from them.

Kabaka is believed to be an apostle of anything but peace.

Even after that meeting with Kabaka et al, the drumbeats of war and brigandage did not cease.

The Police on its part have also met all the stakeholders in the election to ensure that there is a peaceful outing.

It is in pursuance of that that the Police authorities have deployed 31,000 policemen to guard the Edo election.

That, ordinarily should ensure that all goes well. But that will not be the first time Police is deploying such huge numbers of its men to elections that did not quite turn out free and fair. Last November, the Police had deployed 35,000 policemen to monitor the guber contest in Kogi State. Yet, there were tales of rigging, ballot box snatching, harassment and even violence wherein the women leader of the PDP, Salome Abuh, was burnt to death in her own house. Where were the 35,000 policemen?

That means that the presence of policemen, whether in thousands or millions does not necessarily guaranty that all shall be well. Will Edo case be different?

It is interesting that INEC on its part has put in several measures to ensure the conduct is smooth and not end as

an inconclusive exercise. The idea of monitoring both the distribution of electoral materials and the conduct of the polls itself, electronically sounds re-assuring. But will it stand the test of the push from desperate politicians and their followers?

Again, the idea of colour-coding the ballot papers from local government to local government, will go a long way to ensuring that the process goes well.

Ultimately however, technology will be allowed to be efficient only if man allows it. The smoothness and validity of the election will hugely depend on how the political actors decide to play. If they adhere and respect the spirit and content of the many accords that have been signed and the understandings reached, Edo will witness free and fair election.

But if on the other hand, the political malfeasance in the demagogues decide to take control of the system, we shall find out that all that has been planned are mere balderdash.

The next level of the worry is what will eventually happen to those who defy the peace accords. What is the sanction that will be meted out to them? This has become even more crucial because usually, election offenders are never prosecuted.

With the involvement of the royal father in Edo State, is there any metaphysical punishment for defying the appeal of the monarch? Bishop Kukah likened the peace accord to “exchange of vows� between couples. The duo have literally sworn before the gods and the oracles of the heavenly God to be peaceful. Would they be faithful to it? When the terms of such vows are compromised, are sanctions visited on the violators? Indeed, will these peace accords count tomorrow? We wait.

Dangote ReďŹ nery and Future Cost of Petrol Many Nigerians got confused when the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed suddenly dabbled into what seemingly does not concern her. Early in the week, she claimed that the argument that the cost of petrol would have been cheaper if our four refineries were working at full capacity is wrong. She further went to declare that when the Dangote Refinery begins operation next year, that it would not necessarily bring down the cost of petrol because Dangote refinery would be selling at global market rate. I don’t know who sent madam minister to do this hurting PR for Dangote. What is the essence of that ill news? Is it to tell Nigerians not to hope for a better tomorrow (with or without Dangote refinery), or is it to prepare Dangote to maximally extract the most from Nigerians? Or it is to prove

Canticles‌.

Zainab Ahmed

that Buhari’s policies are not hurting us?

Whatever the reason, it is an uncalled for and vexatious poke nosing. She does not work for Dangote./ She should not speak for him or his company.

For one, the declaration of the Honourable minister defies economic logic.

Are we not told that the price of petrol now is a function of international price of crude plus all such logistical expenses, better described as “landing cost�?

So Madam, if the Dangote refinery is supplied crude from Escravos or Eket or anywhere in the Niger Delta, has the cost of moving such crude through ocean vessels to abroad, where they are refined not cut off? Or would the cost of freighting finished products back to Nigeria not eliminated? So why won’t Dangote petrol be cheaper? I don’t understand the logic of the Finance Minister. It is like arguing that local rice should be more expensive or the same price with imported rice.

As they say on the street, somebody should tell Madam to follow her lane.

Whaaaat? You mean Obasanjo was right? How could he? Are you not aware of how this government has been battling against all odds to clear the augean stable? Was the same Obasanjo not part of the mess that President Buhari has been clearing? Do you know how much damage the PDP-led administrations did to Nigeria in the 16 years they presided over Nigeria?

So how can he turn around to de-market the sitting President?

You know he is always looking for national attention.

He’s done with his passion for letter-writing, he is now into organising summits. You know he has omniscient complex. If it not his idea, then it is never good enough! You must learn to take his views with a pinch of salt. It is not always what it seems. Do you know that if there is another Ojota camping today, that former President Obasanjo is likely going to be found there? Is that the hallmark of a statesman?

If you are in this country, you will have no reason to truly disagree with Obasanjo. Even Obasanjo’s arch enemy, Professor Wole Soyinka, for once, agreed with the former President, confirming that Nigeria is “close to extinction as a viable comity of peoples’ , He listed a litany of woes. And they are all valid.

What do you expect Soyinka to say? Is he not a notorious critic of any and every government?

They just parrot some neo-liberal terminologies. What do they really mean by a failed state? Did you not hear President Buhari describing Nigeria as the most prosperous Black nation in the world?

Ok. Tell me one feature of a failed state that is not resident in Nigeria?

Is it hunger? Is it insecurity and uncertainty? Is it inflation that has peaked now at 13.22%, the highest in four years? Is it lawlessness?

Is it brigandage? Is it terrorism?

Is it drums of war ever beating in the hinterlands? Is it ‘fantastic’ corruption? Is it the collapse of the local currency? Is it the illiterate education system or the sick health sector? Or do you want to talk about the decaying public infrastructure? Is it nepotism? Is it the mounting foreign and local debts, now in multiple trillions?

Is it‌ (cuts in).. Enough! Admit you are also unpatriotic. In fact you could be accused of delivering hate speech. Many of you take utmost joy in running down your

Obasanjo

country, as if you have another.

You’d rather see the nation’s cup as half empty than see it as half full. Look, Nigeria is marching forward, despite what people like you think.

I have challenged you to tell me what is of failed states that is not in Nigeria. Don’t just mumble inanities. Tell me in clear terms how we are different from a failed state.

Look, everybody is warning that unless the drift is arrested, Nigeria could as well vanish one day. Things are fast going out of hand.

Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba sociocultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, the Northern Elders Forum PANDEF and almost all sub-nationals in the country are agreed that things are bad. The Christian body as well as Muslim bodies are all groaning. It is only those of you who worship at the shrine of the presidency that still believe all is well. You devotees of the presidency are jaundiced. My brother all is just not well. Don’t deceive yourself. Do you think it is for nothing that crime and rape are increasing at worrisome proportions? Have you asked why these crimes are increasing?

You talk as if you do not know that the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything in the world economy. Do you think Nigeria will be an exception? Have you not seen how other countries are struggling to stabilize?

What a convenient excuse! Long before the advent of the Pandemic, Nigeria was already going south.

The Pandemic merely hastened the slide. Life had been nasty , short and brutish. Everyday people are kidnapped and killed. The tired service chiefs have literally remained glued to their seats despite their loss of bearing. And all Nigerians are choking and sweating and shouting, ‘we cant breath’!

Do you realise that for the ďŹ rst time, Nigerians no longer import food item ? That we are now self sufďŹ cient in food production?

That is raw propaganda. Do you know that we have borrowed tons of grains from West African Grains Reserve in recent times? Is that how to be self-sufficient in food production?

I pray honestly that the scales will fall off your eyes and you will begin to see the brighter side of life. Just wait. By October 1, Nigeria will be 60. You will be reminded of how far gone we are in the journey to Canaan.

Yes, we are not yet there, but surely, we have long left Egypt.

Hmmmm, it is so good to be imaginative.

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T H I S D AY Ëž ÍŻÍśËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Transcorp Hotels Hard Hit by COVID-19, Outlines Business Sustainability Strategy Dike Onwuamaeze Following the disruptive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business, Transcorp Hotels Plc said it has taken measures to reduce its operating cost and maintain business continuity.

Specifically, the hotelier said it is diversifying its portfolio and reducing its workforce as part of its cost management initiatives.

The Managing Director of the Transcorp Hotels, Ms. Dupe Olusola, who announced this during an online media briefing yesterday, said the company plan to reduce its workforce by about 40 per cent as it battles to survive the devastating effects of the pandemic on hotels and hospitality industry.

The chief executive officer of the hotel disclosed that room occupancy has not risen above 17 per of the hotel’s 677 rooms since the outbreak of the pandemic, adding that the financial position was further worsened by the total cancelation of the event bookings the hotel had for the rest of the year since April.

Transcorp, according to her, has 1000 permanent staff and 500 contract staff with a pay roll cost of over N2 billion.

Owing to these, Olusola, stated that the hotel has suffered

cumulative business losses of N4.9 billion and decline in revenue of N9.4 billion since March when the onslaught of COVID-19 began to take its toll on hotel business in Nigeria and the rest of the world. “The impact of COVID-19 on the business is like nothing the company has ever witnessed. The hotel and hospitality industry in Nigeria has never faced a crisis that brought travel to a standstill, including the Ebola Virus Outbreak of 2014 and the recession of 2015. “The slow pick up of international travel, restriction on large gatherings, the switch to virtual meetings and fear of the virus, has drastically reduced demand for our hotels and occupancy levels to its lowest of less than five per cent.�

She added: “There was a time we were down to five per cent occupancy for a hotel that has 677 rooms. We were faced with the dilemma to shut the hotel like other hotels across the globe were doing. “We have not even seen above 17 per cent occupancy even at this point. So we are still recording very, very, low revenue. We are struggling and embarked on cost saving measures, renegotiated our contracts, reduce the lift two three,� Olusola said.

She stated that the three major sources of revenues to the hotel were adversely affected by the impact of COVID-19 and the measures taken to contain its spread. These sources are room occupancy, events and conferences and the sale of foods and drinks.She said: “We struggled not to lay off workers and for the first three months we kept staff at home and paid them their full salaries.

But because of the drop in occupancy that we have seen, without a doubt we have to disengage at least 40 per cent of our employees because critically we have reached an area that we cannot continue as a business without letting go this number of staff. “We are engaging with the unions at both the junior and senior levels to ensure that the employees are taken care of. “The reality is that the occupancy that we have now at below 20 per cent, it is impossible not to retrench.

Even the government policy that limited the number of people for social gathering at 250 affected the way we run our hotel. So, what is the need for retaining banquet staff when there is no longer any banquet to serve?

CBN Grants Greenwich Trust Merchant Banking Licence The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted Greenwich Trust Limited a licence to operate as a merchant bank in the country.

This was disclosed in a statement by the financial institution yesterday.

The entity is now to be known as Greenwich Merchant Bank Limited.

According to the company, the license allows Greenwich Merchant Bank to upscale and offer diverse services such as corporate banking,

investment banking, financial advisory services, securities dealing, treasury, wealth and asset management, among others, making it possible to provide increased value to stakeholders beyond its previous scope.

L-R: Head of Sales, International Breweries Plc (IBPLC), Sylvester Umemezie; Prize Winner, Akubue Somuadina; Corporate Affairs Manager IBPLC, Chuma Umunna; and District Manager, Stanley Njoku, at the ‘Million Naira’ cheque presentation from Hero Lager Beer’s Rise-Like-A-Hero promotion held in Onitsha... recently

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

LASAA Announces Palliatives for Outdoor Advertising Practitioners The Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) has announced various palliatives to cushion the adverse impact of the Covid-19 on the operations of outdoor advertising practitioners in the state.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/ CEO) of LASAA, Mr. Adedamola Docemo, who disclosed this in statement obtained yesterday, said the agency decided to waive the permit fees for outdoor practitioners spanning three months from April to June 2020, following the approval of the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. “This represents 25 per cent of the outdoor practitioners’ bill for the year 2020,� he said.

He added that the agency was also willing to offer a special discount to all outdoor advertising

practitioners that are ready to offset their 2019 outstanding bills completely and immediately. “This will, however, be done on a case-by-case basis,� he said.

Furthermore, Docemo explained that a revised bill for this year would be sent to all registered outdoor advertising practitioners with a letter detailing the terms and conditions attached to the rebate, adding that a major condition is the practitioners’ readiness to settle all 2019 outstanding bills as well as the outstanding payment for January to March 2020.

He said a formal letter has been sent to the Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN) and other stakeholders in the industry intimating them of the new developments.

He expressed optimism that

the initiative would go a long way to demonstrate the agency’s resolve to help the industry grow as well as cushion the negative effect of the pandemic on outdoor advertising business in the state. “We hope the members of the outdoor advertising industry will reciprocate this good gesture from the state by ensuring prompt payment of all their obligations to the agency as this will help the state’s agenda to achieve accelerated infrastructure development,� he added.

Docemo noted that the palliatives have become imperative because the advertising sector and the economy at large had been badly hit by the advent of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly the outdoor advertising industry.

IFRSEF Calls for Nigeria’s Representation at IASB A newly formed group of financial experts, the IFRS Experts Forum (IFRSEF) Nigeria, has advocated for Nigeria’s representation at the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB), London. The nonprofit organisation, incorporated in Nigeria in February, 2020, asserted in a statement that the biggest market for IFRS in Africa is Nigeria, noting however that the country is currently not well represented at International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The IASB, an independent

group of experts with an appropriate mix of the latest practical experience in setting accounting standards, accounting education and standard preparation, auditing and utilisation of financial reports is a body responsible for the coordination of the international financial reporting standards (IFRS) which Nigeria has adopted. IFRSEF expressed its worries, “over the poor financial reporting in Nigeria which has been the bane of private and public accountability in the country, hence the need for

a better representation at IASB.�

It believes that creating awareness and promoting the adoption of international financial reporting standards would raise the bar on better governance of private and public entities in Nigeria.

According to IFRSEF Memorandum of Association, the international accounting standards being advocated for are International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for private sector and International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) for public sector.

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

Ëž Ă™Ă&#x;ĂœĂ?Ă? Ě‹

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

March 2018 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

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

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ ÍŻÍ´ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $41.29 a barrel on Wednesday, compared with $39.35 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), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

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NSE Restates Commitment to Providing Access to Funding by Firms Goddy Egene The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, has restated the commitment of the exchange towards the provision of a platform for companies and other issuers to meet their strategic business objectives through access to funding and other services.

Onyema stated this during the ‘Facts Behind the Figures,’

presentation of Capital Hotels Plc, which was held virtually. This marked the first virtual edition in the series since the exchange transitioned to remote trading in March 2020.

Speaking through the Head, Listing Business Division, NSE, Mr. Olumide Bolumole, the CEO said: “It is our pleasure to host Capital Hotels Plc and we commend the management for championing the maiden edition of this vital series given that

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

the market is driven by timely, relevant and accurate information.

We recognise the efforts made

by Capital Hotels Plc aimed at improving business operations and restoring investor confidence in the company despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the exchange, we remain committed to providing a platform for the company and other Issuers to meet their strategic business objectives.�

According to him, in spite

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

of the challenging business environment, Capital Hotels Plc has consistently delivered value to shareholders as evident in its dividend policy over the last three years and demonstrated by a final dividend of five kobo per ordinary share for 2019.

The Chairman, Capital Hotels Plc, Chief. Anthony Idigbe, and the managing director of the company, Mr. Robert Itawa, thanked the exchange for the opportunity

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

to engage the capital market community on its platform.

They highlighted the performance of the hotel in 2019 and shared some of their plans to further engage with their shareholders and improve compliance with the 20 per cent free float requirement of the exchange.

In light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the hospitality industry in 2020, Capital Hotels Plc has also com-

O F

mitted to take advantage of the lay time investment opportunity the pandemic has provided to raise capital on the exchange.

Meanwhile, the stock market closed on a bearish note as selloffs in Zenith Bank Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated led to a decline of 0.07 per cent in the NSE All-Share Index to close at 25,532.74. Similarly, market capitalisation shed N9.2 billion to close at N13.3 trillion.

1 7 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

36

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

WorldRemit Launches Transfer Tracker App Goddy Egene

global digital payments mobile App for recipients remittances. all-time high and WorldRemit company, has launched The of money transfers which Consumer research shows said it is working tirelessly WorldRemit, a leading WorldRemit Transfer Tracker allows them to track their that financial insecurity is at an to increase transparency and A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 16- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Sep-2020, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

support users by providing easy access to financial services.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.93 0.94 3.00% ACAP Income Funds 0.79 0.79 10.33% 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 5.55% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.03 3.12 23.57% 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 2.35% Anchoria Equity Fund 100.35 100.69 -1.57% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.29 1.29 11.63% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 14.46 14.90 -5.60% ARM Discovery Fund 341.55 351.84 -1.12% ARM Ethical Fund 30.60 31.52 5.21% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.16 1.17 16.31% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.08 1.09 8.68% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.16% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 97.45 98.13 1.42% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.18% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.20 2.20 19.61% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 1.87 1.90 7.88% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.07% Paramount Equity Fund 11.50 11.71 -8.12% Women's Investment Fund 111.18 112.15 0.69% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.60% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 106.07 106.41 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 119.27 120.14 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 103.63 103.63 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 3.39% Coronation Balanced Fund 0.95 0.97 2.90% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.59 1.59 19.43% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.81% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.61% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,173.29 1,186.15 5.82% 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 1,412.94 1,414.50 15.71% FBN Balanced Fund 153.61 154.65 4.62% FBN Halal Fund 108.26 108.27 8.26% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.50% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 121.21 121.66 4.86% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 121.24 121.69 4.36% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 115.02 116.79 -11.61% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,170.86 3,206.24 4.28% Coral Income Fund 3,195.72 3,195.72 3.90% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.99% 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 3.94% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.29 2.33 4.51% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.32% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 150.71 151.45 5.14% 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 1.26 1.28 7.93% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,139.16 1,139.16 7.56% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.32 1.35 8.61% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.90 11.98 5.73% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.29% PACAM Equity Fund 1.07 1.08 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.19 110.74 SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 115.52 117.82 -3.88% 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 1.02 1.02 6.62% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 6.05% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 5.12% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 -0.56% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 5.93% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 4.58% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.59% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 -2.96% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.21 1.21 3.94% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 109.42 109.42 5.00% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.16 1.18 -2.98% United Capital Bond Fund 1.85 1.85 7.12% United Capital Equity Fund 0.66 0.68 -5.58% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.58% United Capital Eurobond Fund 114.74 114.74 5.01% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.03 1.03 -2.11% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.37 10.49 0.88% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.57 11.66 -0.50% Zenith Income Fund 24.40 24.40 6.70% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.61%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

117.93

5.15%

53.40

2.59%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.17 85.18 66.74

9.27 87.02 67.96

5.33% -9.82% -11.17%

Union Homes REIT

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

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

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

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

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

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.03

15.02%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

37

˾ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

WORLD OF ISLAM

Edited by: MJO Mustapha Email deji.mustapha@thisdaylive.com

Quran, Science and Certitude - 1

Shafi A. Khaled/IslamiCity

About science’s presence in Quran, there have been countless analyses and associated claims.

Finding prescient elements in the Quran should not be viewed as something eerie. After all, if the Quran is to be believed as the unadulterated, fully preserved product of The Lord of the Worlds (Rabbul ‘Alameen) meant to elucidate and guide mankind for all posterity, then it would not be unnatural to find allusion to scientific elements scattered about in its pages. As mankind matured in knowledge and understanding, some passages that heretofore appeared odd could very well become alive and carry sense.

But in case we fall into error, let us remember two things: the Quran is a guide for the Godfearing believers (2:2-4) and that life is simply a test no matter whether life is blissful or challenging (89:15-17). Neither the mystery of such tests nor those underlying the axiomatic Aqeedah (Creed) will ever be accessible to our senses.

Their truthfulness will only be attested to, by variously cited circumstantial evidences. The occasional scientific eureka moments connecting to science can only do so much to enhance or confirm faith. They are not to be viewed as more definitive than those circumstantial. All of which brings us to the Quranic verse below.

Beginning?

Yes, technically speaking, what does “Be! So, it is!!” (2:117) have to do with the genesis of the universe?

Does it not appear to be the precursor event to ‘Big Bang’? Well, the Quran suggests no other.

Right away or instantaneity is insinuated here.

It also suggests mind over matter. Physical and Chemical realities began then and there. Biological reality to follow down the pike. Incredibly, God says: ”And Our ordaining [a thing and its coming into being] is but one [act], like the twinkling of an eye. (54:50) Further, this divine command projects spiritualism as a vaster canvas that includes materialism as the second act. The latter, based on its secular proponents’ point of view, is limited to having to explain material reality with materialism alone. Because of its breadth, the former is more promising in being able to guide humanity objectively and properly.

However, current extant literature about Quran’s version of Big Bang quotes: “Do not those who disbelieve see that the Heavens and the Earth were meshed together then We ripped them apart? …” (20:30).

This appears to connect with the following verse: “Then He directed himself to the Heaven when it was SMOKE, and then said to it and to Earth: ‘Come willingly or by force’ they said ‘We do come willingly’” (41:11).

I am making the point that the above two verses indicate a stage later than the point of “nothing to something, materially.” This is quite in congruence with current astronomical view of the process of creation of the universe. So, unlike claims made to date by interested Muslim writers, I think that is not the Big Bang moment!

“Be! So, it is” is.

At that time there was no smoke and there were no Heavens and Earth!! There was just an incredible explosion. Perhaps neither fusion nor fission existed then. Some other Godly transitional or initiator reaction/concoction probably was at play. Truly, it was the metaphysical moment.

As addressed above, in this age of science and technology, excitement of literally putting words into Quran’s mouth does bring on potentially dangerous mischaracterization or misidentification. It can easily entrap Muslim down the line. As some ‘ulul albaab’ (people of knowledge and insight; 3:190, 38:29) may have reflected, protested and expressed, Quran should confirm science and not the other way around.

It is, of course, comforting intellectually to find validation. In fact, did not Prophet Ibrahim (AS) ask His Lord to show how things come back to life after death? Was his Lord not perturbed about the quality of Ibrahim’s faith? Then did he not reply that, while he believes, he only seeks to understand and put his heart at rest, presumably by gaining ‘aynul yaqeen’ or certainty brought on by seeing? Did His lord not meet his request (2:260)? But that was a special case. Human puzzlement will not be so easily dignified with ‘physical and sensual’ insight for only a handful are deserving of God’s special classroom and pedagogy over and above revelation. Recall Moses (AS) being called up to the mountain-top to receive the 10 commandments. Muhammed (SAW) taken to the far reaches of the universe for an intimate

visitation with the Lord of the Worlds. Yet, while God is unchanging, science keeps changing, albeit positively. If we peg our confidence in the Quran based on a shaky scientific confirmatory process, where will we take refuge when that science speeds ahead or changes direction?

Textual Clarity From the outset, the Quran itself identified two types of verses (3:7): Muhkamat (bearing single meaning - clear, precise, unambiguous and foundational) and Mutashabihat (ambiguous or with multiple interpretations and nonfoundational). Uncannily, this has protected us from over-simplifying verses of the latter type. It appears now, even verses with scientific import potentially carry Mutashabihat characteristics.

Historically, the verses considered Mutashabihat were those that appeared to describe the Creator’s being/essence, or action. Before now Mutashabihat ‘scientific’ verses (MSV) were not explored with as much zeal and enthusiasm. So, they have presented little danger of causing misdirection.

Now, a hurriedly done wrong attribution of MSV could, in the long run, make the Quran appear unreliable. As for Mutashabihat verses related to God (MVG), a standard practice has been to avoid making literal interpretation producing anthropomorphic images. The best linguistic expertise and supportive theological knowledge were employed for their exegesis.

Just so that we are clear, three simple examples of MVG follow. The first two are Muhkamat and the remaining, Mutashabihat: “there is nothing like unto Him” (42:11), “and there is nothing that could be compared with Him” (112:4), and “Allah is the Light of the Heavens and Earth” (24:35) In the first two instances, clearly, God is distinct from His own creation. There are no buts or ifs about it! In the third case, that He is such a Light is open to various perceptions.

For a century or so, at least, science began to lead Muslims’ attempt to understand more of the Quran. This modern brand of science does not have proportional representation of Muslim scholarship. Before then, the Muslims were explaining the Quran using other devices.

There were the Salafs of the first 300 years following the Prophet (SAW), and the Khalafs after that. By some measures, the latter were literalists. They dismissed wholesale many of the previous group of scholars. In fact, their take was ‘do no interpretation and say it as you read it’. This left the Creator looking much like His creation. These scholars, perhaps seeking simplicity, were not spurred on by linguistic and other nuances, to say the least. Imbibing Quranic exhortation as well as Prophetic standards, the Salafs were sensitive to misrepresenting God by giving Him an identity of their own making.

So, they went to great pains being respectful about interpreting MVG. However, it appears to me that since the Quran identified them as Mutashabihat verses, they should have been read literally but, their meaning, not read into literally. Having treated such verses allegorically, their explanation should have stayed open.

Allahu ‘Alam (Allah knows best) could have been the closing refrain.

For example, does God have a face or a hand?

While it would appear some of the Khalafs threw caution to the wind in that regard, the Salafs of earlier times demurred saying so. Thus, “… everything will perish except His Face/His Self/ His Dominion” (28:88) – The Salafs used His Dominion, whereas the Khalafs used His Face, and modern translators such as Yusuf Ali and Muhammed Asad used His Self. While the latter is not anthropomorphic, it is rather narrow. So, are they implying God will lose everything else - His authority, His realm, and that Only He will survive the End of Time? Do we not need to read between the lines, pick-up the meta-meaning beyond the quickest, easiest, plain meaning of the word: His Face?

Organization and Balance.

Delving further into Quran’s scientific aspect, if there ever has been an acute organizer, it is the Author of the Quran. He says that much very clearly in Suratul Mulk (The Kingdom - 67:34) when He mentions that no human eye can ever find any error or anomaly in the heavens above. Our eyes will tire themselves out under the strain of trying to find disorder therein. In, say, yet another place, Suratur Rahman (The Merciful - 55:7-8), He speaks of scale and balance in His creation. He advises mankind not to abuse balance in all their dealings.

To Be Continued

38

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Again, Falana Asks FG to Reverse Petrol Price, Electricity Tariffs Hike The Chairman of the Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) and human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has faulted the federal

government’s claim that revenue has dropped in the greater parts of 2020.

The group, in a statement issued by Falana, asked the

GACN Woos Investors, Reviews 10-year-old Domestic Gas Agreement Chineme Okafor in Abuja Nigeria will review all existing agreements used in transactions within its domestic gas market to reflect modern realities in the market and attract new investments in the sector, the Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Limited (GACN) disclosed yesterday.

To this end, the GACN stated in a statement sent to THISDAY that it last Wednesday convened an industry-wide workshop which had up to 670 industry operators, comprising the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), international and indigenous oil companies, gas purchasers, gas trade associations and financial service practitioners in attendance to find better ways of consummating gas transactions in the country.

It specifically said the Master Gas Sale and Aggregation Agreements (Master GSAAs) used in the country’s domestic gas market was being reviewed to provide room for improved investments in the sector.

According to the GACN, the workshop which was headed by its Chairman and Managing Director of

the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company Limited (NPDC), Mr. Mansur Sambo, focused on reviews that would engender expedited negotiation and execution of Gas Sale Aggregation Agreements (GSAAs) by industry players, Interruptible Gas Sales Agreement (IGSA) as well as gas swap transactions.

It equally noted that incentivising payment and contract performance, minimising risks and potential for contract disputes, processes to engender new investment in the gas sector, promotion of contract flexibilities consistent with market realities, facilitation of gas trading and gas swap transactions, as well as reducing transactional costs in the country’s gas market were part of the review process.

When concluded, GACN explained that the updated Master GSAAs templates would help to promote gas utilisation and increase domestic gas consumption, including for the purpose of enhancing power generation, deepening the growth of other gas-based business ventures and accelerating Nigeria’s industrialisation.

Hajj: Tambuwal Urges NAHCON to Review Airlifting Policy Inaugurates ease of doing business council Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto The Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has appealed to the National Hajj Commission (NAHCON) to review the subsisting airlifting policy with a view to giving more consideration to local airliners.

The governor also yesterday inaugurated the ease of doing business council (EODBC) chaired by him.

The governor made the plea when he received the Chairman of NAHCON, Alhaji Zikirullah Kunle Hassan, and his team at the Government House in Sokoto yesterday.

Observing that the existing policy at a point almost discouraged local airlines from operating, Tambuwal suggested that NAHCON should encourage them to improve on their modus operandi by measuring up to international visa standard. ‘’We know there have been challenges, but encourage them to do better so that we can encourage those in that business locally to do more,” Tambuwal added.

He appealed to the commission to continue to deeply

consult with other stakeholders in order to horn their expertise directed at effective service delivery and uphold the trust given to them by the president.

While commending NAHCON for executing some projects such as the construction of boreholes at the state Hajj camp and the construction of a multi-purpose hall with the aid of the Hajj development levy, he assured them that his administration would continue to cooperate with the commission on future endeavours.

The governor said it is a deliberate policy of his administration that it has been working to complete projects it inherited from the previous governments.

According to him, “Government is a continuity.

We must continue the projects we inherited and must not allow public resources to be wasted.”

On Hajj savings scheme, the governor said it is a very commendable initiative, and prayed to Allah to reward the commission on it, adding that the scheme is one of the easiest way people can save and pay for Hajj.

federal government to cancel the fuel and electricity prices’ hike.

Falana said the government’s claim of revenue shrink was fraught with inadequacies and figures that fail to reflect the country’s economic realities.

The group listed gross mismanagement of public funds, ineptitude, and gross incompetence as Nigeria’s albatross.

It regretted that huge funds earmarked for the energy sector

by notable members of the ruling class have consistently been frittered.

ASCAB said that since the federal government has announced plans to switch from petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), the increase in petrol should be cancelled without delay.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipreye Sylva has assured the that CNG would be sold between N95 and N97 per litre.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed had cited revenue shortfall as reasons behind the government’s recent fuel and electricity tariffs hike.

Falana maintained the minister’s claim does not reflect the state of the economy.

ASCAB listed certain factors that puncture the government’s claim.

“In the first half of this year, oil income distributed by the Federal Allocation Committee

(FAAC) was actually 13 per cent above that for last year and the level for the first quarter had been the highest for several years.

“However, other income, taxes, etc, may have fallen due to the lockdowns and other disruptions from Covid-19.

“NEITI reported that in the first five months of this year, total government revenue was only 62 per cent of the level agreed in the budget, but the revenue budgets are always over-optimistic,” ASCAB said.

ASPIRING SENATORS...

L-R: Managing Partner, Karpry Konsult Limited, Dr. Gray Arikpa; All Progressives Congress (APC)’s senatorial aspirant for Cross River North, Mr. Harry Odey; and APC’s senatorial aspirant for Cross River North, Mr. Fedel Egoro, during the aspirants’ visit to the National Caretaker Committee of APC at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja… yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

Group Urges FG to Free Detained Nigerian Pastor in South Africa Bennett Oghifo A socio-cultural group, Association of the Yorubas in Diaspora South Africa (AYIDSA), has appealed to the Nigerian Government to help free a Nigerian pastor who was arrested by the South African police for alleged rape, human trafficking and racketeering on April 20, 2017.

According to a statement by the President of the association, Dr. Olusola Agbeniyi, the pastor, Rev. Timothy Omotoso, who is the founder of Jesus Dominion International (JDI)

based in Durban and other cities across South African, was arraigned, and has spent about 1,230 days and nights behind bars.

Agbeniyi appealed to the Nigerian mission to intervene, adding that in May 2017, the Special Adviser to the President on Diaspora Affairs, Hon Abike Dabiri Erewa, facilitated a meeting comprising the then acting high commissioner, Leadership of AYIDSA and Pastor Omotoso’s legal team and family on the role of the mission.

He said the mission

had been monitoring the proceedings, stating that the Consul General was at Port Elizabeth court at a time during one of his appearances.

The group president said the Consul General was also in Durban to follow up with the legal team. Despite all these, he said it was saddening that Omotoso had not been considered for or granted bail.

“We, therefore, appeal to the new High Commissioner to engage the South Africa Government over this matter.

Today it is Pastor Omotoso, tomorrow it can be any other

FG Sends Relief Materials to Kebbi Rice Farmers after Flood Disaster Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government has sent relief materials to Kebbi State rice farmers whose over 20,000 hectares of farmlands were washed away by floods following torrential rains and inflow of water from neighboring states.

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster

Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, handed the relief materials on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari to the affected farmers when she presented COVID-19 palliatives and flood advocacy materials to the state last Wednesday.

The minister, who visited the Dukka Bridge, which was swept away by the flood,

cutting off the community’s link with other villages, described the extent of that damage as colossal.

She said the president was deeply concerned about the impact of the flood, and has since directed the assessment of the situation in Kebbi and other states for necessary support to the affected persons by the federal government.

Yiaga Africa Tasks INEC, Security Agencies on Adherence to Electoral Laws Chuks Okocha in Benin-city As the people of Edo State vote tomorrow in the gubernatorial election to choose their next governor, a civil society group, Yiaga Africa, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure strict compliance with the electoral laws

and guidelines in administering the election amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement issued by the Yiaga Africa Executive Director, Samson Itodo, and made available to journalists in Benin-city, the group said the polling officials should enforce the use of facemask and gently remove any voter showing the signs of

COVID-19 from the polling unit.

According to Yiaga Africa, “INEC must show utmost professionalism in election administration and ensure timely, effective tact, and secure the deployment of its staff, materials (sensitive and non-sensitive) and other resources needed for the election to enable early commencement of polls.”

Nigerian in South Africa,” Agbeniyi said.

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The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ANGELA EHEKHAIYE EKUN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ANGELA EHEKHAIYE APARA. All former documents remain valid.

The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as EMELUE LORRETA AMAKA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANYIAM LORRETA AMAKA. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

I, formerly known and addressed as UMORU ELLISON GEORGE, now wish to be known and addressed as UMOR GODPOWER. All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT ADEYEMI REBECCA OLUWASEUN IS ONE AND THE SAME PERSON, HER CORRECT NAME IS ADEYEMI REBECCA OLUWASEUN HENCEFORTH SHE WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESS AS ADEYEMI REBECCA OLUWASEUN. THE GENERAL PUBLIC PLEASE TAKE NOTE

39

Ëœ ͚΀˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

FRIDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Super Eagles Jump Two Places to 29th in FIFA Ranking Now Third Best in Africa behind Senegal and Tunisia Duro Ikhazuagbe Despite inactivity in the last nine months due partly to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, Nigeria’s Super Eagles climbed two places to be rated 29th globally in the latest FIFA ranking released on Thursday.

The three-time African champions are the continent’s third best football nation coming behind leaders Senegal and Tunisia.

AFCON 2019 champions Algeria are fourth while Morocco, Ghana, Egypt, Cameroon, Mali and Congo DR complete the continent’s Top Ten rankings in that order.

Super Eagles opponents in the friendly planned for the next FIFA window, Côte d’Ivoire are ranked 12th in Africa and 60th globally.

Nigeria’s group rivals in the qualification for the 2021 AFCON now shifted to 2022,

Benin Republic, Sierra Leone and Lesotho are ranked 84th, 119th and 139th respectively, while Super Eagles Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifying opponents, Cape Verde, Central African Republic and Liberia rank 78th, 110th and 152nd.

Interestingly, static Nigeria reaped from the draw and loss recorded by Serbia And Turkey who previously sit in joint 29th position respectively

in their UEFA Nations League matches played during the month under review.

The benefit of Super Eagles breaking into the top 30 of the global ranking is that the number of games to be played by a national team player to qualify for a work permit in the English Premier League for instance have dropped from 75 per cent to 60 per cent in over two years. It means easy route

to qualify for the permit.

Globally, there was no change at the top as Belgium remain at the summit followed by 2018 World Cup winners France, Brazil and England.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal jumped two spots to be ranked fifth with Uruguay, Spain, Croatia, Argentina and Colombia completing the Top Ten rankings.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published

on October 22, 2020.

AFRICA’S TOP TEN Senegal Tunisia Nigeria Algeria Morocco Ghana Egypt Cameroon Mali Congo DR

FIFA Boss, Infantino, Meets Trump on 2026 World Cup FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has met United States President, Donald Trump, to discuss the 2026 World Cup, which is to be jointly held in the country along with Mexico and Canada.

The ‘United 26’ bid was selected by FIFA member nations in 2018, winning 134 votes compared to 65 for Morocco.

Infantino and Trump talked

Gianni Infantino...FIFA President met with American President Donald

about the establishment of a FIFA headquarters in the US, as well as reviewing preparations for the tournament.

USA last hosted the World Cup in 1994.

Infantino visited the offices of the US Department of Justice (DoJ), thanking the US authorities for their work in the fight against corruption in football.

He said: “Ever since I was elected, we have shown our determination to eradicate malpractice that tarnished FIFA’s reputation in the past. “We have reiterated our willingness to cooperate and assist the authorities in their investigation and prosecution of corruption, which has no place in football.�

Infantino also attendedthe signing of a landmark agreement between Bahrain, Israel and the United Arab Emirates, which was conducted at the White House.

NOC Hosts World Clean up Day in Lagos The Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and a global network organisation for the promotion of clean environment – Let’s Do It World (LDIW), in collaboration with other interest groups is organizing the World Clean up Day (WCD).

The World Clean up Day is a global clean up action uniting millions of people in promoting a cleaner planet for humanity.

According to the organizers, the target is to engage a percentage of the national population to pick up mismanaged waste from nature in one day. “The aim being to draw attention to the problem of waste management, create public awareness and influence choices of individuals and organisations on best methods of managing

waste.�

A statement issued by the PRO of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Phemmy Adetula, said ANOCA “is encouraging all National Olympic Committees of Africa to join other stakeholders of interest such as local municipalities, Ministries of Health, waste managers and departments of environment in celebrating the day.�

President, Nigeria Olympic Committee, Habu Gumel is the Chairman of ANOCA’s Jury for the organisation of the World Clean up Day. He said that the best performing National Olympic Committee in the clean up exercise will be awarded a prize.

The World Clean up Day is scheduled to take place tomorrow, September 19th 2020at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Super Eagles have climbed two places to rank 29th globally and third best in Africa

Oshonaike Thanks Sports Minister for Bankrolling Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeria’s table tennis star, Olufunke Oshonaike, 45, has heaped plaudits on the Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, for helping to bankroll her surgery for a tooth tumour.

Oshonaike who will be representing Nigeria for the seventh time at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan next year, is the first female table tennis player to achieve the Olufunke Oshonaike...plaudits for sports minister for helping with part feat. She is also the first woman payment for her tooth tumour surgery from Africa in any discipline award winner had appealed Honourable Minister of Youth and to reach the milestone. for financial assistance from the Sports Development, Mr Sunday After months of going ministry to enable her undergo Dare for your love and care. through agonizing pains due the surgery, revealing that she “I have never been shown to the tooth tumour, Oshonaike had exhausted her purse on so much love and care by any can smile again following the previous procedures.

Minister of Sports in Nigeria. I intervention of the minister In a message of appreciation am so overwhelmed with joy who footed part of the bill for sent to Dare yesterday after the and gratitude. the surgery. successful surgery, Oshonaike “I will never forget your kind The multiple continental said: “Thank you very much my gesture sir. Thank you for what

you have done for me,� she noted in the message to the minister.

Oshonaike hinted that she almost gave up as some medical personnel had previously to her that she was likely going to lose all her teeth if the surgery was not done early. “I almost gave up, I was so scared because they told me I could lose all my teeth if the surgery was not done on time.

I went through alot of pains during the Olympic qualifiers.

I was scared I may not even qualify. But to the glory of God Almighty, I not only qualified, but the surgery was successful.

May God meet you at the point of your needs for what you are doing for Nigerian sports,� the former Commonwealth Games champion prayed for the youthful sports minister.

Pinnick Restates NFF’s Support for Nigeria Pitch Awards President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has restated the federation’s support for, and endorsement of, the Nigeria Pitch Awards as the seventh edition of the glamorous ceremony has now been scheduled for the month of November in Asaba, Delta State.

Speaking in Abuja yesterday, Pinnick extolled the assiduity, creativity and ingenuity that the organisers of the awards, Matchmakers Consult International Limited bring into the entire packaging of the event each year, and advised that the same laudable qualities should

be retained and even improved upon for subsequent processes and ceremonies. “I am impressed by the hard work and transparency that the organizers of the Nigeria Pitch Awards bring into the process and organization of the ceremony each year. “Despite a number of challenges and hurdles to cross over the years, they have never faltered in putting up an impressive show and more importantly, the integrity of the selections have been obvious to followers of the game. “It is rather difficult to keep up standards and maintain certain

parameters especially with the hailstorm of the Covid-19 pandemic, but I want to charge the organizers to do their utmost to maintain the integrity of the awards and strive to keep to the standards they have set over the years.�

Nigeria’s football supremo further assured the organizers that the NFF’s moral support for the awards remains intact and that the federation’s top hierarchy would be ready to grace this year’s ceremony taking place in the Delta State capital in the second week of November.

On his own part, President

of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Phillips, assured that the integrity of the awards is its major asset and that nothing would be done to compromise the high standards that have been second nature to the event over the years. “Matchmakers Consult International Limited will continue to guard jealously the unique qualities and attributes that have sustained the Nigeria Pitch Awards. Our thinking is in the long-term, not short-term. We are fully committed to making this a project that Nigerians, and indeed all Africans, will be proud of,� concludes Phillips.

Friday September 18, 2020

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MISSILE

Wike to APC “The IG has said they will not give room to any thugs, to any miscreants, and it is our prayer that is done. If that is done, APC will be beaten silly in this election. If what IG said is carried out, you will see that APC will not nearâ€? – Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, saying the APC in Edo will be beaten silly if the police eectively prevent political thugs from playing a role in the election

SHAKAMOMODU P&ID and its Nigerian Conspirators F THIS REPUBLIC

shaka.momodu@thisdaylive.com

inally, the fog surrounding the fraudulent motivation behind the failed Gas Supply Processing Agreement (GSPA) between Nigeria and Process & Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) is being cleared gradually by a United Kingdom Commercial Court, which has established a prima facie case of fraud against P&ID. The Nigerian conspirators are being exposed and men who had long presented themselves as the epitome of civility and patriotism have been outed in court records in a foreign land and pronounced dishonest. They have become the shame of our country and the legal profession that for far too long has rewarded rent and cant with the nobility of its silk.

Now, Mr Olasupo Shasore, SAN, does not need much introduction. He is no ordinary SAN, he is a former Attorney General of Lagos State, under former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s government, and would have succeeded Fashola as governor but for the strongman of Lagos politics who brought Fashola’s plan to a screeching halt. At first sight, Shasore is Shasore a likable person, urbane with a commanding Adoke, “There appears to be a lack of exonerating presence. His voice resonates and distinguishes facts or documentary evidence with which to him from the pack; his diction and articulation defend the claim.� Contrast this position with Mr. Howard, Nigeria’s new counsel’s submission are marvelous and brilliant.

Hitherto, he had busied himself trying to in paragraph 212 of the judgment. r -FHBM "EWJTFS UP UIF NJOJTUSZ XSPUF B NFNP reenact and recalibrate our country’s history through new lenses. His documentary, “The recommending an out-of-court settlement on Journey of an African Colony: The Making of 11/11/14 and received $100,000 on 18/11/14.

Nigeria,� is a documentary modelled after his There was an equivalent payment to Mr. Oguine, books, “A Platter of Gold: Making Nigeria� the NNPC legal adviser. Both payments from Mr. and “Possessed: A History of Law & Justice Shasore. The three of them thereafter travelled to in the Crown Colony of Lagos.� A historical London in Dec 2014 for settlement negotiation. r 0O .T "EFMPSF XSPUF B NFNP tour of duty and a thankless effort you would call it. I had been impressed by his post-office to the P.S of the Ministry where she raised engagements. I had started to develop a liking fears that the arbitration might award P&ID its for him after watching that documentary on claim of $5.9 billion and Nigeria should offer Nigeria and listening to his interviews. I like something lower which P&ID might accept. r *U JT OPU TVSQSJTJOH DPOTJEFSJOH UIF BCPWF this guy, I repeatedly told myself. Well, who wouldn’t anyway? The boy was good until and several other instances, the judge held that Shasore deliberately defended the case “thinly� that UK court judgment.

You can therefore understand my horror a such that the Tribunal had no choice but find fortnight ago when news filtered in that Shasore, and award in favour of P&ID. In effect, the a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, had been found court held that Shasore had colluded with wanting in character and conduct by a London P&ID with the inevitable result that Nigeria Commercial Court. I cringed when I read details would lose the case. r 1BSBHSBQIT PG UIF KVEHNFOU BMM of the judgment on Nigeria’s complaint against an arbitral award of $10 billion to Process & of which were upheld by the judge) were the Industrial Development Limited (P&ID) for a most damaging excoriation of Shasore by Mr. failed gas deal. Shasore was at the early stages Howard. r *O QBSBHSBQI UIF KVEHF GPVOE 4IBTPSF of the arbitration defending Nigeria, and was at the same time, working against his client and dishonest and that he made payments to country. As the London Court has established Ms. Adelore, Mr. Oguine and Ms. Taiga to and documented in court records, he defended purchase their silence in relation to his conduct his country “thinly�. Can anyone beat that? of arbitration and settlement negotiation. He From what I know, lawyers are very particular concluded on this basis that the arbitration about their choice of words and weigh carefully was tainted.

The judge found that a prima facie case the weight and meaning of words thrown at them. So I am sure Shasore doesn’t think for of fraud had been established and stated as a moment that we missed the weight of what follows: “However, what persuade me of a just happened to his reputation and professional prima facie case of dishonesty in Mr. Shasore’s integrity as documented in court records in conduct of the arbitration are his payments of US$100,000 each to Ms. Adelore and Mr. Oguine. faraway London.

Here is a summary of the court findings from Ms Adelore occupied Ms Taiga’s position at the the judgment: Mr. Shasore was a partner in the Ministry as the senior lawyer, and Mr. Oguine firm of Ajumogobia, Okeke and Co. There is was her counterpart at the NNPC. Their salaries evidence given by the firm that Shasore handled as public servants, according to the Attorney this case secretly without involving his law General, Mr. Abubakar Malami, were some firm. He rather ran the case through another US$5,000 per annum. “Mr. Mill submitted that these payments law firm Twenty Marina Solicitors and was paid a $2 million fee. However, in a statement had nothing to do with P&ID. Moreover, Mr. after the judgment, Shasore denied this claim Shasore had volunteered the information about them to the Economic and Financial Crimes and said his partners were in the know. r )F GBJMFE UP Ă MF /JHFSJB T EFGFODF CZ Commission (EFCC) and described them as gifts.

September 19, 2014 as was ordered by the The argument that Mr. Shasore volunteered the payments goes nowhere, since once the EFCC Tribunal. r )F SBUIFS XSPUF UP " ( .PIBNNFE #FMMP had information from the bank accounts; it

0811 266 1654

was difficult to deny them. As to Mr Shasore’s account that these were gifts, that does not seem to me a complete and honest explanation for why he should make these payments to these senior public servants.�

In paragraphs 196 to 198 of the judgment, the Judge agreed with Nigeria’s argument that the contract was corrupt ab initio: “In my view, there is a strong prima facie case that the GSPA was procured by bribery. It is sufficient to focus on the two senior officials whose positions ensured its safe passage by giving the requisite approvals. First, there is Ms Taiga, who was the senior legal adviser to the ministry at the time of the GSPA and recommended its execution. In their second statements, both Ms Taiga and Mr Cahill accept that payments were made to her by P&ID, but their account is that they were intended for Ms Taiga’s medical expenses. There is no supporting evidence for this, such as contemporaneous communications between P&ID and Ms Taiga referring to her medical needs. “In any event, whether these payments were for medical or other expenses, as the Attorney General explains in his seventh statement, benefits received by public officials from individuals holding or seeking to obtain a contract are assumed to be bribes under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and the Nigerian Constitution. Further, as he explains in his sixth statement, Ms Taiga’s annual salary was US$5,000. The total amount paid to Ms Taiga from 2009 was many times that amount. “There is also the point Mr Howard highlighted, that Ms Taiga and Mr Cahill did not mention any payments to her before 2015, after her retirement. Earlier this year, following the applications in New York under 28 USC § 1782(a), the payments to Ms Taiga’s daughter of US$4,969.50 and US$5,000 on 30 December 2009 and 31 January 2012 respectively, were identified. The first payment is especially significant, since it was 11 days before the GSPA was signed.� From the contract award to arbitration over a breach of the agreement, everything was tainted.

Now, if we interrogate the timelines as we must do, the true purpose of the gifts and Adelore’s memo to the Permanent Secretary advising for a negotiated payment to P&ID becomes very interesting. After receiving a $100,000 gift from Shasore, Adelore drafted a memo expressing fears that if Nigeria did not make an offer to P&ID lower than their demand at the arbitration, they were going to be awarded the total sums at the arbitration. She advised speedy settlement.

From the sequence of events, they were all in on the deal to defraud Nigeria. Senior lawyers in silk robes, government officials, were all in collusion with an international syndicate of fraudsters to defraud our fatherland.

As the Judge noted, the court is not sold on Shasore’s explanation. And I agree because it makes no sense. Shasore’s explanation would have been laughable if it weren’t so deadly serious and goes to the heart of corrupting the entire arbitral process and award. The attempt

by Shasore to mislead the London Court as to the true purposes of the huge monetary payments, or “gifts�, as he claimed, paid to government officials became the corruptive predicate that established a prima facie case that the entire arbitral process was tainted. The defence that the payments or “gifts� may have just been coincidence of occurrence is not just implausible; it proved unavailing to Sharore in the circumstance, considering the probative weight of evidence established by the court against him.

He was one of those with dual loyalty, purportedly working for Nigeria and at the same time working against Nigeria’s interest.

It’s a cruel revelation that makes me nauseous that someone of such high public standing has been caught in an epic misconduct by a court of law and referred to in such unflattering terms.

Someone many, including me, I dare say, had begun to see as an inspiring figure.

You see, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion reached by the court about Shasore’s conduct.

Indeed, his conduct is questionable and requires criminal investigation and prosecution. But as a first step, the judgment of the London Court should be referred to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee, LPDC, of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, to commence the process to debar him. In consonance, the Legal Practitioners’ and Privileges Committee, LPPC, should also withdraw Shasore’s SANship or suspend it immediately. Going by court records, he is unfit to wear the exalted robes as a senior lawyer and mark of professional achievement.

The scripture says the love of money is the root of all evil. After being paid $2 million of taxpayers’ money by the government to defend its interest in the arbitration, Shasore betrayed his fatherland to “collude with P&ID� to undermine Nigeria and work against its interest.

He defended Nigeria “thinly� without rigour and vigour or transparency, and the evidentiary basis needed to win.

It is curious that after his scathing indictment by the English Court, all he did was to issue a general statement on the outcome, claiming some sort of vindication for Nigeria’s win. He was however silent on the payments he made to public officials and what those payments were for. He was also silent on key pronouncements of the court that rip apart his professional integrity with the potential of him facing charges. Here is a senior lawyer accused of professional misconduct, unethical behaviour by colluding with P&ID against his country, and pronounced dishonest by a sitting Judge.

If Shasore’s conduct, as identified by the court, does not amount to a serious and severe breach of professional ethics or malpractice warranting punishment by his professional body, I wonder what else does. And all he could do was to issue a banal statement that failed to address his weighty denouncement by the court?

Accusation of colluding with P&ID should have drawn a forceful rebuttal from Shasore if he wasn’t so guilty. Why was he silent on such potential career-ending accusations levelled against him in a court judgment? Or do words not carry meaning anymore? And why did he give those public servants such huge financial “gifts� and at whose behest? No one knows him to be that generous as to wake up one morning and just give people cash handouts.

Shasore’s gifts came with intent to corrupt, as established by the court and he can’t run away from that.

That he was paid by Nigeria to defend Nigeria and was surreptitiously also working for P&ID for whatever pecuniary benefits derived or to be derived, in a case where the stakes were so high, with grave implications for the country smacks of the ultimate betrayal.

I cannot think of a conduct more forbidden than what Shasore has been accused of in that judgment.

There is no hope left that a good man still exists in this country. Clearly, our nightmare will not end in a miracle of a good man rising.

NOTE: This piece is concluded in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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