TUESDAY 21TH SEPTEMBER 2021

Report: Non-oil Earnings Lifted FG's Revenue by 28% in April Govt rakes in N1.1trn James Emejo in Abuja Significant growth in non-oil tax receipts in April, prompted by the gradual return of business activities to preCOVID-19 levels, led to a 28.2

per cent increase in the federal government’s revenue, relative to the preceding month, raising the government’s revenue to N1.106 trillion, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has revealed.

The CBN stated this in its monthly economic report for April posted on its website.

According to the report, at N1.106 trillion, the federation receipt in April 2021 outpaced both the budget benchmark

and collections in March 2021 by 28.2 per cent and 7.9 per cent, respectively.

While oil revenue accounted for 35.5 per cent (or N392.91 billion) of total receipts in the period, non-oil revenue

contributed 64.5 per cent (or N712.87 billion).

The report attributed the diminished share of oil to the meagre remittance of N3.79 billion from crude oil and gas exports, compared with

N52.50 billion in the 2021 budget estimate.

This reflected the exacerbating incidence of cost ‘under-recovery,’ as reported Continued on page 8

NNPC: Nigeria Sold N2.33trn Petrol in One Year... Page 5 Tuesday 21 September, 2021 Vol 26. No 9661. Price: N250

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Military Moves to Prosecute Surrendered Terrorists Vows to halt ISWAP recruitment drive

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

Military authorities, yesterday, said plans were afoot to commence the prosecution

of surrendered terrorists in the North-east.

It also vowed to halt the recruitment drive of the Islamic State of West African

Province (ISWAP) in the zone.

The military had recently raised the alarm that the group had embarked on a fresh recruitment drive.

Over 1,200 terrorists recently surrendered to troops with their families amid protests from North-east communities that the claims of repentance

might not be genuine and the danger the likely return of the insurgents posed.

Intelligence agencies have also commenced discreet

investigation into the claims of the surrendering insurgents to ascertain whether their Continued on page 8

Your Utterances are Reckless, Careless, Southern/Middle Belt Alliance Tells NEF Says ‘one north’ assumption delusional Advises region to put purported numerical strength to productive use

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The issue of rotational presidency sparked yet another debate yesterday following a boast at the weekend by Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, that the North could retain the country’s presidency, irrespective of the South, if the region’s numerical strength was factored in.

But the Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA) dismissed the NEF spokesman’s claim as both reckless and careless.

SaMBA, in a statement by its spokesman, Rwang Pam Jnr, said the statement purportedly made on behalf of NEF, lacked basis. It wondered how NEF could resort to such lowly submission.

Baba-Ahmed had on Saturday said the North was Continued on page 8

WITH LOVE FROM SÃO TOMÉ AND PRÍNCIPE...

L-R: Associate of President-elect. Mr. Mohammed Boussaidi; President-elect of São Tomé and Príncipe, Mr. Carlos Manuel Vila Nova; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubair Dada and Hon Mohammed Gololo, during the president elect's courtesy visit to vice president at the State House, Abuja...yesterday

EU, UNICEF: More than 300,000 Killed in North-east Conflict... Page 10

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Group News Editor: Goddy Egene Email: Goddy.egene@thisdaylive.com, 08033506821, 08097777322

FMDQ MANAGEMENT VISITS OSINBAJO...

L-R: Executive Secretary, FMDQ Group, Mr. Emmanuel Etaderhi; Managing Director, FMDQ Clear, Mr. Ayodele Onawunmi; Chief Executive Officer, FMDQ Group, Mr. Bola Onadele Koko; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Head, External Relations, FMDQ Group, Mrs. Adaze Uzor-Kalu, and Ms Tejumade Olajide, Events & Brand Operations, during FMDQ’s visit to the Vice President at the State House, Abuja…yesterday

NNPC: Nigeria Sold N2.33trn Petrol in One Year Recorded crude oil, gas sales of $219.75m in May OPEC postpones 60th anniversary celebration Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) yesterday disclosed that the country sold N2.33 trillion worth of petrol between May 2020 and May 2021. But the entire petroleum products or white products sold stood at N2.34 trillion during the period, indicating that petrol accounted for 99.61 per cent of total product sales.

The figures were contained in the May 2021 edition of NNPC’s Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR), according to a statement signed by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the corporation, Mr. Garba Muhammad.

In the downstream sector, the report indicated that the Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of NNPC, recorded a total of N295.72 billion from the sale of petroleum products in May 2021, compared with N220.13 billion sales in April 2021.

NNPC stated, “Furthermore, total revenues generated from the sales of petroleum products for the period of May 2020 to May 2021 stood at N2.345 trillion, where Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol contributed about 99.61 per cent of the total sales with a value of N2.336 trillion.

“In terms of volume, the figure translates to a total of 2.241 billion litres of white products sold and distributed

by PPMC in the month of May 2021, compared with 1.673 billion litres in the month of April 2021.

“Total sales of petroleum products for the period, May 2020 to May 2021, stood at 18.651 billion litres and petrol accounted for 99.69 per cent

of total volume.”

In addition, the national oil company noted that it recorded total crude oil and gas export sales of $219.75 million in May 2021, representing 180.29 per cent increase in sales from the previous month of April 2021.

According to the report, crude oil export sales contributed $181.19 million (82.45 per cent) of the dollar transactions, compared with $4.22 million contribution in the previous month, while the export gas sales component stood at $38.56 million in May 2021.

The report also showed that between May 2020 and May 2021, the corporation exported crude oil and gas worth $1.64 billion.

In the gas sector, NNPC stated that natural gas production in the month under review increased by 6.19 per cent at 222.23 billion cubic feet (bcf), compared with output in the

previous month, translating to an average production of 7,177.53million standard cubic feet (mmscf) of gas per day.

The corporation added, “For the period May 2020 to May 2021, a total of 2,898.34 bcf of gas was produced, representing an average daily production of 7,322.94 mmscf during the period.

“Period-to-date, production from Joint Ventures (JVs), Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) and Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) contributed about 60.94 per cent, 20.04 per cent and 18.99 per cent, respectively.

“Out of the 216.29 bcf of gas produced in May 2021, a total of 133.56bcf was commercialised, consisting of 44.02bcf and 89.54bcf for the domestic and export markets, respectively.”

NNPC said this translated to a total supply of 1,419.83 mmscfd of gas to the domestic market and 2,893.66

mmscfd to the export market for the month. It implied that 61.75 per cent of the average daily gas produced was commercialised, while the balance of 38.25 per cent was either re-injected, used as upstream fuel or flared, NNPC stated.

In May 2021, the report noted that 64 pipeline points were vandalised, representing 39.13 per cent increase from the 46 points recorded in April 2021.

The report said, “The Port Harcourt area accounted for 65 per cent and Mosimi and Kaduna areas accounted for 30 per cent and five per cent, respectively, of the vandalised points.

“NNPC in collaboration with the local communities and other stakeholders continuously strive to reduce and eventually eliminate this menace. The 70th edition of the NNPC MFOR highlights the corporation’s activities for the period of May 2020 to May 2021.”

Meanwhile, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) postponed its 60th anniversary celebration to 2022.

A letter by the Secretary General of OPEC, Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, to all heads of delegation of OPEC member countries and non-OPEC countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC), obtained

by THISDAY, showed that the event earlier scheduled to hold in Iraq on September 30, would now hold in the first quarter of 2022.

Barkindo stated, “Unfortunately, however, I must now inform you that I have received a letter from HE Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismaael, Minister of Oil of Iraq, announcing the postponement of the scheduled celebrations.

“This was a difficult decision for Iraq, given its eagerness to welcome all OPEC members, ministers

and delegations, as well as other producers in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC), to Baghdad, where OPEC was created at the Baghdad conference on 14 September 1960.

“HE Ismaael has informed me that his esteemed country remains ready and willing and able to host an anniversary event, having completed all the necessary arrangements, and this will now take place in the first quarter of 2022.

“The OPEC secretariat will continue to work closely with the ministry of oil of Iraq to assure all the necessary logistical and preparatory requirements are arranged.

“We look forward to seeing you in Iraq in early 2022.

“On behalf of OPEC, I would like to extend my gratitude to Your Excellency and your team for the kind cooperation and understanding.”

Edo Supporting Manufacturing, Industrial Sectors to Reap AfCFTA Gains, Says Obaseki The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has said the government is supporting the manufacturing and industrial sector in the state to boost productivity and reap the gains of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

A statement quoted governor to have disclosed this at the 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), held in Asaba, Delta State.

Obaseki, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation, Employment

and Cooperatives, Mr. Joel Edionwe, noted that the economic environment in the country has not been fair to the manufacturing sub-sector, adding that more needs to be done to provide the right incentives to drive productivity.

On the initiatives of the Edo State Government to support businesses, he noted that the Edo State Skills Development Agency was established by his administration to up-skill youths and create a surfeit of employable manpower in the state.

According to the governor, “We now have a number

of skilled and semi-skilled persons that the industries can engage in the state. Other initiatives that will help manufacturers, processors and businessmen to survive and do business in our state have been put in place.

“The Edo State government knows that access to funding is a challenge. That is why we are partnering with financial institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI) in order to make funds available.

“Edo State recently initiated another partnership with the BOI. We launched a N2 billion

fund to cater for about 50,000 SMEs, and the government has promised that in the next one year, the funds will be scaled up to N10 billion in order to make finances available to more producers.”

Speaking further, Obaseki said: “Edo State government experimented with the establishment of the production centre where we provided a conducive environment for production, with the provision of electricity, water, security and other basic infrastructure.

“We did this to enable SMEs engage, produce and survive at least in the

first one year, so that they can do business, create wealth and employ our people. The success of that production centre has led to the replication of same in the three senatorial districts of the state.”

On his part, the Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), Mr. Kelvin Uwaibi, noted that the non-oil sector must be strategically positioned to drive economic growth.

He added that the manufacturing sector can revamp the economy with the opportunities provided

by AfCFTA.

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OUT-OF-HOME CONFERENCE EXHIBITION...

L-R: Managing Director Media Crush Limited, Mr Kayode Adegbite; Head of Marketing Bet9ja, Mr. Femi Oshobajo and Managing Director/CEO Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency, Mr. Adedamola Docemo, at a press conference to unveil sponsors for the upcoming Out-of-Home conference and exhibition event in Lagos...yesterday

No More Open Grazing in Lagos as Sanwo-Olu Signs Bill into Law COVID-19: State government targets 30% vaccination in one year Security must be paramount, governor tells Chief of Army Staff Segun James Eleven days after the House of Assembly passed the bill prohibiting open grazing of cattle in Lagos, the State Governor, Mr. Babajide SanwoOlu yesterday has signed it into law.

This is just as Sanwo-Olu has said the state aims to vaccinate 30 per cent of its population within one year.

Also, in order to ensure the safety of citizens of the state, the governor yesterday told the Chief of Army Staff that because of the strategic position of Lagos in the country, the security of the city state must be of priority to security agencies in the country.

With the signing of the antiopen grazing law, it is now criminal in Lagos for herdsmen to occupy unapproved public areas and private land with their livestock for grazing.

The law also prohibits the act of moving cattle round public places by herders.

The signing of the anti-open grazing law by the governor followed the decision of Southern Governors’ Forum last August, setting the September deadline to pass the law across member states.

There had been killings and conflicts witnessed in some states, allegedly from the open grazing of cattle in some states in the country.

Although farmer-herder crisis is not pronounced in Lagos, the anti-open grazing law is expected to prevent the spillover of the menace into the state.

Sanwo-Olu, who assented to the bill during the state’s Executive Council meeting in Alausa, directed the security agencies to swing immediately into action and enforce provisions of the law.

He said: “By the powers

vested in me as the Governor of Lagos State, I am signing the bill on Open Cattle Grazing and Trespass of Cattle on Land into law to prohibit issues associated with open grazing of livestock.”

The Governor also signed legislation transforming the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) into a full-blown agency.

The development coincided with the commemorative month dedicated to raising awareness on gender-based violence in the state.

The governor and members of the state’s cabinet wore attire with purple shades to support the campaign against sexual violence.

The DSVRT legislation provides for the establishment of Sexual Offenders’ Register that would help the State efficiently tackle violations in the communities.

After signing the law, SanwoOlu said: “Raising awareness about domestic and sexual violence is an important piece of working to end the cycle of violence. It is important to reiterate the State Government’s zero tolerance to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. We will not rest on our oars until the menace is reduced to the barest minimum in Lagos.”

The Governor appointed Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi as the Executive Secretary of the new agency.

Vivour-Adeniyi was the coordinator of the response team before the legislation was signed into law.

COVID-19: Lagos Targets 30% Vaccination in One Year Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu has

said the state aims to vaccinate 30 per cent of its population within one year.

According to a statement, the governor said this at the 2021 Global Citizen Live Concert held at Fela’s Afrika Shrine at Ikeja, Lagos. Audiences in 11 cities across the world, including Paris, Seoul, London, Sidney, New York and Los Angeles, witnessed the live event held in honour of frontline and essential workers in the battle against the global pandemic.

Global Citizen Live is a 24hour global event initiated in six continents to unite the world in defending the planet against diseases and defeating poverty.

A-list Nigerian musical artistes that performed live during the international concert included

Femi Kuti, Davido, Tiwa Savage and Made Kuti, among others.

Speaking further, the governor pointed out that access to COVID-19 vaccines was one of the strategies designed by the United Nations (UN) to kick start global recovery, especially in cities that are signatories to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.

The governor gave detailed explanation about how the state government had expanded access to vaccines since the vaccination programme began in March and the state’s projection to protect its residents and environment.

As the epicentre of the pandemic outbreak, SanwoOlu said Lagos had pursued a radical vaccination programmes, which led to the administration

of 16,000 jabs of vaccines daily.

This, the governor said was a far cry from what was projected in achieving herd immunity.

He disclosed that 405,000 residents had received first doses of AstraZeneca, while 289,000 persons returned for their second doses.

The state, he said, administered 230,000 first shots of Moderna to raise the vaccinated population to about 1.2 per cent within five months.

He said: “Our vaccination rate is far below the minimum target of 60 per cent recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) per city population. At the current rate, it would take about three years to achieve our herd immunity target. We

cannot continue at this speed if we seriously want to beat this virus.

“To safely achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, a substantial proportion of our population would need to be vaccinated to lower the overall amount of virus able to spread in the whole population.

“One of the objectives of attaining herd immunity is to prevent mutations from emerging leading to more aggressive strains. It is important that Lagos achieves herd immunity at the same time with all countries together.”

Sanwo-Olu noted the situation of unequal distribution of vaccines in which richer nations secured Continued on page 8

Dangote Harps on Effective Implementation of Sugar Master Plan to Achieve Desired Result Ugo Aliogo The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has said the National Sugar Master Plan (NSMP), if effectively executed can fetch the nation foreign exchange in excess of $700 million yearly, from the backward integration component of the plan.

Dangote disclosed this recently in Lagos, during a courtesy visit to the Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc by some businessmen.

He, however, stressed that the Backward Integration Policy (BIP) policy must be enforced so as to achieve the twin objectives of local manufacturing and job creation.

“If the national sugar

master plan is followed strictly and the players follow the rules, the country will be better for it as Nigeria will save between $600 million and $700 million annually as forex,” he said.

Dangote also told the visitors that the Dangote Group was scaling up its social intervention in communities hosting its companies across the country.

He said efforts were being made to impact positively on the host communities saying his companies had expended billions of naira in states where these investments are located.

Dangote explained that the corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects undertaken by his companies were in

addition to efforts by his Foundation, Aliko Dangote Foundation, which is presently giving out micro grants to vulnerable women in all the 774 local governments across the country.

The Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, who was on a working tour of the Dangote’s expansive Savannah Sugar Company (SSCL) Limited in Numan, Adamawa State and Tunga sugar project site in Nasarawa State, had described the projects as, “huge, impressive and amazing.”

The minister had said about the Dangote’s sugar plantation in Nasarawa State: “It is a very impressive sight.

Amazingly, such a project

exists in this place.”

He added: “What we have seen so far from all the plantations we’ve been to are very impressive. We are impressed with the level of work they are doing.”

Group Executive Director, Government and Strategic Relations of the company, Mansur Ahmed, had described Nasarawa State as one of the easiest states in the country to do business.

General Manager for the BIP, Dangote Sugar, John Beverley had said when the factory was fully operational, it would have the capacity to crush 12,000 tons of cane per day, while 90MW power would be generated for both the company’s use and host communities.

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African-inspired Ikoyi Wins World 50 Best Restaurant Award Ikoyi, a London-based restaurant has become the first in the United Kingdom to be awarded the prestigious 'One To Watch Award' by the World 50 Best Restaurants.

Serving African-inspired food, the restaurant is named after a district of Lagos and was co-founded by childhood friends Jeremy Chan and Iré Hassan-Odukale in 2017.

According to Daily Mail, Ikoyi Restaurant became first UK restaurant to win the prestigious

award.

The American Express One to Watch Award recognises a restaurant considered to be a rising star on the global dining scene and aims to recognise and celebrate gastronomic excellence and innovation.

“Since opening in 2017, Ikoyi has distinguished itself for its bold use of flavour, introducing new and original ingredient combinations and presenting them with indefinable style,” the foreign media outfit reported.

REPORT: NON-OIL EARNINGS LIFTED FG'S REVENUE BY 28% IN APRIL by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), it stated.

The report said, “In addition, the significant decline in domestic crude oil and gas sales, also contributed to the meagre oil receipt during the period. The strong performance of non-oil revenue in April 2021 reflected the maturing benefits of the Strategic Revenue Generation Initiative (SRGI) of the federal government, as contained in the 2019 and 2020 Finance Acts.

“The contribution of non-oil revenue was driven, majorly, by higher earnings from Corporate Income Tax (CIT) and Value Added Tax (VAT).”

However, the report disclosed that the federal government's total outstanding contractual liabilities increased to N28.98 trillion at the end March 2021, indicating an increase of 15.8 per cent relative to March 2020 and 2.5 per cent compared to December 2020.

This was as debt service obligations amounted to N1.03 trillion as at first quarter of 2021 compared with N779.73 billion and N461.98 billion in the first and fourth quarters of 2020, respectively.

The increase in the federal government’s liability was propelled by the fiscal policy drive to support economic recovery, reduce infrastructural deficit and fund COVID-19 mitigation programmes.

The CBN stated that the significant rise in debt service was due, largely, to the interest payments on additional FGN bonds, promissory notes and the redemption of the $500 million Eurobonds, which matured in January 2021.

The retained revenue of the federal government stood at N409.31 billion or 38.5 per cent below target.

Similarly, the provisional aggregate expenditure of the federal government stood at N559.67 billion, or 50.6 per cent below the budget benchmark and 59.4 per cent short of the level in March.

Consequently, the fiscal operations of the FGN in April 2021 contracted by 67.8 per cent, relative to the budget estimate.

The CBN, however, stated that output growth trajectory remained largely positive, looking ahead, following optimism of an accelerated COVID-19 vaccination and expected favourable crude oil prices.

It stated, "Growth will continue to be supported by the implementation of the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP) and the accommodative monetary stance of the Bank.

"The moderation in food supply shocks, associated with the improved harvests, as rainy season kicks in, will continue to have favourable knock-on effects on inflationary pressures and moderate headline index, going forward.”

The CBN predicted that the external sector outlook remained stable and would be supported by the on-going policy on diaspora remittances.

It added, however, that despite the confidence, downside risks to the outlook persist.

The apex bank stated, "Concerns over the emerging third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe and Asia could depress global supply chain and crude oil demand.

"In addition, external vulnerability, insecurity across the country, subsisting infrastructure gap, and constrained fiscal space, may weigh negatively on the growth prospects."

Chan and Hassan-Odukale have made it their mission to source superlative local produce and serve it in its optimal state.

They use micro-seasonality and British ingredients to cook West African inspired dishes. Their menu includes the likes of Plantain Caramelised in Ginger & Kelp, Smoked Jollof Rice, and Poppy Seed Waffle, Truffled Aged Beef & N25 Caviar.

The foundation of their dishes is a vast collection of global spices with a focus on

sub-Saharan West Africa, which have been meticulously sourced over the past few years, resulting in menus which surprise the senses with a balance of heat and umami.

The restaurant is situated in the heart of St James's Market, two minutes' walk from London's famous Piccadilly Circus.

Director of Content for The World's 50 Best Restaurants, William Drew said: 'At Ikoyi, Jeremy and Iré have created

to deploy a proven system where those who can pay for vaccines subsidise the cost of vaccination for those who cannot.

“Given the fact that we expect COVID-19 vaccinations to be annual going forward, this is the only sustainable path towards achieving herd immunity and making Lagos free of the virus. “With our approach, we expect to vaccinate 30 per cent of the population of Lagos within one year. This will put us on a better and more sustainable path towards herd immunity. We expect COVID-19 vaccinations to be an annual programme, going forward, as this is the only way to making Lagos free of the virus.”

grateful to our producers without whom this success would not be possible.”

“American Express and Resy have been fans of Ikoyi since it opened and are proud to count it as a valued restaurant partner,” the Vice President of American Express Dining Access & Benefits, Hannah Kelly said.

“This award underscores its excellence and we join The World's 50 Best Restaurants in recognising Ikoyi as an international culinary destination.”

YOUR UTTERANCES ARE RECKLESS, CARELESS, SOUTHERN/MIDDLE BELT ALLIANCE TELLS NEF in the process of rebuilding itself and was not prepared to play second fiddle in a nation, where it enjoyed numerical strength. He stated this in a keynote address at the maiden edition of the Maitama Sule Lecture Series organised by the students’ wing of the Coalition of Northern Groups at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Baba-Ahmed stated, “We will lead Nigeria the way we have led Nigeria before, whether we are president or vice president, we will lead Nigeria. We have the majority of the votes and democracy says vote whom you want. Why should we accept a second-class position when we know we can buy a form and contest for first class and we will win?

“Why does anybody need to threaten us and intimidate us? We will get that power, but be humble, because power comes from God. We inherited leadership and being honest is not being stupid. The North has pride;

we are humble enough to know that we are going to run Nigeria with other people, but we are not going to play a second fiddle to anybody.

“We may not have the most robust economy, there are people, who are trying to strangulate us even more than we are being strangled. We are ready for this. We will consider every economic adversity, challenge. We will fix the northern economy and we are the only ones who can fix this northern economy.

For that reason, we are not for sale. We are in the process of rebuilding the North and we will rebuild the North from 2023.

“Whether the North holds power in 2023 or not, anybody who wants to break up in this country will say so, they are just looking for excuses. This is democracy. If they don’t like what Nigeria is, they will say they want to break up from this country, we don’t pay attention to those people, we

are focused on the fact that we are running a democratic system.”

However, responding, SaMBA said in astatement, "Let Dr Baba-Ahmed be reminded that without the Middle Belt, such numbers boasted about in the North are mere political posturing.

It is disheartening that Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed will make such reckless and careless statement at a time, when we are still battling to keep the country united.

“One would have expected that the retired Permanent Secretary with his exposure and academic prowess, will choose his words carefully, but it is quite unfortunate that NEF will talk recklessly.

"It is certain that some liberal minded people in the North will be shedding secret tears as a result of the statement credited to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), because it is based on a delusion of a ‘one north’ that has treated the Middle

Belt region as second class citizens.

“The so-called ‘north’ cannot boast of numerical strength to win election without reckoning with the strength of the Middle Belt and other northern Christians that have decided to work with their southern Nigeria counterparts to produce fresh and effective leaders for the country.

“Rather than boasting of numerical strength to win election, NEF should look for ways to turn the numerical strength to productivity.

Nigeria is presently rated as the poverty headquarters of the world, because of poor standards of living in the region under the present leadership.

"We, therefore, urge liberal minded northerners to work with the Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA) to produce a new crop of leaders in 2023 with the requisite competence, character and courage to usher Nigeria into the 21st century.

MILITARY MOVES TO PROSECUTE SURRENDERED TERRORISTS decision to lay down their arms was not a decoy to activate sleeper cells across the country.

Speaking in Maiduguri, Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen Christopher Musa, said the military was working within the ambit of international laws and maintained that the law would take its cause.

He further noted that the military was doing all within international laws in the handling of Boko Haram and the prosecution of surrendered terrorists against the backdrop of the recent mass surrender of the terrorists.

“We are just doing what we are supposed to do. The laws will naturally take its course,

nobody will take them in and tomorrow say ‘go, your sins are forgiven’.

"No. It doesn’t work that way, and that is why we were able to talk to the Governor (Borno) and advise him to call for a stakeholders' meeting which was held to chart a way forward,” Musa said.

Speaking earlier during a media tour of troops in the frontlines, units and formations in the theatre of Operation Hadin Kai, Sector I and II in the region, Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the objective of the visit was to review the wrong narratives about the surrendered Boko Haram/

NO MORE OPEN GRAZING IN LAGOS AS SANWO-OLU SIGNS BILL INTO LAW partnership with the private Security of Lagos Must Staff, Lieutenant General sector to be made available Be Paramount, Sanwo- Farouk Yahaya, who visited him at the State House, free of charge at Government Olu Tells Army Chief Marina. health centres. We propose

more doses than the size of their populations and are preparing to roll out booster shots, while poorer countries struggled to administer first doses, threatening the global efforts to end the pandemic.

He said vaccine equity remained the only path to toe by world leaders to end the pandemic.

To do this, the Governor said the world must ensure that vaccines were available to all, especially poorer countries that had struggled with supply.

On how Lagos was creating access and ramping up vaccination, Sanwo-Olu said the government was leveraging the private sector funding, capacity and infrastructure to scale up availability and distribution.

He said: “Our proposal to the private sector is to reserve and administer 50 per cent of the vaccines procured in

that rare thing in the restaurant world: an experience that defies characterisation. It is one of the most exciting restaurants to have opened in recent years, with an impressive commitment to flavour and produce. We are delighted to name Ikoyi as the winner of the American Express One to Watch Award 2021.”

Also, Chef Jeremy Chan said: “We are extremely humbled by the recognition on the global stage and proud of our small, hard-working team. We are also

Sanwo-Olu yesterday told the Chief of Army Staff that because of the strategic position of Lagos in the country, the security of the city state must be of priority to security agencies in the country.

The governor called on service personnel in Lagos to be fully committed to their constitutional responsibilities of keeping the peace and strengthening security in the State.

The governor while pledging that the state government would continue to provide logistics support to all security agencies for continuous operations across the state, urged the personnel to justify the confidence with improvement in security.

Sanwo-Olu spoke when he received the Chief of Army

The Army Chief was in Lagos for traditional assessment of the military formations and warfare assets in the state.

The governor said it was important to prioritise safety in the state, given its economic importance and geographic location as one of the country’s international borders.

He said the state government had shared a commendable relationship with the Army and other security agencies in Lagos, promising to strengthen the synergy.

He said: “Lagos has uniquely not only the land borders, it is also an international route in and out of the country through the air and waterways.

“The relationship we have been enjoying between the state government and the entire

ISWAP terrorists.

He noted that operations conducted against the terrorists had resulted in depleting its ranks.

"Therefore, it is very important to stop their desperate recruitment bid," he said.

Nwachukwu said the efforts of the military should be highlighted by the media for Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of the troops particularly, in the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the North-east.

He said the media tour was aimed at discussing the issues of rehabilitation of surrendered terrorists and plight of the victims of the conflict.

"These fundamental reasons gave birth to the media tour of the North-east. The Boko Haram insurgents have been surrendering. People have questioned the authenticity of the surrendering of these insurgents. People are also questioning why the insurgents are surrendering at this point in time.

"The fight against insurgency has recorded tremendous success considering what it was in the past. At some point, few years back, as far back as 2014, Boko Haram was almost advancing towards Lokoja, they were marching towards Abuja.

Today, they have been boxed to the Timbuktu or the hills," he said.

security agencies, especially the Nigerian army, has been commendable.

“I acknowledge the leadership role being played by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division with other security agencies in raising the bar of security surveillance, training, information sharing and collaboration in operations.

“From this robust engagement, we have developed a mechanism in which every agency works in synergy with others to improve the state’s security architecture.

We have continued to experience improved security, calmness and safety.

“But there is much that needs to be done and this requires total commitment of our personnel. We will continue to give support to the security agencies to ensure not only their safety and that of the residents, but also the

safety of visitors coming to do business in Lagos.”

In his response, Yahaya said he was excited about the robust collaboration between the Army and other security agencies operating in Lagos.

He said: “We will do our best to ensure security is enhanced across Lagos and other parts of the country.”

Army top officers in the entourage of the COAS included GOC 81 Division, Maj. Gen. L.A. Fejokwu, Commander of Training and Doctrine, Maj. Gen. S.O. Olabanji, Chief of Logistics, Maj. Gen. O.A. Akintade, and Chief of Army Operations, Maj. Gen. O.T. Akinjobi.

Others were Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig. Gen. D.I. Salihu, Commander of 9th Brigade, Brig. Gen. M.L. Saraso, Provost Marshall, Maj. Gen. O.R. Aiyenigba and Chief of Staff to the COAS, Brig. Gen. A.M. Umar.

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Osinbajo is Sellable for 2023 Presidency, Says Nasarawa Governor Igbawase Ukumba in Lafia

to be talking about you are those who admire you, who understand who you are and are going in that direction. So, if you are going in that direction to sell this gentleman (Osinbajo), not every product is sellable.

Osinbajo is a sellable product," Sule maintained.

At its visit to the State

House of Assembly complex, the Speaker, Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, told the group that members of the state assembly were looking unto Governor Sule to give them the direction to follow.

"Whatever he (Sule) has agreed with you, I can assure you is our position. We are grassrootspoliticians, because

we are the ones relating with people at the grassroot, and his message will be taken to the grassroots at the appropriate time.

“So, have it at the back of your mind that as far as APC is concerned, the position of Governor Sule is the position of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly," the Speaker

re-echoed.

Earlier, Kurfi told Sule, Abdullahi and the Emir of Lafia that the group was on a voluntary mission soliciting support that would enable Osinbajo succeed President Buhari in 2023.

"The continuity of the good values already set

by APC, and especially, by

the president by himself; if political mentoring is anything to go by and I think it should, then, political mentoring of President Buhari has already gotten a scion in Osinbajo.

That if political continuity should be the prevalent thing, then, obviously by getting Osinbajo, Nigeria will be better for it," Kurfi said.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Monday, said Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was a sellable product for the 2023 presidential election.

Sule addressed a political group, the Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG), which had come to sell the vice president as a potential presidential material ahead of the 2023 polls.

The group was at the Government House in Lafia, the state House of Assembly and the Palace of the Emir of Lafia and Chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Traditional Rulers, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd) to solicit support for Osinbajo as President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor in 2023.

Speaking to the group led by its National Chairman, Rabiu Aliyu Kurfi, the governor told them that "not every product is sellable, but Vice President Osinbajo is a sellable product.

"You are speaking about continuation, which is what we believe here in Nasarawa State. You have been speaking about consolidation, and we know the challenges of consolidation and continuation of our party. This is a political party that is lucky or unlucky to be built around one man.

And for us, the progressive governors are seeing at how do we sustain the party beyond the one man.

L-R: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the State "Then you went more details to be talking about Professor Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji and Commander, Training and Doctrine, Major General S. O Olabanji, during the COAS courtesy visit to the Governor Osinbajo; a man of God, a at Lagos House, Marina...yesterday professional lawyer, a family man; a man that I have come to respect, because I was even given the opportunity to speak on his last birthday on behalf Michael Olugbode in Abuja the airports, courier firms, of Edo state during which officers who arrested them state with 4.5 kilogrammes of of the governors," he noted. hideouts. different quantities of cannabis shortly before they boarded cannabis following intelligence Continuing, Sule claimed Operatives of the National that she sells drugs.

A statement by the and local mixtures called their flights.

Osinbajo was a man he had Drug Law Enforcement spokesman of the agency, monkey tail were recovered.

The statement revealed that It also disclosed that another come to respect, because he Agency (NDLEA) have Femi Babafemi, stated that According to the statement, while Isesele was nabbed on person, Aliyu Saidu, suspected knew the vice president very destroyed over 14 hectares in Edo, operatives stormed in another clampdown, Saturday September 11th, 2021, to be a fake soldier was well. of cannabis cultivated farms remote forests in Ovia North attempts by a female during outward clearance of arrested with 2.3 kilogrammes "We have the opportunity in Edo State.

East area of the state between passenger, Isesele Obehi and Ethiopian Airline flight at of cannabis sativa in a of having a gentleman that The development was part September 8th and 16th, one Emmanuel Chibuzor Gate B departure hall of the commercial bus from Lagos is a totally party person, of continued nationwide destroyed over 14 hectares of Omebere to export illicit Lagos airport on her way to to Makurdi on September loyal man to Mr President. ‘offensive action’ against cannabis farms, and recovered drugs to Europe through Milan, Italy, with 312 sachets 13th, at Aliade checkpoint, And I believe you are selling drug traffickers in the past 172.6 kilogrammes of cannabis. the Murtala Mohammed of Tramadol, weighing 1.5 Benue State. him earlier than he is selling few weeks by the anti-narcotics “In Kano, one Shuaibu He said three female and International Airport, Lagos kilogrammes, concealed in himself, which is the way it agency during which hundreds a male suspects were also and Nnamdi Azikiwe crayfish and dried vegetables, Yusuf, was arrested on supposed to be. of kilogrammes of illicit arrested in raids across Owan International Airport, Abuja Chibuzor was caught with Friday 17th Sept with 537 "And those who are suppose substances were seized at East and Akoko Edo areas were thwarted by narcotic 137.45 grammes of the same kilogrammes of cannabis drug concealed in foodstuff at sativa, concealed among bags the Abuja airport on September of cement in a truck, while 2nd, during outward clearance in Ogun state, five persons of Turkish Airline flight to were arrested on Tuesday 14th Istanbul, Turkey.

Sept after their truck conveying Furthermore, the statement 552 kilogrammes cannabis noted that efforts by desperate was intercepted at Ogere North-east Nigeria revealed by UNICEF. The project also committed to working with traffickers to export varying Remo, along Lagos-Ibadan Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja pervasive psychosocial distress supports vulnerable children our partners to provide sizes of consignments expressway.

The European Union (EU) manifesting as high levels across Borno with protection psychosocial and other support containing cocaine, heroin “In a related development, and the United Nations of anxiety, suspiciousness, and health services, vocational to conflict-affected children so and other illicit drugs through narcotic officers on motorised International Children's anger, aggressiveness, and and basic literacy skills, access they can regain their childhood courier firms were also foiled. patrol on Friday 17th Sept, to justice and security. and restart their lives."

Emergency Fund (UNICEF) hyper-vigilance."

“Some of the seized drugs arrested a 21-year-old Law The statement explained that UNICEF described the UNICEF explained that stress include 475 grammes of heroin Ubi at Marian Road, Calabar, have estimated that more than 300,000 children have lost their the EU-funded programme in programme as a holistic and violence had been linked concealed in food items going Cross River state with 67.4 lives in the troubled north- Borno State was a component humanitarian intervention to poor brain development, to Canada; 202 grammes kilogrammes cannabis while eastern region of the country. of a three-year €10 million that had so far provided depression and poor self- of cocaine hidden in body a follow up search of his The two international bodies European Union Support to 15,552 out-of-school children esteem, and children exposed cream containers going to residence the following day, said they were working Early Recovery and Resilience with vocational training; 1,610 to conflict and violence were Australia; 720 grammes of Saturday, led to the recovery together to provide community- package to support children, out-of-school children with at risk of long-term mental Cannabis Sativa tucked in of 4.2 grammes of Cocaine based psychosocial services youths, and communities in literacy and numeracy skills; health and psychosocial issues. computer hard drives heading from his apartment,” it and enrolled 5,194 children into The Head of Cooperation, to United Arab Emirates, UAE added. aimed at improving mental Borno State.

Included in the package were integrated Qur’anic schools EU, Cecile Tassin-Pelzer, said, and another 2.1 kilogrammes health for 5,129 out-of-school Speaking on the latest children in conflict-ravaged the provision of vocational across focus local government “Addressing the psychosocial of cannabis hidden in body arrests and seizures, the and non-formal areas. well-being and development of cream bottles going to Oman, Chairman/Chief Executive parts of Borno State, in the skills education to at least 25,000 “The scars of conflict are real children and teachers in conflict while 60 grammes of cocaine of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba North-east.

In a statement issued young people, the construction and enduring for children,” situations is an important part concealed in degree certificates Marwa (Retd), commended yesterday, UNICEF said, and rehabilitation of learning said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF’s of re-establishing education meant for Australia was also officers and men of the Lagos provision and enabling children seized, all from three courier airport, Abuja airport, Benue, "More than 300,000 children centres, and the strengthening Representative in Nigeria.

UNICEF said, “Too many to re-enter schools safely.” have been killed in Nigeria’s of education management firms in Lagos,” it added.

Kano, Ogun, Rivers, Cross children in North-east Nigeria UNICEF uses psychosocial North-east, while over one information systems It also revealed that a River and Edo commands as It stated that the programme are falling victim to a conflict support to help conflict- 38-year-old pregnant woman, well as those of the Directorate million have been displaced.

A recent Mental Health was being implemented they did not start. Attacks affected children manage Kate Nwuju was arrested of Operation and General and Psychosocial Support through the EU-funded against children must stop their emotions, solve problems, on September 14th, at her Investigation, DOGI, of the deal with crisis, and maintain residence in Rumueme, Mile 4 agency for maintaining the (MHPSS) needs assessment support to Early Recovery and immediately.

“In the meantime, we are healthy relationships. of conflict-affected children in Resilience Project, implemented area of Port Harcourt, Rivers heat on drug dealers.

COAS VISITS SANWO-OLU...

NDLEA Destroyed 14 Hectares Cannabis Farms in Edo

EU, UNICEF: More than 300,000 Killed in North-east Conflict 5,129 receive mental health treatment in Borno

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

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A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP IS BORN...

L-R: Chief Commercial Officer, Flutterwave, Ife Orioke; Chief Executive Officer, 9 Payment Service Bank (9PSB), Branka Mracajac; Founder and CEO, Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola; and Executive Director, Technology and Operations, 9PSB, Ruby Onwudiwe, at the strategic partnership MoU signing event between 9PSB and Flutterwave which held at 9PSB headquarters, Victoria Island, Lagos ...yesterday

BP Oil Merchant Says He Was Fired over Nigeria Bribe Concerns Sunday Okobi with agency report Former oil merchant, Jonathan Zarembok, has alleged that he was fired by BP Plc because he voiced concerns about bribes being paid in Nigeria to secure local contracts, according to a sprawling London employment suit that sheds light on the energy giant’s lucrative trading floor.

Zarembok, who traded on BP’s West Africa desk, alleged that the company paid an “abnormally large” fee to a local agent to participate in a state oil tender.

He alleged further that BP’s traders also sought to make payments in a deal that would have been the largest the desk had ever struck in Nigeria, before the transaction was ended, according to the lawsuit.

According to Zarembok in his witness statement, “We were paying agents in Nigeria huge multiples of what we paid in other regions even though those agents did not perform services of any real value to BP. Our proposed reasons for paying the agent these sums were a sham.”

According Financial Post report, BP, on its own, argued that the payments were legitimate and were fully scrutinised by its deal governance board that included the trading floor’s most senior executives.

Lawyers for the firm said the bribery allegations were investigated and couldn’t be substantiated.

However, Zarembok didn’t raise specific concerns about corruption at the time, but BP said he was ultimately dismissed in April 2020 because the working relationship had irretrievably broken down.

The London suit, which also names the company’s crude oil trading Head, Dan Wise, as a defendant, highlighted the issues faced by the largest oil traders when using agents to win lucrative deals.

BP rival, Gunvor Group Limited cut its use of agents in 2019 after the energy trader admitted a former employee bribed officials in the Republic of Congo to secure oil contracts.

“BP is defending in full and denies all allegations made by the claimant,” the firm said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Zarembok in his witness statement added that

BP’s trading unit not only dealt with the physical cargoes of oil but also took “educated but speculative positions,” which he called “a profit centre in its own right.”

The 15-year veteran said he and his team who focused on West Africa were tasked with delivering around $75 million per year from trading.

Zarembok was being paid bonuses of more than $3 million a year until they were cut in half for 2017 and then slashed to zero by 2019.

In Nigeria, local rules required oil firms to work with Nigerian firms if they wanted to acquire crude oil cargoes issued by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC),

the Nigerian oil producer.

The report said the cargoes, issued at below the market rate, were highly lucrative, and BP had repeatedly missed out. In 2017, BP chose to work with a local agent rather than agree a joint venture with a Nigerian company.

According to the report, a BP executive in Nigeria wrote in an email to Zarembok and other traders that: “2018 is an election prep year, so we understand what that means, and if you don’t, I will explain it to you in person.”

The individual later wrote to apologise for his “slothful communication,” according to documents prepared for the lawsuit.

But Zarembok said the email was a “clear red flag,” saying the obvious inference was “there would be pressure to pay bribes.”

The report alleged that in total, BP paid $900,000 in fees to the local agent after securing two crude oil cargoes from NNPC. “Broadly speaking, the fees paid to Nigerian agents were about 10 times higher than those BP paid to agents in other countries,” it said.

The suit comes after a case involving Glencore Plc, where a former oil trader, who recently pleaded guilty to corruption, wired payments to various NNPC officials to secure cargoes, including cash requested for use in

the country’s 2015 elections.

Glencore’s new chief executive officer said in August that the firm no longer uses middlemen in its oil business.

Zarembok alleged further that BP was swift to investigate a $15 expense by alocal agent that might have been a bribe to an NNPC doorman, but took weeks to respond to his concerns in the buildup to the largest deal that the company’s trading room had ever negotiated in Nigeria.

In 2017, it was learnt that BP planned to lend hundreds of millions of dollars to NNPC in exchange for a seven-year crude purchase agreement.

Again, in order to satisfy local requirements, BP was

considering working with an agent who offered little real value to the negotiations, Zarembok said.

A spokesman for NNPC didn’t immediately respond to calls and messages requesting comment.

In the meantime, Zarembok said. “The proposal to pay what was almost certainly an ill-disguised bribe was contrary to the values that I believed BP stood and should stand for. The whole thing made me sick.”

The deal was ultimately terminated after the agent sought to increase the size of the fees to $2 million per year for the lifetime of the contract.

WAEC: Over 1.57m Candidates for Exams in 19,000 Centres Nationwide

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Over 1.57 million candidates are sitting for the 2021 West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) across Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, who made this known in Abuja yesterday, while monitoring the conduct of the exams at Federal Government Girls' College, Bwari, and Government Girls Secondary School, Dutse, said the examination is holding in 19,000 centers across the nation.

Echono expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exams and said

aside from the disruptions witnessed by candidates in the South-east, where some candidates were stopped from writing their exams due to the sit at home order in the region, the conduct of the 2021 WASSCE was peaceful and stress free.

“We are very pleased that all around the country, exams are going on peacefully. We have a total of over 19,000 exams centres across the country over 1.57miillion candidates registered for their exams and beside the disruptions we had on September 13th in the southeast where some of our candidates were stopped from doing the exams, it

is a peaceful and stressful examination,” he added.

He confirmed that the examination centers mostly complied with standards and ethics of examinations.

According to the Permanent Secretary, the number of cases of examination malpractices witnessed during internal examinations in public schools were low compared to private schools.

“We don’t see much of malpractices in internal examinations like this because these are students who are already in school, but the only place where we have one or two cases is where examiners in private schools try to assist the students,”

he revealed.

Echono further disclosed that the federal government was addressing incidences and cases of examination malpractices recorded during tertiary admission exams and would arrest any person found culpable.

“We are pursuing very hard more cases, incidence or possibilities of examinations malpractice we have a zero tolerance for examinations malpractice, we punish and arrest any person found culpable and ensure that immunity is restored to our system.

“We do not have challenges this year in terms of preparing the students

aside the COVID-19 we have situations in some states that had to close schools down but we made alternative arrangements especially exit classes to take this examinations so we are satisfied with the arrangements.

“We collate examinations malpractices at the end of the examinations , we collaborate with examination bodies like JAMB, exam ethics-an NGO to fish out culprits because we have a lot of miscreant who are perpetrating and deceiving people, we are going to undertake a general overhaul for all those offering so called services to candidates,” he added.

NEDC: Stabilisation Development Master Plan Will Commence in January Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has revealed that the Stabilisation Development Master Plan for the region will be completed and validated by December, while its implementation would start in January.

The Lead, Master Plan Segment, NEDC, Dr. Kassim Gidado, disclosed this yesterday, during a consultative meeting with representatives of Northeast state governments held in Abuja.

He said the master plan, according to the Act, would commence from 2020 to 2030,

with the aim of alleviating poverty and bringing about the transformation and prosperity of the region.

Gidado said the objective of the master plan was to create a thriving region that has productive citizens, stressing that the target of the commission was to have 70 per cent of the population in the region to be productively engaged in the economic activities of the region.

He stated: "The actual implementation of the final plan will commence immediately. This Christmas, we will get the final plan completed, validated and we will roll it out by January.

We believe that by January the

master plan should be up and running.

"The target for the master plan is 2030, but because NEDC is going to implement this master plan, we said that there must be a robust capacity for the NEDC to be set up. So, NEDC has developed their own vision and that vision is that as an organisation, it is 2025 so that it can be reviewed if there is a need for refinement towards the 2030 master plan."

Gidado revealed that from the questionnaire sent out by the commission, the perception of people of the region, especially those at the grassroots and organisations interviewed, was

that the insurgency could be over by 2023.

To this end, he said: “It is possible that by 2023 this issue of insurgency that people talk about is going to be behind us.

We need to do that quickly if we are going to bring about sustainable growth that we are talking about if we are to attract the kind of investment that we require to turn the economy of that region. Without dealing with that, it is impossible.”

On his part, NEDC Head of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Yusuf Kachako, said most of the development projects of the commission were hinged on successes recorded by the

military and other security operatives.

He expressed optimism about the implementation of the master plan, hence, the decision of the commission to invest in the implementation.

Kachako added: "There is little or nothing we as a commission can do to change the security situation in the north-east. However we could leverage on successes recorded by the military to implement programmes and projects to sensitise people on development and sustainability and we could also raise early warning systems, these are the areas we can come in as a nation."

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

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COMMENT

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

IN HIS OWN WORDS

The Gbajabiamila-led ninth house of representatives has done exceedingly well, writes Ese Omonigho

H

e was very clear of his mission from day one. He came to make the crooked ways straight and to make the people the centre of the ninth National Assembly. Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives proved his capacity as a competent, informed and bold leader of the green chamber.

As a proud ambassador of the Centre of Excellence, Lagos, a shining example of a thriving and working federating unit, he came into the saddle as the speaker with the renowned tradition of excellence. He enjoyed the confidence of his colleagues and forged a bipartisan house that was ready to work for the people.

Globally, reforms are never easy. People resist change for obvious reasons. Status quo appears as a comfort zone. But no nation, institution, corporation develops without challenging the status quo. Nigeria is in dire need of a barrier or better put a status breaker like Gbajabiamila.

He first innovatively nurtured a cordial Legislative/ Executive relationship without being an appendage of the latter. Needless acrimony with the executor of plans for the people is a warped strategy.

If the government succeeds the legislature has succeeded. That is the statesman mantra of the Gbajabiamila ninth House of Representatives.

So when celebrated broadcast political reporter, Seun Okinbaloye took him on in an exclusive interview on a Channels television programme called, ‘Political Paradigm,’ the speaker spoke eloquently of his stewardship in the last two years.

The mantra of the ninth National Assembly, codenamed, Nation Building: Joint Task worked well for the nation in many respects. It ensures a delicate balance of checks on the executive arm of government.

This winning strategy has made the current National Assembly succeed where the previous assembly had failed. Landmark legislations like the Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill, (PIB) that was hanging in the balance for years became reality. Ditto for far reaching alterations in the nation’s Electoral Act. The PIB, which had been passed into law will address the inefficiencies in the oil and gas sector and also end the rip-off of Nigeria by the International Oil Corporation (IOCs), ensure better deals for the host community and open up other ancillary sectors and create massive employment opportunities.

In line with global trend of e-governance, the Gbajabiamila-led House of Representatives is working assiduously to incorporate e-Parliament in order to strengthen the legislative performance of members.

Gbajabiamila made history as the first speaker who showed more than passing interest in parliamentary transnational diplomacy. He has been to many countries to douse tension and to look out for the interests of his countrymen. He was in Ghana to champion a better deal for Nigerian traders who were affected by the obnoxious trade policy of the country. He met with the authorities in what he referred to as back-door diplomacy and succour came the way of traders whose means of sustenance was about to be whipped out.

It was the same patriotic overtures he extended to Chinese government and the South African authorities in the heat of xenophobic attacks on Nigerians and other Africans.

Another landmark achievement many often overlook is the restoration of budget circle to January to December. The new order

ON THE GROWING AGITATION ON THE PASSED ELECTORAL ACT, THE SPEAKER ASSURED THAT THE CONCERNS WILL BE ADDRESSED. IN HIS VIEW, DIVERGENT OPINIONS ARE NECESSARY IN A DEMOCRATIC SPACE. THE HARMONISATION COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATE WILL MEET TO LOOK INTO THE GREY AREAS

will strengthen investors’ confidence in the nation’s economy, allows Nigerians and companies to plan, ensure implementation of capital projects which averaged about 30 percent implementation rate.

Critics who mischievously tagged the ninth House a rubber stamp got a shocker from Gbagabiamila. The speaker satisfactorily proved that National Assembly, the House in particular, has been very critical of some policies of the Executive and even openly raised and debated motions on failings of government “ Eighty percent of motions and resolutions criticized the Executive .

Some 96 resolutions were made on insecurity and various investigative hearings that this House has conducted. Look at the debates, motions, bills, scrutiny of budget before passage. People should research well before condemning “, the speaker said.

In his characteristic forthright manner, the speaker shared the sentiments of the majority of Nigerians on borrowings and the staggering debt profile of Nigeria under the watch of President Buhari. However, he averred that what the funds are used for are the most important concern.

“It (concerns on borrowings) needs contextualization. Borrowings are already embedded in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). Budget is predicated on MTEF which takes revenues, expenditures into consideration.”

He listed sectors where the borrowings were spent on to include social intervention programmes targeted at the poorest of the poor, massive infrastructure like roads and railways. He argued further that the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic forced many countries of the world into borrowing for productivity.

In defence of the All Progressive Congress (APC) led government on promise to tackle insecurity, the speaker posited that indeed the government had tamed the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents who hoisted flags in many North Eastern communities before President Buhari came to power.

He argued that the emerging security threats of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes require a bipartisan approach to crush.

Meanwhile, the House of Gbajabiamila didn’t look away while bandits held sway. The House convened a security summit on the disturbing security challenges. The House categorically called for replacement of then service chiefs which was done among other measures.

On the growing agitation on the passed Electoral Act, the speaker assured that the concerns will be addressed. In his view, divergent opinions are necessary in a democratic space. The harmonization committee of the House of Representatives and Senate will meet to look into the grey areas.

On the rumoured presidency bid of his political leader and the National leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Gbajabiamila vouched for the capacity of the former Lagos State governor.

The Speaker ended the engaging interview session by dispelling the speculations that he was planning to unseat the incumbent governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu. He gave the governor an excellent mark.

Omonigho wrote from Benin City

NPA REFORMS AND KOKO’S NEW BROOM Jackson Olali writes that Mohammed Bello-Koko has a clear vision of his job

P

resident Muhammadu Buhari makes no pretence about his desire to deepen and diversify the nation’s economy.

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the nation’s ports manager, is a key parastatal in this regard. It’s therefore of little wonder that the president’s attention is regularly on the activities of the NPA. The president desires to see an efficient ports management across the country. And when in May, this year, the need arose to appoint a Managing Director, albeit in acting capacity, President Buhari did not look beyond the precincts of the NPA. He appointed an industry person from within the NPA. Mr. President did not want to experiment.

He wanted a round peg in a round role; a fit and proper person. And he found one in Mohammed Bello-Koko, who until his appointment was an Executive Director, Finance and Administration in the ports management agency. As it has turned out, not appointing somebody from outside the NPA remains one of the smartest decisions of Mr. President. It also showed that President Buhari did not want to leave the appointment of the leadership of the authority to the whims of partisan politics.

Instead, the president opted, most appropriately, for professionalism, competence, experience and capacity; all of which Bello-Koko has so far exhibited.

Barely five months in the saddle, he has hit the ground with a strong bounce. Because he didn’t have to learn the ropes, he has fully turned the screw, bringing reforms to both personnel, operations and processes. He is fast changing the ancient landmarks of lethargy and administrative inertia that have stymied the efficiency of the Nigerian ports regulator.

China is the second largest economy in the world

with China ports contributing to this. But China ports were not always this prosperous. Deliberate government policy to head-hunt only the best, automate operations, concession operations where needful and above all, re-orientate the psyche of the average Chinese port worker to see himself or herself as working for the common good of the nation rather than working for personal advancement.

This change in value system helped to shove China ports operations from deficiency to world-class efficiency.

This is what Bello-Koko is doing at the moment: rallying the NPA staff to a new level of publicspirited orientation, rousing them to patriotism, devotion and commitment to duty. He’s reforming the human capital not to see themselves from the narrow prism of personal gratification but as privileged men and women helping to pull the economy of their country from brink to boom. He’s bringing automation to drive operational efficiency.

He’s constantly engaging relevant stakeholders in the maritime value chain including state governments on how best to improve ports operations.

His recent engagement with Lagos State government on how to tame the gridlock on the access roads leading to the two busiest ports in Apapa is a masterstroke. An evidence that BelloKoko is more of a pragmatic, front-row leader than the typical armchair wishful thinker. His meeting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos turned out a meeting of two great minds seeking solution beyond the knotty issue of gridlock. The meeting also sought ways to curb corrupt practices and alleged extortion of truck drivers by the battery of traffic and security operatives operating along the Lagos Ports axial.

This preponderance of security checkpoints stall

efficient implementation of the truck call-up system.

At the Apapa and Tin Can ports axis alone, no fewer than 30 “toll-points” had sprouted. Investigative media reports have exposed these checkpoints as cashpoints where the security officers on duty allegedly collect bribe before trucks were allowed into the Port. Bribery along ports access roads is not new. It’s been as old as bribery in the larger Nigeria society. The difference is that this is the first time that a CEO of the NPA, a government official, would boldly and openly condemn this repugnant act, which not only causes delay at the ports but also pushes up the cost of doing business and invariably the cost of goods and services. Bello-Koko wants government’s intervention on this niggling issue.

The best form of criticism is introspection, selfcheck and self-evaluation. As an insider, which is a huge asset, he understands the nuances and dynamics of ports operations. Some underhand dealings cannot be effected without the collaboration of NPA staff. Bello-Koko knows this and never shied away from the reality of its possibility. He has pledged to take lawful punitive measures against any NPA staff involved in corrupting the process. But it’s no longer a pledge. He has begun to action it by deploying some suspected staff out of Port locations. Beyond that, he insists that after the review of the corruption allegations against this category of light-finger staff, the guilty would be sanctioned appropriately within the limits of extant laws and rules.

Bello-Koko’s banking experience lends him to critical cost-effective analysis of operations in this all-important authority. It’s usually the lot of persons who migrate from the private to public sector. They come well-heeled in the dialectics of critical service delivery. They know how to communicate their

vision to the staff. They are adept with managing the figures to maintain a healthy bottomline.

Bello-Koko is in this class of corporate voyagers who were directly head-hunted from the private sector ecosystem with all its efficiency into the public sector space. He practices what he preaches; that every staff must earn his or her pay; that public service is not where you reap without sowing but a place to impact on the nation by your little positive actions in whichever station you find yourself.

At a staff retreat, he bared it all to the delight of those who have made up their mind to serve their country with heart and might. Away with corruption. Embrace hard work and you’ll be rewarded.

Those were the defining nuggets in his message to staff. It’s the heart’s cry of a man who wants nothing but the best for the country, for the people.

Despite operating in acting capacity, Bello-Koko has carried on with militant zeal. He demands more from his team to position the agency towards greater efficiency, safety and accountability. He has outlined several strategies that would help him and his team place the NPA on a solid pedestal that would help them do more and build the capacity for greater market share.

He lists his strategies to include infrastructural renewal and expansion, introduction of barge operations, automation of truck transit through the electronic call-up system and improvement in the sources of revenue and collection, plugging income leakages, and reducing overhead costs. He also wants to eliminate unwholesome monopolistic conducts within the value chain as well as formulation and implementation of policies aimed to incentivise patronage of the Eastern ports. All of this are geared toward efficiency and encouraging competition.

Olali wrote from Yenagoa, Bayelsa state

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

EDITORIAL THE MOUNTING DEBT PORTFOLIO The rate of borrowing is excessive

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here is nothing new in the declaration by the chairman of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC), Doyin Salami, that Nigeria’s current public debt stock is unsustainable. But the revelation that the debt service-to-revenue ratio stood at 97.7 per cent (January to May 2021) should worry all Nigerians. More disturbing is that Salami spoke in the same week the president wrote the National Assembly seeking approval to obtain $4 billion and €710 million loan to fund the deficit in the 2021 budget.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo spoke the minds of many Nigerians last weekend when he expressed concerns about the repayment of these questionable loans.

“If you are borrowing and accumulating debts for the next generation and the next generation after them… what are you borrowing for?” Obasanjo asked. “If we are borrowing for recurrent expenditure, it is the height of folly. If we are borrowing for development that can pay for itself, that is understandable. And how long will it take to ASIDE THE FACT THAT pay itself?”

MAJORITY OF THE STATES While the question CAN HARDLY MEET THEIR remains unanswered, ROUTINE OBLIGATIONS experts within Nigeria AFTER SERVICING THEIR and multilateral lenders MONTHLY DEBTS, MOST have continued to adOF THE LOANS WERE NOT vise against increased DEPLOYED TO TANGIBLE borrowing amid PROJECTS plummeting revenues.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has repeatedly sounded notes of caution that the federal government should not hide under the mantra of some nebulous debt-to-GDP ratio to continue amassing loans. In its 2020 Macroeconomic Outlook, the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) had also stated that “Nigeria’s mounting debt profile is a major concern despite the country having about $900 billion worth of dead capital in properties and agricultural

Letters to the Editor

lands”, referencing the 2019 PwC Nigeria, report.

Agencies of the federal government have also been speaking out. Just last week, the Debt Management Office (DMO) disclosed that Nigeria’s total public debt, comprising states and federal government debt obligations, grew by 7.75 per cent, from N32.916 trillion in December 2020 to N35.465 trillion as of June this year. And going by Salami’s projection, the country’s debt stock is estimated to hit about N54 trillion when “Ways and Means” as well as the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) liabilities and the 2021 fiscal deficit are put into consideration.

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

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

hile we understand the funding challenge that has now been compounded by COVID-19 and the fluctuating oil prices, the federal government must understand that we cannot borrow our way into prosperity. The counsel by the MPC of CBN and other stakeholders is that we need to build fiscal buffers against the growing impact of the country’s high debt profile. Sadly, there are bigger challenges in many of the 36 states. The current governors on assumption of office complained of inheriting heavily indebted states on account of funds taken from the capital market by their predecessors. Many of these governors have also gone to secure their own loans which they also expect future governments in their states to repay. Aside the fact that majority of the states can hardly meet their routine obligations after servicing their monthly debts, most of the loans were not deployed to tangible projects.

From China’s Eximbank to the World Bank, African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, German Development Bank and others, the federal government seems to be scavenging for loans from just about anywhere without any thought about how they would be repaid. While borrowing may be inevitable, especially at a period like this, there are serious concerns at the rate these debts are being piled up. Besides the fact that the funds are not being deployed into projects that generate income, borrowing should be done with circumspection: not done to mortgage the future of the country and its sovereignty.

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

UMAHI AND THE NIGERIAN SHIP

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s fierce storms continue to assail the Nigerian ship, it appears that Ebonyi State Governor Mr. Dave Umahi lives on another planet. From utterances that curdle the blood to actions that make the stomach churn, the governor goes about doing his stuff not minding whose ox is gored.

Ordinarily, this would not have been a problem but the fact that Mr. Umahi occupies one of the more struggling states in Nigeria`s volatile south-east which has become the hotbed of resurgent IPOB agitations.

Mr Umahi swept to power on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in 2015 but for many years he gave off the impression of one who runs with the hare and hunts with the hound. He has since officially decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress from the opposition PDP, and only recently, he paid glittering tributes to Nigeria`s president Mr. Muhammadu Buhari and prayed that come 2023, the country will be blessed with a leader of similar sapience. The comments rankled not a few Nigerians.

Feelers from Ebonyi State say that Mr. David Umahi is transforming the infrastructure of one of Nigeria`s poorest states. If that is true, then, he must be bringing to bear his training as an engineer to governance which is a good thing. But Nigerian leaders do not lack in technical expertise and what Nigerians lack is not just infrastructure.

In fact, as events in the country continue to unfold at breakneck pace, leadership in Nigeria is crying out for those who know the truth about Nigeria`s truly precarious situation and are willing to say it freely and fearlessly.

As Nigeria has wheeled towards the precipice especially in the last 22 years, truth has become harder to come by. Those who by virtue of their positions and power have a unique opportunity to live and speak the truth in service of Nigeria`s poorest prefer the shelter of lies and falsehood. Those who have found themselves in situations to administer truth to Nigeria like a medicine

have cited survival and convenience as reasons to cower behind the flimsiness of falsehood.

So Nigeria suffers from a leprosy of lies. Under the heavy gunfire of Boko Haram terrorists, swirling allegations that they have active and passive sympathizers in the highest places are swept under the carpet. In the flood of falsehood threatening to sweep away the future of Nigerian children, communities are ripped apart by killers and the perpetrators never brought to account. In the hail of hubris and hypocrisy threatening to tear out the heart of the country, even some religious and traditional leaders prevaricate. Their counterparts in the media take to mendacity, electing to read into lines things that are not there. In the legislature, legislation has become a lance with which imaginary enemies are pierced. In the judiciary, justice has become a jamboree for the unjust.

So Nigeria struggles. With leaders like Umahi who claim to speak for the people but in reality are in total disconnect from them, Nigeria is stretched to breaking point. A stifling lack of accountability for actions that gravely imperil the poorest children and their families suffocate the country. So does the treacherous lack of transparency that makes it easy for public funds to feather private nests.

Nigeria has lived a lie for far too long. This lie has sprouted roots in the questions it asks of the country`s cohesion, coexistence, federalism, security and international relations. It is time to confront the truth about Nigeria`s viability and continuity as a country. This salubrious confrontation can only be done under the harsh searchlights of truth and justice. To do this, Umahi and his fellow governors must abandon the Utopia where they live and enter the trenches where the battle for Nigeria`s soul must be waged vigorously.

Kene Obiezu, Abuja

SACRÉ BLEU

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ost friendships are based on being true to each other and standing by your word. People who lie, break their word or their contracts shouldn’t be your friends no matter how powerful, persuasive, or friendly they are.

This issue has come to prominence as the contract between Australia and France has been broken and replaced by one between Australia, America, and England because America has bigger and better toys even though Australia won’t get to play with the new toys for 20 years which seems a little bit sad if anything.

Let’s hope this contract doesn’t sink as fast as a dud submarine.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

POLITICS

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

Operation Ghost Monday Takes Its Toll on S’East Economy

Nseobong Okon-Ekong and Vanessa Obioha write that the Independent People of Biafra imposed sit-athome has crippled the economy of the South-east

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ollowing the arrest of the selfacclaimed Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu, his foot soldiers in the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) enforced a sit-at-home protest that shut down business activities and restricted movement in the South-east region. Initially, the protest which started on August 9 was to be observed every Monday, but Kanu, still in detention, advised that the sit-at-home protest be carried out only on the day of his court hearing.

Kanu was labelled a terrorist by the presidency who view his narrative about the marginalisation of the Igbo ethnic group as an act of terrorism. Over time, Kanu has also claimed that the President, Muhammadu Buhari was dead and a doppelganger Jibrin was instead handling the affairs of the country. He went as far as pointing out the facial differences between the two. Whether he was right or wrong, his followers believed every word as if it was the only gospel that could save their lives. Kanu, who is not based in Nigeria, has eluded attempts to capture him by the Nigerian government.

He deployed social media and radio services to spread his gospel to his followers, with Twitter being his loudest megaphone.

The IPOB leader was, however, captured in June this year although the circumstances of his arrest are not yet clarified. It is not the first time that Kanu was arrested. On October 14, 2015, he was arrested and slapped with 11 charges, including terrorism and treasonable felony. He disappeared while on bail.

Since Kanu began his fight for an independent Biafran nation in 2014, his outspokenness has been lauded and criticised.

The ordinary man seems to identify with his goals while the South-east governors appear either to ignore him or marvel at his audacity.

Due to his influence in the region, he is more feared in most parts of Igboland than the governors. Thus, when IPOB imposed a sit-at-home, not a few happily joined in.

However, as the protest began to spill into months, the effect on the economy was felt. Businesses, transportation and market activities are grounded, leading to economic loss.

In some places like Imo State where it was only observed on Mondays, this month September, the indigenes were advised to stay at home for two days. For business owners, the protest was affecting their source of livelihood.

Code named ‘Ghost Monday,’ the IPOB operation was targeted at crippling the economy and forcing the hand of govern-

Umahi

ments of the South-east states and the Federal Government to give in to its ultimate demand for a separate country, called Biafra. The pursuit of this same goal led to a 30-month Civil War between the Biafran Army and the Federal Troops; from 1967 to 1970.

Biafra lost the war. The current Biafra project, uses Ghost Monday, to empty the streets of the South-east states of human and vehicular traffic; turning them into a ‘Ghost Streets’.

“We only have three days to run our businesses out of seven days in a week.

It is really affecting our business,” said Alphonso Ndii, a businessman in Orlu town.

A source in Aba, Abia State, said that the sit-at-home order is fully observed in the area such that the popular markets like Ariaria and Shopping Centres are as quiet as a graveyard.

“You may come out and you will only see one or two people. Sometimes, only one tricycle can be found on the Asa/Azikiwe Road.”

“Even in the villages, most traders don’t come out till evening and by then, they can only make little money,” added Ndii.

While the IPOB has suspended the sit-at-home protests, the residents have continued to observe it.

“Miscreants and criminals have hijacked the protest. People are afraid to go out for fear of their lives. Even the military and the police that are supposed to safeguard the lives of residents are

nowhere to be found,” said Ndii.

Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State expressed similar sentiments on a television programme recently.

He said, “The sit-at-home works to the average of 70 per cent in the South-east because of fear. It’s fear; our people are not the kind of people that sit at home – they hustle for their daily living, they go from one place to the other.

The worst sit-at-home is the terrible state of roads in the South-east, it is worse than IPOB sit-at-home.”

He condemned the sit-at-home order

by IPOB, calling it madness since the group was not able to enforce such orders in other parts of the country.

However, IPOB released a press statement on September 14, threatening that anybody caught enforcing any sit-at-home order will be dealt with.

“We cannot be part of the problem we are trying to solve. We cannot join the enemies to compound the woes of our people we are fighting to liberate.

That was why we suspended the ‘Ghost Mondays’ that we earlier declared because of the economic implications to our people. We listened to appeals by the people and reviewed our stance on the matter then.

“That was why we reduced the sit-at-home protests to the days our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be making appearances in court. That is enough for now and we stand by it.

Anybody trying to impose another sit-at-home order on our people or enforce illegal or imaginary sit-at-home is not IPOB and must be dealt with.

Such a person(s) are working with the enemies to disrepute IPOB, and we won’t tolerate such stupidity,” read the statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful.

The socioeconomic impact of the protest led Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State lead a protest against the continued sit-at-home order recently. The governor and his executive council members went to Awka, the state capital, to force businesses to open. He had earlier issued a warning to banks that refused to open.

He threatened that such banks will be permanently closed. According to him, the sit-at-home compliance adversely affected the Gross Domestic Product and the general economy of the state.

The governor issued a similar threat to marketers.

“If markets don’t open, I will sack the leadership of the market. If the market and park leaders don’t comply, their leadership will be changed within two weeks.”

The pleas of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State to his people to return to their businesses apparently fell on deaf ears as residents continue to sit at home. In his address on the state’s 30th anniversary, he said: “Once again, I implore us all to resume our normal economic and social activities without fear of victimization while assuring us all that the Abia State Government has put modalities in place in conjunction with security agencies to ensure the safety and security of everyone going about their legitimate endeavours. We are all also aware of the attempts by certain elements in Abia State to affect our commercial activities and other endeavours on a weekly basis. As your leader and Governor, I am making a passionate appeal to Abians to eschew these self-harming tendencies and resume normal activities on a regular basis.”

“Governors of the South-east have done their best to check the situation and when people sit at home, it is not biting the governors...When you sit at home, there is food for the governors in their homes and some of their children are outside the country,” Umahi voiced out at another religious event.

In Imo State, the state government recently sealed some banks in Owerri as punishment for observing the sit-at-home protests.

It said its action was to let the banks appreciate the frustration they had caused customers on Monday by refusing to open for transactions.

Commenting on the economic loss to the region as a result of the sit-at-home, Mr. Elliot Ugochukwu-Uko, President, Igbo Youths Movement embarked on a thoroughly sincere appraisal of the situation, that painted a holistic view that takes into account all the infrastructural challenges in the South-east.

While admitting that shut down of business activities, will definitely result to loss of revenue. He said, “But there are other factors too. I publicly suggested to the agitators through my social media page, to apply caution, since they have already made their point. But other factors such as, the terrible state of our roads, extortion from security agencies at numerous roadblocks, insecurity arising from abductions and brigandage of herdsmen and other bandits and kidnappers, do more damage to trade and commerce than any thing else. “ NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Orji: PDP, Not Umahi is Responsible for its Downfall Orji Uchenna Orji, Commissioner for Information and State Orientation Ebonyi State assumes a fighting stance against the Director General of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum

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am compelled to respond to a recent statement credited to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum by its Director General Hon. C.I.D. Maduabum.

While we consider it unnecessary to glorify the worthless and baseless sensation promoted in his unsubstantiated claims by joining issues with his reckless assertions evidencing nothing but hopelessness and regret of losing an ingenious power- house in the person of Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State; a governor with a great difference, we find it instructive to register that delegating a staff of PDP and a man of shabby pedigree to issue a press release against a well seated Governor

vindicates public judgement that PDP as presently constituted has no intrinsic political value and altruistic existential relevance.

It is inordinately partsan for a DG of a derailed political party to speak derogatorily, abusively and distortively of the person and achievements of a Governor who has distinguished himself as a leadership reference point in democratic governance.

We will rather demand that the DG of PDP Governors’ Forum visits Ebonyi State soonest to be a witness to the wonderful exploits of the Umahi’s administration and be perpetually stopped from being an agent of fake

information which his party currently stands for.He is further invited to note that it is an insult to the collective sensibilities of the people of Ebonyi State for him to hold that one of the most peaceful and one of the fastest developing states in Nigeria is associated with ‘destruction of lives and properties’ 5. It is crystal clear that since Governor Umahi left the PDP, the party has continued unmitigated in deteriorating in strength and character as it is today a shadow of itself.

It is manifestly clear that his response to the national burning issue of PDP’s zoning of the Presidency

as challenged by our dear Governor is absolutely evasive and thus unwittingly begging the question.

The DG of PDP Governors’Forum, his principals and their other agents should leave our dear Governor out of the forewarned woes of the party, and please inexcusably face and reap the imminent mass exodus and imminent catastrophy that face the future of PDP. The PDP at all levels should desist from this shameful display of frustration that informs their ceaseless media attacks on our dear Governor as if he is the only person that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), as it will not add any value to their existence as opposition political party..

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

POLITICS

Between Masari’s Call to Arms and Clamour for State Police The option between the call by Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State on the people to defended themselves against bandits and stakeholders’ clamour for state police as panacea for rising insecurity is not debatable. Udora Orizu writes

Ekweremadu

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midst rising security challenges nationwide, the clamour for decentralization of the police is yet again gathering momentum. The agitation which is not new, has over the years been ignored by the previous and present government. Currently insecurity has enveloped the length and breath of the country particularly the North, with both the citizens living in constant fear and government appearing to be exasperated and helpless.

President Muhammadu Buhari was recently quoted by the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), as telling his security chiefs that he must not exit government a failure. But words aren’t enough as one of the solutions to the insecurity bedeviling the country, is being ignored.

Recently, Governor Bello Masari called on the people of Katsina to acquire arms to defend themselves against bandits. Masari was of the view that it is the people’s meek submission that emboldens the bandits to continue with their heinous activities with murderous frequency, insisting that security was not solely a responsibility of the government.

Lawan

Before now, the governor had expressed this utter helplessness in tears before television cameras. His photograph with a so-called repentant bandit (displaying his weapons) has been widely published.

This generated a lot of criticism as some members of the public felt the bandits should be treated as criminals. The Governor had defended his approach of making peace with the killers and kidnappers as a way of winning them over to the society. It however turned out that the approach was a very bad decision as it didn’t help in anyway to stop the senseless killings in Katsina and

Gbajabiamila

other states.

Masari however is not alone in the call. Last year, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State had urged the Federal Government to allow citizens to bear arms.

Defending his call, he said, “I heard people complaining that Ortom called for Nigerians to be allowed to carry sophisticated weapons and that it would bring about anarchy. What about the herdsmen who are carrying AK-47 and kidnapping innocent Nigerians, raping our women and destroying our villages and towns and becoming a terror to us? How many

Governor Bello Masari called on the people of Katsina to acquire arms to defend themselves against bandits. Masari was of the view that it is the people’s meek submission that emboldens the bandits to continue with their heinous activities

of them have been arrested?”

Last February, the Minister of Defence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Magashi (rtd), addressing journalists after the screening of service chiefs by the House of Representatives, chided Nigerians for allowing the criminals a free reign.

He said, “I don’t know why people are running from minor things like ‘bandit attacks’.

They should stand and let these people know that even the villagers have the competence and capabilities to defend themselves.”

As expected, Masari’s call has continued to generate diverse reactions across the polity. One thread that connects majority of the stakeholders submissions is that his call is a scary confirmation that security has totally collapsed. While some Nigerians rose in Masari’s defence, saying that citizens are helpless, a few think otherwise, among them, is the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), which called on Masari to resign over failure to protect Katsina people.

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

Reliving Ekweremadu’s Legislative Activism Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is bringing his experience to bear as a ranking fourth term Senator in the Ninth National Assembly, Deji Elumoye reports

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hat former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has gathered a lot of parliamentary experience at the local and international level is not in doubt. He still holds the record as Nigeria’s longest serving presiding officer and one of the longest serving lawmakers, as he clocks 20 years in the Senate by 2023. The Ninth Senate may be Ekweremadu’s last outing as a federal lawmaker having already told his constituents during his 57th birthday in May 2019 to start shopping for his replacement come 2023 as he was no longer interested in returning to the Red Chamber.

Besides his steering the efforts that led to the breaking of the jinx of the constitution amendment in 2010 and recording a plethora of other amendments since then, Ekweremadu has served as both first Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament. The international community appointed him into the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace as Nigeria’s representative. He is also a member of the International Parliamentary Congress and the Climate Parliament.

Ekweremadu lost his re-election bid as Senate number two man during the inau-

guration of the 9th Senate on 11th June 2019. Those versed in the politics that midwifed the current Senate revealed that although the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators-elect had planned to support Senator Francis Alimikhena (APC, Edo), Ekweremadu’s candidacy became an imperative in the early hours of that fateful day when Alimikhena succumbed to party pressure and pulled out at the last hour to allow for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s emergence.

Ekweremadu had alluded to this fact while fielding questions from Senate correspondents after the contest. He said: “We believe that there must be a referendum looking at what happened (on 18th April 2018) when I was presiding when the Senate was invaded. I also wanted a situation where Nigerians, especially through their representatives, will be able to present a referendum in respect of what transpired and then be able to either endorse or condemn it. That was all and I and my many of colleagues have made the point”.

He, however, assured that having made that point “it is now time for all Senators to

now channel their energies to the current challenges of insecurity, unemployment, and issue of disunity, among others, which are staring the nation in the face”.

Ekweremadu is not the first former presiding officer to return to the National assembly as an ordinary member.

Former Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, is also a member of the current House of Representatives.

Bills and Motions Besides attending plenaries, Ekweremadu has enriched the 9th Senate with bills and motions. He has sponsored eight Bills in the current Senate: Bill for the Establishment of State Police, River Basins Development Authorities Act (Amendment) Bill, Federal High Court Act (Amendment) Bill, Federal Co-operative Colleges (Amendment) Bill, Private Detectives and Investigators Licensing and Regulation Bill, Institute of Mediators and Conciliators Establishment Bill, and the Federal University of Agriculture Mpu, Enugu State Establishment Bill.

These Bills are considered of strate-

gic import. For instance, many Nigerians, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, see state police as the way to go in arresting the worsening security situation in the country.

The import of the River Basins Authorities Act (Amendment) Bill, according to Ekweremadu, is “to address the inadequacy and imbalance in the establishment of River Basin Development Authorities”. There are 12 River Basin Development Authorities for the six geopolitical zones, but the South East zone has only one (Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority).

On 11th December 2019, Ekweremadu’s motion entitled “Escalating Rate of Unemployment in the Country culminated in Senate’s resolution urging the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to declare emergency on unemployment and also initiate a sustainable Unemployment Fund for the payment of living stipends to unemployed Nigerians until they secure any kind of employment. Ekweremadu had warned that the high unemployment rate was a time bomb.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

POLITICS

Abiodun: Reaping Fruits of Inclusive Governance With his policy of inclusive administration, the grounds are being softened for Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State to have an unimpeded political career, writes James Sowole

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he popular Yoruba saying that “you can only help someone to look for job but you cannot help him or her to do the job,” becomes apt, when one considers the rising profile and popularity of the Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, against the backdrop of enormity of opposition, before he was elected Though, the 2019 governorship election in Ogun State was not a tea party, it even became more complex, in view of intrigues and deceit by several stakeholders, which led to the situation of get it first at all cost and tackle the backlash later.

One of the reasons for desperation by politicians to win at all cost during election, is the “Winner Takes All” syndrome of many political office holders. It is often said that should a winner of an office see the position as avenue to serve the people irrespective of being in different political parties, factions and camps during election, the struggle for power, will be meaningful, moderate and issue-based.

However, the reverse is usually the case because of the past experiences of players, who usually feel cheated and shortchanged after the election.

Like in many other states, preparation for the 2019 Gubernatorial Election in Ogun State, which produced Prince Dapo Abiodun, was characterised by intrigues and plots by actors to outplay one another even, with the same party.

For the All Progressives Congress (APC) under which platform Abiodun was elected, the intrigues started with the mode of primary to be adopted in order to choose the party’s flag bearer.

Three options were available for choosing the party’s candidate- the direct primary, indirect primary and the consensus arrangement.

While the faction being led by the then incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, opted for indirect primary, the Dapo Abiodun’s faction, chose the direct mode.

But when it was clear that the two factions could not agree on a particular option, the National Secretariat, decided that a direct mode of primary be adopted.

Rather than participating in the direct mode, the Amosun’s faction boycotted the exercise and organised its own Indirect Governorship

Abiodun

Primary that produced Hon Adekunle Akinlade, who later moved to Allied People’s Movement (APM) with the entire structure of the APC that belong to Amosun.

Preparation for the actual Gubernatorial Election, was so tensed that the breakaway faction of the APC that formed APM, became the major opposition party in all ramifications.

For the real election, four major political parties, the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APM and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), were at the jugular of one another.

But while the electioneering was on, the chance of Abiodun and APC was boosted, with the open declaration by a faction of the PDP loyal to a former Governor, Gbenga Daniel, that members of his group, should work and support Abiodun.

For Dapo Abiodun, the election has come and gone and management of one”s success towards sustaining and expanding of support base, is a policy that should not be compromised.

Apart from playing politics, fulfill-

ing election promises of provision of dividends of democracy for the people, remains very important to Abiodun after his election.

The governor, was able to do this by appointing competent people into position of service, even from other political parties that contested against his own APC in the spirit of running an inclusive administration.

Specifically, Abiodun appointed leaders and members of the PDP, Labour Party (LP), ADC and some members of the APC faction loyal to the immediate past governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

While some people from other political parties and from other APC faction other than his, got direct appointment in the administration of Abiodun, some were rewarded during the last local government election, which was a depature to the previous “Winner Takes All” syndrome.

The inclusive administration, has narrowed down opposition to the administration both within and from outside the party. This policy of Inclusiveness, may have also encouraged the hitherto opposition leaders to even move to the ruling APC. It is on record that a former Governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the candidate of ADC, Mr Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, popularly called GNI, the APM Candidate, Adekunle Akinlade and their supporters, have moved to the ruling APC. However, despite understanding of leaders and members of other political parties, opposition within reared its ugly head during the APC Ward and Local Government congresses, with a “parallel” exercise.

The seemingly confusing situation was saved by the pronouncement of the Interim National Secretary of APC Caretaker Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, who said the National Secretariat, would only accept results of congresses, conducted by the Congress Committee sent by the Secretariat.

Consequently, the opposition within, was put to rest, by the acceptance of the

results and names generated by the Wale Ohu led Congress Committee sent by the National Secretariat.

Further cementing the oness of the party in the state, the Appeal Committee on Local Government Congress of the party in Ogun State disclosed that no single petition was received by the committee, on the conduct of the exercise in the state..

The Chairman of the committee, Segun Ojo, disclosed this while addressing newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital.

Ojo explained that the five-man appeal committee inaugurated by the national headquarters of the APC in Abuja, has met with stakeholders within the Ogun APC addung that the committee’s interaction with some party faithful and chieftains showed that the congress went on well without rancour.

While maintaining that no petition was put forward as it happened during the ward congress, Ojo said his committee would submit its report to the national headquarters of the party latest Monday.

He commended the party for making the committee’s job easier, expressing optimism that the state congress of the party slated for October 2 will be peaceful and friction-free.

Ojo, lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for providing leadership that has made APC more unified and cohesive in the state.

“Nobody has shown up to complain, but that has not stopped us from doing the normal thing we were sent to do from Abuja.

“We are putting together our report. And we discovered that whatever complain anybody has is being handled and treated as a family affair that will be settled within the party.

“We hope the state congress will be peaceful as that of LG congress”, the appeal committee chairman stated.

Considerung this policy of Inclusiveness and accommodation, the state and the people, are the ultimate beneficiaries as the governor was able to concentrate on the business of governance to the admiration of those who stood by him during electioneering. There are enough evidence of finished and commissioned various infrastructural projects across the three senatorial districts of the state standing as a testimony to Abiodun’s fresh style of governance.

Anatex’s Journey to Ebonyi Govt House Benjamin Nworie writes that the Peoples Democratic Party member of the House of Representatives Ishielu/ Ezza North Federal Constituency of Ebonyi has declared his intention to succeed Governor David Umahi

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bout 18 months to the 2023 general elections, the member representing Ishielu/Ezza North Federal Constituency in Ebonyi State, Hon. Anayo Edwin Nwonu popularly known as Anatex has taken the first shot to declare his intention to run for the governorship position in the State. This journey started officially during the celebration of this year’s new yam festival of Ezza clan living in Lagos state; that was when the speculation that he may run for the exalted seat was made open. After this, he has packaged his social engagements as a gubernatorial hopeful.

Anatex said: “I want to confirm today that by the special grace of God, I am going to contest for the number one seat in Ebonyi State in 2023. By the special grace of God I am going to win and become the Governor of Ebonyi State come 2023.” This declaration has revved up political permutation in the state.

Since his declaration, his support base and followership is soaring on a daily basis.

Anywhere he is seen has automatically become a “happening place.” Some of his ardent supporters have concluded that his emergence as the next Governor is a matter of time. Perhaps, just waiting for the 2023 gubernatorial election for Ebonyi people to do the needful and massively vote for him to become the fourth civilian governor of the state and sixth governor since the creation of Ebonyi in 1996.

Anatex may be banking on a number of factors,although many uncertainties are expected to play out in Ebonyi governorship

Nwonu

election. Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dominated the political structure in the state. This status was reversed in 2020 when the Governor David Umahi surrendered the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC). So, it is going to be a tough challenge for the PDP and Anatex.

How do they sensitize the electorate to maintain their love for PDP not minding the Governor’s defection. This may not be easy. Secondly, he has to market his

governorship ambition both within his party and other zones in the State. These tasks may have informed his early and timely decision to kick the ball rolling before the polity becomes over heated.

Many have opined that Anatex will make a good governor if elected because of several reasons particularly his humility to all across political or ethnic divides. He has also performed as a two,term federal lawmaker whose goodwill projected him to power in 2015. Since then, he has taken the burden of good representation to all segments of the society beyond his constituency. In the first place, his declaration is also seen as a bold step and it will count in his favour, while other aspirants await endorsement from the governor.

But, Governor Umahi has maintained that the choice of his successor will be determined by all stakeholders, as he won’t endorse anyone other than the mutually chosen candidate. It may not be easy for Umahi’s ruling APC. However, it is still dependent on which zone in the old Abakaliki bloc that APC chooses its candidate from. Since the inception of the state, no former Governor has been able to install his preferred choice.

In 2007, the first civilian governor, Dr Sam Egwu, was rumoured to have had a gentlemanly agreement with the pioneer Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barrister Julius Ucha, for saving the former Governor during the “Abuja

Group” imbroglio, but that agreement was abruptly murdered when the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly ordered that an elder statesman, Chief Martin Elechi be made Egwu’s successor.

Egwu may have been compelled to agree to the Elechi option because he needed support of the Presidency for his presidential ambition, which later crashed. Thereafter, Egwu proceeded to vie for the National Chairmanship of PDP. This also flopped like his presidential ambition.

In 2015, Elechi wanted to install former Minister for Health, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu as his successor and it was vehemently resisted, which paved way for Elechi’s then Deputy, David Umahi to fight and emerge Governor. It was a history making feat for a deputy governor to challenge, out stage and take the political structure of the state from a sitting principal.

Will history repeat itself; should Umahi allow anyone to outsmart him? This may be difficult but nothing is impossible in politics. Umahi must fight to produce his successor, perhaps to feel the comfort of protection for his legacy projects. Already, he has declared 2022 as a year of “rest and enjoyments.” Money will speak and not many contestants are affluent enough to challenge the Governor. Umahi is a man that gives and will continue to give till success is achieved.

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

LAWYER TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

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Chairman, Famfa Oil, Mr Modupe Folarin Alakija

‘Famfa Oil is a Family Business’

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Effect of Acknowledgement of Opponent’s Title to Land Page IV

a s i l i O a f m a ‘F ’ s s e n i s u B y l i Fam QUOTABLES ‘It’s costing us 103km from Otukpo to Abuja, which is about three hours. This is strategic also, for providing prosperity and lifting people out of poverty, because if the saying that time is money is true, everybody who saves three hours has three hours extra productivity, and also consumes three hours less fuel.’ - Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Minister of Works and Housing, Governor, Lagos State (2007-2015)

Idigbe, Pinheiro Bag Papal Knighthood Page V

‘I hope the attempt to amend the Constitution fails, so that the States are the ones responsible for VAT, because the States have no money…..Most of them are technically insolvent, so, why shouldn’t they want the opportunity to collect tax?’ - Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, Human Rights Activist, President, Nigerian Bar Association (2006-2008)

Save the Profession from Further Mess and Disrepute Page VI

III THE ADVOCATE

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Democracy and Abuse of Passport Seizure Passport Seizure he other day, I was going down memory lane with my Mother, Dame Priscilla Kuye, and we got talking about the time when she was on her way to Beijing with late Dr Irene Thomas to attend the World Conference on Women in 1995, and her passport was seized at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos during the Military regime of General Sani Abacha. Of course, she was unable to attend the Conference, to her greatest disappointment (as we say in Nigerian parlance, ‘it pained Dame to her bone marrow’!). After that, Dame decided not to take any chances. She was hellbent on travelling to London to attend the Commonwealth Lawyers Conference; so, for fear of her passport being seized again in Nigeria, she travelled in disguise through an unknown route until she reached another West African country, from where she boarded a flight to London. Those were the bad old days of military dictatorship and censorship, during which the Constitution was suspended and Chapter IV of the grundnorm - Fundamental Rights - did not exist, or at least, was in abeyance.

When I then read about the seizure of the passport of Ms Modupe Odele, a member of the Feminist Coalition which had been a part of the #EndSARS Protest, and a Lawyer who had offered free legal services to the #EndSARS Protesters, on her way out of the country on holiday in November 2020, it seemed reminiscent of the days when Nigeria was ruled by one military dictatorship or the other, and passport seizure, especially of human rights activists, was the order of the day.

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Constitutional and Legal Rights I wondered what could be the grounds for such an action in a constitutional democracy (outside trying to arrest a fleeing felon), especially since the provisions of Sections 34(1), 35(1), and 41(1) of the Constitution are operational - that is, respect for the dignity of an individual, right to personal liberty and freedom of movement, including entry into and exit from Nigeria. The cause for the the seizure of Ms Odele’s passport by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), is unknown, though ‘routine assignment’ has been peddled as a possible reason. What does routine assignment mean? Routine Assignment concerning what? This reason is at best, nebulous - neither here nor there. It is trite that, every Defendant is entitled to legal representation, so, it would have been wrong to stop Ms Odele from travelling because she was representing Protesters, especially as Protests are lawful and constitutional (Section 40 of the Constitution).

Even, if she was representing murderers, it would still have been wrong to stop her or seize her passport, because it is not an offence to provide legal services to criminal suspects. What exactly was Ms Odele’s offence, that warranted the NIS to deny her her right of departure? Was it her support for the #EndSARS Protest, which was perceived by the authorities to be anti-Government?

The Passport (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 in Section 6 defines Passport as “a document of protection and authority to travel issued by the competent Nigerian officials to Nigerians wishing to travel outside Nigeria”, and includes a Standard Nigerian Passport, Nigerian Diplomatic or Official Passport, Nigerian Pilgrim’s Passport and Seaman’s Passport or Seaman’s Card of Identification. And, while the Act doesn’t provide for seizure of passports, Section 5 thereof provides for instances in which an individual’s passport may be cancelled or withdrawn.

According to Obiora Chinedu Okafor in his Paper titled “The Fundamental Right to a Passport Under Nigerian Law: An Integrated Viewpoint”, he asserts that the right of every Nigerian to possess a Nigerian passport, is derived from the constitutional rights (which I have listed above - particularly Section 41(1) of the Constitution), and that additionally, the fact that acquiring a passport is not free of charge but comes at a fee, gives the holder of a passport a proprietary right over it until the expiration of the passport. I concur. It is noteworthy to mention that, the right to leave any country is an internationally recognised fundamental right. See Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights which has been domesticated into Nigerian law as the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act 2004.

Though in certain circumstances, Section 45 of the Constitution provides for restrictions on and derogation from fundamental rights, including that of freedom of movement, it is definitely not a ‘carte blanche’ for Government agencies to unilaterally seize people's passports for flimsy or no reason at all, simply because such agencies are able to abuse their powers and/or act ultra vires their powers and get away with it. The reasons for derogation must be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society, and due process of law must be followed in such circumstances. For example, in an application for bail, where a court of competent jurisdiction makes it one of the conditions for bail for a Defendant to deposit his or her passport with the court, to ensure that such Defendant does not jump bail (the

entirely with your analysis. I would merely like to add that for the Federal Government to succeed and bring VAT within its purview a double amendment to the Constitution would be required, and not just one.

This is because Section 315(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides as follows: “Nothing in this Constitution shall invalidate the following enactments that is to say(a) the National Youth Service Corps Decree 1993 (b) the Public Complaints Commission Act; (c) the National Security AgenciesAct; (d) the Land Use Act and the provisions of those enactments shall continue to apply and have full effect in accordance with their tenor and to the like extent as any other provisions forming part of this Constitution and shall not be altered or repealed except in accordance with the provisions of Section 9(2) of this Constitution.

ONIKEPO BRAITHWAITE onikepo.braithwaite@thisdaylive.com onikepob@yahoo.com Twitter: @TheAdvocate

The

Advocate

(6) Without prejudice to subsection (5) of this section the enactments mentioned in the said subsection shall hereafter continue to have effect as Federal enactments, and as if they related to matters included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule to this Constitution”.

The Value Added Tax Act 1993 ( VATA) which is an existing law, is not included amongst the laws outlined above. That shows that it was never the intention of the drafters of the 1999 Constitution, to have VAT within the purview of the Federal Government. If they did, VATA would have been included amongst the laws outlined above.

It stands to reason therefore, that even the courts will have immense difficulty in ruling against the States; to do so would mean that our courts are passport that the document belongs to the attempting to overturn the intentions of the drafters Federal Government, simply means that a of our Constitution. That is a near impossibility, in holder does not have the right to transfer my view. or otherwise alienate his or her passport in any way whatsoever (not that Government Stephen Kola-Balogun, can seize it at will, I would imagine).

Lagos The circumstance of this case was that, Dr Agbakoba, SAN’s passport had been seized at Dear Editor, the airport on his way to a Conference at the As always, the article was well researched and Hague in 1992. He therefore, instituted legal written in plain language for everybody to understand. proceedings against the DSS inter alia, for the breach of his fundamental rights and for the M.A. release of his passport. The trial court found for the DSS, and on appeal by Dr Agbakoba, the Dear Editor, Court of Appeal ordered that his passport be released to him. Dissatisfied with the decision, Another excellent article. the DSS appealed to the Supreme Court, and I agree with the position taken by the Rivers and the appeal was upheld by the Apex Court.

Lagos. My only concern is under either scenario, does the money get spent on the people?

Conclusion 1. Revenue goes directly to the States; The right to departure is a constitutionally 2. Each State is allocated a portion of centrally guaranteed right, which cannot be rendered collected VAT which is higher or lower than what useless by the unlawful, arbitrary actions of they generate, depending on the viability of the State.

Government agencies (Section 1(1) of the ConstituWhether it is Option 1 or 2, it doesn’t have any tion). See the case Imonikhe v AG Bendel impact on the money being spent for the benefit State 1992 23 N.S.C.C. Part II Page 480 of the people. If a State gets it’s own 100% instead at 491 per Nnaemeka-Agu JSC. A situation of an allocated 20%, will we get hospitals, roads, in which Government agencies take actions, water, power? constitutional or not, lawful or otherwise, based As for the propping up argument, any State that on their whims and caprices, is a dangerous, can’t generate enough IGR to survive, simply isn’t dictatorial, autocratic, unacceptable practice which viable, and should seek to “merge” with another must be discouraged, because it has no place State(s). This reduces the cost of governance, and in a constitutional democracy. is more efficient.

“In short, the right of departure which is expressly guaranteed by the Constitution is accompanied by the right to a passport, without which the right to departure from Nigeria cannot be exercised” right to departure is restricted); though, some may argue that this example cannot be said to amount to a seizure of a passport, since it is a bail condition laid down by a court.

By virtue of Section 36(1) of the Immigration Act (IA), the few circumstances in which an individual’s right to departure may be restricted are: the Minister by order in the public interest; or if an Immigration Officer finds that the travel documents of the traveller are not in proper order, or there is an unsatisfied order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or a warrant of arrest issued in respect of the traveller. Certainly, Ms Odele’s support of the Protest (unless there is reasonable suspicion that she committed a crime), nor her provision of free legal services, do not by any stretch of the imagination, meet any of the conditions set out in Section 36(1) of the IA. Dr Olisa Agbakoba’s Case In DSS & Anor v Olisa Agbakoba 1995 3 N.W.L.R. Part 595 Page 314, the Supreme Court held that the passport of a Nigerian citizen cannot be seized without due process.

At the Court of Appeal, the judgement of the trial court which held that neither the then 1979 Constitution nor the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights had declared the issuance and possession of a passport as a constitutional right, but instead decided that it was a privilege to hold a passport rather than a right, was overturned. The Court of Appeal per Ayoola, JCA upheld the right of every citizen to be able to leave the country as a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution, which would be rendered hollow if Federal Government Agencies had the “discretion and arbitrary power to withdraw or revoke a passport”. In short, the right of departure which is expressly guaranteed by the Constitution is accompanied by the right to a passport, without which the right to departure from Nigeria cannot be exercised. The Court of Appeal further held that, the statement on the

Dear Editor Re: Issues in the VAT Legal Tango

Y.A. Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

Very well articulated. My opinion - each State should be faced with the reality of its sustainability, I read with more than keen interest, your views and take appropriate measures to increase its IGR. and assessment of the legal issues involved in the spat between the Federal Government and C.G.B. some States on the above subject and agree Dear Editor, If Zamfara State is allowed to harvest these resources ($9 billion per year), does it need to remain dependent on a wasting, vulnerable asset like oil? Can't it set up its fully, well equipped universities, its fully, well equipped hospitals, construct nylon tarred roads never seen anywhere in Nigeria, pay its workers even more than the minimum wage, pay salaries timeously, motivate its workers with housing/vehicle loans, pay its pensioners timeously?? If Kogi State is allowed to own Ajaokuta, the benefits to Kogi State will be more gargantuan, because developments world wide rest on iron and steel. What is the North afraid of, if we revert to true Federalism? These are just to mention a few resources, found in the North.

Limestone, tin abound.

I particularly like VAT reverting to the States. I just pray the Appeal and Supreme Court, do not reverse the beautiful judgement of the Federal High Court.

Can you imagine how this opportunity to slightly federate properly, would have slipped past me? I, that have canvassed for true Federalism as the only panacea to All our developmental challenges, until I have become hoarse.

Thank God, Wike fired that salvo.

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola

M.M.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • T H I S D AY

IV LAW REPORT

Effect of Acknowledgement of Opponent’s Title to Land Facts The Appellant’s late father was granted the piece of land in dispute, by Oba Akenzua II of Benin as the sole trustee of all communal lands in Benin. The Appellant, as the eldest son of his father, inherited the land after the father’s death. The 1st Respondent approached the Appellant and offered to buy the land, but negotiation failed as the Appellant found the Respondents’ offer unacceptable. The Respondents subsequently applied for, and were granted a Temporary Occupation Licence over the piece of land by the Edo State Government.

Thereafter, the Respondents broke into the land, bulldozed all plants on the land and destroyed the economic trees thereon.

Consequent upon the foregoing, the Appellant brought an action against the Respondents at the High Court of Edo State, seeking declaration of title to the property, as well as a claim for trespass, injunctive reliefs, and damages against the Respondents. Judgement was delivered in favour of the Appellant. The Respondents successfully challenged the decision at the Court of Appeal. The Appellant, who was dissatisfied with the outcome of the appeal, filed an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Honourable Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 19th day of February, 2021

Issue for Determination The following sole issue was formulated and determined by the Apex Court, in the Appeal: Whether the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were right to dismiss the claim of the Appellant, by setting aside the judgement of the trial court?

Arguments Counsel for the Appellant submitted that what is critical to the land in dispute is the issue of title, and by producing the Registered Deed of Conveyance between Oba Akenzua II and the Appellant’s father (“Exhibit A”); the Appellant had proved a better title over the Respondent’s Temporary Occupation Licence (“Exhibit F”) which had expired about seven years before the suit was instituted. Relying on the decision in ATITI GOLD v OSARENREN (1990) 1 ANLR at 134 and ROMANIE v ROMANIE (1992) 4 NWLR (Pt. 238) at 652, the Appellant argued that Exhibit F neither confers right to possession, nor can it question the derivative title of the Appellant.

Counsel argued further that the Appellant’s father had been in possession until his death, which was a clear act of possession, while the act of the Respondents in moving into the land to bulldoze and destroy the economic trees was a trespass. Thus, a claim for trespass is rooted in exclusive possession of the land in dispute CHUKWUEKE & ANOR v OKORONKWO & ORS (1991) 1 SCC at 34. He posited that the proof of failed negotiation between the Appellant and the Respondents to buy the land in dispute, is an acknowledgment of the Appellant’s ownership of the land by the Respondents, and if the Appellant cannot succeed on the strength of his own case, an exception applies that the case of the Respondents supports the Appellant’s case as decided in AKINOLA & ORS v OLUWO & ORS (1962) 1 ANLR at 227. The Appellant urged the court to resolve this issue in his favour, and allow the Appeal.

Responding to the submissions above, counsel for the Respondents contended that the issue before the court was whether the Appellant proved that he acquired the land under Benin customary law of inheritance,

Before Stephen Dalyop Pam, J.

Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta John Inyang Okoro Uwani Musa Abba Aji Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa Adamu Jauro Justices, Supreme Court SC.175/2011 Between Mr Alake Osarobo Ibude

…

…

…

Appellant

And 1.

2.

Mr Ghassan Saidi Saidi Hotel Limited, Benin City …

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Respondents

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Uwani Musa Abba Aji, JSC)

and that the Appellant failed to prove the title of his predecessor as held in FINIH v IMADE (1992) 9 LRCN 117 and OKEYA v AGUEBOR (1970) 1 ANLR 1 at 10. Further relying on the decision in ARASE v ARASE (1981) 5 SC 33 at 55, the Respondent argued that, the Appellant did not lead evidence on the preliminary procedure culminating in the approval of the Oba of Benin.

Counsel for the Respondent also argued on the issue of trespass and damages, that where two people claim possession to the same piece of land, the person with the better title is said to be in possession, and relied on the case of OGUNBIYI v ADEWUNMI (1985) 5 NWLR (Pt. 93) 215. Further relying on the decision in OKOLO v UZOKA (1979) SC at 87, the Respondents argued that having obtained the Temporary Occupation Licence and being in occupation of the land, the

“……a party who acknowledges the title of his opponent to a parcel of land, must prove how that opponent has been divested of title wholly or partially of the ownership of the land, to the satisfaction of the court”

Respondents have proved better title than the Appellant, as trespass is actionable by the person in possession.

Counsel for the Respondents submitted that the inquiry to buy the land from the Appellant, did not in any way support the case of the Appellant. In all, he He urged the court to resolve the issue in favour of the Respondents, and to dismiss the appeal.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the sole issue, the Supreme Court held that although the Respondents strenuously and painstakingly defended the claim of the Appellant both by their pleadings and evidence, they nonetheless, did not claim title to the land in dispute whatsoever. What this portends is that, the issue of declaration of title to the piece of land in dispute is not contested at all by the Respondents in the pleadings, throughout the trial and even on appeal.

Likewise, issue was not joined on title to the land in dispute; hence, evidence cannot be led thereon - the court relied on AJA & ANOR v OKORO & ORS (1991) LPELR-276(SC). Their Lordships held that instead of Pleading documents of title, the Respondents beat about the bush to plead: (i) Survey Plan No. MSC/ ED2000/146 dated 27th June, 2000; (ii) Deed of Lease dated 23rd day of July, 1974 and registered at Page 4 in Volume 249 of the Lands Registry in the office at Benin City; and (iii) Temporary Occupation Licence dated 19th day of March, 1993, which in truth had expired seven years before the institution of the suit. On the other hand, the Appellant pleaded and relied upon a

registered Deed of Conveyance between Oba Akenzua II of Benin and his father.

The Supreme Court restated the various methods by which ownership or title to land may be established, thus: (a) by traditional evidence; (b) by production of documents of title, that are duly authenticated; (c) by acts of selling, leasing, renting out all or part of the land, or farming on it, or on a portion of it; (d) by acts of long possession and enjoyment of the land; and (e) by proof of possession of connected or adjacent land in circumstances rendering it probable that the owner of such connected or adjacent land would, in addition, be the owner of the land in dispute.

The court, relying on AJIBOYE v ISHOLA (2006) LPELR-301 (SC), noted that the five methods stated deal with the means by which title to land can be proved in the court of law, and the said methods have nothing to do with the mode of acquisition of title to land which may be by: (a) first settlement on the land and deforestation of the virgin land; (b) conquest during tribal wars; (c) gift; (d) grant- customary (e) sale; (f) inheritance, etc.

The court held further that it is not the law that once a Claimant produces what he claims to be an instrument of grant, he is automatically entitled to a declaration that the property which such an instrument purports to grant, is his own. Rather, production and reliance upon such an instrument inevitably carries with it the need for the court to enquire into some or all of a number of questions, including- (i) whether the document is genuine and valid; (ii) whether it has been duly executed, stamped and registered; (iii) whether the grantor had the capacity and authority to make the grant; (iv) whether the grantor had in fact what he purported to grant and (iv) whether it had the effect claimed by the holder of the instrument.

The Court referred to KYARI v ALKALI & ORS (2001) LPELR- 1728 (SC).

On the issue of the need for the Appellant to further prove that he inherited the land from his father according to the native law and custom of Benin, their Lordships held that he who asserts must prove. The Appellant has alleged that he is the eldest son of his late father by virtue of which he inherited the land in dispute, and since this is not an intra-family dispute over the disputed land but between adverse and strange parties, the principle will not apply and the argument of the Respondents is stretched too far.

Regarding the issue of acknowledgment of ownership of the land by the Respondents, the Supreme Court referred to its earlier decision in EWO & ORS v ANI & ORS (2004) LPELR-1182 (SC) per Uwaifo, JSC where it was held that “… a party who acknowledges the title of his opponent to a parcel of land, must prove how that opponent has been divested of title wholly or partially of the ownership of the land, to the satisfaction of the court”. The court dispelled the idea/ presumption that the act of the Respondent negotiating the sale/purchase of the land with the Appellant, is not an acknowledgment of ownership by the Respondent. The Supreme Court held that the Respondents knew that the case against them was for declaration of title to land in dispute; yet, they did not raise a counterclaim. Relying on the decision in AKULAKU & ORS v YONGO (2002) LPELR-392(SC), Their Lordships reiterated the settled position of law that, in a claim for declaration for title, even if the Plaintiff fails, title is not automatically conferred on the Defendant without a counter-claim.

The court concluded that the Appellant has proved a better and incontestable title to the land in dispute than the Respondents, who have no claim at all to the land in dispute.

Appeal Allowed.

Representation Stella Ojeme with Anthonia Ojeme for the Appellant.

Ogaga Ovrawah for the Respondents.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)(An Affiliate of Babalakin & Co.)

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

V NEWS

Sir Toyin Pinheiro, SAN flanked by Mrs Ifeyinwa Ighodalo (left) and This Day Sir Anthony Idigbe (left), SAN and Archbishop, Lagos Archdiocese, Managing Partner and co-Founder of Pavestones Legal, Seun Timi-Koleolu Lawyer Editor, Onikepo Braithwaite at a reception to mark the knighthood Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins of Sir Pinheiro last Tuesday

Idigbe, Pinheiro Bag Papal Knighthood It was an honour well deserving when two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Chief Tony Idigbe, SAN and Mr Toyin Pinheiro, SAN were conferred with the exalted ranks of Knights of St. Sylvester by the Pope, Francis.

On the significance of the Papal Knighthood, Sir Idigbe said ‘the award is quite significant for me, because this is an honour that you don’t ask for. I don’t know how the process works.

All I know is that, I was given the award by the Pope. You don’t know how the process works.

You don’t apply for it; however, I appreciate it a lot. I believe there is something I was doing in the Church which was appreciated, and I was considered worthy to be so honoured by the Pope. There are very few awards in the world, that you don’t have to apply for. This is one of them.

Idigbe who is already a Knight of Saint Mulumba, said the Knighthood of Saint Sylvester is quite different. He said ‘Knight of Saint Mulumba is completely voluntary.

You apply for it. But, for that of St. Sylvester, it is an award which you don’t apply for. You just earn it, according to the perception of the Pope’.

On the call by members of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria for the creating of Ecclesiastical Court, Idigbe had this to say ‘I don’t see what is wrong with that. It is important to narrow down the issues. First, is there anything conceptually wrong with the idea? If there is nothing wrong, I don’t see why we cant have Ecclesiastical Courts.

The next issue is, what are the challenges, and like every other challenge, they can be surmounted.

All that is required is more training to equip Lawyers who would practice in that area’.

For the Laity, Papal Knighthood is about the highest honour for anyone, but, for Sir Idigbe, ‘what I have done in the Church up to this time, was never because I was expecting any award. I wasn’t looking forward to this. It wasn’t a motivation. So, for me, I am a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. While some consider the SAN award as a retirement, I have been SAN for over 21 years and I am still in active practice, going to court, advising clients and so on’.

Would Sir Idigbe consider a political office, or a position of authority? He said he is not enthusiastic.

According to him, ‘Being over 60, I am not that young for any political office. However, I actually think there should be leadership in everything you do. I deprecate political office, but one can lead in so many other ways, to lead without taking up political office. It depends on the profession, and I chose the legal profession to serve and to lead. It is part of the reason I took the Harvard Certificate Course in Leadership. I also like my knowledge to touch the Church’.

The solemn ceremony which held at the Holy Cross Cathedral was presided over by the Archbishop of Lagos Archdiocese, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr. Adewale Martins with other bishops in attendance.

The event saw the consecration of two

Monsignors, and the bestowment of the Papal

Medal of Honour on four deserving faithfuls, includ-

ing Senior Lawyer, Chief Sena Anthony.

Nigerian Wins Partner of the Year Award at the African Legal Awards 2021 The Managing Partner and co-Founder of Pavestones Legal, Seun Timi-Koleolu was conferred with the prestigious award of Partner of the Year 2021, at the African Legal Awards held on September 3, 2021. The African Legal Awards is aimed at recognising outstanding individuals and law firms, in the panAfrican legal community. This

year, the award witnessed a record-breaking submission from 16 countries.

In selecting the Partner of the year, the judges considered the leadership potential, legal skills, initiative, client relationship skills and contribution of the Partners to the wider community.

Seun Timi-Koleolu emerged as the winner from fourteen

shortlisted candidates, from various African countries.

She was singled out for her exceptional leadership and her innovative measures, in doing business in Nigeria and the legal marketplace.

Pavestones was also shortlisted for the award of African Law Firm of the Year (Small Practice), for the second consecutive year.

Pavestones which was founded by Seun Timi-Koleolu and Aderonke Alex-Adedipe, is described as a modern law practice because of its values of simplicity, accessibility, use of technology, and commercial savviness in delivering its services. Pavestones has supported various local and multinational corporations, in doing business in Nigeria.

KSM: ‘Declare a State of Emergency in the Administration of Criminal Justice System in Nigeria’ Steve Aya The Knights of St. Mulumba, Lagos Metropolitan Council, has called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the administration of criminal justice system. This is one of the recommendations of Policy Advocacy Conference on decongestion of Correctional Centres in the Country, organised by the Order of the Knights of St. Mulumba, Lagos Metropolitan Council, as part of activities marking its diamond jubilee.

The Conference brought together top management of the Correctional Service, the Police, the Judiciary; including the Department of Public Prosecutions, High Court Judges and Magistrates, as well as Lawyers.

While welcoming participants, the Metro Grand Knight, Sir William Adebisi, who explained that the conference was aimed at sensitising, educating and compelling Government agencies to implement policies for sound management of Correctional Centres in the country, noted that statistics from the Ministry of Interior show that congestion at Correctional Centres was due to the high number of awaiting trial inmates.

‘In our view, a more constructive approach would

be a declaration of a state of emergency on Nigeria’s criminal justice system, with programmes and initiatives rolled out to tackle the slow pace of justice delivery. This should be done to reduce the awaiting trial population, many of whom have spent eight years or more awaiting trial’. he said.

Sir Adebisi said, over the years, the Knights of St Mulumba had been involved in activities at Correctional Centres, including legal interventions, the payment of WAEC fees of inmates, and other financial assistance up to an average expenditure of 500,000 naira monthly.

In a message, the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, the Most Reverend Alfred Adewale Martins, described congestion of the Centres as worrisome and a reflection of the moral decadence in the society, noting that it would continue to rise, if necessary, measures are not taken now.

The Archbishop who was represented by Monsignor Pascal Nwezeagu recommended a number of solutions, beginning from the family unit.

‘It says a lot about the value we have placed on human life, and as long as things continue to go this way, we will continue to have this problem; so, the solution is, we need to fix human beings, and we need

to ask how to do this by fixing the family, because individuals come from families, how do we fix education in Nigeria and beyond that, we need to promote justice, show more love, more concern for the wellbeing of others. The Knights of St. Mulumba, Lagos Metropolitan Council, as part of activities marking your diamond jubilee, even though we won’t have zero crimes, but, we can reduce the rate of crime significantly’, the Archbishop advised.

During the panel discussions on causes of congestion and workable solutions, participants made recommendations for inmates who had spent over five years in custody, including, suspended sentencing, community sentencing and dismissal of minor cases In the Keynote Address, the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who was represented by one of his Special Advisers, Mr. Suleiman Tala, noted that even though the NCS cannot reject inmates sent to custodial centres, the Federal Government had been taking steps to tackle prison congestion from many angles.

Buttressing this, the ControllerGeneral of Corrections, Mr Haliru Nababa who was represented by an Assistant Controller- General, Daniel Odharo, pointed out that solving the challenge requires a multi-

sectoral approach.

Acknowledging the blame placed on the Police for prolonged trial, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Usman Alkali Baba stated that he had implemented a number of measures to speed up the process.

The IGP who was represented by the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, listed the measures to include adoption of technology at interrogation rooms, monitoring of prosecution witnesses, and establishment of a pool of Police Prosecutors and legal minded personnel.

‘Inconsistency in the appearance of Police Officer’s to give evidence at trials has been identified as one of the alleged causes of prolonged trials; disciplinary actions are being taken against officers who do this. Bearing in mind that many underlining factors create bottlenecks for speedy dispensation of justice, the Police as a component of the administration of criminal justice, will continuously work in synergy with other components to achieve the desired objectives’, the IGP said.

He described the Conference as a step in the right direction, and recommended more like it, in addressing the challenges of congestion of Correctional Centres across the country

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • T H I S D AY

VI

T

he leadership of the legal profession, must do something to save the profession from the further mess and total disrepute the profession is currently being plunged into. That a Lawyer can go to the extent of altering orders of court to include reliefs not granted by the said court, is not only infamous conduct in the professional respect, but a criminal offence which no decent society should condone or tolerate.

Last Friday, social media was awash with the news that a Lawyer altered the orders of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

News Report of the Incident The report by Santos Owootori Esq reads: "The Fundamental Human Right case filed against the Edo State Govt in respect of Covid-19 vaccination came up today, 17/9/2021, before the FHC, Port Harcourt.

The Applicant, represented by Chief E.O Odey Esq, leading S.C Eziefule Esq, reported to court that the Edo State Govt has been disobeying the court's order of injunction in the case. The Hon. Judge denied making any order of injunction, and then went through, reading aloud the court's record, but could not find any such order. The Applicant's counsel insisted he has an enrolled order of injunction, signed by the Judge. The court Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, SAN then asked the Registrar of court to read out in open court, all the enrolled orders of court in the court's file. Finding no order of injunction, the Hon. Judge asked the lead counsel whether he was in court the day such alleged ExParte Order of Injunction was made, to which he replied that it was his Junior that came to court. The Judge then asked the Junior to address court about his source of the purported enrolled order. The Junior said he was the one who took the enrolled order given to him which did not contain an order of injunction back to the court Secretary, telling the Secretary that it was an omission; and got the Secretary to add the order of injunction. At that point, the Hon. Judge ordered both counsel into the dock and was about sending them to prison when Mr. Ken E Mozia, SAN, who was in court intervened to profusely apologise on behalf of the Lawyers, and pleaded passionately with the Judge to pardon the reprehensible conduct of the two Lawyers in the interest of cordial Bar/Bench traditional rapport. He was joined by Mr. Wole Iyamu, SAN and Chief Femi Falana, orders of court, with a view to bringing SAN to plead for mercy. Eventually, the the Lawyer before LPDC. The Executive Lawyers were pardoned by the Presiding arm of government, through the security Judge, Hon Justice A.T. Mohammed, and agencies, must investigate the parties warned against such conduct. Today, being involved with a view to them having the last day of FHC Vacation Court sitting, their day before the criminal court. the case was transferred back to the Benin Judicial Division of the FHC".

Save the Profession from Further Mess and Disrepute Learned Senior Advocate, Jibrin Okutepa, shares a news report of the shocking account of a Lawyer who engineered the alteration of the enrolled order of a Federal High Court in a matter which his chambers is handling, to include an order which the court did not grant. Mr Okutepa points out that the Lawyer has committed a criminal offence, and that in the best interest of our profession, his actions must not be swept under the carpet. The Senior Advocate is also calling on the Nigerian Bar Association to look into the matter, with a view to ensuring that the erring Lawyer appears before the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee for his actions which amount to infamous conduct

Pleas for Mercy At first, I thought it must be one of those Nigerian jokes or fake news. But, from available information and contact I made, it turned out to be a sad and very unfortunate reality. My distinguished colleagues who pleaded with his Lordship to temper justice with mercy have discharged professional duties and responsibility bestowed on them by hallowed traditions of the Bar or the hazardous professional traditions and responsibility bestowed on them as senior members of the profession.That is how it has been from considerable time immemorial.

But, beyond the pleas for his Lordship to temper justice with mercy and not to send the Lawyer to prison, we must not allow this unethical and criminal conduct to be swept under the carpet. Not too long ago, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad had cause to invite some Chief Judges over granting conflicting Ex-parte orders. The CJN did not stop there. NJC, under the watch of CJN, has empanelled Committees to investigate those judicial officers, with a view to hearing them, and if need be, visit appropriate sanctions on them. This, for me, is the way to go.

The Role of the Nigerian Bar Association In the same vein, the leadership of the legal profession, and particularly, NBA, must not allow this incident to be swept under the carpet. NBA must empanel a Committee of its members to investigate the facts and circumstances that led the Lawyer to alter the

To alter an order of court and present it as genuine ,is a serious matter that goes to root of justice.

The integrity of the legal profession in Nigeria today is at a low ebb, due to actions of bad eggs in

the profession. We must not allow the profession to suffer total professional wreckage, before we think of salvaging it. The time to act, is now.

Jibrin Samuel Okutepa, SAN

Judges Who Granted Ex-Parte Orders to Face Investigation Committee Steve Aya

The three Judges who granted ex-parte orders over the same case with the same subject matter, are to appear before a Special Investigation Committee constituted by the National Judicial Council (NJC), in order to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against them for such act.

The NJC, under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Dr Justice I. T. Muhammad CFR, took this stand at its 95th meeting held on 15 & 16 September 2021; and it is in line with the principles of fair hearing.

This was disclosed in a statement by the NJC Information Director, Soji Oye Esq. Other decisions of the Council in the statement, is the resolution of Council to set up a Medical Board in order ascertain the health status of Hon. Justice Amina Yaroson of Kaduna State Customary Court of Appeal.

The NJC also considered the Reports of its Investigation Committee, and decided to issue a warning letter to Hon. Justice Sobere Biambo of High Court of Rivers State for descending into the Arena of conflict in a matrimonial Suit No: OHC/IMC/2018.

THE NJC at its Plenary considered the Reports of the two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees (PCAC) on the petitions written against 18 Judicial Officers; and on the recommendation of the Committee, issued a letter of advice to Hon. Justice Elias O. Abua of Cross River State High Court to, in future, be wary of granting an order staying the execution of judgement which appeared executory in nature as the one he granted in Suit No. HC/MSC/67/2019.

The Council however, dismissed the petitions written against Hon. Justices I. E. Ekwu and AyoEmmanuel of the Federal High Court, Justices O. O. Ogunjobi, S. B. A. Candide-Johnson and S. A. Onigbanjo of High Court of Lagos State, Hon. Justices Chiwendu Nwogu, S. C. Amadi and A. U. Kingsley Chuku, for either lacking in merit, sub judice or statute barred.

Other petitions dismissed for the same reasons were those written against Hon. Justice I. K. Banu, Chief Judge, of Adamawa, Hon. Justice A. L. Lagre, President, Customary Court of Appeal, Adamawa, Justice Felibus B. Andetur, Chief Judge, Taraba State, Hon. Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi of Ondo State High Court, Hon. Justice Nse Emeka

Daniel of Akwa-Ibom State High Court, and Justice H. T. D. Gwadah of Kaduna State High Court.

The Council however, decided not to consider the petition written against Hon. Justice I. U. Bello as he had already retired from service.

The Plenary of the Council also

considered the Report of the Interview Committee, and agreed to recommend 12 candidates as Heads of Court, 18 candidates as High Court Judges, 6 candidates as Kadis of Sharia Courts of Appeal, and one candidate as Customary Court of Appeal Judge.

Kano Court of Appeal Presiding Justice, Hussein Mukhtar Passes On Steve Aya

The Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Kano Division, Hussein Mukhtar, has died at the age of 67.

Family sources said he died on Saturday morning in Abuja, after a brief illness.

The late jurist started his working career in the Bauchi State Judiciary, from June 1976 to October 1992.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. He served in various capacities including as a Magistrate; Secretary, Bauchi State Judicial Service Commission; and Chief Registrar of the FCT High Court.

The late Justice had been at the Court of Appeal, since 2006.

LEGAL UPDATE The Centre for Petroleum, Energy, Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan is organising a Virtual Round Table on the topic: "The Petroleum Industry Act of 2021: Navigating the New Oil and Gas Order in Nigeria". It is scheduled to hold on Monday, 27 September, 2021, 3.00pm to 4.30pm.

The Moderator is, Prof Akin Iwayemi; while the Discussants are Prof Wunmi Iledare, Prof Adeola Adenikinju, Dr Dauda Garuba, and Prof Dayo Ayoade.

VII

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

TALKING CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY DR. MIKE OZEKHOME, SAN

0809 889 8888 SMS ONLY

Are Surrendering Boko Haram Insurgents Prisoners of War and Entitled to Rehabilitation? (Part 1) Introduction 1. Who are Prisoners of War? 2. What do International Humanitarian law and Armed Conflicts law say about the rehabilitation of surrendered parties?

3. What do International Humanitarian law and Armed Conflicts law say about the prosecution of surrendered parties?

4. Does it mean surrendered Parties cannot be prosecuted?

5. Is rehabilitation of surrendered Boko Haram insurgents the right step to take by the Nigerian Government?

Prisoners of War Article 4 of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of Prisoners of War, 1949, describes Prisoners of War by compartmentalising them in two categories: A and B. Under category A, Prisoners of war are persons belonging to one of the following categories, who have fallen into the power of the enemy: Members of the armed forces of a Party to the conflict, as well as members of militias or volunteer corps forming part of such armed forces; Members of other militias and members of other volunteer corps, including those of organised resistance movements, belonging to a Party to the conflict and operating in or outside their own territory, even if this territory is occupied, provided that such militias or volunteer corps, including such organised resistance movements, fulfil the following conditions: a.that of being commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates; b.that of having a fixed distinctive sign recognisable at a distance; c.that of carrying arms openly; d.that of conducting their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.

Members of regular armed forces, who profess allegiance to a government or an authority not recognised by the Detaining Power.

Persons who accompany the armed forces without actually being members thereof, such as civilian members of military aircraft crews, war correspondents, supply contractors, members of labour units or of services responsible for the welfare of the armed forces, provided that they have received authorisation from the armed forces which they accompany, who shall provide them for that purpose with an identity card similar to the annexed model.

Members of crews, including masters, pilots and apprentices of the merchant marine and the crews of civil aircraft of the Parties to the conflict, who do not benefit by more favourable treatment under any other provisions of international law.

Inhabitants of a non-occupied territory who, on the approach of the enemy, spontaneously take up arms to resist the invading forces, without having had time to form themselves into regular armed units, provided they carry arms openly and respect the laws and customs of war.

Under category “B”, the following shall likewise be treated as Prisoners of War under the Convention: Persons belonging, or having belonged, to the armed forces of the occupied country, if the occupying Power considers it necessary by reason of such allegiance to intern them, even though it has originally liberated them while hostilities were going on outside the territory it occupies, in particular, where such persons have made an unsuccessful attempt to rejoin the armed forces to which they belong and which are engaged in combat, or where they fail to comply with a summons made to them with a view to internment.

The persons belonging to one of the categories

Repentant Boko Haram Insurgents enumerated in the present Article, who have been received by neutral or non-belligerent Powers on their territory and whom these Powers are required to intern under international law, without prejudice to any more favourable treatment which these Powers may choose to give and with the exception of Articles 8, 10, 15, 30, fifth paragraph, 58-67, 92, 126 and, where diplomatic relations exist between the Parties to the conflict and the neutral or nonbelligerent Power concerned, those Articles concerning the Protecting Power. Where such diplomatic relations exist, the Parties to a conflict on whom these persons depend, shall be allowed to perform towards them the functions of a Protecting Power as provided in the present Convention, without prejudice to the functions which these Parties normally exercise in conformity with diplomatic and consular usage and treaties.

Flowing from the detailed definitions provided by the Geneva Convention above, a Prisoner of War is a combatant or noncombatant - whether a military member, an irregular military fighter, or a civilian - who is held captive by a belligerent power during or immediately after an armed conflict. These categories of persons are defenceless, having fallen into the power of their enemies; and under those circumstances, the law mandates that these persons should be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.

Position of the Law on the Treatment of Surrendered Parties (Combatant or Non-Combatant) Rule 3 of the Customary International Humanitarian Law (CIHL) provides that: “All members of the armed forces of a party to the conflict are combatants, except medical and religious personnel”.

Under Rule 47 of the CIHL, attacks on Persons Hors de Combat are prohibited. A person hors de combat under Article 47 is: (a) anyone who is in the power of an adverse party; (b) anyone who is defenceless because of unconsciousness, shipwreck, wounds or sickness; or (c) anyone who clearly expresses an intention to surrender; provided he or she abstains from any hostile act and does not attempt to escape.

“The Hague Convention…..and the Hague Regulations provide that the laws, rights and duties of war apply not only to armies, but also to militia (Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, inclusive) and volunteer corps fulfilling four conditions……”

Similarly, under Article 3 of the Geneva Convention on the treatment of Prisoners of War, 1949, it is provided that in the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each Party to the conflict shall not subject persons that are not taking part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, to: a. violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; b. taking of hostages; c. outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment; d. the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgement pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognised as indispensable by civilised people. Furthermore, Article 1 (Convention (IV) Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land and its Annex: Regulations concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land. The Hague Convention, 18 October, 1907) and the Hague Regulations provide that the laws, rights and duties of war apply not only to armies, but also to militia (Boko Haram, ISWAP, ISIS, inclusive) and volunteer corps fulfilling four conditions: 1. To be commanded by a person responsible for his subordinates; 2. To have a fixed distinctive emblem recognisable at a distance; 3. To carry arms openly; and 4.To conduct their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.

Legal Proceedings Against Prisoners of War In Nigeria, legal proceedings can be taken against Prisoners of War. The Geneva Convention Act, Cap. G3, LFN, 2004, stipulates detailed provisions of prosecuting Prisoners of War. The Geneva Convention Act is an Act that gives effect in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to certain international Conventions carried out in Geneva, on the 12th of August, 1949, and for purposes connected therewith.

Under Section 5(1) of the Geneva Convention Act 1949, there are two categories of people that can be tried in Nigerian courts. They are: 1. A protected prisoner of war; and 2. A protected internee.

Pursuant to Section 2 of the Geneva Convention Act (The Interpretation Section), “A protected prisoner of war” means a person protected by the third Geneva Convention (The Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War).

“A protected internee” means a person protected by the Fourth Geneva Convention,

1949, and interned in Nigeria (The Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War).

Under the said Section 5(1) of the Geneva Convention Act, it is provided that the Court before which a protected prisoner of war or a protected internee is brought, shall not proceed with the trial until it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that a notice containing the particulars mentioned in Section 5(2) of Section has been served not less than three weeks previously prior and, if the accused is a protected prisoner of war, on the accused and the prisoner’s representative.

Under Section 5(2), those particulars referred to in subsection (1) are: a. The full name and description of the accused; b. His place of detention; c. The offence with which he is charged; and; d. The court before which the trial is to take place, and the time and place appointed for the trial.

Pursuant to Section 6 of the Geneva Convention Act, the Court before which: a. Any person is brought up for trial for an offence under Section 3 or 4 of this Act; or b. A protected prisoner of war is brought up for trial for any offence, shall not proceed with the trial unless: (i) The accused is represented by a Solicitor; and (ii) It is provided to the satisfaction of the court, that a period of not less than fourteen days has elapsed since instruction for the representation of the accused at the trial was first given to the Solicitor representing the accused.

It must be noted that Section 6 cited above, is silent on the question of legal representation of a protected internee.

Under Section 3 of the Geneva Convention Act, sentences that can be imposed on the accused range from death to imprisonment for a term of two or more years. Of course, the accused has the right to appeal the said sentence under Section 7. (To be continued) Serious and Trivial There are two sides to every coin. Life itself contains not only the good, but also the bad and the ugly. Let us now explore these.

“Which way Nigeria???

The Minister of Agriculture studied French. The Minister of Education studied Accounting. The Minister of Solid Minerals studied International Relations. The Minister of Power studied Law. The Minister of Communications studied Law too. The Minister of Transport studied English. The Minster of Labour studied Surgery. Then the President himself has no certificate at all.

Now, if someone still doesn’t understand why things aren’t working, then that person needs urgent deliverance”- Anonymous.

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK “A proper criminal justice system exacts justice - that is, punishes criminals for their crimes.

Rehabilitation and deterrence are worthy goals, but they are secondary to retribution”. (Michael J. Knowles)

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • T H I S D AY

VIII COVER

Mr Modupe Folarin Alakija

‘Famfa Oil is a Family Business’ The oil and gas industry in Nigeria and indeed, everywhere else, is not for the lily-livered, as only the fittest survive, especially in these recent austere times. Despite the inclement operating environment, Famfa Oil Limited has weathered all the storms, and has continued to maintain its lead as one of Nigeria’s foremost indigenous oil prospecting and producing concerns. Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi spoke to Mr Modupe Folarin Alakija, a Senior Lawyer of almost 50 years standing and co-founder of Famfa Oil Limited in this interview. He shared his experiences and challenges in surmounting the numerous obstacles which eventually led to the birth of Famfa’s Oil Field, A ‘ gbami’ and real estate company, Dayspring Property Development Company Ltd. While Mr Alakija also discussed the falling standards of the legal profession which he sees as part of a system that is generally in decay, he affirmed his belief in ‘One Nigeria’

A

s the Chairman of Famfa Oil, could you please, give us the history of the company, and how it has been able to become one of the most successful indigenous oil companies in Nigeria. Many family companies tend to die with their Founders.

How is Famfa structured? Do you have a succession plan?

Famfa Oil is a family business founded by Modupe and Folorunso Alakija; it is not the sole property

of any individual, as erroneously misrepresented. The shareholding structure currently, at the Corporate Affairs Commission shows that Mrs Folorunso Alakija owns 5,000,000 units of ordinary shares (50%) and Mr Modupe Folarin Alakija owns the remaining 50%.

The company was incorporated in September 1991 as Famfa Limited, and the name was subsequently changed to Famfa Oil Limited in July 1996, to focus on exploration in the oil and

“Famfa Oil is a family business founded

by Modupe and Folorunso Alakija; it is not the sole property of any individual, as erroneously misrepresented”

gas sector in Nigeria. At that time, the government of the day came up with policies to encourage indigenous investors to participate in oil exploration and production, which was then the exclusive business of the IOCs. We keyed into the initiatives of the Federal government, and went through the formal and rigorous processes, which took several years and saw several changes in administration. With persistence and determination, we eventually scaled through the processes, and we were awarded an oil prospecting licence (OPL 216) on 10th August, 1996. It took us even more grit to get technical partners on board and successfully undertake oil exploration in the field allotted to us, which we named Agbami,

because it is located in the deep basin in Nigeria’s high seas. We got the Oil Mining Lease (OML) in December 2004, we hit the first oil on 28th July, 2008 and the rest, as they say, is history.

I agree with you that we are one of the most successful indigenous oil companies in Nigeria, and as I mentioned earlier, we have come this far through hard work and persistence, as well as a deep commitment to building a legacy that will endure. Which takes me to your question on the company’s structure, sustainability, and succession plan. The ownership structure, is as stated above. I have been the Chairman of the Board of Directors from inception, while Mrs Folorunso Alakija is the Vice Chairman. Our four children are all Executive Directors, with both leadership

T H I S D AY • TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

IX COVER

‘Famfa Oil is a Family Business’

Mr Modupe Folarin Alakija

and management responsibilities.

They are fully involved in every aspect of Famfa’s business, and our other businesses and charitable endeavours. They have world-class education, vast technical experience, and have successfully imbibed the culture of excellence, integrity and hard work which are the hallmarks of our company. We are already passing the baton to them; they are the future of the company, and they are doing very well already; so, there is no doubt that the company will far outlive Mr & Mrs Alakija.

Famfa seems to have been involved in several court cases from inception, even before it started production. In fact, we understand that without legal intervention, Famfa may not be here today. As a Senior Lawyer, what was the role you played in the legal challenges Famfa faced? Were you involved in any of the cases? Kindly, give us an overview of the cases and the legal hurdles Famfa had to overcome. Is the litigation over?

We had longstanding legal battles with the Federal Government in respect of the asset, even before

the conversion of the OPL to OML. However, on the 4th day of May, 2012, the Supreme Court of Nigeria gave a unanimous judgement in favour of Famfa Oil Limited and against the Federal Government and NNPC, upholding the decision of the Court of Appeal, and declared the compulsory and arbitrary acquisition of interest of Famfa as outlined in letters or acquisition dated 27th January, 2005 and 19th April, 2005 illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional and thus, null and void for failure to comply with the provisions of the law, paragraph 35 of Cap 10 of the LFN 2004 and the Constitution. The illegally acquired interest in the oil asset was returned to us, and an injunction was granted to restrain the Federal Government and any of its agencies from interfering with our rights in OML 127. The decision of the Apex Court, puts an end to a decade long legal battle fought

by Famfa.

I have always been personally responsible for handling our

“I have always been personally responsible for handling our legal matters, including the more popular NNPC & Anor v Famfa Oil Limited”

legal matters, including the more popular NNPC & Anor v Famfa Oil Limited. While I had to retain the finest Lawyers in the country to represent Famfa in court, a lot of the research and written arguments upon which the Court of Appeal and the Supreme court predicated their decision on, were prepared by me. The suit is widely reported and has become a notable legal authority for law students, legal researchers, Lawyers and jurists on several principles of law, in particular, with respect to Government’s participation in oil assets.

The legal battle should be over, after all, the Supreme Court is the court of last resort as far as the Nigerian Legal System is concerned, however, we have been having a running battle with the Government and the unit operator, to effect the full enforcement of the judgement nine years after we won at the Supreme Court. We still have some pending contempt proceedings, to this end. I will, however, refrain from making further comment on that as they are sub judice.

We also, recently, got a judgement in our favour, against the Attorney-General of the Federation at the Federal High Court,

where we successfully challenged the validity of certain provisions of the Petroleum Act CAP/ P10 of LFN, 2004 and the Oil Block Allocations to Companies (BackIn-Rights) Regulations 2019. The recent cases are handled by our law firm, MFA Solicitors & Co. The global trend now is moving away from hydrocarbons towards renewable emission free energy sources, and many fear that it would certainly impact negatively on the oil and gas industry.

What are your worries, if any, for Famfa in this regard?

Crude oils are sent to refineries, where they become feedstock. The feedstock is used in petrochemical plants and turned into plastic, to make essential products used in our everyday lives. More than 6,000 everyday products get their start from oil, including dishwashing liquid, solar panels, food preservatives, eyeglasses, DVDs, children’s toys, tires and heart valves.

According to the Centre for Climate and Energy Solutions, Renewables made up 26.2 percent of global electricity generation in 2018. That is expected to rise to 45% by 2040. Most of the increase will likely come from solar, wind, and hydropower.

From these statistics, it is true that cont'd on page X

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‘Famfa Oil is a Family Business’ cont'd from page IX

the world is gravitating towards renewable energy, and this would have an impact on the oil and gas industry. It must be noted that, this is a long-term future goal and does not pose any serious threat to the oil and gas sector right now.

The industry will continue to be relevant, for many decades.

For us as a company, we remain focused on our operations and growth plan while we also look into the future and prepare and play a part in the renewable energy revolution.

We understand that you have also diversified into property development in the name of Dayspring Property Ltd, or was Dayspring in existence before Famfa? Again, what is the structure of this company?

Presently, Dayspring seems to be erecting an ultramodern building on Kingsway Road (now Alfred Rewane Road), Ikoyi, Lagos. What informed your decision to venture into property development?

We have several business interests, and Dayspring Properties Limited is one of them. It is a family business, and not the exclusive property of any single individual. The shareholding as it stands today are Mrs Folorunso Alakija, 50% and Mr Modupe Folarin Alakija, 50%.

Dayspring is a property development and a real estate company, that highlights quality craftsmanship in the development of beautiful homes.

The company has an experienced and dedicated team of experts.

Dayspring was responsible for the development of our Rose of Sharon Tower in Victoria Island, and as you rightly mentioned, they are currently working on another iconic project known as the FAMFA Oil Tower located on Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi. Our decision to venture into the real estate sector is not far-fetched; the sector is one of the most viable sectors for investment, not only in Nigeria, but also all over the world. We hope to be able to add value to the sector.

Sir, you are a Lawyer of close to 50 years standing at the Bar. What is the difference law practice in the 1970's and in the present day? There are so many complaints about practice

Mr Modupe Folarin Alakija

today, ranging from unnecessarily long delays in the court proceedings, some Judges not understanding the issues in litigation that they are deciding upon in their courts, to forum shopping and multiplicity of actions, conflicting court orders, to mention but a few, so much so that the CJN had to recently summon some Chief Judges in this regard.

What are your views about these complaints? As you are aware, some Judges were even arraigned for offences ranging from money laundering to fraud, forgery, corruption and judicial misconduct. Did this kind of thing occur back in the day? What is your opinion on the issue of judicial corruption in Nigeria today?

Do you think it is related to the poor remuneration and

“Personally, I do not subscribe to ethnic nationalities agitating for nationhood; we are better off as one united nation than being separate entities”

conditions of service of judicial officers, or it is no excuse?

The judiciary is very much a part of the system, which generally is in a state of decay.

Educational standards have fallen generally in the country, and this is reflected in the quality of advocacy, as well as the quality of the judgements delivered. Corruption is the cankerworm destroying the fabric of the society, and it is being inflamed by the economic circumstances. Legislators, civil servants, Lawyers, and Judges shop in the same market and pay the same prices; this makes Lawyers cut corners in order to meet their economic demands, and they will embark on any form of sharp practices to be able to achieve this. Judges too feel disgruntled due to poor conditions of service, and this makes them easy prey in the hands of both Lawyers and litigants alike. I must admit sincerely that this has been an age long malaise in the profession, but as the country descends lower, people descend further into poverty, and corruption has become more prominent than it used to be. That is the situation

we find ourselves in today.

What are your views on the agitation by some for Odua Nation? Do you subscribe to ethnic nationalities agitating for nationhood? Do you agree that Nigeria should be restructured to reflect true Federalism, or that the Unitary system which we practice presently is satisfactory?

The agitators for the Yoruba nation, have their reasons for agitating.

These reasons, I believe, are centred around national development, improved quality of life amongst others. Now the clamour for these things are not bad, because they are the basic amenities that make life worth living.

However, I must point out that there are pros and cons to becoming an independent nation. Personally, I do not subscribe to ethnic nationalities agitating for nationhood; we are better off as one united nation, than being separate entities. Yes, we have our issues and as a country, we should look inward and find lasting solutions to those issues with fairness and justice for all.

Nigeria is a great nation, and the country will surely overcome the current challenges.

Thank you Sir.

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PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT Globacom to Reconstruct Ota-Idiroko Road Using Tax Credit Scheme, Says FG Bennett Oghifo and Fadekemi Ajakaiye

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igerian telecommunications giant, Globacom would reconstruct the Ota-Idiroko Road using the federal government’s Tax Credit Scheme, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has said.

The Road Trust Fund Policy/Tax Credit Scheme gives private sector operators an incentive to fund infrastructure with government. Dangote Industries was the first company to apply the federal government’s Road Trust Fund Policy in 2019 with the reconstruction of the 32-kilometre Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki-Ojota road in Lagos.

At the launch of Policy by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola in 2019, the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote said, “We are actually advancing

our tax to government upwards of almost four to six years. This is a novel idea that will no doubt lead to rapid economic growth through significant infrastructure improvement. We look forward to doing more of this infrastructure with government.”

Globacom is taking this path in the development of national infrastructure with the reconstruction of the Ota-Idiroko Road, a very important but dilapidated international route linking Nigeria with neighbouring Benin Republic.

“Globacom has offered to reconstruct the 64 km Ota-Idiroko road next year 2022, through the use of the Federal Government’s Tax Credit Scheme,” Fashola said during an inspection tour of the ongoing reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Also present at the tour was the Ogun State Governor, Mr. Dapo Abiodun.

Fashola said the federal government intends to decongest the Lagos-Ibadan expressway with

the construction of an interchange on the Ogun axis.

The federal government is collaborating with Ogun State Government to secure the Right of Way (RoW) for the construction of three bridges and an interchange on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, he said.

Fashola stated that work was ongoing with the building of three flyover bridges, and interchange which would help to decongest the expressway.

“The highway of the Lotto Bridge, despite construction, still accommodates over 40,000 vehicles daily, one must salute the effort to construct and hence the urgent need for additional flyovers and interchanges which will bring decongestion,” he said.

He stated that the bridges under construction are Makun, MFM and Lotto (Mowe) areas on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

“We are working to provide an interchange

which will separate the main carriageway, provide commuters with choice, especially those going to religious places to worship, universities and so on,” he said.

“This interchange will drastically reduce the congestion to the barest minimum, if not totally eradicated when the road is finished,” he said.

“The construction of this interchange requires additional land, and so, the involvement of the Ogun State Gov Dapo Abiodun,” he said.

Fashola expressed his satisfaction with the progress of work on the ongoing reconstruction/ rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

He stated that the Buhari administration inherited several uncompleted projects which he was committed to completing by adequately funding the projects, through borrowing.

Gov. Dapo Abiodun assured the Minister that the state government would provide adequate land, as well as the needed support.

John-Adejumo: We Offer Luxury Property, With Lower Entry Point than Others Segun John-Adejumo, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Prescioso Homes tells journalists that their focus is on luxury projects but with lower entry point than other development companies offer

A

s a real estate developer, you also pride yourself as an entrepreneur.

Tell us about yourself and what you do.

I am an entrepreneur focused on real estate market. But our core area of focus is investment, so we target investors, people that are not first time home buyers. These are people that buy for the purpose of investment and generating income either for capital appreciation or normal rental income. We started with two and three bedroom apartments, but now we are into one-bedroom apartments.

As an entrepreneur real estate developer, how long have you been in business and what is your drive?

I was in finance before now. You see, when you go into some apartments in Lagos, very expensive ones for that matter, you see that the level of work done is not impressive at all. So I told myself that I could make a difference in this business. My motivation was not money, it was about adding value to assets so that they could be more valuable than what the competitor would offer. Now, we are adding value to the investor such that he is getting more than he pays for in terms of the quality of finishing and the entry price. So, for us to achieve that we usually sell off plan. In this, people rent at a lower price than current market value so that, by the time you finish, they already have capital appreciation on their property. Our customers normally come back happy and that’s what gives

us joy. We don’t have clients that are cursing and looking for us everywhere. With that, we are always happy with what we have done. For instance, we did a project and told them we will deliver in nine months, a lot of people did not believe that it was possible, that we will be able to finish fourteen apartments in nine months. We still did very good work within that time frame, so worked every day, we started after Endsars and every day even Christmas and New Year day, we worked till the last day.

When did you start and what is driving you?

I have been in Lagos for five years now There are two ways to this; when you add value, you also make impact, looking back five years when you started, how much impact do you think you have made, especially how many families have been able to get homes because of your services?

At least we have done over 200 apartments, and when we build we usually don’t look for customers because people that bought from us before are happy and satisfied. We have project we have not moved to site for one the half month but people have already paid for them, because of what we have done. For me I will say that is the impact we have made because we are trying to change a perspective, people didn’t wish to buy lands until about seven or eight years ago in Nigeria, a lot of developers too are crafty, so you pay for something and delivering becomes

SCOA, Julius Berger Collaborate on Road Construction SCOA Group made history on Friday, 10th September, 2021 when it officially handed-over to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc., hundreds of MAN Trucks and Wirtgen Group Road construction machines.

In his welcome address, the Group Managing Director/ CEO, Dr. Massad Boulos, disclosed that the occasion was to celebrate the “partnership for success’’ between SCOA Group and Julius Berger and to officially hand-over the state-of-the-art Trucks and Equipment for the execution of one of the biggest and most significant road projects in Nigeria, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway which will have a positive economic impact on Nigeria and help advance job creation, commerce and trade.

According to Dr. Boulos, SCOA has proudly cast a solid partnership with

the foremost construction company in Nigeria (Julius Berger) for the procurement and continuous support of world-renowned German innovative technology Wirtgen Group equipment- encompassing new and unique integrated construction solutions as well as the best heavy-duty trucks from MAN and concrete mixers from Liebherr and other special purpose trucks. He also added that SCOA, in partnership with WIRTGEN, is playing a pioneer role in providing equipment and paving solutions for construction of solid Concrete Roads and several success stories and highways can be seen around. Finally, Dr. Boulos expressed his gratitude to Wema, Unity, Heritage, and Providus banks for their support in this first tranche.

Mr. Ralph Brendicke, the representative of the Manag-

ing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dr. Lars Richter, disclosed that the trucks and other equipment will help the Company expand its field capacity and increase the speed of execution leading to timely completion of the highly anticipated project.

Mr. Brendicke further stated that the engineering scope of the project poses very high demands on equipment and manpower and it is for that reason that Julius Berger has deployed a state-of-the-art road construction technique/ equipment; the highly efficient and environmentally friendly road construction solution by Wirtgen called Cold In-Place Recycling (CIR).

Mr. Brendicke also thanked SCOA for the delivery of these first-class Wirtgen equipment and MAN vehicles and affirmed Julius Berger’s resolve that partnership is key to success.

a problem so he tells you he will deliver in four or 12 months and four years after you are still battling with that person to deliver. People lost trust in off land sales, it took a lot of convincing to get the people we have on board and once we convinced them, we delivered so it was easier because the customers began to market us.

You said your focus is not on first time buyers There are some people who haven’t owned their own home, for instance, when you cannot afford to buy the kind of house you want now, so you buy a smaller one for investment purposes, so you watch the investment and build your own income stream and capital, then you can fund what you genuinely want, those people buy from us. Like I said, we usually do two bedroom and one bedroom, for the first turn, they usually want a three or four bedroom house, so that’s why I said that most of our customers are not first time home buyers. So they bought before and now they want to buy again for investment, because for two bedroom the turnover is high, the demand is extremely high in terms of rentals whether for short let or normal rental, so if you a two bedroom apartment for instance, and you put it in the market, if it’s nice with good location, within one month you have rented it out and people that stayed in three bedroom within two years or maximum three years they are out, mostly a year. If you are a young bachelor or young couple, and you are renting a two bedroom, you are going to move

away, because they also allow you as a property owner that wants to rent a property, you have a house that someone have been staying for four to eight years, how do you increase your rent? Even if the market has moved, you can’t increase your rent because you have an old tenant that you have a relationship with. But for two bedrooms, you don’t have to be in that situation because most times they move quickly, so even if you have high turnover, it is so easy for you to rent out. The turn over allows you to adjust your rental income according to the market reality.

John-Adejumo

Home-Office Work Environment Feature in Microsoft, Linkedln Discussions The home and office environment are becoming central in the life and livelihood of people around the world, including those in Nigeria, and this is spurring investors to think ahead on how to respond sustainably.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Microsoft, Satya Nadella and the Chief Executive Officer, Linkedln, Ryan Roslansky met recently to discuss the key secular trends they are seeing as people and organisations everywhere adjust to hybrid work. Their conversation was part of an effort between the two organisations to help leaders and their teams navigate the new world of work.

The two tech giants jointly said: “The evolving Delta COVID-19 variant is compelling

many of us to adjust plans for reopening worksites. It is a stark reminder that this is the new normal. Our ability to come together will ebb and flow.

“We have heard many business leaders come forward with strong opinions on how, when and where people should work in a hybrid world. At Microsoft and LinkedIn, we want to take a learn-it-all approach and lead with data rather than dogma.

“We are incorporating flexibility into our decision-making.

Because in uncharted territory, we need to be able to shift and adjust as data and research offer new insights to guide our way.

“Employee surveys tell us that while hybrid work is complex, embracing flexibility, different work styles and a culture of trust can help us all navigate it successfully.”

They further said that: “While we hope hybrid work will help us improve in these areas, finding the balance will be complex. Our ongoing research shows employees crave more in-person time with their team but wish to keep the flexibility of remote work.

And every person is different 58 per cent of employees who plan to spend the most and least time in-office are doing it for the same reason more focused work.

“We see the role of technology as an enabler helping our employees and our customers as they transform for hybrid work and reimagine everything from meetings that transcend space and time to a digital employee experience that everyone can access from anywhere– right in the flow of their work.

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PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

NCF Sets to Raise $40,000 to Improve Air Quality in Public Schools

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n keeping to its mandate of building a society where people prosper while living in harmony with nature, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) is launching a new project designed to improve the quality of health of the children in 250 public schools by improving the quality of air they breathe.

To achieve this, NCF is partnering with Global Giving, a globally accredited crowdfunding platform to raise $40,000 to plant 250,000 trees in public schools across Nigeria within the next one year. The funds will be received and managed by Global Giving.

Trees play important roles in maintaining a virile and sustainable environment.

Most schools’ environment in Nigeria are bare and void of trees and this has led to hot and polluted environment, making school children to be more restless, prone to ill-health and generally low performance in their studies.

The donations will be considered people’s contribution to building a better and healthier society, especially for our children.

The crowdfunding acceleration exercise is expected to run online from Monday, September 13 to Thursday, September 30, 2021. The platform is open to the general

public for their donations toward this good cause.

For over four decades, NCF has consistently implemented programmes that help restore and conserve the environment, support community livelihood, protect species; and provide environmental education for teeming students and youths across the country.

In the recent times, NCF has been visiting schools across the nation to plant trees, create gardens and teach the teachers and pupils on upcycling activities. This is in addition to various conservation clubs established in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

L-R: Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano; Chairman, National Executive Council, NCF, Chief Ede Dafinone; President, Board of Trustees NCF, Chief Philip Asiodu; GM, Policy Govt & Public Affairs, Chevron Nigeria Ltd., Mr. Esimaje Brikinn; Council Member, NCF, Dame Marie Fatayi-Williams; and a representative of Chevron Nigeria Ltd, during the 19th Chief S.L. Edu Memorial Lecture held at Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos… recently

Experts Vote Alaro City Best Industrial Development of 2021 Alaro City in the Lekki Free Zone has been voted “Best Industrial Development of the Year” in the Real Estate Discussions and Awards (REDA) 2021, an annual gathering of experts and invaestors in the real estate sector.

Organised by Thinkmint Nigeria, REDA is West Africa’s flagship real estate event gathering the most senior investors, developers, operators, and professionals, providing the ideal platform to transact across the region, as well as to celebrate excellence amongst real estate

practitioners. The maiden conference was held virtually last year.

This year’s event, headlined by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority, voted Alaro City the Best Industrial Development of the Year based on “how quickly Alaro City has established itself as a leading destination for industrial investments, attracting over 40 industrial and commercial businesses in just over two years and providing world-class infrastructure and amenities,

all within a master-planned, mixed-use development”.

Launched in January 2019, Alaro City is planned as a 2,000-hectare mixed-income, city-scale development with industrial and logistics locations, complemented by offices, homes, schools, healthcare facilities, hotels, entertainment and 150 hectares (370 acres) of parks and open spaces. Alaro City, a model for Public-PrivatePartnerships, which are a key focus for the Lagos State Government, is a joint venture between Rendeavour, Africa’s largest new city

builder, and Lagos State, the economic and financial nerve centre of Nigeria.

Over 3.5km of initial road networks with rain garden drainages and cycling lanes are under construction; as well as power, water and sewerage infrastructure.

In the first two years of infrastructure rollout in Alaro City, recognition of the new city has come from several quarters: from its master plan winning the international 2019 Architizer A+ Popular Choice Award, to being “Highly Commended in Africa” in the

SME Winners Category and “One to Watch” among free zones globally in the fDi Global Free Zones of the Year Awards 2020.

The companies at Alaro City include Starium, a subsidiary of BUA Group, which is nearing the completion of its detergent factory, and Ariel Foods FZE, which has built and completed the largest Ready-To-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTF) production facility in Africa, with an annual capacity of 18,000 metric tonnes. The factory is also the most advanced RUTF facility in the world.

Accepting the award, Yomi Ademola, Managing Director of Alaro City, said: “The REDA Award is a strong industry endorsement of Alaro City’s pioneering role in redefining working and living in Nigeria. Alaro City, located in the heart of Lekki Free Zone, has attracted more than 40 Billion of investment from local, regional and global industries in just over two years. We are delighted that REDA has recognized the achievements of Alaro City and Lagos State Government.”

Group Mull 1m Houses to Tackle Growing Deficit Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Due to the growing concern over inadequate housing for the teeming Nigeria population, a private initiative, Bestan Group, has indicated its willingness to build one million houses to make up for the nation’s housing deficit.

The Managing Director, Bestan Group, Dr. Becky Olubukola, in collaboration with another private interest, Distance Home, dropped the hint in Benin City, Edo State in an interaction with newsmen,

recently.

Dr. Becky, who said the one million housing project would run for 22 years, added that the nation’s population is increasing by the day and tackling its housing deficit, required collective efforts just like what her group through and the Metal Shelter Home is doing at the moment.

“That is why for us in Bestan Homes, we are organising the National House Fares. Because of our passion for the people and for the nation, we came up with a concept that can

directly solve the deficits in housing, called the Metal Shelter Initiative.

“The Metal Shelter Initiative, it is an initiative by Bestan Home to solve the housing problem in this nation by providing a million houses every year for the next 22 years.

“We hope that before we do a million houses every year, we have been able to reduce the housing deficits because it is about action.

“It is not what we can reduce by mere talk, it requires action by involving government

through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

“That is the solution. We need to work together with the government, harness our knowledge with the government capacity to reduce the deficits.

“The deficits are not magic that will fly off one day, it requires a lot of work and time because it didn’t build up in one year, it built up in the last 60 years of this nation’s existence.

“So, we are saying let us see what we can do as an organisation, we are saying

we want to build a million houses but with the help of other organizations coming in, imagine a company building a million houses every year, imagine other organizations building a million houses every year, it means that we can actually shrink this 22 years to 10 or less in a year”, she said.

She also noted that though achieving the one million houses would not be easy as that but that with the help of technology, the feat is doable and achievable.

According to her, “Building

one million houses is not easy, that is why we are introducing a technology that can manufacture homes and not build homes. So, we are transiting from building homes to manufacturing of homes.”

The Bestan Group’s managing director added that the organisation which started some years ago was borne out of the need to bridge the gap between the government, people and the mortgage houses by ensuring that everybody has the essential and needed information to have an affordable home.

Afriland’s Oshogwe Wins Leading Woman in Real Estate Award

Ibom Icon Hotel & Golf Resort Presents Staff Excellence Award

The MD/CEO of real-estate firm, Afriland Properties Plc., Uzo Oshogwe has been presented with the “Leading Woman in African Real Estate” award at the 5th edition of the African Property and Investment (API) awards ceremony.

The ceremony saw the property guru win in a keenly contested category fielding top women in real-estate across Africa. She was selected by a Jury consisting of notable Real Estate captains which included Malcolm Horne, (Group CEO, Broll Property Group), Tayo Odunsi, (CEO, Northcourt), Ilaria Bennucci, Head of Construction and Real Estate, CDC Group, U.K. among others.

IBOM ICON Hotel & Golf Resort recently rewarded some of its staff who have distinguished themselves during its recently held monthly award for excellence thereby inspiring them to do more.

The award, which recognised the three most outstanding employees and the best department, was presented at the hotel auditorium, with the goal of thanking employees for their dedication to the company’s growth and development.

Apostle Andy Nyeneime, the Lead Pastor of Holy Ghost Ambassador Ministries, presented the workers with a reward consisting of cash awards and certificates commending them for their exceptional contribution

In her message to the organisers, Uzo expressed her appreciation for the award stating that it would spur her to strive harder towards the continuous growth of the Real Estate Sector across Africa. She also dedicated the award to her team at Afriland Properties Plc, stating that it was an accolade received because of the collective contributions of the team.

Under the stewardship of Mrs Oshogwe, Afriland Properties Plc has achieved growth from a balance sheet size of N4.24billon when it started in 2013 to N27.1billion currently and has made significant progress since inception.

Presiding over a period where

the world is being ravaged by the COVID -19 Pandemic, she has demonstrated her qualities as an administrator of note to drive the company forward.

Bringing to the fore a perfect blend of creativity, resilience, enterprise and innate knowledge of the real-estate business, Uzo has masterfully led Afriland Properties Plc to achieve profit in its operations, further establishing its reputation as one of the most reputable real-estate companies in Africa.

She is a strong advocate of gender inclusion in the workplace and under her stewardship, Afriland Properties Plc was declared one of the best places to work in Nigeria.

to the hotel.

While delivering the prizes, Apostle Andy Nyeneime stated, “The height that great men achieve was not attained by sudden flight but by toiling while other men slept.” He also stated that people should be honored while they are alive, rather than after they have died.

The Icon Gold Star Award winner Gloria Enobong Ekpeyong was presented a certificate of excellence, Fifty thousand Naira cash prize and with her portrait hung within the hotel lobby for a month as a firm recognition of her commitment to the hotel.

Utibe Sunday, the first runner-up received a certificate of excellence and a cash prize of N30,000, while the second

runner-up, Mary Anietie Ekwere, received a certificate of excellence and cash prize of twenty thousand naira.

Coming on top as the best department, the IT department won the Icon Departmental Effort Award Scheme (IDEAS).

Apart from winning the best department for the month, they were presented with a certificate of excellent service with a hundred thousand naira cash prize.

In his congratulatory remarks, Mr. Akan Bassey, the Head of Human Resources, exhorted others to emulate and explore available potentials, particularly for personal development, and to be effective ambassadors for both the firm and themselves.

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

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

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S E P T E M B E R

S & P INDEX

2 0 , 2 0 2 1

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

14.00%

CALL

4%

INDEX LEVEL

567.73%

1/4 TO DATE

6.52%

N412.00/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

14.50%

1-MONTH

6%

1-DAY

0.08%

YEAR TO DATE

-15.30%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.85%

IEA Forecasts Major Oil Demand Rebound in October, Additional 1.6m bpd till End of 2021

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The International Energy Agency (IEA), has predicted that global demand for crude oil will rebound in October by as much as an additional 1.6 million barrels per day and continue in that line till the end of 2021 on the back of abating Covid-19 cases.

Making the disclosure in its oil market report (OMR) for September,

IEA, one of the world’s most authoritative and timely sources of data, which forecasts and analyses the global oil market, however announced that demand declined in Q3, due to a resurgence of the pandemic in Asia.

The report noted that world oil supply fell 540 kbd month-to-month in August to 96.1 mb/d, but is expected to hold steady in September as unplanned outages offset increases

from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies known as OPEC+.

It added that Hurricane Ida shut in 1.7 mb/d of oil production along the US Gulf Coast at end-August, with potential supply losses from the storm, stressing that supply should resume in October as OPEC+ continues to unwind cuts, outages are resolved and as other producers increase.

“Already signs are emerging of Covid-19 cases abating with demand now expected to rebound by a sharp 1.6 mb/d in October, and continuing to grow until end-year. Global oil demand is now expected to rise by 5.2 million bpd this year and by 3.2 million bpd in 2022, ”IEA said.

According to the report, a steep fall in China’s refinery activity in July, followed by Hurricane Ida’s impact on US refining in August and

September resulted in an 830 kbd revision to the 3Q21 global refining, which now stands at 78.5 million bpd, up 1.5 million bpd from 2Q21.

In addition the IEA noted that in August, the first significant decline in crude prices since September 2020 boosted product cracks and refinery margins across the board.

“Prices fell on average in August, trading in a wide $8-9/bbl range,

and the forward price curve flattened substantially. The drop reflects concerns about economic growth, inflation prospects and weaker oil demand linked to rising Covid-19 infections.

“By early September, supply losses from Hurricane Ida lifted prices almost back to early July levels. North Sea Dated prices lost Continued on page 44

FMDQ: Total Value of OTC Foreign Exchange Futures Contracts Hit $47.32bn In Four Years Darasimi Adebisi

FMDQ Group has disclosed that total value of Over-the-Counter (OTC) foreign exchange (FX) futures traded on its platform rose to $47.32 billion in four years; a development it stressed has supported the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in tackling challenges in the FX market.

FMDQ disclosed that the product, which was launched in 2016 following almost two years of major challenges in the FX market, has

been successfully traded on FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited (FMDQ Exchange), and cleared on FMDQ Clear Limited (FMDQ Clear) - both wholly owned subsidiaries of FMDQ Group.

In a report, FMDQ disclosed that the OTC since its inception last year saw a significant increase in participation levels from hedgers, with total value of OTC FX Futures Contracts of $18.88 billion from 1,726 deals in 2020, up from $15.07 billion from 1,068 deals in 2019.

Also, it reported total value of OTC FX Futures Contracts of $7.88 billion from 671 deals in 2018 and $5.49 billion from 613 deals in 2017.

The group reflecting on the market performance last year, said it was undoubtedly challenging, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the attendant turbulence in the global and domestic economic landscapes.

The National Bureau of Statistic (NBS) had disclosed that the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

FOOD NAME OF COMMODITY

MAIZE

LOCATION

PRICE

100KG JIGAWA

N9000

100KG ENUGU

N24000

100KG DELTA

N15000

100KG

ABIA

N14000

50KG

LAGOS

N13500

SIZE

recorded a contraction of 1.79per cent in 2020, a significant decline from the 2.21per cent growth recorded in 2019, inflation rate of 13.25 per cent compared to 11.40per cent in 2019, and a trade deficit of $33.46 billion, a 33.77per cent increase from the deficit of $25.01 billion in 2019, plunging the nation’s economy into its second recession in two years.

The report, thus, stated that the fortunes of the Nigerian financial markets were not spared in 2020 as activities in the FX market remained

COMMODITIES

PRICE

constrained by reduced liquidity and volatile capital flows, leading to market contraction.

FMDQ in the report explained that the capital market saw investors access the fixed income market to avoid losses in equity portfolios, but by mid-2020, the fixed income market took a turn as yields started tumbling to below one per cent per annum, and the equity market picked up in the last quarter of 2020 as investors surged back in.

It explained further that, as

T O D AY

corporates and investors were faced with very difficult choices during the period, many found succour in the CBN’s innovative Naira-settled OTC FX Futures product, a panacea for the foreign exchange rate risk faced by market participants – domestic and international.

Meanwhile, an analysis of FMDQ Group’s financial performance shows that its market diversification strategy Continued on page 22

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

FMDQ: TOTAL VALUE OF OTC FOREIGN EXCHANGE FUTURES CONTRACTS HIT $47.32BN IN FOUR YEARS

was successful, as the Group recorded an increase of 44per cent in Revenue, to N31.00 billion, in 2020.

Total market activity in the fixed Income, currency and derivatives markets declined marginally by circa eight per cent to N215.09 trillion in 2020 from N232.68 trillion in 2019, with the most actively traded product category - Nigerian Treasury Bills & Open Market Operation (OMO) Bills - contributing a combined total of 35per cent to total turnover.

The report disclosed further that: “The Securities Admission business of the Exchange continued to thrive in

2020, as an impressive number of 82 securities – 13 Bonds, 67 Commercial Papers and 2 Funds - were admitted on the platform, with a total value of N2.07 trillion.

“In the Clearing business, owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that inadvertently shaped the course of the year, a decline of 22per cent in the value of cleared sovereign fixed income securities transactions was recorded by the Group. On the other hand, as corporates and investors sought relief from the volatilities experienced in the market, there was a marked increase in OTC FX

Futures participation levels, as total value of contracts executed by local and foreign corporates on FMDQ Exchange and cleared by FMDQ Clear grew by 25.25per cent. The Depository and Private Markets business also contributed, albeit marginally, to the Group’s Revenue during the period under review.”

The Group Chairman, FMDQ Group, and Deputy Governor, Economic Policy, CBN, Dr. Kingsley Obiora, in a statement stated that despite the challenges: “2020 was a landmark year for FMDQ, as it saw the Company’s reorganisation

into a Group structure, with FMDQ Group becoming a non-operating Holding Company registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with three SEC-registered capital market subsidiaries - FMDQ Exchange, FMDQ Clear and FMDQ Depository - and a private markets subsidiary, FMDQ Private Markets, all further consolidating our business model, transforming FMDQ to Africa’s first vertically integrated FMI group.”

Commenting, the Chief Executive Officer, FMDQ Group, Mr. Bola Onadele. Koko said: “I am incredibly

proud of the progress we made in 2020, and we would never have achieved this without the unwavering support of all our stakeholders. As the pandemic strained our economy and markets during the year, the level of engagement by our stakeholders testified to their commitment to making our markets thrive. The support of the SEC – the apex regulator of the capital markets, and the CBN – the apex bank, has been invaluable and is extremely appreciated.

“Also, the unrivalled support of the Board Chairman and Directors cannot be overemphasised and has

been critical to the achievements and progress made during the year. Your exemplary leadership, trust, and determination to steer the ship with utmost care, during the turbulent year, despite your busy schedules, was nothing short of remarkable, as evidenced by the Corporate Governance and Board Evaluation Reports from our external consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), upon their conclusion of the 2020 reviews in accordance with the SEC’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, 2020, and the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance, 2018.”

Report Advises Central Bank to Implement Pilot Stage Before Full Launch of e-Naira Dike Onwuamaeze A report by the Comercio Partners has advised the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to initiate a pilot stage of its e-Naira as a necessary first step before a full-scale launching of its digital currency it has planned for October 1, 2021.

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

The report considered the pilot stage as a critical element of the successful full launch of the digital currency.

The report said: “While implementing the e-Naira and a digital wallet (DW) has the potential to bring numerous benefits to the Nigerian economy and its major stakeholders, including citizens, businesses, and all levels of government, a test run would seem a more appropriate action to take.”

It noted that 14 countries out of the 81 countries pursuing

digitalization of their legal tender, including major economies like Sweden and South Korea, are now in their pilot stages and preparing a possible full launch.

The Comercio Partners noted that, “when the governor of the CBN announced plans to introduce a new digital currency to the Nigerian monetary system at the MPC meeting in July, we assumed it was one of those far-fetched ideas that would necessitate extensive planning and technological infrastructure.

“Well, we guess that we were

PALM OIL

SIZE

STATE

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

After operating in scattered locations over the years the Aba artisans engaged in the manufacturing of leather and garment products are to be centred at an industrial cluster following a partnership between the state government and a private investor.

The N30 billion project being jointly executed by the Abia State Government and Total Value Integrated Services (TVIS) Nigeria Limited under a public/

PRICE

25CL LAGOS N20,000-N25000 25CL

PH

private partnership (PPP) would further boost the growth of small and medium scale enterprises, for which Abia is already famous.

To give effect for the commencement of the project, government and the private investor signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at a ceremony in Aba. The leaderships and members of both the Leather Products Association of Abia State (LEPMAS) and the Union of Tailors and Fashion Designers of Abia State(UTFD) were on hand to witness the event.

Presently the artisans involved

N21,000-24,000

NAME OF COMMODITY

RICE

25CL IBADAN N18,000-N22,000 IMO

N21,000–N24,500

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

100KG ABUJA N23,000–N25,000 50KG

OYO

N22,000-N25,000

PLATEAU N23,500-N25,000 (JOS)

50KG KWARA N24,000–N27,000 50KG

LAGOS N23,000–N26,500

50KG RIVERS N23,000–N26,500

25CL

EDO

25CL ABUJA

N17,000–N20,000 N19500- N25000

in the business of leather and garment products are scattered in four different locations in Aba hence the need to bring them together.

The permanent secretary, State Ministry of Industry, Engr Cletus Mba said that it was the desire of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to encourage the growth of small, medium enterprises (SMEs) that gave rise to the huge investments in building industrial clusters.

“He (Governor Ikpeazu) doesn’t want the artisans to be roaming about and has decided to build a cluster for them, “he said.

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50KG

25CL

faith and credit of the government.

It also clarified that the CBDC in two major aspects are not the same as the cryptocurrency that most people are all familiar with.

“Firstly, the CBDC is a centralised type of currency, and it can erode the privacy of citizens, and secondly, it is fully backed by the government, which means Elon Musk’s tweets can’t influence the e-Naira, ”it stated.

The report also observed that as at July 2021, only five out of 81 countries around the world were pursuing CBDC development, are currently still using them.

These countries are Bahamian Sand Dollar was the first CBDC to become widely available. The others are Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda.

The report also said that Gambia’s foray into the CBBC was short-lived.

It said: “In November 2016, Banque RégionaledeMarchés (BRM), a regional Senegalese bank, announced the launch of the eCFA, a digital currency named after WAEMU’s (West African Economic and Monetary Union) hard currency CFA.

Abia State, Investor Sign MoU on N30bn Industrial Cluster for Leather, Garment Products

FOOD NAME OF COMMODITY

wrong. In a recent press statement, the CBN stated its plans to launch its Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) pilot scheme called the eNaira on October 1, 2021, with Bitt Inc, a financial technology company that utilises blockchain and distributes ledger technology to facilitate secure peer-to-peer transactions, as a technical partner.”

The report described the CBDC as the digital form of a country’s fiat currency that is also a claim on the central bank issuing electronic coins or accounts backed by the full

PRICE

NAME OF COMMODITY

COCOA

EDO

N17,000–N20,000

next generation and that “nobody from outside” would be issued with ownership forms until the needs of all the artisans are satisfied.

Explaining the scope of the industrial cluster, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Total Value Integrated Services, Dr Chris Onyekachi Simon said that the first phase would contain 15,000 shops.

He stated that the industrial cluster would be constructed to modern standards with facilities that include fire service station, police station, banks, CCTV, clinics, toilets, standbyy power supply and WiFi internet services.

T O D AY SIZE

STATE

PRICE

N740,000

1 TON ONDO – N760,000 1 TON OSUN 1 TON

EDO

N730,000 – N750,000 N720,000 – N740,000

CROSS N700,000 1 TON RIVER – N720,000

50KG SOKOTO N11,500–N13,000 50KG

He added that on completion of the project “anything called street business will come to an end.

According to him, the artisans engaged in the leather and garment making would be start doing their businesses at “an organised centre” located at Umunneato near Ogbor Hill in Aba. He noted that with the involvement of a private investor in the industrial cluster project, Ikpeazu has taken off the financial burden off the shoulders of the state government.

He assured that the C of O is the property of the artisans to the

1 TON

AKURE SOUTH, ONDO

N730,000 — N755,000

NAME OF COMMODITY

SIZE

STATE

PRICE

ONIONS

100KG

IBADAN

N25,000

100KG

KANO

N10,000

100KG

BENUE

N27,000

100KG GOMBE

N12,000

100KG DELTA

N21,000

100KG LAGOS

N25,000

100KG ENUGU

N15,000

100KG

N29,000

ABIA

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

INDUSTRY

Light Manufacturing as Elixir for Economic Diversification Economic experts and operators in the Nigerian industrial sector have expressed the view that the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption and the crisis it brought presented Nigeria with the opportunity to take steps to diversify its economy through the promotion of light manufacturing, writes Dike Onwuamaeze

“N

ever waste a good crisis.” This quote taken from one of the remarks of the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was the central message the former International Finance Corporation’s Country Manager for Nigeria, Ms. Eme Essien Lore, used to enjoin Nigeria to utilise the crises that trailed the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic to build its light manufacturing industries.

Lore dropped the quote recently during the Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s webinar on “Developing Nigeria’s Light Manufacturing Sector: COVID-19 Response – Opportunities and Constraints,” where she said that Nigeria should seize the opportunities offered by this crisis to change the narratives and the dynamics of its economy in a manner that would enable light manufacturing to be a catalyst for growth for the overall wellbeing Nigerian economy.

She noted that Nigeria entered the crisis quite weak with a fragile GDP as the country was emerging from recession.

“Nigeria came into this crisis really in a very disadvantaged position relative to its peers. Now Nigeria is facing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, which could be an opportunity as well as a challenge,” she said, adding that Nigeria’s industrial sector is currently characterised by low competitiveness, low capacity utilisation, low skilled manpower base, heavy dependence on imported raw materials and commodity based processing, She, however, observed that this narrative could be changed with right coordination and right policy that would enable Nigerian manufacturing to be regionally and globally competitive.

“We know that developing special economic zones will offer Nigeria tremendous opportunities to produce more sophisticated goods and build regional and global competitiveness. We cannot overstate the role manufacturing can play in addressing Nigeria’s challenging unemployment and underemployment issues.

“This is a really urgent issue and there will be tradeoffs and need to priorities, which are never easy decisions to make in the country’s complicated environment.

But we have to recognise the need to prioritise the increasing role light manufacturing will be playing in the country’s development agenda. So, I will say again ‘never waste a crisis.’ We really view this crisis as an opportunity to really reshape the dynamics of Nigeria.

“Indonesia and Malaysia were initially commodity based economies like Nigeria but they successfully industrialised. In both countries, there were crises that forced them to make tough decisions. And this COVID-19 could be that crisis for Nigeria.”

She recommended that Nigeria should focus its energies in one direction in order to witness how industrialisation would address many of its development challenges.

“Let’s push toward the right direction,” she said.

DEEPENING LIGHT MANUFACTURING

Similarly, the President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mr. Mansur Ahmed, observed the need to strengthen and deepen light manufacturing in

the country and use it to bridge the gap between light and heavy manufacturing in order to give our economy the required resilience it needed.

Ahmed identified light manufacturing as the starting stage of industrialising an economy because it does not require the mobilisation of large capital.

He stated that light manufacturing is majorly driven by the private sector while the public sector, under the commanding height theory is focused on heavy industrialsation.

He stated that Nigeria had a very large light manufacturing sector in the 1970s but its growth was stalled by heavy involvement of government-owned corporation. This was the reason the country failed to transit from light to heavy industrial investments, which would have created integrated industrial process that would bequeath on the economy the resilience to grow sustainably.

“Unfortunately for Nigeria, this has not happened. The huge inflow of the oil wealth and the intervention of the military in politics created the condition where literally the public sector took over the space even in light manufacturing.

“In addition, the oil wealth blinded us to the need to have backward integration as a condition for our manufacturing sector to grow successfully through backward integration that would have linked heavier and light manufacturings,” Mansur said.

The consequences of this failure came to the fore when the COVID-19 struck and literally brought Nigeria’s manufacturing on its knees with the disruption of the global supply value chain and the acute shortage of FX. “Due to high reliance on imported inputs, our pharmaceutical sector was almost brought to a standstill. We also face a high-level deficit in skills and industrial technology. The outcome is that our economy is less resilient. We may lose big opportunities and remain small players, if our skill level is low.

“We need investors in light manufacturing that will bridge the various value chains in different sectors. These are opportunities for domestic and foreign investors,” Ahmad said.

Industrial Comparativeness According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, who spoke on the “Strategic Industrial Comparativeness for Manufacturing Competitiveness in the Light of AfCFTA and the Role of Government,” said that the manufacturing sector is projected to reshape Africa’s competitiveness.

This has also heightened the need for Nigeria to improve its manufacturing capability in a manner that would enhance the quality and competitiveness of its industrial products a matter of categorical imperative in order to provide a platform for prosperity for its citizens through job creation.

Adebayo said: “With the growing population in Nigeria, demands for light manufactured goods

like electronics have increased over the years.”

The minister noted that the manufacturing sector currently contributes 13 per cent of Nigeria’s GDP while the government is targeting to raise it to 20 per cent in 2023. Similarly, the government is also targeting to increase jobs created in the manufacturing sector from five million to six million.

Yet, the manufacturing sector has been faced with series of challenges ranging from influx of imported goods that are sometimes cheaper but of low quality to access to raw materials.

Notwithstanding, Adebayo believed that with adequate innovation the light manufacturing sector would be capable of meeting the needs of Nigerian consumers and even compete favourably in international markets.

“However, in order to compete globally, the local manufacturing industries need to develop their marketing and research capabilities to stay ahead of the pact and meet evolving customers’ needs. They need to develop strong brands with competitive edge. Intellectual property encroachment needs to be addressed to promote more investments in consumer goods and address product counterfeiting.

He added that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is eager to support the manufacturing sector and has been playing a key role in fostering backward integration that would develop the country’s value chain.

There are a number of policies the government has been driving to ensure that the manufacturing sector would benefit from the opportunities provided by the AfCFTA. Adebayo said: “We are currently revamping three economic trade zones and developing four others, we are also driving agro-processing across the 36 federating states of the nation. In addition, there are also several industrial policies expected to be finalised this year, including the cotton, textile and garment policy, the oil palm policy as well as the passage of the automotive industry development bill.”

A Partner and Deloitte’s Customer Service Leader for West Africa, Mr. Bernard Orji, said that light manufacturing has an important role to play in Nigeria’s quest for economic diversification, create jobs opportunities for its teeming unemployed population, grow its export market, and earn more foreign exchange.

Orji described light manufacturing as industries that are usually less capital intensive oriented toward the manufacture of end-users consumer products.

“The important thing about light manufacturing is that it is labour intensive and employs a lot of people within that sector. It has relatively low material input and it is also more environmentally friendly,” he said.

Players in the light manufacturing space include firms in agro-allied and food processing industries, textile and leather manufacturing, consumer

electronics production and the automotive industry.

He stated that light manufacturing has played a big role in transforming countries into highly industrialised economies especially in Asian countries like China, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Philippines, which successfully transited from commodity-based economies to industrialised economies.

Orji said: “Looking at Bangladesh, Vietnam, Philippines and India, just to mention a few you will find out that in the light manufacturing sector has contributed a lot in their GDP growth, it has also brought in a lot of FDIs and also added to their total export. It has also employed a lot of people.”

For instance, the Bangladesh textile industry contributed 11.7 per cent to the country’s GDP in 2018, brought in over $529 million FDIs in 2017, earned $36.67 billion from export, and employs more than four million workers.

“This is a clear illustration of the importance of showing attention to light manufacturing. In the 1970s, just as Mansur has said, Nigeria has light manufacturing hubs in the country. There is a need to go back to that so that we can get significant contribution to the GDP, attract FDIs and employ a lot of workers,” he said.

LESSONS FOR NIGERIA

Coming closer home in Africa, the Moroccan automotive industry stands out as a good example of how light manufacturing could impact an economy positively.

It started in the 1960s as a small cluster and has become the second-largest car-producing hub in Africa.

It controls 35 per cent of the continent’s automobile market and is projected to shun out 160,000 cars per annum in 2022 with local input of about 60 per cent.

It has also attracted key automobile players like Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Peugeot.

“Today, Morocco is exporting cars to Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of Africa. It has grown from its small cluster in the 1960s to the second-largest automotive economy in Africa. It has a production of 80,000 cars per annum and hopes to double it to 160,000 cars in 2022. It has exceeded $10.5 billion in export earnings. This is something Nigeria has to look at as we go into the AfCFTA regime,” Orji said.

He ascribed the success story Morocco’s automotive sector to three pillars. They are policy and regulation, partnership and agreement with the private sector and infrastructure development.

“What we have seen in Morocco is policy consistency right way back from the 1960s. It has not wavered as governments changes. This has given the private sector the comfort and assurance that their investments are protected.

“Two, is sectorial integration. The policies that government enacted are aligned with the private sector that has led to value chain growth.

“Three, is due emphasis on export and letting the private sector lead the development while government lends support in terms of policy.

“The automotive had clear training program for workers. One of our key challenges in Nigeria is low skill capacity of those in manufacturing sector,” Orji said.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

OIL & GAS

Does Nigeria Need Frontier Exploration or Renewable Energy Fund?

Since the passage and eventual assent by President Muhammadu Buhari to the much-talked-about PIA, there has been a huge debate as to whether Nigeria needs a frontier basins exploration fund or one that is devoted to financing renewable energy sources. Emmanuel Addeh weighs the arguments on both sides and how the decision to drop one investment for the other could affect the country’s future energy sufficiency

B

eyond the obvious politicisation of the 30 per cent frontier exploration fund as provided for in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), its implementation has implications, whether negative or positive for the survival of Nigeria as a country or its readiness to join the global race seeking more investment in renewables.

In the new PIA, Section 9, subsection 4, states that: “There shall be maintained, for the purpose of this section, a Frontier Exploration Fund which shall be 30 per cent of NNPC Limited’s profit oil and profit gas in the production sharing, profit sharing and risk service contracts.”

It adds that : “NNPC Limited shall transfer the 30 per cent of profit oil and profit gas under subsection (4) to the Frontier Exploration Fund escrow account dedicated for the development of frontier acreages and utilise the funds to carry out exploration and development activities in the frontier acreages subject to appropriation by the National Assembly.”

Conspiracy theories aside, the question experts and professionals are asking is whether Nigeria really needs a fund for the exploration of more crude oil or whether it should devote its energies to getting a front seat in the global funding for renewable sources of fuel as the world transits from hydrocarbons.

Although President Muhammadu Buhari has never hidden his pet dream of seeing the north become a major producer of oil and gas in the country, it should be stated that the argument should go beyond mundane politics to the substance of such resolution.

BETWEEN POLITICS AND FACTS

The almost desperate search for oil in the northern frontier basins mostly remains in the realm of politics.

Many who also vehemently oppose it, especially those who compare it to the oil-producing host communities 3 per cent, mostly express the same sentiments basically on the political plane.

However, beyond the noise created by the 3 per cent versus the 30 per cent are a small, largely muffled voices, who think that it is illogical for Nigeria to keep pumping money into the exploration of a waning commodity, which it agrees will become largely irrelevant in the next two decades.

Currently, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has said that Nigeria’s crude oil stands at roughly 37 billion barrels in reserves, with the almost certain additional 18 billion.

The 18 billion barrels aside, the NNPC, in 2020 said that without the discovery of fresh hydrocarbons in some parts of the country, the current 37 billion barrels in reserves will dry up in 30 years, given a projection of 2.3 million barrels per day by 2023.

The corporation has estimated that given a historical view of its profit oil and profit gas in the aforementioned areas, the frontier exploration fund to be set up could be getting as much as $400 million on a yearly basis.

But the debate has been whether it makes sense to continue to pump scarce resources into a waning and increasingly irrelevant resource, while almost nothing goes to the financing of renewables, which unarguably is the future of energy.

Another line of argument is: Why devote so much resources in search of oil in those largely northern basins when there are vast discoveries in the Niger Delta which still lie untapped?

THE ENERGY TRANSITION

To be sure, oil is a global commodity. So, whatever happens on the global scene affects Nigeria in no small measure. The world over, more countries as well as powerful groups are demanding cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.

For instance, a November survey conducted by the Pew Research Centre, quoted by Forbes, found that a whopping 77 percent of Americans believe that developing “alternative energy” is a more important priority right now than producing more fossil fuels.

Corporations around the world are investing heavily in “green energy”, while as of last year, as many as 100 companies in 23 different countries had signed clean energy contracts amounting to 19.5 gigawatts (GW) of power, a 44 percent increase from 2018.

Back in Nigeria, a number of International Oil Companies (IOCs) led by Shell, has indicated interest to abandon their onshore operations for the deepwaters, which essentially is meant to make as much money for them to invest in renewables.

Europe, a major buyer of Nigeria’s crude oil is undergoing a rapid transition to clean energy, with renewables accounting for a whopping 34.6 per cent of total electricity generation in 2019, plus many households and businesses which now get their power from wind and solar than they do hydrocarbons.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects electricity generation from renewable sources to surpass nuclear and coal by this year and by 2045, may even surpass natural gas.

Even the very conservative China isn’t being left behind and is now a leader in clean energy investment. While the PIA mentions investment in renewable energy almost in passing, it does not provide any framework for exploring it. Will Nigeria be left behind?

THE PWC REPORT

In a new report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the world’s most renowned consulting firms, the organisation advocated the setting up of a ‘Future Energy Fund’ that will incorporate elements of the transition to cleaner fuel sources, rather than devoting 30 per cent to the frontier

exploration fund as provided for by the PIA. The global business advisory services and consulting firm in a document which sought to breakdown the implications of the legislation, noted that based on the World Economic Forum (WEF) data, a country’s energy transition readiness is measured by six factors.

It listed the factors as availability of investment and capital; effective regulation and political commitment; stable institutions and governance; supportive infrastructure and innovative business environment; highly skilled human capital as well as consumer participation and robust energy systems structure, saying that Nigeria scored 35 per cent in its energy transition readiness.

The report tagged: “The Petroleum Industry Act: Redefining the Nigerian Oil and Gas Landscape”, explained that the lack of enabling infrastructure, regulatory framework and governance of energy transition are the major reasons for the low score.

However, PwC, in the document, argued that the country should begin moves to join the global energy transition, stressing that as it is, Nigeria’s resources are being devoted almost solely to a commodity that is fast waning.

“Exploration is a high-risk endeavour. In addition, raising the needed finance for the development, production and evacuation from the frontier basins might be a tall order as investors are staying away from high cost emission-intensive assets.

“These basins will compete for funds with ambitious and more-environment friendly projects like gas, hydrogen, solar and wind. Rather than a frontier exploration fund, Nigeria could consider setting up a future energy fund.

“The amounts being set aside in the PIA for the frontier exploration fund can be applied towards funding the development of Nigeria’s future energy potential, which will include but not be limited to petroleum, in readiness for the energy transition.

“The fund can also be deployed for funding the development of abatement technologies that can aid carbon neutrality,” the firm, which operates in about 157 countries worldwide, maintained.

PwC noted that with the projected decline in global demand for hydrocarbons, leading oil and gas production companies are cutting back significantly on their oil and gas business and on further investment in fossil fuels.

It recalled that for example, British Petroleum (BP) has announced that it would be suspending oil and gas exploration in new countries from 2021 and aims to make a tenfold increase in its spending on low carbon energy.

In the case of Shell, based on its new strategy launched in 2021, it explained that the company aims to decrease its total oil production by 1-2 per cent per annum and make no new frontier

exploration investment by 2025.

According to the firm, Shell which accounts for about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s oil and gas production, has the broad theme of its strategy for its upstream petroleum business to generate the cash to fund the growth of its low carbon business.

PENGASSAN’S POSITION

Interestingly, another lone voice in nudging the authorities to invest more in renewable sources of energy, rather that devoting funds to a product which is fast losing its relevance is the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN).

President of the union, Mr Festus Osifo argued that the bill does not take cognisance of the ongoing energy transition, which would require the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to focus on renewable sources of energy.

He explained that during the public hearings by the National Assembly, PENGASSAN advocated that there must be a deliberate attempt to start developing renewables, but that has been largely ignored.

He pointed out that this is because a lot of companies today are transiting from being just oil and gas companies to energy concerns, stating that as it is, the Nigerian government is not prepared for that major development.

“So, that was our advocacy, that some percentages should be set aside to start developing our renewables, so that the energy transition will not catch up with us unaware.

“This is because from the research currently ongoing, it is really difficult for us to predict the future of oil in the next 30 years. So, the time to act is now,” he added.

OIL, RENEWABLES CAN COEXIST?

Even the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has avoided the temptation to dismiss the push for greener and cleaner sources of fuel as irrelevant. Instead, the oil producers group has posited that both can exist side by side.

Commenting, OPEC Secretary General, Dr. Sanusi Barkindo lamented the widening dichotomy between opposition to fossil fuels and advocates of renewable energy sources.

He asked for a convergence, arguing that both can coexist.

Speaking at the first Ministerial Roundtable on Energy, Climate and Sustainable, Development, recently, Barkindo stated that the public discourse around the issue often seem to be reduced to the question of who is for or against hydrocarbons.

Describing it as the ultimate false dichotomy, the OPEC helmsman stated that this line of thought erroneously limits what options are available, stressing that the solutions require more comprehensiveness.

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

43

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

Salim: SON Winning Campaign against Substandard Products Director General/Chief Executive of the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Mallam Farouk Salim in this interview disclose how SON confiscated and mopped up sub-standard products running into billions of Naira since he came on board. Gilbert Ekugbe presents the excerpts: ture such as equipping regional laboratories to bring our services nearer to the stakeholders and make greater contributions to the diversification of the nation’s economy. The capacity of the National Metrology Institute is already being enhanced with acquisition of new equipment for calibration activities in diverse areas of measurement like flow and volume.

We are embarking on aggressive marketing of our key service offerings such as: Product Certification, Internationally Accredited Laboratory Services, Internationally Recognised Management Systems Training Services; Internationally Accredited Management Systems Certification Services, among others. Luckily, SON already has a crop of highly competent staff in various fields of standardisation. So, my job is to mobilise and encourage them to improve substantially on their outputs.

How do you feel on your new duty post? am grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for giving me the opportunity to further contribute to national development through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Please, be rest assured that I am here to make SON better by building on existing structures and achievements made over the years, to improve on our service delivery as well as relationships with stakeholders, including the media. SON is committed to strengthening its partnerships with SMEs, the media, operators, manufacturers, however, journalists need to be vanguards in the fight against fake and sub-standard goods.

I

What’s your take on AfCFTA implementation, and how can local manufacturers take advantage of the opportunities offered by the protocol?

Continuous efforts are being made to improve standards of products and eliminate substandard goods in the country. We have done enough enforcement, public awareness, and sensitisation programmes on how to check the unwholesome products that are entering our country. We are working tirelessly within, outside and underground, to improve activities of the organisation so that it can serve the country better.

This is very important, because under the new African free trade agreement, goods will be crossing borders without too much hindrances.

So, what that means for our country is that, if our manufacturers are not producing standard goods, the products will not cross over to the other countries, because other countries will set standards too and they will expect goods coming to their countries to be up to standards.

So, it is our responsibility as an agency to ensure that locally made products are up to standards. We are also making sure that the influx of substandard goods in the markets decreases to the barest minimum. Governments should also impose and enforce consequences and sanctions against products or persons producing sub-standard products. We have equally emphasised the need to harmonise standards within the continent in order to enjoy the full benefits of the trade pact. We should know that harmonisation of standards would go a long way to check activities of unscrupulous importers and dealers of fake and substandard goods who would want to take advantage of the trade deal to carry out their nefarious acts.

AfCFTA has magnified the need for standards to be regionally harmonised to promote intra-African trade. SON has been providing technical assistance and support to genuine local manufacturers as well as protect them from unfair competition. We are also encouraging local manufacturers and exporters to step up their game by ensuring that their goods and services are not only acceptable but also competitive at the international markets.

The agreement also places healthy competitive pressure on Nigerian producers serving the domestic economy as they are challenged to upgrade their operations and improve their products packaging to compete with other producers on the continent.

How do you intend to ensure that the campaign against the influx of substandard goods into Nigeria is won convincingly?

The issue of curbing the influx and distribution of substandard and life-threatening products is being approached from many dimensions. Some of our staff have undertaken training programmes with the Nigeria Customs Service on the operations of the Nigeria Integrated Customs Information Services (NICIS II). We are also in discussion for a full integration into the process for operational access and control of SON regulated imports.

When fully achieved, that would assist us to a very large extent in preventing sub-standard products from entry into Nigeria without any delay at the ports. This is because we have invested in facilities near the Apapa, Tin Can and Onne ports where quality verification of suspected sub-standard products can be carried out.

We have already initiated engagements with key importers across the country to flush out the bad eggs amongst them and promote self-regulation in our collective interest.

Salim SON state offices nationwide have also been directed to intensify our market survey activities to monitor the performance of locally certified and imported products in the market place.

information from contractors and dealers.

We are getting very good responses from stakeholders and the markets about the quality of steel products and cables.

What would be your reaction regarding effective enforcement of standards since your assumption of office and what are the results so far?

We have made quite a number of seizures.

Seizures have increased tremendously and responses from stakeholders and market associations indicate that SON is winning the war against substandard goods. Specifically, the agency during this period confiscated over N600million worth of stuffed substandard tyres in a warehouse in Ogun State.

We seized two containers of stuffed imported, used tyres in Port Harcourt; the prosecution of standards infractions relating to sub-standard lubricants, electric cables, forgery of SON clearing documents, logos, and other breaches. We mopped up substandard LPG cylinders in Suleija, seized adulterated engine oil in Kano and Lagos States; destroyed sub-standard products in Katsina State; expired LPG cylinders were mopped up from different parts of Anambra State and destroyed in Enugu in February, 2021.

Also six containers of stuffed imported tyres and substandard LPG cylinders intercepted from multiple sources were destroyed in Lagos in February 2021. Two containers of imported used, stuffed tyres seized in Port Harcourt were destroyed in Enugu in March 2021, among other enforcement exercises.

The SON legal department is currently prosecuting about six standards infractions in courts across the country. The stakeholders responses have been encouraging and recently we have carried out surveys which indicated that quality of steel products have also increased very much as we get this

What would you consider as some of your landmark achievements and what should Nigerians expect going forward?

In more than 10 months since my assumption of duty, we have interacted extensively with the different stakeholders on how we can collectively take SON to the next level for the overall good of the Nigerian economy and the welfare of her people.

As part of efforts in this regard, an independent committee of distinguished Nigerians was set up and charged with the responsibility of taking a critical look at our structure, processes, practices and service offerings as well as public perception of the agency.

This was in order to help us develop a template to address operational, service delivery and staff welfare challenges. We have done this to entrench equity and fairness as well as provide greater opportunities for staff to better contribute to the attainment of organisational goals. We have since been implementing many of the recommendations of that committee.

We are committed to improving on our communications with stakeholders at all levels to get greater buy-in into our programmes and activities that are targeted at customer satisfaction, consumer protection and welfare as well as the positive growth of the nation’s economy.

We are providing a more conducive atmosphere for our staff to deliver on the mandate of SON and collaborate more with our different stakeholders to improve ease of doing business, ensure economic diversification as well as industrial growth.

Already, we are working with the National Assembly to strengthen our quality infrastruc-

Sir, Nigeria is reputed to be amongst the best producers of electric cables in the world, but the same cannot be said of iron and steel products. What is SON doing in this regard?

As part of measures to ensure that steel products from Nigeria can compete favourably with others internationally, we have directed that going forward, steel manufacturers in the country must calibrate the equipment used in the production of steel rods and reinforcement bars or face persecution.

It is no longer business as usual. We want to ensure that all equipment used in measuring various parameters are calibrated in the country.

We have acquired latest measuring instruments to ensure compliance to the standards of equipment used in the steel, maritime, oil and gas and other industries.

All weigh bridges, universal textile machines, among others, must be calibrated to achieve equity in business, while also ensuring that products do not fall short of the requirements of standards.

We are doing all these so that consumers will get value for their money; manufacturers will be happy because they are making products that meet the requirements of SON and therefore locally and globally accepted.

This means Nigerians will be happy to use the steel products to build structures that will stand the test of time in order to stem the incidences of collapsed buildings and construction failure and also build the economy of the country.

In what areas do you think government can help to boost the performance of your organization? For instance, would you like to be returned to seaports?

I would like SON to be returned to the ports in order to make it easy to track down substandard goods before they enter into our environment.

The absence of our organisation at the ports means that we have been chasing sub-standard products after they might have found their ways into the markets in such a vast country like ours.

The presence of the agency at the ports will help to nip this problem in the bud as the products would be apprehended and stopped before they find their way into the nation’s markets. By so doing, our job is made much easier and more efficient and there would be no need for SON to chasing goods across every market in Nigeria because this is very cumbersome. Therefore, a return to the ports will be a plus for the SON, Nigeria and Nigerians. Again, as I said earlier, government should stipulate stiff sanctions to those that import or plan to port sub-standard goods and also for those who produce or plan to produce such in Nigeria.

Why does SON engage Journalists in capacity building workshops?

Our organisation uses the workshops to interact and discuss issues that bother the media, and the agency, operators, and indeed all stakeholders including the general public. In fact, I am delighted to engage the media as worthy collaborators in the Nigeria project.

I understand that pressmen have over the years been of tremendous support in telling the SON story and educating readers, viewers and listeners on our activities and challenges as they concern the safety of Nigerians and growth of the economy.

We appreciate the media and require robust collaborations as partners in progress and compatriots.

44

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

Flour Millers Seek Suspension of 15% Cassava Levy, Task FG on Availability of Forex Gilbert Ekugbe The Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) has called on the federal government to suspend the 15 per cent placed on cassava levy following the alarming insecurity issues in the wheat-planting belt of Nigeria and the agricultural sector.

Besides, the association acknowledged that despite the rapid growth in cassava production, the cassava subsector in Nigeria is still constrained by a number of factors, warning that the 15 per cent levy would only succeed in increasing the cost of production of millers and bakers in the country.

Olam Reaffirms Commitment to Conserving Biodiversity, Reducing Carbon Emissions Gilbert Ekugbe The Crown Flour Mill Limited (CFM), a subsidiary of Olam, has reaffirmed its commitment to conserving biodiversity and reducing carbon footprints in the country.

The CFM demonstrated this commitment with the donation of 5,000 tree samplings to the Bayero University Kano (BUK) in Kano State.

The company explained that it has been implementing the environmental sustainability partnership with some leading universities and their respective state governments, flagging off the campaign with BUK and the Kano State government.

The CFM described the tree plantation campaign as an important climate action that is aimed at achieving carbon neutrality and the net-zero targets on a larger scale, pointing out that it would ensure that fuel emission created by its fleet operations are to a large extent offset from the ecosystem.

The Governor, Kano State, Dr. Umar Ganduje, commended the CFM for its timely implementation of the tree plantation campaign.

He noted that the effort would bolster the state’s Ministry of Environment’s current drive at curbing industrial waste and engendering a healthier ecosystem.

“To make our dear state pollution-free and healthier, the state government decided to shift waste management in the state from a state-dominated effort to public-private partnership (PPP) as this strategic route aligns with global best practice,” Ganduje said.

The Kano State’s governor added: “This CFM tree planting programme is timely. No doubt it will strengthen the ministry’s commitment because of its significance in making our environment healthier.

I therefore thank CFM for initiating this important event which aims at making our life better and our environment a better place to live.”

The association also urged the government to assist local wheat farmers to acquire improved wheat seed varieties while also explore other measures to support millers and bakers in the country.

In an in-house news bulletin on Nigeria’s wheat value chain, the FMAN members urged the government to give millers easy access to foreign exchange at the Investors and Export (I&E) FX window.

They pointed to strategic tax concessions in areas that aligned with the backward integration target of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) amongst others as further measures that would forestall a cave-in of the flour milling industry.

Citing the prevailing economic conditions and unfavourable regulatory frameworks, the flour millers operators have warned of an impending food crisis in the country.

Also, the association explained that due to the disruption to vital

supply chains, globally and locally, as a result of COVID-19 curtailment policies, and unfavourable foreign exchange regimes, and other wheat challenges, securing food for the average Nigerian is becoming tougher to sustain.

The FMAN urged the Nigerian government to sit up in the face of the economic reality that is threatening to the country’s food security, especially around the wheat sector, because of the important role wheat consumption plays in every home in Nigeria.

According to the FMAN, industry reports show that 45 per cent of the food variants served in Nigerian homes are wheat derivatives, and account for 75 million of the daily food portions in Nigerian households.

The FMAN report highlighted the profit eroding effects of the shrinking global wheat production levels, increasing cost and skyrocketing freight/ free on board (FOB)

rates placed on Nigeria-bound goods on the revenue of flour millers and bakers.

The flour millers submitted that the current price hike in the global wheat market, which the local millers relied upon to bridge the expansive supply short-fall occasioned by the low level of domestic wheat production, constitute an operational strain that is heavily impacting the cost of production of millers and have the potential to further elevate wheat-based staples prices.

They also highlighted that as early as the first quarter of 2021 the global price of wheat rose to $642 per bushel in January 2021 and then $650 per bushel by the end of the quarter. Further market pressures saw price settle at $726.75 per bushel in May. By the end of June 2021, price dropped to $693.5 per bushel, while yet another spike pushed price to $707 per bushel in July 2021.

The sector report revealed how the millers and bakers absorb the inflationary burden and the impact of rising global wheat cost on the cost of wheat-based products, adding that wheat-based food products are fairly price elastic and therefore any rise in the price of these products in the local markets can potentially heighten pressure on the disposable income of Nigerians, many of whom fall within the C, D, & E socio-economic spectrum.

They revealed that a likely third wave of COVID-19 outbreak, considering the widening spread of the new Delta variant in addition to several early knocks, could see the bottom fall out entirely for the flour milling industry if urgent steps are not taking to arrest it.

The FMAN, in the news bulletin, said the flour milling industry played a significant role in providing Nigeria’s ever-growing population access to relatively cheaper staples.

Onne Customs Receives Scanner, Promises Trade Facilitation

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area ll Command, Onne Port has taken delivery of a cargo mobile scanning machine as earlier assured by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (Rtd).

Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Auwal Mohammed described the arrival of the scanner as a positive milestone in the service efforts to modernise Customs operations, achieve ease of doing business, facilitate trade and enhance security with easier detection of prohibited imports.

Mohammed described the tortuous processes involved in physical examination as time consuming and may not be as perfect as when done with the scanner.

According to him, the hitherto was not able to examine more than a hundred containers daily but with the new scanner, it will be able to carry out examination on two hundred containers on daily basis.

While receiving the machine, Mohammed said, “Before the arrival of the scanner, examinations of cargoes were usually done manually and physically, whereby containers were positioned by the terminal operators. Then they provide gang of labourers while officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies come for the examination.

“They cut off the seal manu-

ally, and then the contents inside containers are discharged manually by the labourers. Then, officers and other stakeholders conduct inspection or examinations. This takes time sometimes because of the packing of the good in the container; and this is an examination that is done to confirm the declaration made by the agent or importer tallies with the content of the container.

“Virtually everything has to be carried or moved out of the container, then back into the container before examination is concluded. So it is cumbersome.

It is time consuming, and not much containers are properly examined on a daily basis. So with the coming of the scanner, which is a non-intrusive examination apparatus, examination will now be conducted with the use of x-ray, “the Controller said.

The Controller added that already trained Customs officers on scanning operation will undergo refresher training to update them on the latest technology.

According to him, any consignment found during image analysis to be containing suspected prohibition or concealments will be quickly referred for physical examination.

He also thanked the CGC for his unrelenting drive in modernising the Nigeria Customs Service.

SPONSOR A CHILD…

L-R: Chief Operating Officer, Canary Point Corporate Services, Mrs. Tolu Oke; Lead, Social Media, Sponsor A Child Through School Foundation (SACTS), Joyce Ekeh; Chief Operating Officer SACTS, Mrs. Nike Richie-Ogbodu; and Head Strategy and Business Performance, Canary Point Corporate Service,Mr. Emmanuel Bassey, at the launch of Canary Foundation and N5m donation to SACTS in Lekki, Lagos PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Appoint SA on Food Security to Address Food Shortages AFAN Task FG Gilbert Ekugbe The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has tasked the federal government to appoint a special adviser on food security in order to effectively address food shortages in the country.

The National President of AFAN, Mr. Kabir Ibrahim, said that a special adviser with the right capacity is the surest way to address rising cost of food prices in the nation.

Ibrahim also advised the federal government to be proactive and decisive in dealing with any official who in any way failed to discharge their responsibilities in furtherance of the country’s agricultural development.

He said that following the country’s skyrocketing food inflation caused by COVID-19, insecurity and other challenges, Nigerian farmers under the umbrella of AFAN are calling on the federal government to create food banks in the six geopolitical zones at close proximity of 100,000 metric tonne (MT) Silos to guarantee food security for Nigerian populace.

The farmers association’s move may not be unconnected with the report that Nigeria currently has very little in its strategic food reserve having used up a good deal of it at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the profound impacts now being seen in acute food shortage.

He explained that it is time for the present administration to parley agric stakeholders to outline agric agendas that might salvage the precarious situation in Nigeria post COVID-19, arising from skyrocketing food inflation.

According to him, the federal government should ensure that the 100,000MT silos strategic food reserve in the six geo-political zones are managed by the Strategic Grains Reserve (SGR) and directly supervised by the Food Security Council (FSC).

Ibrahim stated that availability of food is the greatest challenge confronting the country at the moment, and urged government to rise up to the occasion towards providing adequate food for its

citizens.

The AFAN national president also stated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration need to resuscitate the Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) and implement it via a special committee through the SGR (Strategic Grains Reserve) to be directly supervised by the Food Security Council (FSC).

He noted that this could be achieved by creating a special revolving fund for the GMP to revolve for 2021 and 2022.

Speaking further, the renowned farmer explained that there is also need for government to harmonizse all the initiatives in the agriculture space under the supervision of the FSC via an emergency arrangement.

IEA FORECASTS MAJOR OIL DEMAND REBOUND IN OCTOBER, ADDITIONAL 1.6M BPD TILL END OF 2021 $4.24/bbl in August to $70.75/bbl and WTI a fell $4.73/bbl m-o-m to $67.73/bbl,” it noted.

The IEA report noted that expected outages during August forced a decline in supply for the first time in five months and extended the sharp drawdown in global oil stocks, “the most severe by far being Hurricane Ida, which wreaked havoc on the key US Gulf

Coast oil producing region at the end of August, knocking 1.7 mb/d offline.”

Added to that, it pointed out that concerns over the impact of rising Covid-19 cases on oil demand kept a lid on prices, “however, with benchmark crudes falling monthon-month before edging marginally higher in early September.”

IEA had last month said produc-

tion outages led to further sharp declines in inventories, but explained that with nearly 900kbd of crude output and 700kbd of refinery capacity offline, hefty draws are expected to continue through September.

With US government loaning barrels from its strategic reserves to the region’s refiners to help offset crude shortfalls and China

tapping into its strategic reserves too, selling for the first time ever, from state-owned tanks in an effort to dampen domestic oil prices and inflationary pressure, IEA noted that demand will likely increase as the major consumers seek to restock.

It added: “We have revised down our world oil demand forecast for August and September by nearly

600 kb/d as China and a number of other South East Asian countries enforce more mobility restrictions.

“Strong pent-up demand and continued progress in vaccination programmes should underpin a robust rebound from 4Q21. Our annual growth forecast is revised marginally lower since last month’s report for 2021 (-110 kb/d) to 5.2 million bpd while 2022 growth is

slightly higher, at 3.2 million bpd.

“The market should shift closer to balance starting from October if OPEC+ continues to unwind production cuts. Even so, it is only by early 2022 that supply will be high enough to allow oil stocks to be replenished. In the meantime, strategic oil stocks from the US and China may go some way to help plug the gap,” it noted.

45

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

TCN: Why We Are Embarking on Load-Shedding in Kaduna, Kano Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Sunday stated that the ongoing loadingshedding in Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau States, which started on

September 15, 2021, is due to efforts by the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Limited to connect its new Lafia substation to the national grid.

TCN said that NDPHC requested for power outage on

LADOL Sets Record Performing 320-ton Heavy Lift with Quayside MTC Crane LADOL Free Zone has set another ground-breaking record as the company and Mammoet performed the first heavy lift project in West Africa using the MTC 15 shore crane – the largest of its kind in the world.

LADOL in a statement said the heavy lift project involved the offloading and launching of a multi-Cat 320-ton vessel into the water using the MTC crane.

“The successful use of this crane opens up a new era for heavy lift operations in West Africa.

Using the MTC crane, installed at LADOL’s quayside, means that a major impediment to 100 per cent local vessel fabrication and other large industrial projects taking place in Nigeria has been eliminated.

“Many Ports across the world, from Europe to America lack the heavy lift capabilities now installed in Nigeria. This automatically makes Nigeria the heavy lift hub for West Africa. This giant step forward in maritime and industrial capabilities also comes with a 40 per cent - 50 per cent cost saving.

MTC -15, it added, is the biggest installed shore crane of its kind in West Africa and has transformed its quayside into a heavy lift terminal.

“Recall that in 2020, LADOL and Mammoet signed a strategic partnership, aimed at expanding LADOL’s capacity for project cargo handling and logistics for industrial sectors in West Africa. It enables LADOL to utilise Mammoet’s crane fleet, project cargo handling and heavy lifting expertise along with project management services to provide

clients with more comprehensive and cost-effective solutions, “the statement reads.

Commenting, Managing Director of LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi said, “I’d like to thank all the stakeholders involved in enabling us to reach this momentous milestone and I’d like to thank the staff and management that worked 24 / 7 on this project and ensured that it was done safely and expeditiously at LADOL.” In his comments, LADOL’s SHEQ Manager, Mr. Michael Onobiokor said: “We want to appreciate everyone for the exemplary safety leadership that was demonstrated during this critical lift. The full cooperation and compliance of all those involved demonstrated the truth and commitment we all have to putting SAFETY FIRST.” LADOL’s Executive Director, Business Development, Jide Jadesimi, said: “On the 7th of September 2021, the air was full of excitement and anticipation, history was being made with the first ever heavy lift of its kind by a terminal in Lagos Harbour.

The Mammoet MTC 15 heavy lift crane, hoisted the 320-ton boat into the air, from the deck of the cargo vessel which was berthed at the LADOL quayside. This high-tech lift was carried out by all stakeholders involved in perfect unison.

“The decades of experience, hours of practice, unrelenting hard work and constant flow of communication between all those involved, meant that the project worked like clockwork.

Oilserv Extends CSR Activities to Rivers

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Oilserv Limited, a leading provider of integrated engineering, procurement, construction, installation & commissioning services in the country has taken its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities to Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

The event, which was to mark the 60th birthday of the company’s Chairman of Mr. Emeka Okwuosa, saw different teams, which were dispatched for the purpose, visit five of the charity homes.

Some of the items donated included cash gifts, deep freezers, bags of rice, among others.

In his comments, a representative of the Oilserv boss, the Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Emeka Opah, noted that the event was part of the company’s aspiration to give back and empower the underprivileged.

While lauding the managers of the homes, which included Saviour’s Orphanage, Lifetime Caring Foundation, Compassionate Centre, Port Harcourt Children’s Home, Priesthood

Orphanage, and Home for the Elderly, Okwuosa promised to, through his foundation, continue to identify with those with little opportunities in society.

He noted that it was in the same spirit of giving back to the society that had seen Oilserv Limited donate medical items to hospitals in Port Harcourt, with his philanthropy also felt in education, provision of social amenities as well as donations to religious organisations According to him, the outing also afforded the company an opportunity to feel the pulse of the communities and provided an insight into the state of the communities for better and targeted interventions.

Matron of the Port Harcourt Children’s Home, Eke, thanked Okwuosa for the timely intervention and promised that the home will make judicious use of the goods donated.

Also, at the Compassionate Centre, run by Rev. Sister Ugochi, the beneficiaries thanked Okwuosa and Oilserv for the donations, stressing that it will go a long way to ameliorating the challenges faced by the home.

the Makurdi – Jos portion of its Ikot Ekpene -Ugwuaji -Makurdi – Jos 330kV transmission line to enable it carry out transposition on the line and to connect the new Lafia Substation.

The wholly federal government-owned entity however said that the connection works by the NDPHC to its new Lafia substation have advanced and will soon be complete.

A statement by General Manager, Public Affairs of the TCN, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, stressed that although the ongoing work by NDPHC interrupted bulk power supply from the Makurdi-Jos 330kV transmission line axis only, Jos is currently receiving electricity through the Kaduna -Jos 330kV transmission line.

“Consequently, there is a slight load constraint in Kaduna,

Kano, and Jos axis as the load from Ikot Ekpene – Ugwuaji – Makurdi has been cut off on the Makurdi – Jos axis as a result of the ongoing work.

“Power supply through the Lafia – Jos 330kV line is to ensure that Jos gets electricity supply until NDPHC completes the connection of the new Lafia substation to the grid,” it noted.

TCN equally noted that the

connection work by NDPHC will increase the capacity of the national grid and regretted the inconveniences the load reduction is causing to electricity consumers in the affected states.

“However, bulk power supply will be restored on the Makurdi–Jos line immediately after NDPHC completes the transposition work,” the company noted.

L-R: Accountant, Deekay Group,Mrs. Omowunmi Adeyanju; Head of Sales and Marketing, Deekay Group, Mr. Gaurav Asia; Head Chef, EJ Treasures Ltd, Mrs. Elizabeth Solomon; Brand Manager, Deekay Group, Mr. Adeniyi Adewunmi; Head, Magnigicient home, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Jaiyesimi; Corporate Sales Manager, Deekay Group, Ada Onyeigwe; and Corporate Sales Manager, Deekay Group, Adenike Balogun, during Aksara Foundation CSR Summer Baking Fest; Inspire and Nurture PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT for the future and donation of gift items to Magnificient home Lagos

DPR Shuts 11 Illegal Gas Plants, Petrol Stations in Abuja Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed 11 illegal gas plants as well as seven filling stations over various sharp practices in Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of government.

The raided plants selling mainly Liquefied Petroleum Gas(LPG) also known as cooking gas and the filling stations visited were located in Karimo, Gwagwa, Games Village, Kuje and Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The petroleum industry regulator stated that the LPG plant owners were operating illegally while the affected petrol stations were carrying out their businesses

without valid licences.

Some of the illegal gas plants affected were: Macco Synergy, Mr T&M cooking gas, Trinity cooking gas, Meter Smile Gas ltd, Sunny Sun cooking gas, among others.

In her remarks, during the operation, the DPR Abuja Zonal Operations Controller, Mrs Roselyn Wilkie, said that previous efforts to get the illegal operators to regularise their businesses failed to yield the needed results.

She said: “During today’s exercise, 11 illegal LPG plants were raided in collaboration with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

Some personnel of these illegal facilities were arrested and they have been handed over to security

operatives for prosecution.

“All our effort to get the attention of the illegal facility operators with the view to regularising their businesses failed to the yield desired result. DPR cannot sit back and watch the danger the existence of these illegal facilities portends to the lives and properties of citizens. “ This necessitated our going out as the situation arose to enforce provisions of the relevant laws and regulations for construction and operation of petroleum products facilities in the downstream sector.”

She added that the DPR as an opportunity house and business enabler had been engaging illegal petroleum product facility owners

to get the best advise on how to regularise their businesses and operate legally in a safe environment.

Wilkie further called on all illegal facilities’ operators to come forward and regularise their operation by obtaining the necessary licence to operate from the organisation.

According to her, this would ensure protection of investors’ assets and safety of lives and properties within the sector.

During the raid, seven fillings stations were visited while 18 petrol pumps were sealed for sharp practices, including for suspected cases of diversion of six trucks containing products.

FG Grants NiMet Approval to Commence Academic Activities in MIST, Katsina Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The federal government through the Ministry of Aviation has granted approval to the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet) for the commencement of academic activities in its Meteorological Institute of Science and Technology, MIST, in Katsina State.

The approval was given in a letter dated 9th September 2021 following a request by the Agency to commence academic activities.

NiMet, in a statement by

its General Manager/Public Relations, Mr. Muntari Ibrahim Yusuf, said that the letter, which was signed by the Deputy Director (Staff Welfare and Training) Rabi .N. Abubakar for the Hon. Minister Hadi Sirika, reads: “I am directed to refer to your letter Ref. No. NiMet/ DG/FMA/HMA/M/Vol.1/30 dated 24th August, 2021 on the above subject and covey the approval of the Honorable Minister for the commencement of full academic session and activities at the newly established Meteorological Institute

of Science and Technology, Katsina as requested.”

“Following this, lectures have commenced for National Diploma in Meteorology and National Diploma in Climate Change Science at the institute.

“The students were admitted through the JAMB Central Admission Processing System (CAPS). These National Diploma programmes have already been duly approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) with two streams of 30 students each.”

The MIST, Katsina was com-

missioned by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika on the 21st of May 2019.

The Institute was established to serve as a centre of training and research on meteorology and climate change sciences.

“Given this approval, the Institute had embarked on an aggressive expansion of its manpower and boasts of eight (8) Ph.D holders, among whom are five (5) professors; seven (7) other lecturers hold Masters Degree in related disciplines amongst others.”, the statement read.

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TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

Emmy Awards: ‘The Crown’, ‘Ted Las s o’ Sweep E mmy Awards Royal drama ‘The Crown’ and feel-good comedy ‘Ted Lasso’ nabbed the top prizes at television’s Emmy awards on Sunday on a night dominated by streaming shows, British talent and rare wins by women.

Chess drama ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ was named best limited series and tied with “The Crown” for the most wins overall at 11 apiece.

The best drama series win for ‘The Crown’ gave Netflix its biggest prize so far, while Apple TV+ entered streaming’s big league with the best comedy series win for ‘Ted Lasso’. Neither Netflix nor Apple TV+ had previously won a best comedy or best drama series Emmy.

Jason Sudeikis, the star and co-creator of ‘Ted Lasso’, was named best comedy actor.

The show also brought statuettes for Britons Hannah Waddingham and Brett Goldstein for their supporting roles in the tale of a struggling English soccer team that won over TV fans with its folksy humour during the dark days of the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite a nominees list that boasted the strongest showing in years for people of colour, only a handful emerged as winners.

They included Britain’s Michaela Coel, who won for writing the harrowing sexual assault drama ‘I May Destroy You’ in which she also starred and directed; RuPaul, host of the competition show ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race;’ and the cast of hip-hop Broadway musical ‘Hamilton,’ which won the Emmy for variety special after it was filmed for television.

Gunman Kill Six Shot Dead, Dozens Injured in Russian University At least six people were killed in the Russian city of Perm after a gunman opened fire at a university Monday. Many more were reported wounded.

Video from the event reportedly shows students at Perm State University jumping out of first-floor windows to escape.

“There were about 60 people in our classroom. We closed the door and barricaded it with chairs,” student Semyon Karyakin told Reuters.

Some reports say the gunman, who was wounded while being taken into custody, was identified as an 18-year-old student at the school.

While Russia has strict gun laws, the assailant reportedly used a lawfully purchased hunting rifle.

“The citizen who started the shooting in Perm had a shotgun legally,” Valery Gribakin, spokesman for the Russian national guard, told state news agency TASS. The incident in Perm, which is about 1,300 kilometres east of Moscow, is the second school mass shooting in Russia this year. In May, a

gunman killed seven children at a school in Kazan.

US Open Doors to Fully Vaccinated Travellers The United States said Monday that starting in early November, it will ease its coronavirus restrictions for foreign travellers arriving in the country.

The VOA reports that foreign travel to the US had been largely curbed during the 18-month pandemic, even as European nations in recent months eased restrictions on American travellers ahead of the summertime vacation season.

Under the new US policy, White House COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said foreign travellers would again be allowed into the country if they can demonstrate proof of being fully vaccinated before they board a flight and show proof of a negative COVID-19 test administered within three days of their flight.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson applauded the US action, saying foreign travellers will be able to get to the US before its annual Thanksgiving holiday, celebrated this year on November 25.

“That’s a great thing,” Johnson said. “I thank the president (Joe Biden) for progress we have been able to make.”

The US Travel Association trade group also welcomed the move, saying it will “help revive the American economy.”

“This is a major turning point in the management of the virus and will accelerate the recovery of the millions of travel-related jobs that have been lost due to international travel restrictions,” US Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow said in a statement Monday.

Fully vaccinated travellers to the US will not be required to be quarantined, as has been the case in some foreign countries.

Independence War: France Asks Algerians for Forgiveness President Macron has asked Algerians who fought for France during Algeria’s war of independence for forgiveness, says the BBC. He was heckled as he admitted France had failed in its duty to the group - known as the Harkis.

Many lived in poor conditions behind barbed fenced wires after the government refused to recognise their rights to stay in France, according to the AFP news agency.

Those remaining in Algeria faced savage reprisals as collaborators.

Speaking to an audience of Harkis and

their descendants in Paris, Mr Macron promised legislation on reparations as well as a monument.

“In the name of France, I say to the Harkis and their children in a loud and solemn voice that the Republic has contracted a debt towards them. To the combatants, I wish to express our gratitude.

“We will not forget. To the abandoned combatants, to their families who suffered the camps, the prison, the denial, I ask forgiveness, we will not forget.”

Monday’s speech marks the latest in a series of attempts by the French president to address historical grievances with Algerians in the hope of improving relations between the two countries, which have been fraught since Algeria’s independence in 1962.

In March, his government admitted its army tortured and killed a prominent Algerian activist more than 60 years ago.

Around 300 former Harkis - who derive their name from the Arabic word for movement - were invited to hear Mr Macron speak, according to the Reuters news agency.

It is estimated that up to 200,000 Harkis fought for France during the war, but only 42,000 were allowed to relocate to France after Algeria gained independence, AFP reports.

Tens of thousands of those left in Algeria were labelled as traitors and killed.

Thousands Flee Canary Islands as Volcano Destroys Homes A volcanic eruption that started Sunday on the island of La Palma in Spain’s Canary Islands has forced the evacuation of 5,500 people and destroyed at least 100 houses.

No deaths or injuries have been reported.

The eruption, the first on the Canary Islands in 50 years, sent lava and smoke spewing into the air as the lava flowed toward the sea.

In the hours before the eruption, a large increase in seismic activity around the volcano was reported.

“It was horrible,” a 53-year-old tourist from Austria by the name of Eva told Reuters. “We felt the earthquake; it started in the morning ... Then at three in the afternoon, the lady from our house came and said you have to pack everything and leave quickly.”

“We’re happy to go home now,” she said at the airport before boarding a flight to Austria.

Authorities say the eruption would likely continue for several days.

Given the uncertainty about which direction the lava will flow, people with mobility issues have been evacuated from several coastal towns.

Airspace around the Canaries remains open.

France Pulls Out of UK Defence Talks France’s defence minister has cancelled talks with her UK counterpart as the row continues over a new security deal between Britain, the US and Australia.

Paris is angry after Australia signed the Aukus pact to build nuclear-powered submarines, pulling out of a major contract with France in the process.

UK PM Boris Johnson said France had nothing to worry about from the deal, according to the BBC. But Florence Parly’s meeting with UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in London this week has been called off.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr Wallace said there had been “absolutely no intent.... to slight, upset or drive a wedge between us and France”.

“Britain and France on many issues are joined at the hip,” he added.

Lord Ricketts, a former British ambassador to France who was due to co-chair the two days of talks, confirmed the meeting between Mr Wallace and Ms Parly had been “postponed to a later date”

US, EU Condemns Russian Election The United States said Monday that laws against “extremism” in Russia prevented opposition parties from a fair shot in parliamentary elections.

“The Russian government’s use of laws on “extremist organizations,” “foreign agents,” and “undesirable organizations” severely restricted political pluralism and prevented the Russian people from exercising their civil and political rights,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement Monday.

Longtime Russian President Vladimir Putin’s party claimed a decisive victory in the elections while many politicians who support jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny were barred from running.

Within Russia, many candidates in parties opposing Putin’s United Russia claimed the vote had been rigged. In at least 15 districts, opposition candidates who were initially ahead in vote tallies all lost when electronic votes were counted.

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

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PERSPECTIVE

The Obsession with Benedict Peters Louis Achi It would seem that Africa’s big stage players in diverse entrepreneurial sectors are curiously becoming the target of Western media - for the wrong reasons.

Currently, a global media smear campaign against Aiteo Group of Companies and its founder, Mr. Benedict Peters, using an international media organization, The Washington Post, is afoot.

If this quirky indulgence is being sheepishly subscribed to, many discerning folks would not expect The Washington Post to be part of it. The Washington Post owned by Nash Holdings, founded December 6, 1877, is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most-widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area, and has a large national audience. But perhaps times have changed.

What is the narrative? Mr. Peter Whoriskey, a staff of the Washington Post who focuses on investigations of economic and financial issues had raised some eyebrows when he alleged that Mr. Peters was part of an “international conspiracy” to obtain lucrative business opportunities in the Nigerian oil and gas sector in return for giving millions of dollars’ worth of gifts and benefits to the former Nigerian Minister for Petroleum Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke.

Whoriskey claimed he was seeking to know alleged plans by Mr. Peters to transfer two companies he owned - Rosewood Investments Limited and Colinwood Limited - to former Minister of Petroleum Alison-Madueke.

Citing some nebulous authorities, the foreign journalist alleged the companies - Rosewood Investments Limited and Colinwood Limited - held valuable real estate in the UK and were among several to be transferred to Allison-Madueke.

He also alleged that properties owned

by Rosewood Investments and Colinwood Limited were intended for Alison-Madueke, curiously implying that Mr. Peters provided Alison-Madueke with luxury furnishings.

Quoting an alleged forfeiture suit, the Washington Post journalist alleged that U.S. prosecutors charged that Mr. Peters gave these gifts to to induce Alison-Madueke to influence, or to reward her for using her influence, to direct Nigerian oil business to companies that he owned.

Interestingly, Whoriskey has not been found to do any previous work covering the subject matter in Nigeria. There are no known published works of his that dwell on Nigeria, her politics, business or culture.

By deploying outrageous mails to his target, Whoriskey’s subtle threat is unmistakable. His veiled reference to unfounded scandals readily gives him out as a paid fifth columnist pushing a sponsored agenda. Many are waiting with bated breath to see how he intends to publish the supposed smear ‘facts’ he erroneously believes he has on the Nigerian businessmen. It certainly will not pass the strict the ethical test of the media.

It is noteworthy that the allegations being peddled against Mr. Peters and Aiteo were the same issues which have already been conclusively determined by courts of competent jurisdiction or pending in court and the purpose of the publication could only be to impugn the integrity of Mr. Peters and the company.

Out of the several issues the foreign journalist inquired about, question one has been resolved by a competent court of law in Nigeria and the decision widely publicized. A simple internet inquiry would have availed Whoriskey of the judgment of the case and the present state of affairs and made his exertions unnecessary.

According to a miffed consortium of human rights lawyers, Council of Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria, CEYLN in conjunction with some civil society organisations, questions 2-5 were directly extracted from untested allegations contained in a first amended verified

complaint filed before the United States District Court, Southern District of Texas, Houston Division.

This group also called on media houses not to yield their platforms to people whose objectives were not noble as such would encourage unhealthy business rivalry.

Reading a prepared text at a recent joint press conference in Abuja, on behalf of the different groups, Mr. Tochukwu Ohazuruike, stated that, “There is a plethora of questions which The Washington Post rather has to answer and which directly calls to question its genuineness in permitting this to happen.

It will be damning to the long-held image of The Washington Post that its staff have yielded the platform of the medium to the use for a global smear campaign and unhealthy business rivalry.”

Mr. Benedict Peters is indisputably Nigeria’s oil sector leader and local content champion. Who is trying to undermine his unique trajectory? The Aiteo Group is an integrated, globalfocused Nigerian energy conglomerate founded by Benedict Peters in 1999.

The company is the successor entity to Sigmund Communnecci Limited. The company name was changed to Aiteo during a major rebranding exercise. It has been experiencing exponential growth ever since. In 2016 the company was trading petroleum products to the value of over $11 billion.

As the founding GMD/Vice Chair of 22-year old Aiteo Group, the integrated, global-focused Nigerian energy conglomerate, Benedict Peters’ entrepreneurial savvy has directly impacted the entity’s strategic development, policy formulation and execution.

This has translated to meaningful indigenous participation in a sector dominated by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and considerably deepened

Peters

Nigeria’s capacity to manage its oil assets and create critical local content.

Following the asset divestment by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), Aiteo acquired Oil Mining Lease 29 (OML 29) and the industry’s 97-kilometre, Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL) in a deal worth 2.7billion USD following a highly competitive bidding process. At the acquisition period, the assets were reportedly worth 5 percent of the Royal Dutch Shell global portfolio.

The acquisition made it Aiteo’s largest asset in Africa from local content point of view. Aiteo quickly augmented production on the asset from below 25,000 barrels per day (b/pd) to 90,000 in the space of 18 months, thereby installing it as Nigeria’s largest oil producing company.

Unassuming, press-shy Peters strongly believes that it is long past time that the oil sector is made to work for Nigeria and that the wealth created by oil and gas should lead to the sustainable development of the country’s economy.

With his vast, invaluable industry knowledge, Peters is clearly a key force to reckon with as a transformative agenda for the strategic oil industry in the new decade is unfolded.

Against the background of what clearly looks like a blackmail project, the Aiteo Group boss has proclaimed severally that he has never received any favour by way of facilitation or otherwise from anybody, and there was therefore nothing to be grateful for. No furniture that belonged to him can be found at any other place other than in his property.

He has severally denounced any such attempt to link the purchase of his property with Diezani under such premises. His purchase of the furniture under reference was in furtherance of his desire to furnish a property that belonged to him, and those furniture

can be found, even today, at his said property at 58 Harley House.

No furniture that belonged to him can be found at any other place other than in his property. The furniture found at the UK address of Diezani Alison-Madueke does not belong to him, and certainly could not have been the same found in his said property at 58 Harley House.

Why the obsession with Benedict Peters?

In what seems a valedictory warning, the consortium of human rights lawyers, Council of Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria, CEYLN in conjunction with some civil society organisations stated that, “We also say to all such persons who would in the future want to regurgitate these issues that the answers are already available in the public space as there is nothing hidden and there is nothing any media house can unearth again so no need taking any jobs from the sponsors of this smear campaign.”

The emerging consensus is that the trend of media corruption gaining traction in recent times cannot be denied or glossed over. What is fast gaining notoriety is the rate at which foreign journalists are contracted by some unscrupulous entities to damage national growth of African countries through undermining indigenous players in strategic sectors.

While competition is a welcome development in a capitalist economy like Nigeria’s, healthy rivalry is part of the game. But when some greedy entities contrive smear campaigns to rubbish corporate rivals, this crossing the line of decency and ethics.

Beyond the boardroom now, major players appear to have taken their bitter rivalry to the newsrooms and go as far as contracting foreign journalists especially those renowned for their expertise and experience in paid media warfare to undermine competition.

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FEATURES

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

Collaborative Partnership to Equip Youths with Digital Skills Sigma Pensions and Junior Achievement Nigeria recently partnered to equip 100 youths with digital skills. Nume Ekeghe reports that the five-day digital boot camp was organised to add value and improve their employability while creating businesses and, by extension grow the economy

F

or Sigma Pensions, in partnership with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), the recent five-day digital boot camp held in Abuja aimed to add value and improve employability while creating businesses and, by extension, grow the economy.

About 100 youths were trained in digital marketing, web development, and graphics design at the boot camp.

As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR), Sigma Pensions, one of Nigeria’s leading pensions funds administrators in Nigeria, noted that training youths on digitisation is due to its experiencing the power of digital technology and its exponential impact on growth.

Through the boot camp, Sigma Pensions is bent on equipping young Nigerians with relevant digital skills, which will serve as a springboard for a career in any preferred field in the teçh industry.

On her part, Unit Head, Branding and Marketing Communications, Sigma Pensions, Yetunde Adebiyi, said one of the company's core values is to provide innovative solutions, particularly digital skills.

Training The beneficiaries aged 18 to 25 converged on John Centre Hall, Abuja, for the free training and went through five days of insightful training. The participants were trained on data analysis and digital marketing fundamentals and financial literacy, web development, and graphics.

The graphics sessions covered the technical know-how of graphics design, visual hierarchy, page layout techniques, design use and typography. Web development classes covered the practical and theoretical aspects of web development, which involved developing a website for the Internet and also Content Management System (CMS).

At the end of the training, participants showcased their ideas, websites and designs at an exhibition, and the most outstanding group was rewarded with a cash prize of N200,000.

Digital Transformation Going down memory lane on why they ventured into training youths on digitisation, Executive Director, Operations Sigma Pensions, Afolabi Folayan, said the company leveraged technology to overcome the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added, "Our business had little or no negative impact during the pandemic as we were able to seamlessly service our customers without any interruptions. “In 2016, we embarked on a digital transformation journey which has resulted in a radical transformation in our business and service delivery to both internal and external customers."

He explained that the company currently has the highest number of digital channels to service customers through its digital innovation drive.

"Through this digital innovation drive, Sigma Pensions has the highest number of digital channels to service customers – IVR, USSD, web login, live chat, mobile app, IVR, and the latest Virtual Pension Assistant Nafi," Folayan noted. "We have experienced the power of digital technology, and its exponential impact on growth further emphasizes the importance of digital skills amongst young people. in extension grow the Nigerian economy."

He added that in line with its CSR commitment and through strategic partnership, the company has been able to impact over 1.3 million youths across the country to enhance their entrepreneurial skills.

Folayan also stated that CSR has focused on financial literacy for young people between the ages of 18 and 25 (corps members and

L-R: Senior Programs Officer, Junior Achievement Nigeria, Ayodeji Ologundudu; Unit Head, Branding and Marketing Communications, Sigma Pensions Yetunde Adebiyi; Executive Director, Operations, Afolabi Folayan; Relationship Manager, Nabilah Ibrahim and Senior Programs Manager, Junior Achievement Nigeria, Ibrahim Akintunde during digital bootcamp training sponsored by Sigma Pensions in Abuja, recently Photo credit: Sigma Pensions

Participants and trainees at the training young graduates).

He said: "We have empowered young entrepreneurs in NYSC camps by funding their business ideas and sponsoring their community development projects. Since 2019, we have partnered Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) and delivered three CSR projects targeted towards financial literacy and entrepreneurship."

On the training, he said 50 per cent of the students registered for a web

development track while others took lessons in the graphics and animations track, adding that "participants were split into 11 groups from the different track to foster collaboration. The exhibition on the final day was mind-blowing. The ideas, websites and graphic designs exhibited were beyond our expectations."

STEM Given the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math-

The lack of jobs and well-trained specialists inhibit value creation and economic growth in Nigeria. Improving education and vocational training structures are crucial for creating individual prospects and economic growth with sustainable productivity

ematics (STEM), Folayansaid through the empowerment programmes, the company aims to equip young Nigerians with web development, graphics and animation skills, thus contributing to STEM education.

He explained: "The lack of jobs and welltrained specialists inhibit value creation and economic growth in Nigeria. Improving education and vocational training structures are crucial for creating individual prospects and economic growth with sustainable productivity.

"Investment in STEM education has been identified as important for the growth and development of nations. There has been an increase in the demand for young people with digital skills, relevant enough to empower businesses and the nation as a whole."

At the end of the training, he stressed that it was obvious that participants stretched themselves to build on their skills to proffer creative ideas and solutions to real problems.

He also hopes participants continue to collaborate and build on their ideas and designs to deliver a complete product or service to end-users and build businesses, contributing their quota to add value to society.

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FEATURES

Positioning the Girl-child for Self-reliance Mary Nnah writes on efforts by BEMORE Summer Boot-camp, an empowerment initiative of the Ondo State First Lady, Arabirin Betty Akeredolu, through by her BAAF foundation, to change the lives of young girls, especially those in rural areas, to be more self aware and reliant of the power they wield

Ondo First Lady with her girls

Cross section of BEMORE beneficiaries

J

egede Marvelous, from Akoko, a community in Ondo State, is in her early teens. She loves her community so much, but it lacks electricity. This affects not just her home and entire community but most especially her school and studies as she can hardly afford to do her studies at night as much as desired.

For Marvelous, the challenge of power supply got worse after their power generator spoiled, and though the mother tried to pay a certain amount as electricity bill to the authority concerned so they would be connected back, it was to no avail, thus they remained in darkness.

“I can’t read at night because we lack electricity. I can only read using a kerosene lamp, which is harmful to one’s health”, she lamented.

Having lived for two years without electricity in her community, Marvelous was constantly disturbed by this irksome problem and wanted to solve it.

“I have always wanted to help solve my community’s electricity problem”, Marvelous, who lives with her five other siblings, recalled how her adventure into bringing light to her home and in extension her rural community, started almost three years ago.

Marvelous is the last of six siblings, in fact, the baby of the house and the only girl in the family. She is a chorister in her church and also very serious with her academic works, but one particular challenge she faced was how to get electricity to do all she always wanted to with ease, including studying at night.

The opportunity came for Marvelous to achieve her dream in summer 2018 when she was picked among the 400 girls selected from across Ondo State to participate in the BEMORE Summer Boot-camp 2018, an initiative of the Ondo State First Lady, Arabirin Betty Akeredolu, organised by her foundation, Betty Anyanwu Akeredolu Foundation (BAAF), which teaches young school girls to be more empowered and self-reliant.

The Bootcamp empowers young secondary school girls with ICT, solar technology skills and other life-impacting skills. They are also taught taekwondo martial arts for self-defense against rapists and other attackers.

From the onset, Marvelous was clear about her expectations and goal for attending the boot camp. “I came here wanting to learn more about solar technology so that I can go back and solve the problem of electricity in my community”, she said over two years ago.

And truly, at the end of the training, she had learned how to build a solar panel, how to connect all the series. She had returned to her village to put into practice the skill she learned at the BEMORE Summer Boot camp.

The Boot camp had strengthened her passion for transforming her community with renewable energy starting from her home.

By now, she would have built another solar system to generate electricity at her local school, especially to power the computer laboratory, to tackle unstable electricity. That has been her heart desire.

For many other communities like hers, she feels solar energy is the way to go. Her words: "With solar, we can light up our nation - one home at a time".

Like Marvelous, who deployed the knowledge acquired from the BEMORE summer boot camp on building solar panels to provide solar power to her community, the same has been the fortunes of many other girls who have had the opportunity to attend consequent editions of the annual BEMORE Summer Boot camp.

Thus, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi

A facilitator putting the girls through on how to assemble a solar panel Akeredolu, is not relenting in her efforts to ensure that her foundation reaches out to more girls not just in Ondo State but in other states of the nation.

To this end, she is spreading her crusade to various other states in Nigeria.

Recently, she was in Imo State, where she concluded another round of BEMORE Summer Boot Camp, the 2021 edition, to be precise. The girls who were camped for two weeks went through rigorous drills during the training held at Goshen Anglican Retreat Centre in New Owerri, Imo State.

The First Lady set up the BEMORE Summer Boot camp in 2017 to aid the empowerment of the 21st-century Nigerian girl with the proper knowledge and skills to impact society positively. It helps the participants build core competencies in teamwork, problem-solving, social and leadership skills, information and communication technology, and renewable energy.

The girls who participated in Imo exercise graduated after two weeks of intensive training on solar technology, ICT, music, taekwondo, public speaking, breast cancer awareness, sustainable development goals, fine & applied arts, and production of home-made products such as soap, perfume, detergent and confectioneries.

They also learnt cosmetology and tying of headgears (gele).

Though the number of girls who attended this year was very few due to COVID-19 pandemic prevention guidelines, the girls numbering 13 were inculcated with lifechanging skills and experiences necessary to actualise their maximum potential.

Guests who thronged the venue of the

graduation ceremony of the 2021 BEMORE Summer Boot camp on Saturday, August 28, were obviously elated and fascinated at the remarkable transformation which had occurred in the girls.

The confidence they exuded during their different presentations convinced many guests that the girls actually learnt well; that the time spent at the boot camp was one well spent.

Some of the participants who went into camp nervous have now built confidence in themselves, and with the necessary skills, the girls are here to dare and conquer the world.

Besides expertly demonstrating what they learned during the camp, the girls displayed dancing and singing skills, including taekwondo expertise which sent a strong message to the men present that the girl-child is no longer a piece of soft beef to be chewed at will.

Delivering her speech at the closing ceremony of the Imo State Edition of 2021 BEMORE Summer Boot camp, AnyanwuAkeredolu, who was so excited over the outcome of the two-week training, said, “Today, I am exceptionally elated. Looking at my girls grow remarkably within the space of two weeks brings unending joy to my heart and reminds me of the words of Maya Angelou: Just do right.

“Right may not be expedient, it may not be profitable, but it will satisfy your soul.

Although I had wished more girls registered, I am comforted by Maya Angelou’s quote that I am right in investing in these lovely girls despite not being profitable in immediate monetary terms.

“Usually, the gains of social investments,

I said I would make a change. I'll make a stand; I'll make the society better for girls, and now, I'm here, standing, a victor. BEMORE has made me a victor, fighter, champion. I am not ashamed to face the world anymore. I am not ashamed to take the next step because I am a girl

in this case, human capital development, can’t be quantified in Naira and Kobo. However, the impact will surely be felt in the future with their inputs in their various life endeavours, causing sustainable societal development. Social investments are long term projects that require sincerity of purpose, patience and commitment.”

She emphasised that positioning girl children to be self-reliant was the right thing to do, adding, ‘‘working to ensure gender equality is the right thing to do, so whatever the cost, whatever the loss, whatever the discomfort, I have chosen to do the right thing".

Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who passionately appealed for more Nigerians to join the campaign to empower the girl child, observed that for far too long, society had tolerated an environment that hindered women's well-being and advancement, but that it was time for a change.

She urged further that like-minded people should join the ranks of many warriors who are already fighting the cause of a thriving society by empowering the girl child and standing against every cultural norm and every patriarchal tendency that was carefully constructed to cage the womenfolk.

“You are all seated here today, regardless of your age and social status, you do have the ability to do the right thing even when it is unpopular”, she noted.

Congratulating the BEMORE girls, the First Lady said: "You made it! Two weeks of rigorous training in ICT, Solar technology and life-enhancing skills have come and gone, but many years of impacting the world and making it a better place are just ahead of you.

“The baton has been placed on your hands; your race begins now. I must warn you that there will be challenging times, but you should know that this boot camp has equipped you with all that you need to overcome them all.”

For 15-year-old Ezinwa Balewe Uche Adaeze, one of the beneficiaries at the BEMORE Imo Summer Bootcamp 2021, the experience helped her to find her creative voice and how to influence the way she thinks, especially about gender equality.

"While I walked through the gates of the Goshen Anglican Retreat Centre, I was scared.

I was terrified because I knew no one, nobody at all. But then I got up and said I would make a change. I'll make a stand; I'll make the society better for girls, and now, I'm here, standing, a victor. BEMORE has made me a victor, a fighter, a champion. I am not ashamed to face the world anymore. I am not ashamed to take the next step because I am a girl”, she said excitedly.

The Chief Press Secretary to the First Lady, Oluwatobi Fademi, noted that the core aim of BEMORE is to bridge the gender gap in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) and empower the young Nigerian girl-child to develop valuable life skills that translate into self-confidence, higher-income earning potential and fulfilling careers for them.

She revealed that with the just concluded Boot camp in Imo State, BEMORE has trained more than 1500 girls who are now technologically skilled. She explained further that the next boot camp would kick off from September 13th in Ondo State.

The Chairman of the occasion and ViceChancellor, Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Prof. Nnenna Oti, extolled the initiator for mentoring the girls to be more in life, more responsible and innovative. She charged the girls to be passionate, focused and hard-working.Oti displayed the dramatist and motivational speaker in her, rounding off her speech with “If I could be FUTO Vice-Chancellor, you could be more,” to the thunderous standing ovation from guests.

TUESDAY, ͺ͹˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

50

THE ALTERNATIVE

with RenoOmokri

Leah Sheribu: The Girl Boko Haram Left Behind

Buhari

S

herlock Holmes, the fictional English detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is famous for saying “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.” That phrase has guided many an investigation and has led to the unearthing of many truths, many shocking ones.

It is a principle I have followed in my vocation as a seeker of truth and it was central to getting to the truth of the Dapchi Girls’ abduction which occurred on February 19, 2018.

For instance, it is impossible that the Dapchi Girls, including Leah Sheribu, could have been abducted if their town and school were guarded by the officers and men of the Nigerian Army stationed in Dapchi.

It is also impossible that those soldiers, who strangely withdrew from Dapchi a few hours to the kidnap, would have done so on their own volition without an order from above.

Thus, by a process of eliminating the impossibilities in the equation, the truth becomes clear that whoever ordered the withdrawal of the troops in Dapchi, only hours before Boko Haram invaded the town and abducted Leah and her colleagues, must have been aware of Boko Haram’s plans, especially as we will show that the Nigerian government received an intelligence tip a day before the abduction of the Dapchi girls of Boko Haram’s intentions.

When you take all of these into account, the only logical conclusion you can reach is that there was some major collusion between elements of the Nigerian government and the radical Islam terror group, Boko Haram that

Sharibu

led to the Dapchi incident.

So who are these colluders? What are their motives? Why were they willing to use the Dapchi Girls and especially Leah Sheribu as collateral damage in their sinister activities?

These and other questions are what this book sets out to answer.

In answering these questions, I interviewed Leah’s parents, her sibling, her pastor, and members of the Dapchi community in which she lived and was brought up.

I also approached foreign intelligence assets whom I cannot now mention, as well as journalists with insider knowledge of the workings of Boko Haram, one of whom is Ahmed Salkida, the man who correctly predicted Boko Haram’s behaviours before, during and after the earlier Chibok Girls’ abduction of 2014.

But, even as I try to answer these questions, I want the world to know that there is a young girl who is still being held captive by Boko Haram simply because she refused to abandon her faith in God through Jesus Christ. Her name is Leah Sheribu, and she is the heroine of whom this book is all about.

I was at the US Congress on Thursday February 2, 2017 to attend a discussion on the very real threats to Christianity in Nigeria and how they could be addressed.

At that event, Congressman Christopher H Smith, who was then the Chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organisations, told me and others present at that event that Nigeria is “the most dangerous place for Christians in the world”.

When the international media reported Congressman Smith’s views, the Nigerian

government denounced it and rejected the notion that Nigeria is the most dangerous place to practice Christianity in the world.

A year later, Boko Haram kidnapped the Dapchi Girls. A month later, all the girls left alive (104 of them) were freed except Leah. Because she is a Christian.

Because she refused to abandon Christ.

Since 2015, the Council on Foreign Relations approximates that 20,000 Nigerians have died at the hands of radical Islamic terror groups including Boko Haram and Fulani Herdsmen (who are not classified as terrorists by the Nigerian government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, himself a Fulani tribesman, though they have killed more people over the last three years than Boko Haram).

Most of their victims (but not all) have been Christians killed, maimed and terrorised because of their faith in God through Christ Jesus.

In a 48-page report released in 2018 and titled “Crushed but Not Defeated: The Impact of Persistent Violence on the Church in Northern Nigeria,” Open Doors, the non-profit group, revealed that 13,000 churches have been destroyed in the ongoing jihad by radicals in some parts of Nigeria.

Very few people are speaking for these forgotten Christians in Northern Nigeria who are literally going through hell on earth. I am determined to speak for them and to speak for Leah.

In his book, The Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri said: “The hottest places in Hell are reserved for those who in time of moral crisis preserve their neutrality.”

How can I be neutral when a fourteenyear-old girl (Leah turned fifteen in Boko

Haram’s captivity) continues to face daily threats on her life for no other reason than that she believes in God through Christ Jesus?

I also have a daughter. My daughter is the same age as Leah. What if it had been her? My daughter is an American citizen only because she was born in America. If I had not taken the conscious decision to have her in the United States, she would have been a Nigerian citizen and who knows, it could have been her instead of Leah.

Would I have been content with the way the Nigerian government and the media appear to have forgotten about Leah if she was my daughter? Would life simply go on for my family, friends and I? I would like to think not!

In Matthew 25:40 Jesus said whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren that you do unto me. If you are reading this book, Nathan and Rubecca, Leah’s parents, urge you to use whatever influence you have, even if it is your social media profiles, to speak for Leah and to speak for religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.

Leah’s story has not yet ended. We, people of conscience all over the world, are the ones who get to decide how this story ends. If we let this issue die a natural death, chances are that Boko Haram would do the same to Leah (only that her’a would be unnatural).

But if we sustain the pressure on the Nigerian government and the international community, we will increase the likelihood of Leah’s release.

Please join me on this quest. The quest to secure the release, alive, of Leah Sheribu, the Girl That Boko Haram Left Behind.

51

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

REFLECTIONS MY WEST AFRICAN REMINISCENCE AT 80 Lindsay Barrett

I

t was in Dakar in March 1966 that I made the definite decision to spend an extended portion of my life in West Africa. When I had left Paris in February of that year to attend the first Festival of Black and African Arts and Culture, I had decided that I would visit and, if possible, work in Nkrumah’s Ghana for a short while after the festival.

Unfortunately, by the time the festival ended, Nkrumah was no longer on the seat in Ghana. The gale of military usurpation of power had swept him aside, and the dream of Pan African harmony and progress that I had entertained for years seemed to be threatened.

Nevertheless, I was determined to spend some time exploring the communities from which our African ancestors had been abducted to the Caribbean. I was determined to search for and initiate the renewal of the historical identity of my people. Because I had a friend from Sierra Leone whom I had met in Paris, I decided that that was the first West African country I would spend some time in.

I spent about two or three months there and started to correspond for West Africa magazine, reporting on the issues that I judged to be current and relevant. One of my hosts, the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Prof. Davidson Abioseh Nicol, was the one who advised that I would be more at home in Nigeria.

When I decided to visit Nigeria in July of that year, I remembered that some years previously, I had met both J.P. Clark and Wole Soyinka in Europe and that I had found them both very friendly and fraternal company. J.P. Clark, in particular, had suggested that I would find life in Nigeria very compatible. More than fifty-five years later, I can testify that he was right and that those who encouraged me to change from exile in Europe to residence in West Africa gave me the right spiritual advice.

In my columns and commentaries over the last 55 years, I have been critical of some of the political conduct that I have witnessed in the regional community. But in seeking to identify and recommend positive values and strategies that could enhance the lives of the people, I have sought to contribute effectively to the improvement of life in Nigeria and throughout the West African region.

My role as an independent journalist based in Nigeria was profoundly affected by the fact that while I have never been an advocate or supporter of military rule, I became closely associated with the policies of various Nigerian military regimes. In the case of the Gowon Administration, I helped to promote the restoration of national unity, while in the case of that led by General Ibrahim Babangida and

by Jerry Rawlins in Ghana, I supported their consolidation of regional peace enforcement in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

As a consequence, I developed an enduring connection with Dr. Amos Sawyer, the former head of the Interim Government, who gave me the opportunity to serve at the height of the civil war. Whatever I do in life, I will always treasure my links to some Liberian families like the Williams and Gongloes of Nimba County and the Sambollahs. Grays and Fahnbullehs of

B a rret t

“For me, Nigeria, which I now regard as my homeland, should be the sinecure and the symbol of regional unity, and if and when it achieves proper growth and equitable progress for all its people, I pray that it will provide an example that the entire continent will be able to emulate in achieving a harmonious and unified existence for the future.”

Cape Mount. I especially value the work I did with Sando Moore, Tom Kamara, and Zack Greaves, colleagues who helped make my work relevant to the ordinary Liberian people.

In recent times I have been positively inspired and moved by the rhetoric of Pan-African sentiment and opinion expressed by the president of Ghana Hon, Nana Akufo Ado, and the restorative vision of corrective anticorruption policy strategies articulated by the young leader of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio. As I attain genuine seniority and achieve the stature and

status of an elder, I must also admit that if I had not chosen to live in West Africa when I was younger, I might not have lived this long.

The close relationships that I developed with friends from Ghana, although I did not settle down there after the demise of the Nkrumah government, have convinced me that there is a spiritual connection between that country and my birthplace Jamaica. In fact, my relationships with the late Kofi Awoonor and the onetime Executive Secretary of ECOWAS Mohammed ibn Chambas, as well as

the journalists Ben Yaw Asante and Henry Yaw Mallet, the lawyer Monica Quayson and the special friendship that I have maintained for decades with Margaret Akuah Busby the remarkable Ghanaianborn editor, publisher and writer based in London are links that have helped me sustain moral values that I have held since childhood throughout the six decades that I have lived in exile.

However, my decision to become a naturalised Nigerian and adopt the territorial community of the Niger Delta state of Bayelsa in Nigeria as my home community is a decision taken by me due to the circumstance of my long residence in the Nigerian nation. For me, Nigeria, which I now regard as my homeland, should be the sinecure and the symbol of regional unity, and if and when it achieves proper growth and equitable progress for all its people, I pray that it will provide an example that the entire continent will be able to emulate in achieving a harmonious and unified existence for the future.

As I turn 80 years old now, that prayer will become the mantra of the remaining years of my life as a West African.

52

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͯ, 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Stanbic IBTC Tells Investors to Seek Professional Advice, Patronise Quality Investment Offerings Dike Onwuamaeze The Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Limited has advised prospective investors to seek professional advice that would guide them to understand an investment scheme before they would make investment decisions.

It also urged Nigerians to patronise investment offerings that would stand the test of time The Chief Executive Officer of StanbicIBTC Holdings, Dr. Demola Sogunle, advised prospective and existing investors to equip themselves with the requisite knowledge about the fundamentals of investments before committing their funds.

Sogunle said that this would save them the anguish of putting their money in fraudulent investment schemes that feigned to yield returns that were too good

to be true.

He gave the advice during a recent virtual event with the theme: “Build to Last,” that was designed to educate and encourage Nigerians to carry out due diligence before funds are invested in any portfolio.

Sogunle said: “Investments built in various sectors of the economy helps to secure your future and those of your loved ones. Hence, it is important that right choices are made with seasoned investment experts as your partner in the journey. At Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, investors are advised on the best available options where the safety of funds and long term sustainable returns are prioritised.”

He added, “The event has not only enlightened us about the benefits of investing, but it has also provided veritable investment

options through which we can build our wealth over the years.

It is a call to action to our clients and prospective clients to make informed investment decisions that have long-term benefits. We organised this event because it has become paramount to create more awareness on the legacy building features of investments schemes offered by Stanbic IBTC Asset Management.”

The Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management, Mr. Oladele Sotubo, encouraged individuals to diversify their investing in order to be able to mitigate risks and improve overall returns.

Sotubo affirmed that investors often invest in the capital market where long-term securities such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and mutual funds, amongst others, are traded.

NGX Group Retains ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Certification Following the annual Information Security Management System (ISMS) audit by the British Standard Institute (BSI), Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX Group or The Group) and its subsidiaries have retained its ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certification.

This, the NGX said in a statement, marks the 7th consecutive year that The Group will hold this certification since it was first received in 2015.

“The re-certification followed a thorough independent audit of NGX Group of Companies, after which BSI certified the company to be in full compliance with the applicable controls developed to meet the Control Objectives of

the Information Security Management System (ISMS) Standard.

This implies that NGX Group upholds the principles of the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) on ISMS and that controls are working as intended.

“Given the changing security landscape arising from the pandemic, this recertification validates our commitment to protecting information and digital assets at NGX Group by ensuring our processes are sophisticated and our digital interactions are secured through the deployment of robust cybersecurity controls and tools. Since first attaining the ISO 27001:2013 certification in August 2015, we have continued

to evolve and improve our security management processes to ensure that our information security controls remain efficient, safe and effective in the light of emerging business needs, ” NGX Group.

It added, “Furthermore, NGX Group had adopted a proactive approach to security because it recognises the importance of protecting its own data and that of its stakeholders’. “With our recertification, our clients and stakeholders can be confident that we follow information security best practices in managing our cyber risk exposure in the cyber dependent world that we have today,” NGX Group further stated.

Leadway, Others to Headline Sterling Bank’s Agric Summit Sterling Bank Plc has said the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Saro Africa, Mr. Rasheed Sarumi, will deliver the keynote address at its Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2021.

In a statement, the Group Head of Agric and Solid Minerals, Sterling Bank, Mrs. Bukola Awosanya, disclosed that the summit will hold remotely simultaneously in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Lagos between September 22nd and 23rd, 2021.

“ASA 2021’s theme will be,

‘Building The New Agro Order,’ she said.

According to Awosanya, Mr. Sarumi is an accomplished entrepreneur who spearheaded the growth of Saro Agro Sciences as the pioneer Managing Director from inception in 1991 till 2010.

“He is currently the GMD of Saro Africa International, a group made up of companies with an interest in agro-input solutions, heavy agro-industrial processing and consumer goods.

Other notable stakeholders on the African continent in the agriculture space have also confirmed their

participation at the fourth edition of the summit, organised by Sterling Bank in collaboration with Leadway Assurance, Saro Africa, Thrive Agric, AFEX Commodities Exchange Limited, GIZ AFC, Mastercard Foundation and Stears Data, “she said.

She added that Mr. Sarumi is a graduate of Agricultural Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife in Osun State and an alumnus of both Harvard Business School in the United States (US) and Lagos Business School Executive Education in Nigeria.

IPMAN Suspends Member Who Sells Petrol In Jerry Cans

By Onuminya Innocent ÓØ ÙÕÙÞÙ The Sokoto State chapter of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has suspended one of its members for violating the executive order, banning sale of petrol in Jerry cans in the state.

It recalled that the anti-vandal unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had last Friday arrested two persons with over 100 Jerry cans filled

with the commodity at Anasiyya filling station, in Sokoto North local government area.

IPMAN’s Chairman in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Usman while addressing their members during an emergency meeting on Sunday, said they had already written the Gusau NNPC depot, asking them not to sell fuel to erring member.

According to him, they were committed to the success of the executive order because it was taken to address our

collective problem.

“We know this measure is affecting our business but it is taken for the benefit of all of us. We have members who could not run their businesses and even abandoned their filing station because of banditry,” he added He however, promised to handover any of its members that violated the order to the relevant security agency in addition of taking a severe disciplinary action against him.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͷ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $71.82 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $71.17 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

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

53

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͯ, ͰͮͰͯ

Stock Market Closes Lower on Profit-taking in Banks, Insurance Shares Darasimi Adebisi The Nigerian equities market commenced the week on a negative note yesterday following drive by investors to take profit in banking and insurance shares.

Accordingly, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) AllShare Index (ASI) dropped by 37.45 basis points, representing a decline of 0.10 per cent, to close at 38,906.42 basis points. Similarly,

the market capitalization of listed equities declined by N19.51 billion to close at N20.271 trillion.

Analysis of trading results revealed that the Insurance (-0.7per cent), Banking (-0.3per cent), and Consumer Goods (-0.2per cent) indices declined, while the Oil & Gas (+0.1per cent) recorded the sole gain of the day. The Industrial Goods index closed flat.

The market loss was driven by price depreciation in large

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

and medium capitalised stocks amongst which are; Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO), PZ Cussons Nigeria, Unilever Nigeria, Zenith Bank and Cutix.

However, the market breadth closed at par, recording 19 losers and 19 gainers. Consolidated Hallmark Insurance recorded the highest price gain of 9.62 per cent to close at 57 kobo, per share.

Chams Plc followed with a gain 9.52 per cent to close at 23

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

kobo, while Courteville Business Solutions went up by 6.90 per cent to close at 31 kobo, per share.

Wema Bank rose by 3.95 per cent to close at 79 kobo, while Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) gained 3.62 per cent to close at N3.15, per share.

On the other hand, SCOA Nigeria led the losers’ chart by 9.43 per cent to close at 96 kobo, per share. Veritas Kapital Assurance followed with a decline

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

of 8.70 per cent to close at 21 kobo, while Linkage Assurance lost 6.56 per cent to close at 57 kobo, per share.

PZ Cussons Nigeria lost 5.98 per cent to close at N5.50, while Cornerstone Insurance shed 5.77 per cent to close at 49 kobo, per share.

The total volume of trades increased by 23.1 per cent to 190.960 million units, valued at NGN2.353 billion, and exchanged in 3,462 deals. Transactions in the

O F

shares of Ekocorp Plc topped the activity chart with 40 million shares valued at N231.6 million.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) followed with 10.809 million shares worth N82.231 million, while Transnational Corporation of Nigeria traded 9.754 million shares valued at N8.910 million.

Sovereign Trust Insurance traded 9.644 million shares valued at N2.325 million, while Fidelity Bank transacted 9.248 million shares worth N22.187 million.

2 0 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

54

˾ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Tuesday, September 21, 2021 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index fell shedby23bps 14bps The dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ďLJ ϭϰďƉƐ ƚŽ ƐĞƩůĞ dŚŝƐĚĂLJ ĨƌŝŶǀĞƐƚ ϰϬ /ŶĚĞdž ƐŚĞĚ ϮϯďƉƐ ƚŽ ĐůŽƐĞ Ăƚ

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

at 1,674.89 points due to sell-pressure on ZENITH ϭ͕ϲϮϳ͘ϵϵ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůů ƉƌĞƐƐƵƌĞ ŽŶ GTCO (-Ϯ͘ϱйͿ͕ ZEN(-0.6%), WAPCO ITH (-1.3%), (-1.3%), and and FIDELITY UBA (-Ϯ͘ϭйͿ͘ (-0.7%). dŚĞƐĞ These ƐƚŽĐŬƐ stocks cumulaĐƵŵƵůĂͲ

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϯ͘Ϯй͘ ƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϲ͘ϯй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

ASI up The Bears 11bps Reopen as DANGCEM the Market...

GainsASI 3.3% down 10bps

zĞƐƚĞƌĚĂLJ͕ sell-pressure Yesterday, ƉƌŝĐĞ on ƵƉƟĐŬ REDSTARE ŝŶ (-ϯ͘ϮйͿ͕ ,KEz&>KhZ CUTIX ((+9.8%),and E' D 3.1%), SCOA (-9.4%) ;нϯ͘ϯйͿ͕ dragged ĂŶĚ the& E, local bourse (+0.7%)to bolthe ƌĞĚ njŽŶĞ ĂƐ ƚŚĞ E'y ůů-Share stered ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŽŶIndex the local fell bourse 10bps to asclose the Allat ϯϴ͕ϵϬϲ͘ϰϮ Share points. Accordingly, index YTD lossrose worsened to -3.4% by

Price Previous Current Change Price YTD Weighting Change

Price Change Index to Date

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

1,627.99

-0.23%

10.9%

62.8%

15.0%

3.5%

715.00

0.0%

28.7%

-16.1%

-16.1%

12.3%

4.4%

68.00

0.0%

10.8%

-12.1%

-12.1%

19.1%

11.2%

32.7x

6.2x

27.30

-2.5%

8.6%

-15.6%

-15.6%

24.8%

3.9%

4.2x

1.0x

10.8%

24.0% 31.6%

1 Airtel Africa PLC 2 BUA Cement Plc 3 Guaranty Trust Holding Co PLC 4 Zenith Bank PLC 5 Dangote Cement PLC 6 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC 7 Nestle Nigeria PLC

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

5.2x

0.7x

5.6%

ot Applicable

2.2%

15.5% 3.1%

23.50

-1.3%

7.0%

-5.2%

-5.2%

21.8%

2.9%

3.2x

0.6x

12.7%

245.00

0.0%

6.6%

0.0%

0.0%

44.7%

17.5%

12.3x

5.3x

6.5%

8.1%

175.00

0.0%

5.5%

3.0%

3.0%

143.0%

12.4%

14.1x

17.8x

6.0%

7.1%

1,400.00

0.0%

4.0%

-7.0%

-7.0%

143.5%

17.1%

28.4x

48.6x

4.3%

3.5%

22.00

2.3%

3.8%

4.5%

4.5%

9.9%

7.1%

9.9x

1.0x

4.5%

10.1%

18.3%

1.5%

2.4x

0.4x

9.4%

41.4%

2.1x

0.4x

7.2%

47.9% 28.6%

ǁŚŝůĞ 11bps to 39,550.36 ŵĂƌŬĞƚ points.ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŽŶƐĞƋƵĞŶƚůLJ͕ zd ĚĞĐƌĞĂƐĞĚ ůŽƐƐ ŝŵͲ

8 Lafarge Africa PLC 9 Access Bank PLC

9.00

0.0%

3.3%

6.5%

6.5%

േϭϵ͘ϱďŶ proved to to േϮϬ͘ϯƚŶ͘ dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ -1.8% while ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ƌŽƐĞ ďLJ

10 United Bank for Africa PLC 11 FBN Holdings Plc

7.60

0.0%

2.6%

-12.1%

-12.1%

7.50

0.0%

2.8%

4.9%

4.9%

10.6%

1.0%

3.5x

0.4x

6.0%

12 Nigerian Brew eries PLC 13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

48.75

0.0%

2.0%

-12.9%

-12.9%

5.6%

2.2%

40.9x

2.3x

2.0%

2.4%

39.00

0.0%

2.2%

3.3%

3.3%

17.4%

2.1%

8.4x

1.3x

10.5%

11.9%

-5.9%

-2.5%

and േϮϯ͘ϰďŶ ƚŽ value traded േϮϬ͘ϲƚŶ͘ rose dƌĂĚŝŶŐ ĂĐƟǀŝƚLJ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ϭϳ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮϬ͘ϴй ƚŽ 181.9m units ĂŶĚ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ േϮ͘ϯďŶ ĚĞĐůŝŶĞĚ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͘ ďLJ Ϯϭ͘ϲй dŚĞ ƚŽ ŵŽƐƚ ϭϭϬ͘ϴŵ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƵŶŝƚƐ ƐƚŽĐŬƐ ǁŚŝůĞďLJ value ǀŽůͲ ume ƚƌĂĚĞĚ were ƌŽƐĞ EKOCORP ďLJ ϴϴ͘ϱй (40.0m ƚŽ േϯ͘ϭďŶ͘ units), The UBA most(10.8m traded units), stocks by andvolume TRANSCORP were dZ E^ KZW (9.7m units) ;ϭϭ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ while MTNN& E, ;േϳϱϮ͘ϳŵͿ͕ (11.1m ƵŶŝƚƐͿ͕ EKOCORP ĂŶĚ ;േϮϯϭ͘ϲŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ GTCO K E K ;ϳ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ;േϮϬϭ͘ϵŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǁŚŝůĞ E ^d> ;േϮ͘ϮďŶͿ͕ value.

E' D ;േϭϰϱ͘ϬŵͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;േϭϯϰ͘ϴŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘ Mixed Sector Performance Across Bearish Sector sectorsPerformance within our scope, performance was mixed 3 ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ůŽƐƚ͕ Ϯ gained, while performance the AFR-ICT index Across assectors under our coverage, was ĐůŽƐĞĚ Insurance indexgained was the biggest loser, bearish ŇĂƚ͘ as 4 dŚĞ indices lost, 1 index ǁŚŝůĞ ƚŚĞ &Z-/ d ĚŽǁŶ Ϭ͘ϳй ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƉƌŝĐĞ ĚĞƉƌĞĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ >/E< ^^hZ ;ŝŶĚĞdž ƌĞŵĂŝŶĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘ dŽƉƉŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ůĂŐŐĂƌĚƐ ĂƌĞ ƚŚĞ ŽŶƐƵŵͲ ϲ͘ϲйͿ ĂŶĚ t W/ ;-4.0%). In indices, the samedown vein, 4.6% the Banker 'ŽŽĚƐ ĂŶĚ Insurance and ŝŶŐ Consumer Goods ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĨĞůů Ϭ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ Ϭ͘Ϯй ƌĞͲ ϭ͘Ϯйand ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƉƌŽĮƚ-ƚĂŬŝŶŐ ŝŶ E ^d> (ƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ ƐĞůů-ŽīƐ ŝŶ E/d, ;-ϭ͘ϯйͿ͕ hE/Ͳ 9.1%), hE/> s Z (-3.5%), >/E< ^^hZ (-6.4%), dz E< ;-ϯ͘ϲйͿ͕ (-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͘ ^ŝŵŝůĂƌůLJ͕ hE/> s Z ;-Ϯ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ ,KEz&>KhZ ;and D E^ Z ƚŚĞ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ĂŶĚ ĂŶŬͲ Ϯ͘ϱйͿ͘ DĞĂŶǁŚŝůĞ͕ ƚŚĞ Industrial Goods and Oil & Gas ing indices fell by Ϭ͘Ϯй ĂŶĚ ϮďƉƐ ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ƐĞůůindices ŐĂŝŶĞĚ Ϭ͘ϭй ĂƉŝĞĐĞ ĚƵĞ ƚŽ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ŝŶ t WͲ ŽīƐ ŝŶ K E K (-0.8%), E/d, (-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͕ ĂŶĚ 'd K ;-Ϭ͘ϮйͿ͘ K ;нϮ͘ϮйͿ ĂŶĚ K E K ;нϬ͘ϰйͿ͘ ŽŶǀĞƌƐĞůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ǁĂƐ ƚŚĞ ůŽŶĞ ŐĂŝŶͲ er,

up

1.8%

driven

by

price

apprecia-

ƟŽŶ in E' D Investor ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ (+3.3%).

Investor ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ ƚŽ Ϭ͘ϵdž ĨƌŽŵ Ϭ͘ϲdž ĂƐ 18 stocksƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ͕ advancedĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ while 19 ďLJ stocks /ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ declined. ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ CHIPLC (+9.6%), CHAMS (+9.5%), and COURTVILLE (+6.9%) ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ͕ ƐƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶĞĚ͕ ƐĞƩůŝŶŐ Ăƚ 1.6x led the gainers while SCOA (-9.4%), VERITASKAP (-8.7%), ĨƌŽŵ ϭ͘ϯdž ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ ƐĞƐƐŝŽŶ ĂƐ Ϯϰ stocks and LINKASSURE the laggards.

We expect to advanced while 15(-6.6%) stocksled declined.

MRS (+9.9%), MAY-

14 International Brew eries PLC 15 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC 16 SEPLAT Energy PLC 17 11 PLC 18 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

4.80

0.0%

1.4%

-19.3%

-19.3%

29.10

0.0%

1.3%

11.9%

11.9%

710.00

0.0%

2.0%

76.5%

0.0%

19 Fidelity Bank PLC 20 Ecobank Transnational Inc 21 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC 22 FCMB Group Plc 23 Sterling Bank PLC 24 NASCON Allied Industries PLC 25 Transnational Corp of Nigeria 26 Presco PLC 27 Unilever Nigeria PLC 28 PZ Cussons Nigeria PLC 29 United Capital PLC 30 Guinness Nigeria PLC 31 Custodian and Allied Insurance 32 AIICO Insurance PLC 33 TotalEnergies Marketing Nigeri 34 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC 35 Wema Bank PLC

C H IP LC

5.3%

14.3%

14.3%

37.4%

23.6%

7.7x

2.6x

6.7%

13.0%

0.7%

-5.6%

-5.6%

12.7%

1.2%

2.1x

0.3x

9.2%

48.4%

5.10

1.0%

0.6%

-15.0%

-15.0%

1.5%

0.1%

17.0x

0.2x

17.20

0.0%

0.6%

-2.3%

-2.3%

25.6%

12.1%

6.6x

1.6x

8.7%

15.1%

5.9%

2.98

0.3%

0.5%

-10.5%

-10.5%

1.50

0.7%

0.3%

-26.5%

-26.5%

8.9%

0.8%

3.8x

0.3x

3.3%

14.15

0.0%

0.4%

-2.4%

-2.4%

20.7%

5.9%

14.1x

2.9x

2.8%

7.1%

0.93

0.0%

0.4%

3.3%

3.3%

-1.3%

-0.3%

0.6x

1.1%

-2.3%

1.9x

2.7%

-6.2%

-4.1%

1.2x

79.50

0.0%

0.3%

12.1%

12.1%

13.20

-2.2%

0.2%

-5.0%

-5.0%

5.50

-6.0%

0.2%

3.8%

3.8%

5.0%

-5.2%

9.00

1.1%

0.4%

91.1%

91.1%

35.5%

4.2%

6.9x

2.2x

7.7%

0.0%

0.3%

57.9%

57.9%

1.7%

0.8%

52.0x

0.9x

1.5%

1.9%

6.70

0.0%

0.2%

14.5%

14.5%

24.7%

7.5%

3.3x

0.8x

8.2%

30.3%

21.6%

3.3%

4.1x

0.4x

0.97

2.1%

0.2%

-14.2%

-14.2%

199.20

0.0%

0.3%

53.2%

53.2%

27.00

0.0%

0.2%

53.2%

53.2%

18.3%

2.4%

5.4x

14.5%

3.9%

0.2%

3.1%

0.0%

0.4%

0.2%

25.7%

2.1%

15.8%

0.9x

1.6%

18.4% 22.3%

14.5%

11.7%

0.7%

4.5x

0.5x

5.1%

-100.0%

7.5%

0.9%

5.5x

0.6x

5.0%

25.7%

14.5%

2.6%

2.0x

0.3x

5.4x

0.7x

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-38.7%

-9.5%

52.95

0.0%

0.1%

-4.4%

-4.4%

12.8%

8.7%

4.50

0.0%

0.0%

25.0%

25.0%

2.1x

-21.2% 2.0%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e T ic k er

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

P ric e C hg %

0.57

9.6%

EKOC OR P

40.0

-1.9%

10.8

0.0%

0.23

9.5%

C OUR T VILLE

0.31

6.9%

T R A N SC OR P

9.8

0.0%

WEM A B A N K

0.79

3.9%

SOVR EN IN S

9.6

-3.8%

NA HCO

3.15

3.6%

F ID ELIT YB K

9.2

-2.1%

A F R IP R UD

6.40

3.2%

UN IVIN SUR E

9.0

0.0%

5.00

3.1%

J A P A ULGOLD

8.9

-2.0%

22.00

2.3%

GT C O

7.3

-2.5%

P R EST IGE

0.48

2.1%

UC A P

6.9

1.1%

A IIC O

0.97

2.1%

VIT A F OA M

6.8

1.7%

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

T o p 10 L o s e r s

SC OA

0.96

VER IT A SKA P

0.21

LIN KA SSUR E

0.57

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

-9.4%

M TNN

752.7

0.0%

-8.7%

EKOC OR P

231.6

-1.9%

-6.6%

GT C O

201.9

-2.5%

P ric e C hg %

PZ

5.50

-6.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

133.5

-1.3%

C OR N ER ST

0.49

-5.8%

N EST LE

127.1

0.0%

WA P IC

0.48

-4.0%

VIT A F OA M

118.5

1.7%

UB A

82.2

0.0%

SOVR EN IN S

0.25

-3.8%

UN IT YB N K

0.53

-3.6%

SEP LA T

80.5

0.0%

61.6

1.1%

50.7

0.0%

R ED ST A R EX

3.00

-3.2%

UC A P

C UT IX

4.70

-3.1%

A C C ESS

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com Robert Omotunde | romotunde@afrinvest.com Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com Taiwo Ogundipe | togundipe@afrinvest.com

18.4%

0.8x

P ric e

STOCK (-4.8%) led losers. Yesterday, we expect the market

18.1% 49.9%

CHA M S

WA P C O

14.5%

24.3%

6.3x

UB A

UB N

26.5%

30.00

P ric e

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

5.8%

1.0%

T ic k er

winds up.

0.6x

0.0%

T o p 10 G a i n e r s T ic k er

18.8x

-2.1%

see ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞ ƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƐƵďƐĞƋƵĞŶƚ ƚƌĂĚŝŶŐ BAKER (+9.8%), and HONYFLOUR (+9.8%) ledƐĞƐƐŝŽŶƐ͕ gainers ĚƌŝǀĞŶ ďLJ ďƵLJŝŶŐ ŝŶƚĞƌĞƐƚ ĂƐ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ďƵŝůĚƐ ƵƉ͘ while ABCTRANS (-8.3%), LASACO (-6.7%), and LIVE-

ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ƚŽ ƌĞŵĂŝŶ ŵŝdžĞĚ͕ ĂƐ earnings season gradually

1.7% 3.2%

5.7%

2.38

4.65

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd 39 Beta Glass PLC 40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

3.1% 7.4%

-13.3%

0.7x

104.00

0.79

36 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC 37 Oando PLC

76.5% -100.0%

0.9x

Christopher Omoh | comoh@afrinvest.com

Damilare Asimiyu| dasimiyu@afrinvest.com

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021• T H I S DAY

55

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

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

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

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 17Sept-2021, unless otherwise stated.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS

MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS

AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund 159.47 159.47 -1.50% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 6.28% Nigeria International Debt Fund 316.34 316.34 -15.98% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 109.38 110.43 -1.36% ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.12% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.29 3.46 -3.08% info@anchoriaam.com ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 7.83% Anchoria Equity Fund 133.28 134.93 0.96% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.13 1.13 -14.68% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.49 20.08 7.47% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 430.36 443.34 7.49% ARM Ethical Fund 38.14 39.29 13.13% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.10 1.10 -0.43% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.98 0.98 -6.83% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.44% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.28 106.28 4.49% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,034.93 1,034.93 3.49% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.05 2.05 -6.47% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.13 2.17 -7.01% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 3.16% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.59% Paramount Equity Fund 16.40 16.71 2.57% Women's Investment Fund 136.44 138.01 2.52% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.39% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 119.57 120.34 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 108.12 108.12 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 8.34% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.20 1.21 -0.18% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.41 1.41 -10.83% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 191.01 192.25 1.77% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.67% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Legacy Money Market Fund Legacy Debt Fund Legacy Equity Fund Legacy USD Bond Fund FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Coral Balanced Fund Coral Income Fund Coral Money Market Fund

N/A 157.43

N/A N/A 159.44 4.13% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.97 1.58 1.19

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 6.05% 3.97 2.70% 1.61 3.91% 1.19 4.60% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price 3,786.58 3,401.22 100.00

Offer Price 3,840.25 3,401.22 100.00

Yield / T-Rtn 1.07% 3.80% 5.22%

GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria Entertainment Fund N/A N/A N/A GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.60% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.79 2.86 -2.14% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 153.23 153.50 -1.46% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.46% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 3.95% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.42 1.44 4.17% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,151.56 1,151.56 6.02% 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 1.67 1.70 7.12% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.61 11.61 -4.52% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.66% PACAM Equity Fund 1.69 1.70 6.70% PACAM EuroBond Fund 113.24 115.20 3.13% SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 131.03 133.27 8.24% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.05 1.05 10.04% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 3,293.89 3,328.41 2.55% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 233.07 233.07 3.66% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.22 1.24 4.24% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 307.63 307.63 4.40% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 225.26 228.60 3.21% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.59% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,402.11 10,543.38 -0.91% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.27 1.27 3.91% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.69 115.69 4.15% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 103.89 103.89 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.31 1.33 2.26% United Capital Bond Fund 1.92 1.92 4.76% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.89 8.74% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.30% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.37 120.37 5.16% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 3.51% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 6.27% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 12.84 12.96 8.23% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.22 14.37 16.51% Zenith Income Fund 24.45 24.45 1.92% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.22%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 53.37

10.62% 5.66%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.30

13.40

0.65%

120.91 96.39 17.09 18.32

123.92 98.50 17.19 18.42

0.55% -2.85%

Fund Name SFS REIT Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund

SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund MERGROWTH ETF MERVALUE ETF

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

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

3.82 5.45 17.37 1.00 19.44 156.52

3.86 5.53 17.47 1.00 19.64 158.52

1.32% -4.19% 7.07% 7.59% -5.22% -28.78%

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

107.40

13.11%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

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

56

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Amotekun Has Attended to 2,633 Cases, Foiled 35 Kidnap Attempts in Ondo, Says Commander Fidelis David in Akure The Ondo State Security Agency Network codenamed ‘Amotekun Corps’ yesterday said it has foiled 35 kidnaps from May 2020 to September 2021.

Briefing journalists in Akure, the state Commander of the Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, revealed that the security outfit has attended to 2,633 cases within the same period.

The Amotekun boss noted that it also arrested 1,000 suspects, waded into 515 herders/farmers clashes, and arrested kidnappers.

He added that the corps has also impounded 26 cars and over 1,000 motorcycles, totalling 2,633 cases from May 2020 to September 2021.

Operation Amotekun is the codename for the security initiative of the South-west states governors

under the leadership of the Ondo State Goverono, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to address the wanton

killings, kidnappings, armed robberies and other forms of criminalities in the state and the South-west region.

Adeleye said one of the challenges facing the corps is lack of legal backing to allow the agency

operatives to carry weapons to commensurate with the firepower of criminals.

He added that the

outfit needed to secure large expanse of land for training camp/barracks for the operatives.

KEEPING THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN…

L-R: Head of Corporate Communications, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs.Ginikanwa Frank-Durugbor; Commercial Manager, Geocycle, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Temitope Dosumu; Head, Geocycle Nigeria, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mr. Daniel Adedokun, and Head, Sustainable Development and Corporate Brand, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs. Titilope Oguntuga, at the ‘World Clean-up Day’ event organised in partnership with Food & Beverage Recycling Alliance (FBRA) at Bariga Market, Lagos…recently

Cameroon Repatriates US Lifts COVID-19 Travel Ban on UK, EU Travelers Nigerian Ex-Fighters, Family Members Michael Olugbode in Abuja with Agency report

Sunday Okobi with agency report More than 850 former Boko Haram fighters and their family members, who escaped from the jihadist group to Cameroon due to insurgency in the Northeast region, have left northern Cameroon for Nigeria.

According to a report, the Nigerian Government stated that they are taking the former militants to Nigerian disarmament centres after complaints that such centres in Cameroon were overwhelmed by the number of former jihadists who defected since the terrorist group’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, was declared killed in May this year.

Hundreds of people last Saturday gathered in streets, watching and waving as 20

buses transporting former Boko Haram insurgents and their families left Mora, a town on Cameroon’s northern border with Nigeria, for Banki, a town in Borno State.

According to reports, the Governor of Cameroon’s Far North region, Midjiyawa Bakari, said the former militants agreed to voluntarily return to Nigeria.

Bakari said the ex-Boko Haram militants, who have agreed to return to Borno State, are Nigerian citizens-854 of them which also include their families. He said they told the Cameroonian Government officials that they were either fighters or slaves on plantations controlled by the jihadist group.

The report further noted that Bakari said the Nigerian ex-fighters promised to be good citizens of Borno State.

Seven Injured as Plateau Polytechnic Students Protest Lecturers’ Strike Seriki Adinoyi in Jos No fewer than seven students were yesterday injured, as students of the Plateau State Polytechnic staged a protest against lecturers’ strike, which resulted in the postponement of their semester examinations.

The peaceful protest was unfortunately hijacked by hoodlums, as cars windscreens were smashed in the process.

The students trooped out in their large number and blocked the Yakubu Gowon Way leading in and out of Jos city centre, causing serious traffic jam in the city.

The lecturers had embarked on an indefinite strike over government’s failure to meet their demands of earned allowances among other demands.

A student of the institution, Mr. Tindak Theophilius, said about seven of his colleagues were currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Jos. He said some of them were asthmatic and could not withstand the teargas fired at them by security operatives.

He described the decision of the management to postpone the examination as an attempt to truncate their academic journey.

Theophilius said: “We came to school this (yesterday) morning to start our examinations only to see a circular that our lecturers have commenced strike since last Friday.

“We were not informed of the development, and nobody said anything to us; we just discovered that we cannot start our examinations. This is why students were protesting.

The United States has decided to lift travel ban on United Kingdom and European Union travelers coming into the country. The travel directive commences from November.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a ban was enforced since March 2020, when the pandemic began to gather

pace.

According to agency report, the move has been welcomed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, along with UK airlines and airports. It was reported on Monday that the UK recorded 36,100 new Covid cases and 49 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.

The UK has been offering a booster shot to all adults over 50 across the UK from

Monday,with children aged 12 to 15 in England and Scotland now able to get a Covid vaccine It was also reported that the roll-out was beginning in Wales this week, while in Northern Ireland, it was likely to be offered from October Reacting to the development in a tweet, Johnson said he was delighted by the US decision to lift a travel ban on arrivals from

the UK. Johnson, who was born in the US, described the move as “a fantastic boost for business and trade” and said it was “great that family and friends on both sides of the pond can be reunited once again”. His new Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, also welcomed the news, saying it was “important for our economic recovery, families and trade.”

Nigeria Records 1,182 New Cases of Cholera in One Week Onyebuchi Ezigbo The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has disclosed that 1,182 additional cases of Cholera were recorded across 27 states of the federation in the last one week.

In a statement last night, the agency stated that 27 states and Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) have so far reported suspected cholera cases in 2021.

The states are Abia, Adamawa,

Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Katsina.

Others are Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

The NCDC stated that for week 36, 13 states reported 1,182 suspected cases. The figures for the states were, Bauchi (472); Katsina (194);

Borno (106): Jigawa (95); Yobe (80), Kaduna (68), Adamawa (63) and Sokoto (38).

Others are Gombe (34): Abia (13): Taraba (10): Ogun (8) and Niger (1).

In the statement, NCDC stated that there was a 58 per cent decrease in the number of new suspected cases in week 36 with 1,182, compared with week 35 which recorded 1,677.

Also the agency’s report showed

that three states accounted for 65.3 per cent of the 1,182 suspected cases reported in the week, with Bauchi (472), Katsina (194) and Borno (106).

It also explained that during the reporting week, 48 Cholera Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) were conducted.

The RDT tests conducted were from Gombe (30), Adamawa (11), Katsina (3), Kaduna (2) and Abia (2).

Insecurity: COAS Harps on Synergy, Professionalism Chiemelie Ezeobi To combat the present security challenges across the nation, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has tasked troops on collaboration with sister services, as well as professionalism.

Yahaya gave the charge on Monday at the 65 Battalion

Parade Ground, Bonny Camp in Victoria Island, Lagos, during his maiden visit to the 81 Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR), where he was received by the General Officer Commanding, Major General Lawrence Fejokwu and other senior officers.

The COAS, who began his tour on Sunday at the Nigerian

Army Ordinance Corps in Epe, Lagos, where he met with traditional rulers to chart the way forward, said the new rotation plan put in place would enable the army and sister services achieve more results.

Reiterating that no single security agency could solve the challenges being faced by

the country, he urged troops to work closely with other services to ensure criminals are warded off.

According to him, “The enemy we are facing in terms of security challenges are within. They interact with the community, that is why we must remain professional and vigilant.

Police Arrest Two for Alleged Killing of Girl for Money Rituals in Kwara Three arrested as kidnappers abduct intending couple in Ekiti

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin and Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

Kwara State Police Command yesterday disclosed that it has arrested two suspected ritualists that allegedly killed a middleaged girl and sold one of her hands for N20, 000 to money ritualist and other hand to a soap-making businessman in the state.

In a statement issued in Ilorin

which was signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ajayi Okasanmi, he said the incident happened at Offa, the headquarters of Offa Local Government Area of the state last Tuesday in the town.

According to the statement, “The police command wishes to call the attention of parents and guardians to the rising incidents of ritual murders among the youths for money ritual purposes.

“One of such killing was recorded on September 14, 2021, at about 12 p.m. when one Rianat Yusuf of Amuyo area, Offa in Kwara State left her home to run an errand (to buy ‘Kulikuli’), and had since not been seen.”

The statement added: “A case of missing person was reported at the Offa Divisional Police Headquarters by her father, Yusuf Taofeek of Amuyo area of Offa.

Investigation however led to the

discovery of a headless body of a young lady with her two hands missing in an uncompleted building at Amuyo area of Offa, which was later identified by the father to be that of the missing girl.

“In the course of investigation, one Femi Adeniji of the same area was arrested and he confessed to be in possession of the head and hands of the deceased, Rianat Yusuf.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

57

NEWS XTRA

Adamawa Police Arrest 1,184 Suspected Criminals in Eight Months Daji Sani in Yola The Adamawa State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Aliyu Adamu, has said the state Police Command has arrested over 1,184 high profile suspected criminals across the state between January and August this year.

The commissioner, while addressing journalists in Yola yesterday, explained that the suspects included kidnappers, armed robbers, bandits, Shilla boys and rapists among others.

Adamu added that already 464 of the suspects have been convicted in various competent of jurisdiction while 720 others are undergoing trial.

He also gave an insight into the killing of seven persons in Dasin Bwate in Furore Local Government Area of the state, where 21 suspects have been nabbed in connection with the crime.

According to the state police boss, with the enactment of the Violence Against Person Acts (VAPP), the command has also prosecuted over 50 persons for gender-based violence cases across the state and rescued some raped survivors.

Adamu also disclosed the command was also able to burst a notorious interstate highway robbery syndicate terrorising the people on Numan-Gombe road.

According to him,

investigation further led to the recovery of 20 AK-47 rifles, three G3 rifles, two pump actions, seven single barrels guns, 11 locally fabricated guns, 600 rounds of live ammunition, 115 cartridges

and eight stolen vehicles among others.

He assured Adamawa people that the officers of the command have keyed into the “drive of zero tolerance on corruption which has

reduced it tremendously,” adding that the public should be the ‘watch dog’, and report any suspicion to the security agents.

On capacity building, the commissioner explained

that the command has also trained and retrained officers through workshop and seminars organised by some group to enhance the officers and men of the force.

NEW LEADERSHIP FOR SWAN…

L-R: Grand Patron, Society of Women Accountants of Nigeria (SWAN), Mrs. Agnes Adeniran; Managing Director, First City Monument Bank Limited, Mrs. Yemisi Edun; President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria(ICAN), Mrs. Comfort Eyitayo; National Chairperson, SWAN, Mrs. Nwamara Nnaji; Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State; his wife, Nkechi , and immediate past chairperson, SWAN, Mrs. Felicia Bamgbose , at the investiture of Nnaji as the 10th chairperson of SWAN in Lagos...recently.

ETOP UKUTT

INEC: Voters’ Registration Wike Slams FG for Excluding Rivers from Beneficiaries of Fresh Loans Wike also stated that delegation to present a letter that federal government has Blessing Ibunge in Port Nigeria must encourage of nomination to him as the gone to borrow from the World Harcourt Now Three Million federating states to harness SUN Man of the Year 2020 Bank. Of all the projects, in all

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

As the first quarter of the Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), comes to an end, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, said over three million Nigerians have registered to vote in the 2023 general election.

In a statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, the voter registration exercise that started twelve weeks ago, the pre-registrants now stood at 3,165,189 while 1,457,766 Nigerians applied for voter transfer, replacement of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and update of their voter information records.

According to Okoye, “Completed registrations now stands at 1,081,947 voters.

Youths between the ages of 18 and 34 still constitute the majority with 771,770 (71.33%) completed registration.

“In terms of occupation, students form the largest category with 439,608 (40.63%).

On gender distribution, 555,872 (51.38%) are male and 526,075 (48.62%) are female,” the INEC national commissioner said.

Okoye further stated that figures for Week 12 as of 7am yesterday, Monday, September 20, 2021, had been uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public information.

As provided by Section 19 (1) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended), Okoye said the Commission was mandated to publish the register of voters for a period of not less than 5 days and not more than 14 days for public scrutiny during which citizen might make claims and objections.

House Queries FRCN DG, Others over Sale, Lease of Properties Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday queried the Directors-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mansur Liman and his Voice of Nigeria Counterpart, Osita Okechukwu over the purported outright sales and leases of government properties in some parts of Nigeria.

Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee on Abandoned Properties, Hon. Ademorin Kuye and other members of the panel at an investigative hearing said that they had written to the two agencies in March 2020 separately requesting the documents on the sales as well as processes and proceeds of it.

The lawmakers requested

the evidences of valuation of the sold or leased properties and hand over documents of the properties to find out the real reason for the sales and leases.

Some of the federal agencies properties said to have been sold or leased by the broadcast agency include Lagos Zonal Office of the FRCN, 30 hectares of land in Kano, and No 3 Savage Crescent GRA Enugu property of the agency said to be under litigation.

But the FRCN DG, in his presentation, said the agency bought the Lagos property in 2010 from the Special Presidential Committee on Abandoned Properties and later sold it to Seaman Tech Co Ltd Idumota Lagos before it was gutted by fire.

The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has stated that it would be sheer act of discrimination for the federal government not to include Rivers State among the states that would benefit from projects it intended to execute with fresh foreign loans.

their resources, including Value Added Tax (VAT), to generate revenue to advance their development.

He stated this yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the SUN Newspaper, Mr. Onuoha Ukeh, led a

Award.

The governor expressed worry that Rivers State was not included among the states that would benefit from any of the projects to be executed with the fresh loan the federal government is seeking to obtain from the World Bank.

He said: “Look at the money

the states, federal government did not include Rivers State.

“Look at the list of projects that states will benefit from this money they are borrowing from the World Bank that they have sent to National Assembly for approval, the only states that is not benefitting is Rivers State.”

Nigeria Battling with Archaic Judicial System, Says Katsina CJ Francis Sardauna in Katsina The Katsina State Chief Judge, Justice Abubakar Musa Danladi, yesterday lamented that Nigeria is battling with archaic judicial system despite the geometrical rise in number of criminal cases across the country.

He explained that criminal cases were increasing daily in the country but the Nigerian judicial

institutions and correctional centres remained the same across the country.

Danladi, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists in Katsina, said: “We inherited a judicial system that is so archaic, and we are just trying to develop the culture of democracy, rule of law and citizens’ right. The society is so dynamic, and so are our crimes. “In this country,

the rate of crime is high. If you record 2,000 cases in January, in February you will record 4,000 cases, and in March it will jump to 6,000 not 5,000. So, the rise in crime is geometrical but the institutions or facilities we have remained the same.”

To tackle the problem, he said, the state government has reviewed its 2019 Administration of Criminal Justice Law to ensure

speedy dispensation of justice and avert security challenges experienced in the state.

According to him, “The Administration of Criminal Justice Act has been domesticated since 2018, and we put it to use in 2019. After operating the law in the state for about two years, we discovered some lacunae, so we made a proposal and sent it to the government.

2023: PDP Chieftain Urges APC, PDP to Zone Presidential Ticket to South-east Ogunlewe throws weight behind states to collect VAT

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

A top member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Ray Emeana, has urged the two major political parties in Nigeria to zone the 2023 Presidency to the Southeast geo-political zone in the interest of equity, justice and good neighbourliness.

Also, a former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye

Ogunlewe, has thrown his weight behind the states for the collection of VAT instead of FIRS, saying there are a lot of injustices in the sharing of VAT proceeds among the states by the federal government.

Emeana, who is the Imo State Secretary of PDP said he was optimistic that PDP would hand its Presidential ticket for the 2023 Presidential election to the Southeast zone for standing

with the party since the return of constitutional democracy.

Speaking on a television programme monitored in Abuja, the PDP Chieftain insisted that the Southeast geo-political zone remained the only zone in the Southern region that was yet to produce a civilian President of Nigeria in the modern era.

“I am optimistic that PDP will zone its Presidential ticket to the Southeast and I urge

the APC to do same in the interest of peace, equity and fairness. Southeast has played huge part in the development of Nigeria and should be seen as part of the country called Nigeria.

“It will be a grave injustice to the Southeast should the two leading political parties in Nigeria deny the Southeast zone the opportunity to produce the next President of Nigeria.”

Lawyers, Youth Leaders Allege Global Media War against Aiteo Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja A group of lawyers, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) as well as leaders of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities yesterday raised the alarm over an alleged international media smear campaign against indigenous oil company, Aiteo, and its owner, Mr. Benedict

Peters.

Coming under the consortium of Lawyers for Human Rights and Justice (LHRJ), and Council of Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria (CEYLN), the group specifically fingered The Washington Post of the United States as the arrowhead of the media war against the company.

In a joint press conference by the different groups in Abuja, which was attended by many youths from various ethnicities, the coalition noted that the allegations being peddled against Peters and Aiteo were the same issues which have already been conclusively determined by courts of competent jurisdiction

or pending in the court.

Several documents allegedly linking a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Dieziani Alison-Madueke, and a number of operators in the Nigerian oil industry have been in the public space as well as in local and international courts since the former minister exited the government.

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T H I S D AY • TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

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TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

60

NEWS XTRA

NMA Expresses Fears over Surge in Brain Drain in Health Sector Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has raised fears over potential surge in brain-drain in the health sector, therefore tasking the three tiers of government to do something to check it.

The National Publicity Secretary of NMA, Dr. Aniekeme Uwah, raised the alarm at weekend during the 2021 Press Week of the correspondents’ chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State council, held in Uyo. The theme of Press Week

was ‘Post-COVID-19 Economy, and the Challenges to Ethical Journalism Ahead of 2023 Elections’.

Uwah pointed out that poor welfare and remuneration of members remain the key factors igniting the human capital flight in the medical sector in the country. He also stressed the need for the government to make proper budgetary provisions to the health sector to avoid unnecessary strike and brain drain that have hit the sector.

According to him, “The rate of brain drain in the country is worrisome. I’m afraid what

the future holds and the fate of the younger ones. We relate and interact with some of our colleagues who work abroad, and we know how much they are paid and how they are being taken care of.

“So many of our colleagues in Nigeria have moved for greener pasture abroad, and if this is not tackled, the health sector will be highly affected. The only solution is for the government to make adequate budgetary provisions so that doctors and other health workers will be motivated and well remunerated.”

‘Jolly Phonics Programme Aided Training of 144, 733 Teachers in Nigeria’ The Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, last weekend said the introduction of education programme, Jolly Phonics, aided the teaching of 144,000 teachers in Nigeria.

Jolly Phonics programme is a child-centered approach to teaching synthetic phonics which was introduced into Nigerian basic schools in 2006.

He stated that in collaboration with the Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), initiators of the programme, 5,755 UBEC, SUBEB and LGEA officials were trained while millions of children

were empowered to read and write across the 36 states of the federation.

Speaking at an event to mark the 15th anniversary of the programme in Nigeria, Bobboyi affirmed that millions of children were empowered by Jolly Phonics.

According to him, “Since the inception of the Jolly Phonics programme in Nigeria, we are proud of the milestones recorded.

“In collaboration with Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), I am aware that 144,733 teachers, 5,755 UBEC, SUBEB, and LGEA officials have been trained and resourced,

while millions of children are being empowered to read and write across the 36 states of the federation and FCT.” Bobboyi said the UBEC in 2012 entered into a partnership with Universal Learning Solutions (ULS), the organisers of the Jolly Phonics programme, at a time when the level of literacy was very low in the basic education sector.

“At the initial stage of engagement, the training was optional, only states interested in literacy held the training using the UBEC Teacher Professional Development (TPD) fund.

Moghalu Calls for Knowledge-based Economy Funmi Ogundare Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Kingsley Moghalu, yesterday called for the creation of an economic productive knowledge in

Nigeria that will focus heavily on industrial and trade policy.

He noted that if driven by competent leadership, it would take the country out of the economic challenges it is currently facing.

Moghalu, who was a guest

ECA, ABCHealth Partner on Investment Summit Stephanie Igben The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Business Coalition for Health (ABCHealth) and National Institutes of Health (NIH), will host a virtual Africa Investment Summit on Health 2021(AIS) on 20th September 2021 on the margins of the 76th United Nations General Assembly.

The summit is expected to bring together African heads of government and ministers, continental, regional and global business leaders, and development institutions to discuss strategies that will significantly increase access to vital health commodities and supplies in Africa leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and African Medicines Agency (AMA).

Commenting on the partnership, ABCHealth Chairman, Aigboje AigImoukhuede, said:“We are confident of the impact this partnership will bring to bear on the continent. It is our firm belief that with the public and private sectors working together, combining political will with business knowledge, Africa’s health sector can be built to

the point where it will deliver affordable health to Africans in an equitable manner.”

Also speaking, ECA Executive Secretary, Vera Songwe, said: “Investing in health is not just a social good, it also makes a good business case. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, business opportunities in the healthcare and wellness sector in Africa were estimated to be $259 billion by the year 2030, with the potential to create 16 million jobs.

on The Morning Show on ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, expressed concern that goods imported from China are cheaper than those manufactured in Nigeria, stating that this is a practical problem for industrial production in the country.

According to him, “Many people go through schools and universities and learn the opportunity for production.

We need to focus heavily on industrial policy in Nigeria.

That means we might have to also deal with trade policy.

Why should goods from China be cheaper than goods that are manufactured in Nigeria?

That is a practical problem for industrial production in Nigeria. These are the things we have to look at-the trade policy to incentivise the export of finished products.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS XTRA

Family, Friends of Man Killed by Police Protest in Edo Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City Family members and friends of 25-year-old Moses Adamu who was allegedly killed by a police officer yesterda protested at the entrance of the Edo State Police Command in Benin City.

This is as Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS)/of the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branch, condemned the unprovoked and extrajudicial killing of Adamu by an officer of attached to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Edo State Police Command.

The alleged killing took place on Friday last week.

Adamu, who was in a vehicle with his family members was hit by a bullet while the police

were arresting a murder suspect, Ebuka Nwaechie who was involved in the alleged killing of Bright Orikose on 24/12/2020.

Adamu was said to have been rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital where he later died as a result of wounds from the gun shot.The family blocked the entrance of the state command in their demand for justice.

Family members of the deceased wept uncontrollably as they urged the police authorities to unravel the reason for the killing of their son and brother.

Armed with placards and the photograph of the deceased, they said the young man went on an errand for his elder sister whose marriage was slated for

last Saturday when he was shot on his way to deliver the message.

One of the friends of the

deceased said: “The police claimed that their men were trailing one suspected criminal when the late Moses was hit by

a stray bullet but I can say that Adams was killed intentionally by a police officer. We are calling on the

police authorities to unmask the policeman involved in the alleged extra judicial killing and ensure justice prevails.”

EFCC Arrests 30 Suspected Internet Fraud in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Operatives of the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), have arrested 30 suspected internet fraudsters in a sting operation at Kwara State University, (KWASU) Malete, in Moro Local Government Council Area of the state.

A statement issued in Ilorin yesterday and signed by the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said that “the suspects were arrested following actionable intelligence on their alleged involvement in internet-related fraud activities.

“Some of the items recovered from them include six exotic cars, several laptops, mobile phones and other incriminating

documents.”

The statement said: “Part of the intelligence indicated that suspected internet fraudsters were operating in campuses around Ilorin metropolis to swindle unsuspecting victims of their hard-earned income.

“Based on the intelligence, and weeks of surveillance, operatives of the commission on September 19, 2021, executed a search warrant in hostels within the KWASU campus, where a number of arrests were made.

“In the course of interrogation, those found not culpable were released to the Student Union Government (SUG), of the school while the targets of the sting operation were brought to the Ilorin Zonal Command for further questioning.”

Nigerians Abroad Support Buhari at UN Assembly As President Muhammadu Buhari prepares to deliver his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, some Nigerians living abroad have decided to show their support for their fatherland on the streets of New York, United States(US).

The group calling itself “One Nigeria Group” has embarked on its street protest and a flash mob performance in support of President Muhammadu Buhari and the continued existence of Nigeria as one, indivisible

country Pictures and videos of the group being shared on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms have been highlighting the successes of the various flagship programs undertaken by the Buhari administration since 2015.

The participants waved the Nigerian national flags, sported T-shirts and displayed banners announcing progress made and their commitment to one Nigeria and a yearning for peace and progress.

Rear Admiral Kanu for Burial October 16 Late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), who died on January 13, 2021 at the age of 78 years will be buried on October 16, the Central Burial Committee , has said. Ndubuisi Kanu, who served the Nigerian Navy for many years and rose to become a Naval Chief before retirement, was a member of the Supreme Military Council, under late General Murtala Mohammed, the first former military Governor of old Imo (1976) and Lagos (1977) States under General Olusegun Obasanjo military government and equally served with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon among several other military assignments.

The committee in a statement

explained that after retirement from the Navy, Ndubuisi Kanu founded and was Chairman of Rangk Limited, a maritime consultancy company. He was Chairman of Ohaneze Transition Caretaker Committee and a Director of Fidelity Bank Plc. “When duty called for courageous men and women to defend our democracy and electoral process after the annulment of June 12, 1993 presidential election, Ndubuisi Kanu stood up to be counted by joining the NADECO Pro-democracy movement as one of the leading lights that fought for the actualisation of the annulled election. He was later to be the Chairman of NADECO.

HONOUR WELL DESERVED…

Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Mr. Auwal Ibrahim Rasfsanjani (left) receiving an award of recognition for his support for the protection of human rights presented by the Team Lead, Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), Mr. Mujidang Sitdang in Abuja…yesterday

Osinbajo Urges Financial Market Experts to Tackle Nigeria’s Housing Problem Deji Elumoye in Abuja Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has charged the nation’s financial markets experts to collaborate with government with a view to tackling Nigeria’s housing problem.

He has therefore, tasked the experts to develop an appropriate housing scheme model which will significantly transform the housing sector on a large scale and close the

housing deficit in the country.

Osinbajo made this call yesterday at the State House, Abuja, when he played host to the management of FMDQ Group led by its chief executive officer(CEO), Mr. CEO, Mr. Bola Onadele.Koko.

FMDQ is Africa’s first vertically integrated financial market infrastructure group, strategically positioned to providing registration, listing, quotation and noting services;

integrated trading, clearing & central counterparty, settlement, and risk management for financial market transactions; depository of securities, as well as data and information services, across the debt capital, foreign exchange, derivatives and equity markets, through its wholly owned subsidiaries.

Economic experts had put the housing deficit in Nigeria between 18-22 million housing units, while the ratio

of mortgage finance to GDP in the country is only 0.5 per cent, 31 per cent in South Africa, and 2.0 per cent in Ghana and Botswana.

Speaking after listening to a presentation by the FMDQ CEO, Osinbajo said: “I like the point you made about the National Housing Blueprint.

I very strongly believe that if we are able to unlock the conundrum in the sector, we can get things working.”

Minister SeeksJedy-Agba UN Financial Support for Power Sector Minister of State,Power, Mr. had traveled Mohammed for the role she more funds for Nigeria to Goddy Jedy-Agba has called on the United Nations (UN) to make additional financial support available to intervene in the power sector.

The minister made the call recently when he paid the UN Deputy Secretary General, Mrs. Amina Mohammed, a courtesy visit in New York, United States.

last week with a delegation comprising the Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer of Rural Electrification Agency, (REA), Mr. Ahmad Salihijo Ahmad, as part of Nigeria’s delegation to the ongoing 76st sessions of the United Nations General Assembly.

While commending

has played in several UN interventions in the country, the minister, however, appealed for the organisation’s continued support to Nigeria.

The minister reiterated that one of the major challenges facing the country’s power sector was funding, thus appealing to the UN to vote

develop the sector.

“Once again I want to congratulate and commend you for all you’ve been doing since your appointment especially for your dear country, Nigeria. You have really made the country proud and we’re happy we’ve a good ambassador like you out here.”

Stakeholders Vow to Continue Mobilising against Water Bill Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Stakeholders, yesterday, vowed to continue mobilising and winning more converts against the National Water Resources Bill (NWRB) until the government listens and institutes a fresh process that would incorporate the inputs and demands of the people.

The stakeholders said their

decision was premised on the fact that they have started reading in the media that the promoters of the faulty bill would not back down in their quest to subject the country’s common patrimony to the whims of a few who believed profit must come before universal access.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Corporate Accountability and Public

Participation Africa (CAPPA), Mr. Oluwafemi Akinbode, said from the second to the last quarter of 2020, there was a national outcry about the obnoxious provisions of the bill and the manner through which its promoters in the Ministry of Water Resources and the National Assembly tried to force it on the nation.

He noted that as a movement

representing the people, they had commissioned a thorough clause-by-clause analysis of the Bill and exposed the booby traps deliberately inserted to ensure it delivers privatisation to Nigerians.

Akinbode stressed that they also exposed how the fundamentals of the bill were antithetical to the attainment of the human right to water.

Ortom Preaches Peace among Warring Communities George Okoh in Makurdi Governor of Benue State, Mr. Samuel Ortom, has urged the people of Bonta and Ukpute communities in Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state to sheathe their sword and embrace peace.

Ortom stated this yesterday when he led other government

functionaries, top political class and security chiefs on a peace process to the communities.

The governor admonished that nothing could be compared with peace and stressed that they should allow peace to reign.

“There should be no more hostilities. I enjoin you to embrace peace and dialogue,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Gabriel Suswam and Senator Abba Moro had appealed to the youths of the two warring communities to embrace peace and stop further hostilities.

The duo promised that they would not rest until peace finally restored to the communities.

They pleaded with the people

to give them the opportunity to end the crisis and put them back on the track of peace.

Also, the traditional rulers on both sides of the divide also promised to abide by the peace accord that was initiated by the state government.

The youths from Bonta and Okpute agreed to give peace an everlasting chance.

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TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Super Falcons class of 1999 that reached the quarter final stage of the World Cup in USA 22 years ago were honoured last night at the Aiteo-NFF Awards

AITEO Commends Super Falcons Class of 1999, Says Feat Yet to Be Matched

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frica’s leading energy solutions company, AITEO, has commended the Super Falcons class of 1999 who were celebrated at the AITEO-NFF Awards ceremony in Lagos last night, stressing that the feat achieved by the squad is yet to be matched by successive teams.

According to Mr Benedict Peters, the CEO/Founder of the AITEO Group who was represented by Ms Samira Buhari at the 3rd edition of the AITEO-NFF Awards ceremony, “Tonight, as we celebrate the best in Nigerian football, the spotlight is on the Nigerian National Women’s Football Team, Super Falcons set of 1999.

They were a team that took African women’s football to another level, breaking several records. Just as we have the Super Eagles Class of 94, we also have the Super Falcons Class of 99.”

The AITEO CEO representative said that as an organization, “AITEO is committed to developing and promoting football at all levels in Nigeria and across the African continent.

“This commitment is manifested in our significant investments into some of the biggest football initiatives including the Aiteo-CAF Awards, Aiteo Cup and the Aiteo-NFF Awards. Our indefatigable Founder / Group CEO and Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Benedict Peters’ vision and dedication to the empowerment of the Nigerian youth gave birth to this laudable initiative.”

Quoting Mr Peters, the

AITEO executive said: “Mr. Benedict Peters succinctly captured the inspiration behind our football investments when he said, “The moments of anxiety and excitement shared when our nation’s soccer diplomats engage other nations in the round leather game are priceless and unforgettable.

“Aiteo is motivated to continue to invest in football, having watched the Nigerian National teams play their hearts out and fans across the country lay their common defences aside to cheer them.”

As Africa’s leading energy solutions company, AITEO said it understands that the key to Nigeria’s future lies in the vibrancy and enterprise of its large, youthful population.

“Football is one of the areas in which we have remained committed to empowering our youth. Football is an entertaining game. Beyond that, it has the power to stimulate unity, friendship, and inclusion.

The lines of ethnic, religious, and economic divisions are often blurred in the excitement of cheering our favourite teams when they play.

“Nevertheless, football itself has been impacted by inclusion. While it is still a male dominated sport, there has been significant progress in female participation in football.

“Around the world, we have seen the conditions under which women participate in the sport improve significantly.

More attention is also being paid to women’s football more than ever. For instance, over 9.8 million French viewers watched the opening game of the 2019 FIFA World Cup, more than for any women's

football match in the past.

“Also, while women remain vastly underrepresented in football decision-making, the current FIFA has recorded a feat in this regard, appointing the first female Secretary-General, Ms. Fatma Samba Diouf Samoura, who is here with us tonight. In this regard, we salute the strides of the FIFA President, Mr. Gianni Infantino, who is promoting equality in football participation while keeping his eye on increasing revenue for the sport.”

AITEO commended the efforts of the federal government

of Nigeria under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari in promoting women’s football in the country.

“Please permit me to also appreciate the first lady, Mrs. Aisha Buhari for championing the organization of the maiden Aisha Buhari Cup, an international women’s football tournament currently holding in Lagos. The first lady has been a strong pillar of women empowerment in the country with numerous initiatives to this regard.

I also want to appreciate His Excellency, the Executive

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Oluwho is our host for tonight. Mr Governor’s love for football and women inclusion saw him recently leading eminent political bigwigs to declare open the Aisha Buhari Cup.” The AITEO Group further commended the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), “which has been a committed partner in our drive to develop football across sundry levels in Nigeria. We salute the courage of our eminent friend, the president of the NFF, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, whose

dedication to our partnership has led to a remarkable transformation in Nigerian football.

“In addition, I would like to thank the members of the dynamic Aiteo team who have kept the mandate through their loyalty, hard work, and professionalism.

Present here tonight, is Mr. Francis Peters, the Group Deputy Vice Chairman.

We also have Mr. Victor Okonkwo Okonkwo, the Group Managing Director, as well as Mr. Andrew Onyearu, our General Counsel.”

Victor Osimhen...scored against Udinese as Napoli maintain perfect start to new Italian Serie A season

Osimhen Opens Serie A Goals Account as AISHA BUHARI CUP Falcons, Banyana in Final Napoli Crush Udinese

Day Supremacy Battle The top two teams in women’s football on the African continent at the moment, Nigeria and South Africa, will face off in what is a potentially-explosive battle on the final day of hostilities in the maiden edition of Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament at Mobolaji Johnson Arena this evening.

The big game is scheduled to kick off at 4pm.

The Super Falcons, ninetime champions of Africa, narrowly edged the Banyana on penalties in the final of the 2018 Women AFCON in Ghana, after both teams could not be separated in regulation and extra time.

On the opening day of this tournament last Wednesday, the Super Falcons defeated the Female Eagles of Mali 2-0, both goals coming off substitute Gift Monday late in the second half.

Banyana Banyana on the other hand, were truly

dominant and impressive in their 3-0 demolition of Ghana’s Black Queens on Friday.

A total of eight goals have now been scored in the tournament. Only Nigeria’s Gift Monday has scored more than one goal.

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is expected to lead the political circle that would include other bigname players to the closing ceremony, while Nigeria’s FIFA Council Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick will lead football’s upper crust.

FIFA Secretary General, Mrs Fatma Samoura, FIFA Council Member Aisha Johansen, CAF Executive Committee Member Kanizat Ibrahim and FIFA’s Head of Women Football, Sarah Bareman will also be in the executive box, alongside the full complement of NFF Executive Committee Members and Management.

Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen, yesterday followed up on his Europa League heroics last week to open scoring for Napoli in the 4-0 defeat of Udinese to go two points clear at the top of the Italian Serie A table with a perfect 12 points from four matches.

It was his first Serie A goal of the new season.

Osimhen opened his goals

account for the campaign when he scored the two goals which saw Napoli come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against Leicester, in Thursday’s Europa League.

The Super Eagles striker then followed it up by once again getting on the score sheet when he put Napoli 1-0 ahead on 24 minutes.

Napoli skipper Lorenzo Insigne sprinted down the

left flank and beat Marco Silvestri with a lob, but Osimhen helped it in, touching the ball just before it crossed the line to his side ahead.

The other scorers for Napoli include; Amir Rrahmani (35th minute), Kalidou Koulibaly (52nd minute) and Hirving Lozano (84th minute).

After an impressive

performance, Osimhen was replaced in the 81st minute for Andrea Petagna.

Napoli are clear of champions Inter Milan and AC Milan, who are both on 10 points each.

On Thursday, Osimhen and his teammates will be away to Sampdoria with focus on a win to consolidate their position at the top of the log.

Gov Sanwo-Olu’s Plaudits for Monimichele over MJA Pitch Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu is excited with the job done by Monimichelle Group at the Mobolaji Anthony Arena turf.

The venue is playing host to the inaugural Aisha Buhari Women’s Invitational Tournament ending today.

Sources close to the Lagos State hinted yesterday that as a way of showing appreciation to the contractor who constructed the beautiful geotech hybrid synthetic turf,

Santo-Olu handed out some cash package to the company’s CEO, Ebi Egbe for a job well done.

Egbe who is virtually on cloud nine over the overwhelming commendations that has been coming his way on the Mobolaji Johnson Arena project, said he can not thank Governor Sanwo-Olu enough for the opportunity given his firm to show what they can do.

“In Monimichelle, we don’t compromise standard. Our

jobs speak for us. What we did at the Enyimba Stadium, Kakardan Stadium in Katsina and now at Onikan and several other stadiums is there for everybody to see.

“We are presently working in Awka and the FIFA Goal project in Ugborodo, Delta State and when we are done, Nigerians would see that Monimichelle is truly a firm out to eradicate bad pitches not just in Nigeria but the African continent,”

observed Egbe.

Several football stakeholders have been thumbing up Monimichelle Group over the high quality of the formerly Onikan Stadium turf with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Desiree Ellis, describing it as the best turf she is playing on in Nigeria.

Nigeria would today face South Africa in the last match of the Aisha Buhari Cup at the remodeled stadium.

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SPORTS Barcelona players are yet to understand what is happening to the Catalan giants, almost conceding second defeat to Granada in one season

La Liga: Araujo Rescues Point for Woeful Barca Ronald Araujo's injury-time header rescued a point for Barcelona against Granada, but it does little to paper over the cracks of another poor home display from Ronald Koeman's side.

Centre-back Araujo - playing as a makeshift striker - found the net right at the end of a half Barca dominated.

But having being humbled

by Bayern in the Champions League last week, it will do

little to lift spirits.

Granada had led from the second minute through Domingos Duarte's header.

And they will be disappointed not to have picked up a first win of the season - and second victory in two seasons at the Nou Camp - after dealing so well for so long with the home side's aerial bombardment.

In total, Barca sent over a remarkable 45 open-play

Qatar to Ban Unvaccinated Players at 2022 World Cup Host Qatar are reportedly pushing for mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for all players who are to take part in the 2022 World Cup. The Gulf nation has already revealed that anyone attending the tournament next November will have to be doubled jabbed and has taken up the same position with players, according to The Athletic.

However, it is known that professional players' views on taking the vaccine are mixed and there are some concerns Qatar's stance could rob the tournament of its stars - something all parties want to avoid.

The Athletic claim a number of options are being considered, including uninoculated players having to report negative tests every three days.

Qatar's position on the vaccine could be a factor in some international stars’ decisions about whether to have any jabs.

A number of Premier League clubs are known to have players still resisting the Covid-19 vaccine, including Arsenal and Switzerland star Granit Xhaka.

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted last month “not all of the players have been double-jabbed,” adding “I have encouraged them to take the vaccination but you cannot force anyone to do that.” United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been struggling with long Covid.

Newcastle manager Steve Bruce has admitted that 'a lot' of his players have not been vaccinated - despite their goalkeeper Karl Darlow being hospitalised with the virus - and cited 'conspiracy theories' as a reason why so many are reluctant.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jonathan Van-Tam, has been forthright in urging players to take up the vaccine and told them to ignore the myths around it.

Uk’s Sportsmailrevealed at the weekend that Van-Tam told players he is not 'going to mince words' in a video designed to provide footballers with the 'scientific facts they need' to persuade them to get vaccinated.

Meanwhile, Qatar have also had to have painstaking talks about the logistics around Covid ahead of the Arab Cup, which starts on November 30and will be used as test event for next year's World Cup. For that tournament, fans will need to be fully vaccinated to attend but players will not be required to follow suit.

The Premier League could find itself in a similarly uncomfortable position of insisting fans are vaccinated but allowing unvaccinated players and staff into stadiums if vaccine passports are introduced for major sporting events later in the winter.

crosses in the game in search of an equaliser, with only a Sergi Roberto poked shot and Araujo header superbly saved

by Luis Maximiano to show for their first-half efforts.

It was only in the second period, with towering defenders Gerard Pique and Araujo pushed up top alongside substitute striker Luuk de Jong that the visiting backline was

properly and consistently tested.

It looked like De Jong had spurned the golden chance, somehow heading over from inside the six-yard box, but Araujo showed him the way

with a composed and well-taken effort.

Barca remain unbeaten in La Liga, with this result taking them up to seventh with eight points from four games.

AISHA BUHARI CUP

Ghana’s Black Queens Dominate Lionesses of Cameroon Ghana’s Black Queens defeated the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon 2-0 yesterday to ensure the latter ended the inaugural Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament in Lagos without a point and without scoring a goal.

On a day Secretary General of FIFA, Mrs Fatma Samoura led football’s dignitaries to the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Lagos Island for Day 5 of the showpiece, the Cameroonian ladies were clearly overwhelmed by the Ghanaians.

After losing their first game to the Atlas Lionesses from Morocco on Day 2, the Cameroonians came out strong to make something out of this showpiece.

But the determined Black Queens erected an impregnable wall at the back and mounted onslaught after onslaught at the fore, with Vivian Konadu, Elizabeth Owusuaa, Princella Adubea and Nina Norshie delighting the crowd with their skills and invention.

The damage could have invariably been greater if not for the alertness and agility of Cameroon’s goalkeeper Gabrielle Bawow Ange.

With an admirable warrior in the person of

Captain Portia Boakye at the rear and launching attacks with her long thrusts, Ghana settled quickly into the game and Adubea, a picture of pace and power, coming close as early as the 7th minute.

Cameroon’s Aboudi Onguene churned out a number of interesting crosses

from the left flank, which went begging for utilization.

In the 20th minute, on the counter, Nina Norshie bent the ball too much as she closed in on goal and Cameroon again got momentary respite.

Claudia Dabaa came close to scoring against the run of play in the 27th minute, but

her jab from a corner kick was intercepted by Gladys Amfobea with goalkeeper Dumehasi Fafali at sea.

Cameroon finished the tournament on a big low, but Ghana would be happy to have put behind them the horrendous 3-0 trouncing

by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Day 3.

L-R: Vivian Konadu, Nina Norshie and Elizabeth Owusuaaa lead the celebrations for the Black Queens after snatching a 2-0 win against Cameroon at the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos...yesterday

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“A situation where some states generate very little and get billions of Naira monthly from other states…makes no sense at all. They share our oil money, take 80% and give us 13%. They also collect VAT and share it the same way, for this free money, states have become lazy. They have failed to look internally to generate revenue” – PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, berating Masari for his view on Rivers and Lagos states’ moves to be collecting VAT.

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CSOs, NGOs and Their Discontents

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ivil society groups, including NonGovernmental Organisations are a positive force for change and progress in society, oftentimes helping to bridge the gaps of alienation between government and the people. In developed parts of the world, CSOs and NGOs have been in the forefront of making our world a much better place by helping to fight injustice, man’s inhumanity to man, environmental abuses, global health challenges, gender discrimination and the evolution of a rulesbased international system. Ordinarily, power figures succumb to the temptations of power, they get carried away, they trample on the people’s rights, they subject everything and all things to the caprices of politics, civil society organisations help to pull such delusional figures back to the real world of blood and flesh. The academic distinction that is often drawn between CSOs and NGOs may well be quite frankly a matter of nomenclature and the fine distinctions quite blurry, for both are linked by the service that they offer, rather than profit, and their devotion to the common good, and the fact that both are outside the state, working in the interest of the community.

In developing and underdeveloped countries, civil society organisations have similarly helped to advance common causes, and in Africa, they are as old as the communities themselves. Since the 70s however, there has been an explosion of those groups that go by the name NGOs, a label that seeks strictly to differentiate the activities of such groups from the state and business. Most of these NGOs are described as charity organisations, or not-for-profit, or philanthropist efforts. They rely on donations, mostly foreign and are meant to be seen as voluntary organisations making a contribution to the human community. Nigeria certainly has a positive history of CSOs and NGOs role in its development.

I can attest to that having had an insider view of the CSO/NGO community in Nigeria. I was once a consultant for an international agency where my job was to help rewrite and review proposals from Nigerian NGOs. I also worked for other international agencies on public communication processes, change projects and development ideas.

At a time, I was co-founder and director of an NGO. I also co-wrote the political agenda of a major NGO. I later sat on the board of an International NGO which decided funding for many projects in Nigeria. I travelled around the world attending conferences on health, population, environment, women empowerment issues, democracy and good governance. I cannot disclose the identities of these groups, but there was no doubt about the quality of the NGO community in Nigeria and how that construct called “the third sector” could propel societal development for good. Nigeria has indeed been a major beneficiary of the efforts of men and women who stepped away from the state and business and tried to give back by devoting time and energy to key issues of our time.

Within the general civil society community, churches, community-based groups, professional associations, labour unions, volunteer groups have also done so much in the making of Nigeria. For anyone who may have forgotten, the Nigerian civil society led the struggle against military rule in this country, and fought valiantly to demand a return to civilian rule. Many died. Lost their loved ones. Hundreds of persons fled into exile.

Many more were hauled into detention and jails on trumped up charges. The Nigerian media was courageous. Journalists stood at the barricades along with human rights activists and resisted oppression, at great risk to their lives. At a time in this country, it was a crime and an attempt at suicide to write or tell the truth, yet many spoke the truth. Nobody thought of profit or gain. The only gain was the common good. Many persons and groups went to the streets and shouted “Never Again”. Of course, there were opportunists who

Akpabio profited from the people’s anguish, but my point is that in the 80s and 90s, the Nigerian civil society had its golden moments. We are all beneficiaries of the heroism of those who made the sacrifice in the political arena, regardless of what ails us today.

So, where is that same civil society today? Its complexion has changed. And that is a source of concern. With return to civilian rule in 1999, civil society, praised for its commitment to the major task of saving Nigeria, more or less relaxed. The explanation we offered at the time was that having won the battle over the authoritarianism of the military and the violation of the people’s rights, it made sense for civil society to catch its breath and allow the new democrats to settle down as Nigeria’s Fourth Republic began. This new phase in national development coincided however with an explosion in the number of Non-Governmental Organisations in the country. Having seen the power of civil society, setting up an NGO became a special kind of enterprise. There is nothing wrong in anyone electing to help promote the frontiers of law, human rights and democracy but the lines became strikingly blurred: between NGOs that were truly non-profit and an emergent phenomenon known as NGIs: Non-Governmental Individuals: special purpose, one-man organisations with neither structure nor organisation, but a fanciful name, a business card, an indeterminate address and a fancy-dresser who goes by the name of Chief Executive with a talent for peripatetic conduct in NGO circles and the larger society. In due course, someone took the trouble to prepare a directory of NGOs in Nigeria. Our finding: Many states in Nigeria have more NGOs than companies and direct investments. Each NGO looks for funds from international agencies and local donors. Most of them are vehicles for gaining access to government departments and agencies.

The result was the emergence of the NGO chief as an entrepreneur. And some of the guys really live it up. Loud fashion. Big cars. Opulent quarters.

Like everything Nigerian, the NGO community, once a haven of good, became a vehicle of access to the good life. The legacy of the early heroes has since been overtaken by many who are out there to make a quick buck, or offer special services to the highest bidder, no matter how shady the deal may be. It is perhaps not surprising therefore that the Nigerian Government has been trying to control the NGO community, has been very suspicious of it, and continues to attack the civil society community. The contempt is mutual. Between 2015 and 2016, the National Assembly proposed three different bills to regulate CSOs and NGOs viz: A Bill for the Registration and Coordination of NGOs in Nigeria and for Connected Purposes (2015), the Civil Society Commission of Nigeria Bill (2016) and A Bill for the Establishment of the Non-Governmental Organisations, Civil Society

Organisations in Nigeria and for Related Matters (2016). The sponsors of these Bills argued that the objective was to ensure transparency and accountability in the NGO sector to the extent that while freedom to act on behalf of the people was important, such freedom must come with responsibility. The big problem was that the phrasing of the bills was adversarial. Most of the provisions sounded like a deliberate attempt to shut down “the third sector” and free speech. In September 2017, 23 NGOs went to court to demand that the Bills should be declared unconstitutional. The hashtag #NoNGOBill dominated Nigerian social media. The Bills died a-borning.

The matter of the NGOs in Nigeria came up again last week when the Federal Inland Revenue Service speaking through one of its directors, Temitayo Orebajo announced that Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria that are involved in “trade and business” must pay tax, obtain a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or get sanctioned in accordance with the law. This has generated mixed reactions among stakeholders. There is nothing new really. The relevant laws for NGOs are the Companies and Income Tax (CITA) 2007, the Personal Income Tax Act No 104, 1993; the Value Added Tax 2007 (as amended). Under the extant law, NGOs in Nigeria are required to pay the PAYE tax, Withholding Tax on goods and services, Local taxes and fees such as parking and garage levies, Capital Gains tax where applicable and Income Tax on passive income. I do not see what the furore is all about.

It is not every NGO that is non-profit in the real sense of it. Every NGO is required to be registered by law. The tax exemption that is enjoyed by an NGO is conditional. It is not absolute. Any NGO that wants an exemption can apply to the Minister of Finance through FIRS. Once an NGO begins to engage in “trade and business”, it must be prepared to pay taxes. This includes those churches and places of religious worship that run travel agencies, schools, bakeries and that manufacture water and other items, including anointing oil, from which they make huge profits. Some of the most lucrative businesses in Nigeria today belong to churches. In God’s name, people are cashing out and claiming that they are NGOs. I am of the firm view that some level of regulation, accountability and transparency is required. There are too many NGOs out there that are merely fronts for other businesses. Nigerians are too busy trying to break or evade the law.

Too many individuals parading as non-profit organisations. The usual tendency is to see every attempt at control or regulation on civil society groups as an assault on the civic space. While it is true that the Nigerian government has been complicit in this regard, it is also true that civil society in Nigeria is problematic and cannot be placed above scrutiny.

I recall two instances and with the following illustrations, I will rest my case. I was shocked when during the crisis involving the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a member of the Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei-led interim management committee, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh appeared on international television to claim that the civil society community in Nigeria, so-called CSOs and NGOs were part of the problem because these were groups on the payroll of the NDDC. At the time, the NDDC had come under heavy fire from persons who justifiably condemned how a development agency had been turned into a rent collection point by those who were expected to use provided resources to develop the Niger Delta and improve the people’s lot. Cairo Ojuogboh argued spiritedly that if anybody collected contracts, most of them were lawmakers in Abuja and NGOs from the Niger Delta Community, including groups that offered media services. It may be argued that these may have been phantom groups created by the thieves within the system as vehicles for self-enrichment. But they went

by the title of NGOs nonetheless, claiming to be non-profit entities! They collected contracts and funds! In Nigeria, anybody can set up an NGO and buy newspaper space and make all kinds of claims. Half of the NGOs out there are not even registered. Just grab a name, design a logo and recruit an online team, generate a fanciful title and you are in business. Nobody double-checks.

I was also particularly alarmed when recently an NGO known as HEDA Resource Centre and its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraj wwere both accused by the Police ,in a report, of having made false accusations against Mohammed Bello Adoke, former Attorney General of the Federation in the OPL 245 case involving Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

Suraj and his NGO accused Adoke of using an email address belonging to a company owned by a certain Aliyu Abubakar to engage in corrupt activities. Adoke was also accused of having had a phone conversation with an Italian journalist in 2017 where he admitted that the OPL 245 deal was a scam. Adoke has since denied the claims made against him by HEDA. He petitioned the Nigeria Police and asked for an investigation. The Police investigated Olanrewaju Suraj’s claims and wrote a report stating clearly that this was a case of blackmail, and that the information shared on social media against Adoke was unverifiable. Suraj responded by saying the Police Report was fake. The Nigeria Police Headquarters has since responded with the rebuttal that its report is authentic. To worsen matters, we are told that Olanrewaju Suraj’s Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) is “an unregistered organisation.” The Police invited Olanrewaju Suraj but the police in their report said “he feigned sickness, jumped bail and resorted to issuing press statements maligning the Police, writing frivolous counter petitions and filing suits in Court against the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters and the Police…” Olanrewaju Suraj, the report states, has foreign partners!

I have cited these two examples to show just how in our context, “the third society” is very much like government and business – the two other major societies in Nigeria. The NDDC Audited Report has shown the extent of the rot in that body, over 13, 000 abandoned projects and N6 trillion down the drain over the years, with nothing to show for it. The Board that Dr Ojougboh defended may not be innocent, but why would NGOs be part of the loot-sharing at the NDDC? Does the NDDC Audit report include an opinion on these NGOs turned contractors and rent collectors over the years? As for HEDA and Suraj, Mohammed Bello Adoke was maligned.

His reputation was dragged in the mud of social media. Although the Italian Court threw out the entire Malabu/ENI trial, Bello Adoke, who was not on trial in Italy, was continuously maligned by HEDA, trying to influence the Nigerian Courts.

Our people believe the worst about anyone who ever served in government. NGOs are supposed to be change agents not tools for untruths and blackmail. The Nigerian Government however overstretched the argument when in the wake of the #EndSARS protests in 2020, it made an attempt to descend on the civil society groups in that protest. That was a clear case of lumping the pigeons with the chickens. The main spirits behind the #EndSARS protests meant well, they wanted the good of all, but their ranks were infiltrated by a group of “chicken” forces in civil society who changed the colour of the protest.

The time has come for soul-searching within the Nigerian civil society community. It is not everyone that carries placards that means well. It is not every loud-mouthed, fist-clenching character that is a revolutionary. It is sad that the Nigerian Revolution is a gathering place for anyone at all who can shout loud or bold enough to show up at the barricades. Not even NGOs should be above reproach or the law. But who will guard the guardians? Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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