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Buhari: Funding Police Remains Huge Challenge for Govt Inaugurates police quarters, boasts FG has invested substantially in NDDC NDDC is cash cow for politicians, says Wike Akpabio hints agency to fix 13,777 abandoned projects IG describes project as significant to force Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, described the funding

of the Nigeria Police as a huge challenge for government.

Although, Buhari said it was the reason government set up the Police Trust Fund, he maintained

there was still need to source more funding avenues for the police in order to enhance the security of the society.

The president spoke at the

commissioning of a block of 66 flats built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for officers of the Nigeria Police Special Protection

Unit Base 6, at Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. He boasted that the federal government on his watch had invested significantly in the

NDDC, as could be seen in the many projects across the Niger Delta states.

Continued on page 10

Police Arrest 57 Suspects as Security Forces, Shiite Group Clash in FCT... Page 11 Wednesday 29 September, 2021 Vol 26. No 9669. Price: N250

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NEITI: 77 Oil Companies Owing Nigeria N2.659trn Unremitted Funds Says it could fund 46 per cent of 2021 budget deficit of N5.6 trillion NNPC set to deduct N149.2bn from October FAAC Oil price climbs above $80 per barrel Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja As Nigeria continues to grapple with revenue shortfall and has

gone borrowing to finance its huge budget deficit with debt service gulping as much as 98 per cent of its revenue, it has

been revealed that 77 oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria are indebted to the country to the tune of N2.659 trillion.

This is just as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is expected to once more make a huge deduction of N149.2

billion from the federation's joint account when the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meets next month, a

document seen by THISDAY yesterday revealed.

Continued on page 10

2023: Ohanaeze Roars, Condemns Northern Governors, Berates PDP States how Balewa, Gowon, Mohammed, Shagari, others under-developed north Says another northern president will destroy nation’s unity Atedo: Zoning is about political expediency, compromise Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu The dust generated from Monday’s statement by the northern governors as well as traditional rulers in the region that, zoning of the presidency was unconstitutional, has attracted the ire of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, which not only condemned the northern governors and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but further warned against the north insisting on producing President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor in 2023.

Ohanaeze, Ndigbo’s apex socio-political association, also went the memory lane to educate the Continued on page 10

How Gunmen Abducted AVM INAUGURATING POLICE QUARTERS BUILT BY NDDC ...

Smith, Four Others L-R: Interim Administrator, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Effiong Okon Akwa; Senator Tayo Alasoadura; Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and his deputy, Ipalibo Banigo, during the Vice President’s visit to the state on behalf in Lagos... Page 16 Akpabio; of the President to inaugurate the Nigeria Police Special Protection Unit residential quarters built by NDDC in Rivers State... yesterday

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

SEEKING COLLABORATION WITH THE HUMANITARIAN MINISTRY...

Turkish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Hidayet Bayraktar (left) and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, during the ambassador's visit to the minister in Abuja... yesterday

Bill to Repeal Electricity Sector Act Passes Second Reading in Senate Moves to improve Nigeria’s power generation capacity Pushes for consolidated framework to accommodate renewable energy Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje in Abuja The Senate has taken step to improve the epileptic power supply in the country as a bill to repeal the 2005 Electricity Sector Reform Act scaled second reading at yesterday's plenary.

The bill, among others, seeks to consolidate all legislations in the power sector into one electricity statute, with the ultimate aim of improving Nigeria’s power generation capacity.

The bill sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Senator Gabriel Suswam, if passed into law would diversify the power sector to accommodate cleaner renewable energy sources, as well as boost investment from private sector participation.

Leading debate on the bill, the former governor of Benue state explained that the proposed legislation seeks to, among other reasons, repeal the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, consolidate all legislations in Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and enact an omnibus Electricity Act for the industry to provide the ideal legal and institutional framework to guide the post-privatisation phase of the industry in Nigeria.

He recalled that the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, provided the legal and institutional framework for the reform of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) initiated and implemented by the Federal Government between 2001 – 2013.

According to him, the Act and other policy measures provided for the physical unbundling of the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) into 18 successor companies.

His words: "While 17 of these successor companies have been licensed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission as distinct privatised generation and distribution companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria remains state-owned.”

He explained further that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC); the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA); and Rural Electrification Agency (REA) were also established to enforce technical standards and regulations, as well as the coordination and implementation of rural electrification, respectively.

The ranking Senator, however, lamented that, “in spite of the modest milestones recorded in the Nigerian power sector through the reform exercise, the sector has not been able to meet the target of making electricity available to 75 per cent rural and urban population by 2020 as envisaged in the National Electric Power Policy.

“This is because the sector is currently plagued by a number of challenges some of which are operational constraints that emerged after the privatisation exercise while others may be attributed to the gaps inherent in the extant framework.

“With respect to operational constraints, the privatised power sector in Nigeria is facing myriad of post-privatisation challenges including the absence of costreflective tariffs, inadequate enumeration and metering of consumers, limited access to funds for investment, high levels of Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses, poor revenue generation and tariff deficits.

“All these constraints have received various interventions

by the executive and legislative arms of the federal government over the years, but these challenges have continued to threaten the viability of successor companies including their financial capacity to invest in network improvement to guarantee reliable power supply as envisaged in their respective performance agreement.”

He explained further that apart from the operational constraints confronting postprivatised power sector in Nigeria, the Principal Act – Electricity Power Sector Reform Act 2005 – which is the legal framework for the industry was fraught with gaps and shortcomings that makes it

unsuitable to adequately regulate activities of the market operator and participants in the postprivatised phase of the industry.

Suswan also underscored the need to consolidate all legislations in the power sector into one electric statute in order to align regulatory responsibilities and ensure clarity of statutory roles for ease of compliance with regulatory requirements by operators.

According to him, “what is, however, required at this point is an ideal legal framework that will stimulate the deployment of relevant regulatory and policy measures that will accelerate growth in power generation capacity, improve utilisation

of generated power through investment in new technologies that would enhance transmission and distribution of generated power.”

He said the bill when passed, would provide the framework for power diversification through the use of cleaner renewable energy sources such as coal, wind, sun and ensure sustainable energy mix.

The federal lawmaker added that the piece of legislation when re-enacted would also eliminate current barriers to private sector funds investment across the power value chain and attract the funds needed to address the current funding gaps confronting the industry

since the privatisation of the power sector.

The Electricity bill, 2021, after scaling second reading was referred by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, to the Committee on Power for further work and with a fourweek time frame to report back to the Red Chamber.

Also yesterday, a bill seeking to repeal the Copyright Act 2004 also passed second reading during Senate plenary.

The bill sponsored by the Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya was referred to the Committee on Trade and Investment headed

by Senator Francis Fadahunsi and also has four weeks to submit its report at plenary.

Nigeria’s Economy May Face Major Fiscal Crisis, ActionAid Warns Michael Olugbode in Abuja The ActionAid has raised the alarm that Nigeria’s economy might face a major fiscal crisis with the increasing financing of fiscal deficit with borrowings.

In a statement by the nongovernmental organisation yesterday, after a virtual meeting to review the state of the nation by its General Assembly, members lamented that the fiscal deficit financed mostly by domestic and foreign borrowings has widened with high debt service payments, estimated at more than half of federally collected revenues. This, it noted poses major fiscal risk to Nigeria’s economy.

Other observations from the meeting were that Nigeria was faced with an unprecedented wave of different, but overlapping security crises - from kidnapping to extremist insurgencies - lamenting that almost every corner of the

country has been hit by violence and crime with the growing insecurity being closely linked to the high rate of poverty in the country.

Attendees at the meeting also described as unhealthy the ongoing strike of medical doctors across the country, being the fourth time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, with some of the doctors saying they were being owed salaries for several months.

They lamented that many Nigerian media outlets had been reporting that patients - some with COVID-19 symptoms - were being turned away at short-staffed hospitals.

They, however, said the ongoing Review of the 1999 Constitution offers the opportunity for Nigerians to shape the constitution with the goal that it reflects the desires and aspirations of the citizens.

It stressed that some of the provisions to be considered vital

for the uplifting the citizens out of the present socio-economic challenges included socioeconomic and cultural rights as contained in chapter two of the country’s constitution; issues of gender equality and a thorough reform of the Nigeria Police.

They observed that the Twitter ban by the federal government has had severe economic costs, stating that it was a step backwards for civic engagements and threatens the civic space which has continued to shrink in recent years.

They, however, recommended that the rising public debt, unemployment, inflation, and high cost of living required the immediate embracing of fiscal federalism in absolute terms, noting that this would enable the country to break the vicious cycle of poverty, eliminate the wholesale dependence on oil which makes Nigeria a monolithic economy.

They also advised that tackling

the nation's current security challenges required increasing the manpower and welfare of all security agencies and equipping them with modern combat equipment, skills, and training, urging the government renew its partnership with neighboring countries to enhance intelligence exchange and information sharing that would help in quelling the insurgency and other sundry crimes, while calling for the state-of-the-art combat Tucano and Alpha jets newly acquired to be deployed immediately to help in further neutralizing the criminal elements with precision and bring the protracted insurgency to an end.

They urged the federal and state governments to explore different models to improve the work environment for medical practitioners, adding that health insurance must be made mandatory with sound mechanisms to prevent corruption for universal health care coverage.

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U.S. CONSULATE HONOURS 20 FASHION DESIGNERS...

L-R: Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Kathleen FitzGibbon; Pioneer Fashion Designer, Shade Thomas-Fahm; US Consul General, Claire Pierangelo and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, during the U.S. Consulate Reception in Honour of 20 fashion designers who participated in International Visitors Leadership Programme, held in Ikoyi, Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: Abiodun Ajala

Senate Bemoans Deplorable Condition of Federal Roads Nationwide Fashola orders contractors to sites

Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje in Abuja The Senate yesterday bemoaned the deplorable condition of over 33,000 kilometres-long federal highways spread across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It has, therefore, sought for N300 billion intervention particularly for the deplorable federal roads in Niger state alone.

This is coming just as the Works and Housing Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, yesterday directed contractors to move to sites to effect immediate repairs on some of the federal highways

nationwide.

The Red Chamber had at plenary called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency make provision for N300 billion for rehabilitation and reconstruction of highly deplorable federal roads in Niger State.

The deplorable condition of Trunk A roads in the power state stretching over 2,000kilometres was brought to the attention of Senators by the Senate Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi via a motion of urgent national importance he sponsored along with six other Senators.

Abdullahi, who cited Orders 42 and 52 of Senate standing rules to move the motion lamented that due to bad shapes of the roads articulated vehicles' drivers used their trucks to block the roads from last Friday to early hours of Tuesday with attendant untold hardships on other road users.

Niger State, he explained, has the longest federal road network of 2,263km out of a total of 32,000km of national federal roads network.

According to him: “The federal roads in Niger state stretched from the Abuja – Kaduna end to the Jebba – Mokwa – Makera – Tegina – Birnin Gwarimpa – Ka-

duna road to the Mokwa – New Bussa – Agwara – Kigera end which lies to the border with the republic of Benin.

“Overall, the following are critical linkage roads within Niger state that provide logistical and vehicular movements between the North and South; especially the South West and North West Corridors.

“Because of the massive land area of Niger State at 76,363km (representing about nine percent of the total land area of the country), all movements from North to South substantially traverse the State.

“Indeed, the massive haulage

Senate Canvasses Relocation of Oil Companies’ Operational Bases to Host Communities Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje in Abuja The Senate has taken steps towards ensuring that headquarters of oil and gas companies operating in the country are sited in their host communities to ensure unhindered operations.

Already, its three committees on Petroleum Resources Upstream, Downstream Petroleum Sector and Gas have been mandated to liaise with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Presidential Implementation Committee on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), to facilitate the relocation of oil and gas companies in Nigeria to their various operational bases in host communities to ensure smooth operations.

The directive of the Red Chamber yesterday was sequel to the consideration of a motion on the, “Urgent need to encourage all Multinational and Nigerian Oil and Gas Companies to relocate to their Operational Bases" sponsored by Senator Albert Bassey Akpan and 23 other Senators.

Bassey in the motion noted

with concern that multinational and Nigeria oil and gas companies had over the years been operating from their respective operational bases until militancy and insecurity in the host communities in the Niger delta became the order of the day.

He also noted that the reason proffered by the oil and gas companies for not relocating to their host communities has always been due to insecurity and hostilities in the host communities.

According to him, operating outside the host communities and operational base was the reason for the high cost of production which has been the bane of the country’s oil and gas industry, militating against maximum revenue from crude oil and gas sales to the federation account.

He recalled that this high cost of production has been one of the most contentious elements of the country’s industry value chain and expressed conviction that the recent passage and signing into law of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021(PIA) by the National Assembly and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria respectively, is a major milestone

towards the restoration of a lasting peace in the host communities; The ranking Senator further stressed that the PIA now placed certain responsibilities on the security, peace and safety of oil and gas infrastructure on the host communities to safeguard and ensure peaceful coexistence between oil and gas companies and their host communities.

He also said: "Further convinced that is an opportunity to restore, recover and rehabilitate the massive and huge infrastructural facilities abandoned by the various oil and gas companies in their various operational bases to ensure their full utilisation; and “Assured that the relocation of these companies to their host communities will further boost development in those areas and enhance the corporate social relationships and strengthen out collective resolve to considerably reduce the contentious cost of production and ensure adequate returns to federation account.”

Contributing to the motion, Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo said the agitations and problems within the oil and gas producing

communities was as a result of their inability to easily access the management of the multinational companies to table complaints.

He said: “I believe that if this motion is passed and implemented, it will go a long way to assuage the yearnings and apprehension of the people within these host communities.

“Mr. President, as a matter of fact, the cause of this situation is that the government of these areas are not even benefitting from the revenue, that is payment of tax, within the localities that they are exploiting this oil and gas, because the workers will claim that they are not resident in these areas.

“The payee is not accruable to the state government. These are some of the things the people suffer on account of locating the headquarters away from the source of the raw materials”.

According to him, the full benefits of the Petroleum Industry Act would not accrue to the Federal Government if effort isn’t made to have the multinational companies relocate to the host communities where oil and gas is produced.

of heavy industrial goods such as petroleum products, iron rods, cement, finished manufactured goods, machines and equipment, electronic materials and goods, building materials etc, in which trucks and tankers are overloaded pits great pressure on the roads and thus are seriously devastating to the state of the roads".

The ranking Senator stressed that all the major link roads have totally failed with fatal accidents occurring on a daily basis with loss of lives, goods and vehicles adding that the current rate of funding of federal roads in the state is unfortunately dismal and cannot deliver, which has led to many of the projects abandoned by contractors.

He, therefore, called for emergency action from the federal government on the road in the mode of N300 billion special fund which was adopted by the Senate in its resolutions.

Senator Lekan Mustapha also moved a motion for urgent rehabilitation of all federal roads across the country noting that the problem of bad road is not peculiar to a zone but cut across all zones.

The Senate in response to the motion urged the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Budget to release funds for emergency repair of all federal roads nationwide.

Other resolutions adopted by the Senate as sought for as prayers in Abdullahi's motion are that the Federal Government should declare a state of emergency on the critical roads in Niger state linking economic corridors in the North and South.

It also resolved that a National Legislative Roundtable on the State of Infrastructure for Economic Development be convoked, so as to bring all critical stakeholders in the transport and logistics industries together with a view to identifying urgent actions to address the current challenges.

The Red Chamber also urged the federal government to direct the Federal Ministry of Works to

carry out emergency stabilization of the failed portions of Bida – Lapai – Lambatta road to ease the current suffering and rate of accidents and loss of goods and investments in the road.

Also on Tuesday, in what appeared like the government heeding to Senate's motion, Fashola, directed contractors handling the various roads, to move to sites immediately.

Fashola in a statement signed by the Ministry's Director of Press and Public Relations, Boade Akinola, specifically directed the contractor handling the construction of Lambata -Lapai – Bida Road to immediately embark on remedial works with boulders on the critical section of the road in order to bring relief to commuters.

The minister noted in the statement that the inclement weather condition was adversely affecting the progress of work on the ongoing 124.8km thereby making the road unmotorable especially between Km 45 - 50 kilometres to articulated vehicles and trailers conveying petroleum products and others.

The ministry, according to the statement, has contacted the leadership of the Union of Truck Owners and Operators to appeal to their drivers to vacate the road to allow the contractor access to the work sites.

The Minister also appealed to Niger State Government to reconsider the decision to close Bida – Minna and Lapai -Paiko roads to articulated vehicles while construction is equally going on to decongest and distribute the traffic on Bida -Lambata road to the other adjourning state roads.

He reiterated the commitment of the federal government to continue to respond to the needs of the people, even as infrastructure development is given top priority just as he sympathises with all who have been adversely impacted by this development and urges them to remain hopeful as help is on the way.

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STATE-OF-THE-ART FIRE FIGHTING TRUCK...

L-R: Secretary to the Cross River State Government, Barr. Tina Banku Agbor; Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola; Cross River State Governor, Sir. Ben Ayade and the Comptroller General of Fire Service, Dr. Lima Ibrahim, during the inauguration of the state-of-the-art fire fighting truck in Calabar... yesterday

2023: Were it not for Immunity, FG Should Have Questioned Southern Govs, Says NEF Hints northerners in PDP want to complete Yar'Adua's tenure Onyebuchi Ezigbo and Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has said if it were not for the immunity enjoyed by governors, the federal government should have deployed security agencies to grill southern governors for wanting to break the country by insisting that the presidency should rotate to the South in 2023.

Deputy Chairman of NEF and former Nigerian ambassador to Switzerland, Yahaya Kwande, who spoke on Arise Television yesterday, argued that the movement of the presidency between the North and South was an arrangement by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and not between both regions.

Kwande also said northerners in PDP were the ones demanding that the presidency should remain in the North in 2023 in order to complete the eight years tenure of the late President

Umaru Yar'Adua. He, however stated that rotation agreements within political parties were not new, adding that it started with National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic. He said southern leaders at the time had suggested that there should be some form of rotation within the party, which led to the emergence of former President Shehu Shagari.

The former envoy said PDP had an internal arrangement that power would rotate to the South in 1999, because of the controversial death of Moshood Abiola. He stressed that it was a way to pacify the South and keep the country together.

Kwande said rotation had never been a constitutional arrangement, but parties’ plan to win election, and it was what led to the emergence of former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the time.

According to him, with Yar’Adua’s death, the two terms

of the North was cut short, noting that even during the NPN convention, the chairman of the party's position was to stay with the west, while the vice president was to come from the eastern flank, an arrangement that produced the late Adisa Akinloye and Alex Ekwueme, respectively.

He alleged that ex-President Goodluck Jonathan deprived the North of a northern president from the PDP by contesting the 2015 election, a time he said the problem started.

Kwande argued that the election of President Muhammadu Buhari was not part of the fulfilment of that arrangement, because he succeeded under the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he said had no such agreement.

While admitting that neither the South nor North could win any presidential election alone, Kwande alleged that the southern governors were “commanding” the rest of Nigeria to vote some-

one from that part of the country, saying it is unacceptable.

Kwande stated, “I haven’t taken the position of southern governors lightly, because if not because they are untouchable group of people in Nigeria, I would have said the government should question them because it’s like mooting the idea of breaking this country.

“If all the political parties have decided to pick their candidates from the South or from the North, they have the democratic right to do so, but do not confuse the issue as if leaders are there to dictate where the president should come. The constitution has made it very clear “What they are now doing is like dividing the country.

That (rotation) is a question of the manifesto of a political party. When have APC and PDP decided to marry their manifestos?”

He argued that people were mixing the fact that Obasanjo

had an eight-year term with that of Buhari by insisting that the presidency should go back to the South.

Kwande explained, “Jonathan could have completed the two years of Yar’adua, because it is his constitutional right, because both of them were elected on that platform. But with the agreement, of which he was a party, he should now have allowed a northerner to finish the remaining term of four years to make it eight years, so that it should go back to the South."

Kwande stated that rotational presidency remained an arrangement of PDP and not that of the northern establishment.

According to him, the northern governors never said the presidency must remain in the North, unlike the position held by their counterparts from the South.

He said, "I don't think from what I heard from the presentation of the northern governors, they

Zoning Controversy Continues in PDP as Party's Govs Meet Today Party may throw open presidential ticket Makinde in shuttle campaign for Oyinlola South-west group wants PDP, APC presidential tickets thrown open Chuks Okocha in Abuja The controversy following the alleged zoning of the office of National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the South might have forced governors elected on the party’s platform to schedule another meeting for today to address the outcome of last Thursday’s meeting of the PDP zoning committee.

The meeting is believed to have a two-fold agenda: the outcome of the zoning committee meeting and reports of the 15 sub-committees on the planned October 31 national convention of the party.

But given the turn of events, there were strong indications that PDP, in finding a middle ground, might be forced to adopt the Governor Bala Mohammed advisory, which advocated that the ticket be thrown open for everyone interested.

This is as the South-west zone of the party, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, has begun to lead the campaign machine of a former

Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, to emerge PDP chairman.

In another development, a pan-Yoruba political group, Odua Grassroots Alliance for Stronger Nigeria (OGANS), has asked all political parties to jettison the idea of zoning their presidential tickets because such calls are selfish and anachronistic in a modern system of governance, where the quest for excellence is the new normal.

At the zoning committee meeting last week, where members spoke on which zone, between the North and South, should produce the national chairman, 25 members allegedly spoke in favour of retaining the status quo, while others insisted on moving the office up North.

But 23 members spoke against retaining the status quo.

The South-south geopolitical zone appeared still divided, as the state governors there were alleged to have rejected a plot to foist the Zonal National Chairman, Dan Orbih, as chairman. Governors from the

zone were said to be against the scheming to bring in Orbit, bearing in mind how the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, treated Uche Secondus. It was learnt that stakeholders from the state were spoiling for war, if at the end of the day, the zone eventually lost out to the South-west.

A source privy to the plots to scheme out Secondus was quoted as saying, "We keep silent not because we are a conquered people, but we shall ask the governor, Wike, a simple question, which is, what is the gain of the state, when we have thrown out Secondus? We are watching and waiting. There would be a time for reckoning and we will speak.

"However, we refuse to cave in because we are certain that all these shenanigans will not last because the judiciary will speak on this matter at the appropriate time."

The source asked, "Are we sure that the national convention will take place as planned. The court

has not spoken on this. There is still a suit at the Court of Appeal.

We shall not lose sight of this."

The source explained that it was in view of this that members of the zoning committee insisted that the office of the national chairman must remain in the South, as was the case in 2018.

Therefore, the decision to be announced in Abuja today may not be different from what was agreed in Enugu last week, even though a member of the committee said the “mock voting” of last week was actually a tie between the North and South.

It is against this background that Makinde has been going to his colleagues to try to persuade them to support the zoning of the chairmanship to the South and, particularly, the South-west.

On Sunday, for instance, Makinde was in Port Harcourt and Uyo to see Wike and hisAkwa Ibom State counterpart, Emmanuel Udom.

Makinde was also in Asaba and

Benin Monday to see Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, where he allegedly solicited support for Oyinlola.

It was learnt that the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi zoning committee had retained the pre-zoning arrangement of 2017 and as such, the decision to be announced in Abuja today may not differ from what was agreed in Enugu.

At the PDP governors meeting today, attempts would be made to douse and persuade the South to accept the outcome of the Ugwuanyi committee, which was alleged to have tacitly zoned the office of the national chairman and national secretary to South and North, respectively.

Another PDP source told THISDAY that the governors, on individual basis, had been consulting on how to ensure that the consequences were controlled.

Continued on page 45

did not demand that presidency should come to the North. They are saying, follow the constitution, if all the political parties decide to select their candidates from the South or from the North, they have democratic right to do so, but let them not confuse the issue as if leaders are to dictate where the president should come.”

Kwande said, "It is the right of President Muhammadu Buhari to support anybody he likes in Nigeria from anywhere within the federation but you cannot generalise it in such a way that Buhari is asking the northerners or forcing their hands to elect a president from the South. He has no such right.

“But he has a right as a leader of his political party, as part of a way to win the election, not to go the South, of course, by all means he could. But it appears that people are confusing the issue that Obasanjo had eight-year term from the South and Buhari has now got eight years term from the North and so it should go back to the South.

“That is wrong, our constitution does not allow that. But a political party, thinking that they will win the election, like the PDP did and they are still thinking that they are being owed a term to complete the four years and to make it eight years on the platform of the PDP that they had in the South, so what is the quarrel about that."

On whether he would support the move by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to once again seek PDP's presidential ticket in 2023, Kwande said Atiku was very qualified to vie for the post.

According to him, apart from being ably qualified, the former vice president was also well prepared for the job.

He said, "How would you know that I am supporting him alone, I have only one vote. It depends on Nigerians.

Election should be based on the arrangement and constitution of this country. You cannot wake up today and say that Atiku was born in the South and that he is a citizen, so that he can be elected.

It depends on the arrangement.

Even if it comes to the North, you cannot say whether it will be the North-east or North-west."

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TEN NEITI: 77 OIL COMPANIES OWING NIGERIA N2.659TRN UNREMITTED FUNDS The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) which disclosed that 77 oil and gas companies were indebted to the federal government, attributed the debt to their failure to remit petroleum profit tax, company income tax, education tax, value added tax, withholding tax, royalty and concession on rentals.

Speaking in Abuja during an interaction with the media on the status of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) implementation in Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of the organisation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Orji, stated that when converted to dollar, the government was being owed $6.48 billion at today’s official exchange rate of N410.35.

He noted that a breakdown of the figures showed that a total of $143.99 million was owed as petroleum profit taxes, $1.089 billion as company income taxes and $201.69 million as education tax.

According to him, others included $18.46 million and £972,000 as VAT, $23.91 million and £997,000 as withholding tax, $4.357 billion as royalty oil, $292.44 million

as royalty gas, while $270.187 million and $41.86 million were unremitted gas flare penalties and concession rentals respectively.

In view of the government’s current search for revenues to address citizens’ demand for steady power, access to good roads, quality education, fighting insurgency and creating of job opportunities for the country’s teeming youths, Orji stressed that the monies needed to be recovered.

An analysis of what the sum of N2.65 trillion could contribute to economic development, he said, showed that it could cover the entire capital budget of the federal government in 2020 or even service the federal government’s debt of $2.68 billion in 2020.

“In 2021, if the money is recovered, the N2.659 trillion, it could fund about 46 per cent of Nigeria’s 2021 budget deficit of N5.6 trillion and is even higher than the entire projected oil revenue for 2021.

“This is why NEITI is set to work with the government to provide relevant information and data to support efforts at

recovering this money.

“The disclosure of this information is in line with NEITI’s mandate to conduct audits, disseminate the findings to the public to enable the citizen’s, especially the media and civil society to use the information and data to hold government, companies and even society to account.

“It is important that the process of recovering this humongous sum be set on course to support government in this period of dwindling revenues,” the NEITI helmsman said.

The executive secretary called on the companies to ensure that they remit the various outstanding sums against them before the conclusion of the 2020 NEITI audit cycle to the relevant government agencies responsible for collection and remittances of such revenue.

“NEITI will no longer watch while these debts continue to remain in its reports unaddressed.

We will provide all necessary information and data to sister agencies whose responsibilities are to recover these debts into

government coffers. We will do also share the information and data with our partner anti-corruption agencies with whom we have signed MoUs,” he added.

Within the short period the new management was appointed, Orji disclosed that his team had succeeded in ensuring the reconstitution and inauguration of the NEITI board and commencement of process of reviewing of NEITI Act to strengthen its powers and functions. In addition, he listed the timely publication and presentation of the reports; securing permanent office accommodation for the agency after 17 years of squatting on rent; sustained and diversified partnerships with key stakeholders and partners as part of the initiative’s achievement.

According to him, the appointment of NEITI into the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA); commencement of the development of a five-year NEITI strategic plan (2022-2026); NEITI audit automation project and Nigeria’s involvement in opening extractives programme, were further modest strides made

2023: OHANAEZE ROARS, CONDEMNS NORTHERN GOVERNORS, BERATES PDP northern political elite and refresh their memories about how their former leaders like Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Alhaji Shehu Shagari and others underdeveloped the north despite running the affairs of the country for a long time.

According to a statement by the Secretary-General, Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, another northern president would fuel the agitation for Oduduwa Republic as well as Biafra nation and therefore warned that such a narrow disposition threatened the unity of the country.

This was, however, in sync with the position of the President and Founder of Anap Foundation, Mr. Atedo Peterside, who while weighing-in on the matter, wrote on his official Twitter handle that, “Some Governors say zoning is unconstitutional. Will they accept a President and Vice President coming from the same zone? Or a governor and deputy governor from the same local government area, though these are all ‘constitutional’? No, zoning is about political expediency and compromise.”

The Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF), umbrella body for 19 elected governors in northern Nigeria, had signaled its determination to retain power in 2023, when it argued that power rotation was unconstitutional.

It, therefore, condemned the position of the Southern Governors Forum (SGF), stating that their position contradicted “the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that an elected President shall score the majority votes; score at least 25 per cent of the votes cast in two-third of the states of the federation.”

But Isiguzoro, in the statement accused the northern governors of being the instigators of Nigeria’s breakup and that another northern president would be faced with challenges that would make it difficult for him to rule Nigeria.

The statement read: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide maintained that attempts to jettison the rotational presidency in 2023, and the north insisting to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari will be unfavorable and weaknesses towards sustaining the unity and stability in the country as it will favour the declarations of Oduduwa and Biafra nations by 2024.

“Northern Governors’ miscalculation on 2023 and meandering on blind excitements of opposing the position of southern governors’ standpoints had put the northern governors as exponents of Nigeria’s breakup.

“If another northerner succeeds President Buhari in 2023, he or she might not be able to superintendent over the affairs of the country as Nigeria might face brutal challenges

from secessionist groups with full backing up from ethnic groups as a result of a revolt against the injustice against South and excesses of the North.”

According to him, Ndigbo, “may join with IPOB, to declare for Biafra restoration in the event of any conspiracy against the 2023 Igbo Presidency.

“Northern governors should apologise to Nigerians for these subversive and provocative responses to 2023 Southern Presidency or should face the consequences of unable to read the mood of the nation which favours the southern presidency of Igbo bloc.”

In yet a separate statement, the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, said the position taken by the northern leaders was a clear indication that the country was facing a bleak future.

It noted that the northern leaders failed to recognise that Nigeria was confronted with uncertainty, doubts, insecurity and bloodshed presently, adding that by unanimously condemning the statement by the SGF that the Presidency must go to the south in 2023, the northern leaders had shown that they cared less whether Nigeria survives or not.

According to the statement, the Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, Governor Simon Lalong, could attest that the people of Plateau State, had never in history witnessed the number of deaths that had taken place under his watch as governor, noting that banditry in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa States was terrifying.

“Benue State has turned into a killing field. The states of Yobe and Borno are worst hit by the menace of Boko Haram; etc. Several schools in the North could not open because of kidnappers and millions of children are on the street as beggars.

“The Nigerian currency has lost its value. Unemployment has skyrocketed; and Nigeria has become the poverty capital of the world and the Northern Governors, the Sultan and the Emirs instead of seeking solution to Nigerian problems were busy strategising on how to retain power in 2023. This is most unconscionable, to say the least.

"Let it be made abundantly clear that if Presidency is a panacea to people’s problems, the north would have become the Netherlands of Africa. This is because the North had Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Shehu Shagari, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Musa Yaradua, Muhammadu Buhari, yet the problems of the North are on the increase,” he noted.

It reiterated the position of the Southern Governors, saying a gentleman agreement was reached at the NUC Conference Centre,

Abuja, in 1998 between the north and the south.

“The Late Dr. Chuba Okadigbo spoke for the entire south and Alh. Abubakar Rimi, also of blessed memory, spoke for the North. It was agreed that after Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar as the Head of State, that the presidency should shift to the South.

“That accounted for the emergence of the presidential flag bearers of the mainstream political parties from the South West. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo respected the agreement and handed over to the North in the person of Musa Yar’Adua.

“Again, Goodluck Jonathan, a Southerner, respected the gentleman agreement and handed over to the North in the person of President Muhammadu Buhari. Therefore, the least that is expected from the North is a show of profound gratitude to the entire South for their large heart, equanimity and sportsmanship.

"Furthermore, it is in the interest of every Nigerian that there should be a paradigm shift to governance techniques," the group noted, reiterating its support for the 17 Southern Governors.

Continuing, the statement stated: “Ohanaeze uses this singular opportunity to express disappointment over the unholy manouvres and alliances by the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the presidential seat for the 2023 general election to the Northern Nigeria. The exponents of this agenda, in their jaundiced calculations, believe that it is a sure way of regaining power from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

"Experience would have taught them that to zone their presidential position to the North is an orchestrated requiem for the party, because more PDP governors and grassroots will surely desert them,” it added.

The organisation, which has Prof.

George Obiozor as its President General further reiterated that the bane of Nigeria was injustice, which it claimed was targeted at the Igbos.

"Until we begin to wean ourselves of the Igbophobia and rather harness individual and group resourcefulness, creativity, ingenuity and initiatives wherever they are found, Nigeria will remain on the downward spiral," it added.

by the organisation.

He stated that NEITI’s had further been appointed to lead the global EITI contract transparency network; designing of a new, functional and interactive website and reconstitution of the civil society and communication sub-committee, among others.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the NEITI board, Mr. Olusegun Adekunle, assured that a lot more needed to be done in the EITI implementation in Nigeria, especially under the new PIA regime. He maintained that the solid minerals sector was begging for coordination, noting that the civil society and the media, being the third leg of the EITI tripod have critical roles to play in the Initiative.

“To effectively undertake this task of ensuring prudent management of extractive resources, there is need for effective oversight of the implementation of the EITI standard by all relevant frontline agencies of government and companies.

“NSWG looks up to you for you to effectively monitor these guidelines and to ensure that the standards are mainstreamed in the covered entities’ daily operations”, he said.

He reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu-led administration to EITI implementation in Nigeria, noting that the administration was passionate about the EITI process.

The chairman assured members of the civil society and the media that the NEITI board under his watch would do all within its power to sustain the existing partnership and ensure a more robust and cordial relationship with civil society groups.

In his goodwill message, the Programme Manager, British Council/ Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), Mr. Emanuel Uche, commended NEITI under the current management for the modest achievements made within a short period.

NNPC Set to Deduct N149.2bn from October FAAC

Meanwhile, the NNPC will again make a huge deduction of N149.2 billion from the federation's

joint account when the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) meets next month, according to a document seen by THISDAY. The NNPC FAAC presentation held on September 21, which detailed the corporation’s operations for the month of August, disclosed that as reported by THISDAY last month, the national oil company also withheld about N173.1 billion during the month to pay for what it terms under-recovery or value shortfall. An analysis of the document showed that net revenue to FAAC from the NNPC rose to N80 billion in August as against N67.280 billion in July, an increase of about N13.28 billion.

Year-to-date, the NNPC FAAC presentation showed that N714.7 billion had been paid as subsidy from January to August, with the eight month getting the lion's share of N173.1 billion, while June came next with N164.3 billion, followed

by May with N126 billion, then July in which N103.2 billion was spent on what the government terms under-recovery.

In the same vein, while no subsidy was paid in January, N24.3 billion was paid in February, N60.3 billion in March and N61.9 billion in April this year.

According to the NNPC, a pending N40 billion from June under-recovery would be subsequently subtracted from the federation account jointly run by the federal, state and local governments.

When the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) begins in earnest and the federal continues in its hesitation to stop payment of subsidy on petrol, it would be double jeopardy for the sub-nationals which would also be hugely affected by the deduction of the controversial 30 per cent frontier exploration fund.

“The value shortfall of N173,131,639,213.61, for July 2021 was charged. The balance of N40,000,000,000.00 for the June 2021 value shortfall will be deducted subsequently.

“The August, 2021 value shortfall of N149,283,084,869.20 is to be deducted from the September, 2021 proceeds due for sharing at the October, 2021 FAAC meeting,” the document disclosed.

Continued on page 11

BUHARI: FUNDING POLICE REMAINS HUGE CHALLENGE FOR GOVT But Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, in his remarks, said NDDC had become a cash cow for politicians.

In his speech, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, disclosed that NDCC was struggling to complete 13, 777 abandoned projects across the Niger Delta states.

Inspector General of Police Alkali Baba Usman commended Buhari for the police quarters, saying it is a key security project.

Buhari, who was represented by the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, at the inauguration, advised that the resources pumped into the commission should be justifiable and must impact positively on the people of the region. The president stated that the Nigeria Police had been effective in their role of protecting lives and property. He restated the federal government’s commitment to providing a fair and convenient ground for police personnel to operate in their fight against insecurity.

Buhari stated, "Funding of the police force remains a huge challenge, which is why we work with the National Assembly to enact the police trust fund Act. We are looking at other measures to improve funding for the police.

"Today’s event meets two objectives: the first is, it is an important part of our government’s effort to improve the lives and livelihood of our police officers and men.

And it is also another important milestone in our administration’s

pursuit of the peace, prosperity and the development of the Niger Delta.

"We recognised that establishing adequate security is absolutely integral to the fulfilment of this administration’s objective, which is why we have committed significant resources to projects such that we are about to commission."

Buhari added, “Our police force is a crucial component of our law enforcement architecture. They are the civil force, the closest to the people in the various communities. In the past months, we have been undertaking a major reform of the police. For us, we believe that we must increase the number of police personnel. So, we are also in the process of reequipping our personnel, both in personal gear and hardware.

"An important feature of the reform is the accommodation for men and officers. I have directed that the building of barracks for men and women of the police force should be done in collaboration with the social housing effort or the family homes fund. This will ensure speedy execution of all of the projects, and all of the barracks that need to be provided.”

The president also said, "The federal government has invested significantly in the NDDC and we recognise that this outplay of resources must be justified with very viable projects and will improve the living standard of the people of this region.

"And as we hand over this

facility to the Nigeria Police force, let me reiterate that with our security, there would be more development. This is the basis of my administration’s commitment to continue to provide various platforms for all the security agencies and the fight against terrorism, banditry and all forms of criminality."

In his speech, Wike observed that NDDC had become a cash cow for politicians. He accused the management of NDDC of sidelining the Niger Delta states in the execution of its projects.

The governor said inclusion of the states would reduce the rampant incidence of abandoned projects across the region.

He said the commissioned project, which was supposed to be completed within one year, lasted about 10 years.

Wike stated, "NDDC has been a cash cow for politicians. You will see competition for position, because of political interest. The problem of NDDC is not just for the Niger Delta but the entire Nigeria.

"This project shouldn't last one year if NDDC was committed to effective service delivery. There is no collaboration we have had with NDDC. And why would NDDC not be abandoning the project? You (NDDC) declare projects without conceptualisation, without funding, no commitment.

"My problem with NDDC is, no synergy with the mandate states. You distort the development plans of the states. Sometimes,

you go into our schools, health centres to build. Who told you it is our priority?”

Wike, however, commended the Interim Sole Administrator of NDDC, Effiong Akwa, for his impactful effort so far in actualising development in the region since he assumed office.

Akpabio disclosed that NDCC was struggling to complete 13, 777 abandoned projects across the Niger Delta states. He noted that the region was the safest and most peaceful in the country.

The minister said, "The Niger Delta region is the most peaceful region to live and do business today. Everything will be done to ensure the completion of the East/West Road. Presently, we have 13,777 abandoned projects but we thank Mr. President for making this event (commissioning of the police quarter) possible."

Usman, said, "The project demonstrates the (determination of the) leadership of the Niger Delta Ministry to support the effort of the police in security in the region."

Maintaining that the outcome of the project would change the narrative of the police, he assured of the maintenance of the property.

The Inspector General added that he would monitor usage of the building.

The building has one commander's residence, one second-in-command's residence, 64 one-bedroom flats, one armoury, underground cells, and gate house.

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WEDNESDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Aregbesola: FG Has Classified Schools, Educational Institutions as Critical National Assets Informants within security agencies responsible for rising crime, says NSCDC CG

Michael Olugbode in Abuja Worried by the spate of attacks on schools in different parts of the country, the federal government has classified schools and other educational institutions as critical national assets and infrastructure in other to focus more efforts and resources to provide a safer and more secured teaching and learning environment.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, who disclosed this yesterday, lamented that the threats to national assets and infrastructure continued to escalate due to the insecurity in the country.

This is as the CommandantGeneral, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Audi, has attributed the rise in crimes and criminal activities in the country to the unpatriotic pastime of informants within the security services and the society.

However, speaking at a stakeholders' summit on protection of critical national assets and infrastructure at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, on Tuesday, with the theme, ‘Synergy: Panacea to effective critical assets and infrastructure protection,’ the minister insisted that the federal government was committed to rooting out every threat to the corporate existence of the nation, while providing round-the-clock protection to critical national assets and infrastructure.

Aregbesola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, said the federal government has now classified schools and educational institutions as critical national assets and infrastructure in other to focus more efforts and resources to provide a safer and more secured teaching and learning environment in our schools and educational institutions.

“The federal government, and the various states and locals are currently massively investing in the development and construction of various infrastructure that would support employment generation, poverty reduction and the comfort and wellbeing of the Nigerian people,” the Minister said.

Also, Audi, who called for engagement with community, religious and political leaders to address the security challenges plaguing the country, stressed the need to re-strategise to better

protect national assets from the onslaught of bad elements.

He said the upsurge in crime and threats constituted a threat to critical national assets and infrastructure as witnessed in some states, including Zamfara,

Kaduna, Borno and other states in the north.

The CG recalled a statement by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who revealed that the federal government spent a whopping N60 billion annually

ing the potential threat to such infrastructure.

“You will agree with me that the nefarious activities of these criminal elements are being strengthened not only by informants within security

formations but equally those within the society; hence the need to engage our traditional rulers, religious, community, political and youth leaders in the process of finding a solution to this menace,” he said.

SENSITISATION OF YOUTHS ON MORAL VALUES...

L-R: Wife of the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oluremi Hamzat; Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke, during a one-day sensitization programme for youths tagged “Youths and Moral Values in an Evolving Society: Challenges and Recommendation”, at Agidingbi, Ikeja... yesterday

Police Arrest 57 Suspects as Security Forces, Shiite Group Clash in FCT Security killed eight of our members, says IMN Recover petrol bombs Launch operation against kidnappers Kingsley Nwezeh and Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory Police Command said, yesterday, it had arrested 57 suspects after the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi'ite clashed with security forces in Abuja.

Two people were allegedly shot during the clash. Police, however, said there was no casualty.

But the shi'ite group, which had embarked on its annual procession, that later turned violent at Life Camp area of the city, claimed no

fewer than eight of their members were killed by security operatives.

Many passengers were stranded between Gwarimpa and Kubwa as both the service lanes and expressway were blocked.

Eye witness accounts said security operatives fired teargas canisters to disperse the group, a situation that caused traffic gridlock, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes.

Some motorists were forced to abandon their vehicles in the heat of the clash.

The Shi'ites had embarked on its annual Arbaeen Symbolic

NEITI: 77 OIL COMPANIES OWING NIGERIA N2.659TRN UNREMITTED FUNDS In all, the overall NNPC crude oil lifting of 8.71 mbbls (export & domestic crude) in July 2021, recorded 0.87 per cent increase relative to the 8.66 mbbls lifted in June 2021, the corporation stated, with Nigeria maintaining 1.554 million bpd Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production cut in July, 2021.

Crude Oil export revenue received in August 2021 amounted to $7.78 million, equivalent to N2.98 billion, while domestic gas receipts in the month was N5.69 billion.

According to the NNPC, feedstock valued at $64.66 million was sold to Nigeria LNG during the period, out of which $54.40 million was received during the month, the difference being Modified Carry Agreement (MCA) obligations, gas reconciliation and credit notes.

NLNG arrears amounting to $3.09 million was received during the period, while the sum of $151.26 million being miscellaneous receipts, gas and

on repairs and maintenance of vandalised oil pipelines across the country.

He said it behooved the stakeholders to identify key national assets and their level of vulnerability while address-

ullage (the amount by which a container falls short of being full) fees and interest income was received in August 2021.

In its July operations, for monies which were shared in August, NNPC had deducted a cumulative N215.3 billion from its contribution to joint Federation Account, being a combination of N175 billion value shortfall or subsidy and N40 billion Joint Venture (JV) cost recovery.

The data earlier obtained by THISDAY showed that NNPC paid N67.280 to the joint account in July, in contrast to the N47.162 in June. The July payment was about N20 billion higher than that of June.

Furthermore, in January, net revenue to FAAC was N90.8 billion, it was N64.161 billion in February, N41.184 billion in March, zero in April, N38.608 billion in May, N47.162 billion in June and N67.280 billion in July.

In June, the NNPC told the nation that Nigeria was losing about 42 million litres of petrol to the activities of smugglers

across the country’s borders, increasing Nigeria’s estimated daily consumption of 60 million litres to 103 million litres, thereby worsening the subsidy payment regime.

Meanwhile, Brent oil, Nigeria’s crude benchmark, rose above $80 a barrel on Tuesday, the latest milestone in a global energy crisis, on signs that demand was running ahead of supply and depleting inventories.

The international crude benchmark hit the highest since October 2018, before paring some earlier gains to trade close to $80, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also climbed above $75.

However, the jump to $80 was adding inflationary pressure to the global economy at a time when prices of energy commodities are soaring, especially in Europe and America.

Other things being equal, oil has rebounded from its collapse last year amid record output curbs from the OPEC+ group and a global economic recovery that has boosted demand.

Trek causing tension and traffic gridlock on the Kubwa-Kaduna express on Tuesday.

Two Shiite members were allegedly shot by security operatives around Guaranty Trust Bank, along 3rd Avenue in Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja.

But the FCT Police Command said no casualty was recorded during the incident.

A statement by the command said normalcy was restored to the area.

"The FCT Police Command in a joint operation with other security agencies have restored normalcy to the Gwarinpa area of the FCT and other parts of the capital, where miscreants identified to be members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites, caused unnecessary hardship to motorists and other road users as well as individuals going about their lawful businesses," it said.

In the statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, the command stated that, "The miscreants, who were found in their numbers were promptly intercepted by the security operatives and dispersed to prevent them from causing further disruption of public order and peace and damage to public and private assets.

"The miscreants attacked the security forces with petrol bombs, weapons including stones but were adequately rounded up by the security teams without any casualty.

"A total of 57 suspects including 39 males and 18 females were arrested and currently being profiled at the State Criminal Investigations Department of the FCT Police Command."

The command said a golf

vehicle, flags, petrol bombs, weapons, mobile phones, charms were recovered as exhibits.

It called on residents of FCT to be calm, warning that any individual or group, who mightwant to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the capital territory to desist or be ready to face the full wrath of the law and urged residents and commuters to go about their lawful business without any fear or apprehension.

But another account claimed five persons died, when a combined team of the Army, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, clashed with the members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

According to the account, the Central Business District and many suburbs of Abuja, including Nyanya-Maraba, the Airport Road and all the access roads into the city were in a state of lockdown, manned by stern-looking soldiers to forestall any violence by the Shiite, who had trooped into the city for the annual Arba'een Symbolic trek.

Trouble, however, began some minutes after the sect began their march at the Federal Secretariat, when they were confronted by the Army and other security operatives at Gwarimpa.

Eye witnesses said that violence erupted after the soldiers moved to dislodge the roadblock that was being set up by the members of the sect at Gwarinpa model city by the main bus stop along the Gwarimpa-Kubwa Expressway.

Crisis ensued as the sects started hauling stones at soldiers and policemen, while in retaliation, the security operatives fired live bullets and tear gas to deter and disperse members of the IMN. As a result, many pedestrians

suffered minor injuries from the violence while many had their vehicles damaged.

While briefing the press, yesterday the Secretary, Academy Forum IMN, Abdullahi Muhammad Musa, alleged that eight members of the sect were killed by security forces.

He accused the Army, Police and civil defence of brutality and the use of excessive force against a harmless Arba'een procession at Gwarimpa.

“The brutality they meted out was of different level. First, they doused people with tear-gas, started shooting live ammunition, gunning down many. Eight were confirmed dead, tens of scores injured and numerous arrested.

They even carted away some corpses to an unknown location,” Muhammed said.

He insisted that in spite of all the viciousness, the Arba'een Symbolic trek cannot be stopped for what it stood for, saying the purpose of the trek was to recall and equally experience the trial and tribulation faced by the Household of the Holy Prophet.

He recalled that that trek also came under similar repression in 2018, when several members of the sect were shot at Karu Bridge on the Abuja-Keffi Road.

He described the trek as peaceful and non-disruptive to the rights of other road users, adding the peaceful nature of the procession could also be attested to by the general public before the Army arrived at the scene.

In a related development, the command said it has launched a special intelligence-led operation to tackle kidnapping and other violent crimes in the FCT. Continued on page 45

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

COMMENT

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

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK

Sonnie Ekwowusi pays tribute to a sister, mother and a friend

W

hat came flooding my memory after the sad news of the death of my sister, Mrs. Veronica Obijiofor (Nee Ekwowusi) broke, were the words of the third Beatitude: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”.

Veronica (who answered to the sobriquet ”Egondu Nwanyi”) was distinguished by her meekness and humility. St. Augustine regarded humility as central to the Christian faith and foundation of other human virtues. That was why he said, ‘If you should ask me what are the ways of God, I would tell you that the first is humility, the second is humility, and the third is humility….” So, Christians should be recognised by their meekness and humility. In his Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exultate, Pope Francis writes that in a world in which pride and vanity are wielded in order to dominate others, Jesus Christ proposes a different way of doing things: the way of humility and meekness. Pope Francis is right. Jesus lived an exemplary life of meekness and humility. And he expects us to imitate him in living these virtues. For instance, He came to serve not to be served. Prior to his public life, he spent a gargantuan 30 years in obscurity working as a carpenter with St. Joseph, his foster father. Finally, he allowed himself to experience suffering, want and deprivation culminating in his death on the Cross where he wrought our salvation.

My most vivid recollections of my sister Veronica are her living humbly and peaceably with everyone without wanting to shine out or make others unhappy. She was always unwilling to call attention to herself. She liked to pass unnoticed. She regarded the weaknesses and failings of others with tenderness and meekness, without an air of superiority. If humility means coming to know the truth about oneself with equanimity, Veronica was humility personified. In an age in which individualism has been arrogated to a statecraft and in which authority is abused and used to indulge in personal vanity and greed, it is irresistible not to be enamoured by Veronica’s self-effacement and large-heartedness.

Being an introvert, Nma rarely quarrelled with anyone. She was a peace-loving mother. She was a peace maker who rarely antagonised anybody. I have never heard anybody complaining that she offended him or her. I think Veronica (fondly called “Nma” by her children and grandchildren) will be most remembered for her charity towards her neighbours: her readiness to forget and forgive injuries and offences committed against her.

The traditional family made up of a husband and a wife and their children is the base unit of social and economic organization of every society. Mothers are the heroines of the family, and, by extension the society. In Igbo cosmology, motherhood is celebrated, not despised. Of course, children are treasures in Igbo land. Every normal married woman, every normal wife looks forward to giving birth to children in her marriage. Veronica was very generous. She was a proud mother of 10 children, all well-bred and well-educated. Thus she was an embodiment of true Igbo mother. The outpouring of glowing tributes from her children, grandchildren, siblings and friends since her passing attests that she was simply a sweet mother. Even though her name did not hit the headlines, Nma heroically spent the greater part of her life loving and bringing joy to her children at all times passing unnoticed to the endearment of her neighbours and all the people around her.

VERONICA WAS A SIMPLE AND PEACEFULLOVING WOMAN. SHE WAS SIMPLY A VIRTUOUS WOMAN

This, for me, is what matters in this passing world. Success is different from fulfillment. Fulfillment is what many crave for. A fulfilled mother is one who spent her life loving and bringing up her children responsibly. Veronica, like many married women, encountered pains and challenges in her marriage and bringing up her children, but she never succumbed to any of the pains and challenges. She was always patient, calm and recollected in the face of family problems. She did not allow family challenges to become the obstacles in her bid and disposition to bring up her children to become responsible citizens. Every well-formed child holds his mother in high esteem. Every child with his head in the right place is ever grateful to his mother for bringing him to life in the first place. A mother is a mother. The late high-life music maestro, Prince Nico Mbarga, calls her sweet mother.

Nothing can replace a mother in a home. A mother’s soup tastes better than the hotel soup or soup prepared by house-helps. A mother’s affection, a mother’s caress heals all wounds.

Yes, Egondu Nwanyi will also be remembered as a sweet mother. She never shirked her motherly responsibilities. Neither did she develop hostility to motherhood nor denigrated home-keeping. She would have chosen to become a “liberated woman” who dressed in fine apparel and walked the streets but, as I earlier said, she was humility personified. She perceived motherhood as a precious gift which should be celebrated and rewarded because humanity owes its survival to that gift. I think all her children would attest that she truly looked after them very well. She imparted to her children the essential family values which determine the way in which they relate with others in the society today.

Nma stood out for her strong Catholic faith and unpretentious Christian piety. Hardy any day passed without her praying the Rosary. In fact, she was always wearing the finger Rosary, and, she wore it until she breathed her last. Veronica was a simple and peaceful-loving woman. She was simply a virtuous woman.

Whenever we met after I had travelled she always asked me for a Rosary or a Missal on the assumption that I had bought either of them for her during my trip. She deserved the name Christian not only because of her Christian piety but because she loved her husband, her children, her grandchildren, her neigbours and humanity. Veronica was downright moderate, unassuming and urbane.

In St. John’s Gospel, Jesus tells Martha “ Your brother will rise again”. In response, Martha said to Jesus: “I know that he will rise at the resurrection, on the last day”. Then Jesus turned to Martha and said to her: “I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in me even if he dies, shall live; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die”. Writing to Philemon, St. Paul stresses that our true home is in heaven and Jesus Christ whose return we await will come from heaven to save us. And in his Second Letter to Timothy, St. Paul says that if we die with Christ, we shall live with him, and if we preserve we shall also reign with him. The Resurrection of Christ is the efficient cause of our resurrection. As we mourn our sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend Veronica, we take consolation in these words of Our Lord and trust that our sister Veronica has encountered her resurrection in Christ. Only the aforesaid divine words can permit us to live with joy and hope and optimism amid the sorrows and anguish of life.

OZIGBO, ANAMBRA AND TOMORROW Anambra needs a focus, disciplined, down to earth administrator to guide her henceforth, writes Oseloka H. Obaze

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ften, while the past is fraught with bleak history, the future is poignant with imponderables.

That cliché fits well into Anambra States governance narrative and leadership needs. A slew of well known names aspire to lead Anambra come 17 March 2022. The qualifying election is scheduled for 6 November 2021. Everyone in the race is running against a glaringly poor APGA governance record from 2014 to date.

The choice of who leads Anambra State in 2021, is now well beyond debate or academic exercise. It is an existential question for the Anambra population. History should serve as a guide. For the past seven years, Anambra has been a case study on lessons learned and hugely missed opportunities.

The only apt word for defining governance in Anambra since 2014, is “mistake”.

The choice in 2014, has been affirmed as utterly mistaken. The incumbent Governor, Willie Obiano wrote his own testimonial. The governance scorecard is most unflattering. The decision to keep him in office in 2017 after the first dismal four years was consequential, negatively speaking.

It was a factor of a blinkered choice foisted and fostered by traditional emotionalism. Anambra is worse off for it. While the incumbent will bear the historical burden, vicarious responsibility goes to the supporting cast from all sectors.

Since 2014 good governance has eluded Anambra State, despite cosmetic approaches, sloganeering and governance by billboard and media hype. The concrete results are less tangible and less evident, both in-terms of soft power dividends and hard power accruals. Even the touted security sector has suffered evident severe reverse.

Now for Anambra, another opportunity beckons.

Of the contesting lot, just one person will be elected. If the choice is left entirely to Anambra people, it ought not to be a hard sell or difficult choice. Anambra needs a focus, disciplined, down to earth administrator to guide her henceforth. That person, should not be concerned about politicking, but about good governance, period.

The reality is that Anambra stands broken - in infrastructure, governance, as well as morally and fiscally. The state needs to be fixed, very badly, considering that the governance record of ruling APGA party and incumbent Governor Willie Obiano has been nothing but abysmal. This view is bereft of sentiments and partisan fervor. One must call a spade a spade. Already, erstwhile supporters of the APGA regime are jumping ship or recusing themselves, lest they become guilty by association.

Of all those qualified candidates who hold party governorship tickets, only one person, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag-bearer is eminently qualified on all accounts to lead Anambra going forward. The

underpinning qualifier, is not just the credentials, it is a mix of experience, credentials, personality, global worldview and the ability to effectively run the state as an enterprise based on global best practices.

For her inscrutable candidate, APC’s record at the Centre is an albatross. Such record will not sell at Nkwo Nnewi, Onitsha or Eke Akwa. It won’t even sell in Chris Ngige’s hood of Allor and Nnobi.

Anambra is not an APC State. It has never been and will not be going forward. A Supreme Court reprise of its affront in Imo, is not possible here.

The ruling APGA’s poor governance record rules her out. No one rewards poor leadership.

Regardless of who is her eventual candidate, APGA is toast.

Moreover, Prof. Charles Soludo, who seeks the Anambra mandate under APGA, must now deal with the inconvenient truth; when Anambra was going down the road to perdition and prebendal abyss under Obiano in 2017, rather than speak truth to power and to the Anambra people, Soludo engaged in self-serving obfuscation, by claiming that “IF IT AINT BROKEN, WHY FIX IT.” So if Anambra is not broke and broken, rotten, filthy, decrepit deeply indebted and underdeveloped, what is Soludo coming to solve and why does the state need his solution?

The other parties and their hopping, knee-jerk and forum shopping candidates are in the race only

to fill up the rest of the racecourse track. Most of the parties are minor leaguers bereft of grassroots support base or fans, albeit with deep pocket maverick candidates. Try as they may, no one will entrust Anambra to another egocentric persona.

Anambra is a hub begging for good governance.

The material, human capital, revenue and fiscal resources required to effectively run the state exist, despite its having been recklessly dragged into a debt peonage. What is needed, is a transformative, adaptive, purposeful and caring leader.

From a policy and governance perspective, Valentine Chineto Ozigbo (VCO) of PDP offers the best possible platform and grand strategy for rejuvenating Anambra and setting her on the part of sustainable development.

From the hard copy and televised defense of his Manifesto, it can be gleaned that Ozigbo is on his marks, set and ready to hit the ground running, in governing Anambra. Indeed, a glimpse into his mindset and template of the policies and programmes he plans to execute in his first 100 days is quite revelatory.

With Valentine C. Ozigbo, Anambra and her progressive future and development will become fungible as well as inextricable. And that is why I have endorsed Ozigbo for Governor. The campaign and race for Agu Awka 2021 is that simple.

Obaze, the PDP 2017 Governorship Candidate, wrote from Awka

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T H I S D AY • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

EDITORIAL

RENEWED ATTACKS IN GULF OF GUINEA The authorities could do more to stem the menace

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n a renewed offensive that put to question the recently launched ‘Deep Blue Project’ by the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), a vessel was last week attacked in the Gulf of Guinea. Aside injuring two crew members, the gunmen also abducted a crew member, according to the International Maritime Bureau Piracy Reporting Centre (IMB PRC), which confirmed the attack. To say the least, this spate of attacks is worrisome as it has given Nigeria and other countries in the Gulf of Guinea a very negative image in the comity of maritime nations. More disturbing is that it came just a few weeks after the $195 million (about N80 billion) Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure was launched

by President Muhammadu Buhari.

What should particularly worry the authorities is that increase of piracy in the Gulf of Guinea has always led to higher shipping costs since vessels are now compelled to insure their crew aside paying for higher security THERE IS AN URGENT costs. “Whilst IMB NEED FOR A LEGAL welcomes reduced piracy and armed FRAMEWORK THAT robbery activity in the PRESCRIBES STIFFER Gulf of Guinea, the SANCTIONS, A MORE risk to seafarers still VIGOROUS AND remains,” said IMB VIGILANT MILITARY-LED Director, Michael PATROL AND BETTER Howlett. He conINTELLIGENCE GATHERING firmed that the Gulf NETWORK of Guinea continues to be particularly dangerous for seafarers with 32% of all reported incidents taking place in the region. The region also accounted for all 50 kidnapped crew and the fatality recorded by IMB during the first half of 2021.

The cost of this menace to the country is very high. In 2019, the United Nations Security Council disclosed that Nigeria was losing about $1.5 billion a month due to piracy, armed robbery at sea, smug-

Letters to the Editor

gling and fuel supply fraud in the Gulf of Guinea.

According to Ambassador Michele J. Sison, the then United States’ Deputy Representative to the UN, the root cause of piracy in the region are ineffective governance structures, weak rule of law, precarious legal frameworks and inadequate naval, coast guard, and maritime law enforcement. “The absence of an effective maritime governance system, in particular, hampers freedom of movement in the region, disrupts trade and economic growth, and facilitates environmental crimes,” she said.

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

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

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.

LESSONS FROM THE GERMAN ELECTIONS

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ermany is a big economy but it’s size is dependent on the mindset of the people, not petrol or natural resources. Germany is a testament to the fact that Nigeria should not give excuses. Germany lost it all during the Second World War and they were colonized too; the Americans and other nationalities colonized them but for a while. Out of the ruins the Germans started their factory again with little resources, and they have grown to become a power house. Indeed, just about 70 years ago they had nothing. After the war the Germans called on various workers to continue to work without pay and once profit came they were going to share. That is why today Germany has a symbiotic relationship between workers and employers. They Germans also don’t believe in debt.

The word for debt is also the word for sin in Germany. They have also built a solid political system which started in 1990 after the reunification and in their political system the people come first, not like Nigeria were the politicians don’t respect the people but their interests. The trust has grown so much that voter turnout rate in Germany is 80%. Out of a population of 83

part from reducing the number of vessels calling at the nation’s seaports due to the fear of an imminent attack, it has helped in no small measure to increase the cost of doing business in Nigeria as ship owners and the consignees now charge higher than they do for other countries. It has also led to the high cost of freight as ship owners and crew members often demand for high insurance premium before embarking on any voyage to Nigeria and the Gulf of Guinea. The huge costs are eventually passed off in the cost of freight to the final consumer. Besides, the high number of lives lost to such crime aside, piracy drives fear into shipping practitioners, especially ship captains and master mariner.

While there is unanimity among shipping practitioners that sea piracy cannot be totally eradicated, it is also a fact that with concerted efforts by all the relevant stakeholders, the menace can be minimised.

We commend the naval authorities for their efforts, but it is now also obvious that they need to do more if we are to rid our waters of these criminal elements.

There is an urgent need for a legal framework that prescribes stiffer sanctions, a more vigorous and vigilant military-led patrol and better intelligence gathering network. We hope the federal government will put in place the necessary measures so that the Nigerian territorial waters will not continue to harbour criminals.

million over 60 million voted in the last election.

As you turn 18 in Germany you can vote. In fact, the over one million Syrian refugees that came in 2015 can vote now. In Nigeria politicians find every way to disenfranchise voters by stopping electronic voting and making it difficult to register voters, because for them as long as they can get 30 million votes out of a population of 200 million they can win elections. The human development index in Germany is high, per capital income is also high, over 30,000 dollars. It is a knowledge-driven economy.

The candidates for chancellor had over five debates prior to the elections and once the elections are finished they had a post-election debate where they discussed the future of Germany, and live on television. They all agreed on how they were going to run Germany.

Nigerian politicians don’t even attend pre-election debate and they never believe in the issues. Just ask a Nigerian governor how many jobs he or she is creating in his state, he will say you are rude. In all of these I think we must rethink politics. The people must matter in politics and their votes must count. I hope they learn.

Rufai Oseni, rufaioseni@gmail.com

MODU SHERIFF DESERVES APC NATIONAL CHAIRMAN

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s the All Progressives Congress (APC), national convention draws closer, many political gladiators are throwing their hats into the ring to become the national chairmen of the ruling party. The chairmanship position will remain in the north if the party decides to zone its president to the southwest.

Already, some past governors have shown interest and want to take a shot at the coveted seat. Notably among them are: Abdulaziz Yari, Malam Isa Yuguda, Umar Tanko Almankura and Geoge Akume. With Ali Modu Sheriff popularly known as SAS expressing interest to join the list of the candidates, the seat will be keenly contested. Ali Modu Sheriff needs no introduction in Nigerian politics. He is a grassroot politician with in-depth network across the country. He was two times governor and senator of Borno State. During his heyday in APP and ANPP, Modu Sheriff,

played significant roles for the success recorded by the party in both Borno and Yobe States. There is no gainsaying the fact that Borno and Yobe States are the only states which never fell into the hands of PDP in the last 20 years of our democracy.

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has the capability, experience and knowledge of grassroot politics to sustain the gains recorded by the chairman, extra-ordinary convention, Governor Mala Buni of Yobe State. If given an opportunity to become the national chairman of the party, he will bring his wealth of experience to unify the party ahead of 2023 general election. During his nationwide consultation, the former governor stated that he joined the race in order to reposition the party in line with best democratic practices. He promised to reach to aggrieved members who due to one problem or the other left the party. APC is party embedded with progressive politics.

Sani Hudu (Baba Saleh), Kaduna

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

How Gunmen Abducted AVM Smith, Four Others in Lagos Chiemelie Ezeobi

More details have emerged on how gunmen on Monday night abducted Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Sikiru Smith (rtd.), a former Chief of Logistics, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) at the Ajah area of Lagos State.

This is just as the criminals abducted four others, including a couple at the Dopemu and FESTAC Town areas of the state.

Smith, a cousin to former Inspector-General of Police and current Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Musiliu Smith, was abducted at his site in front of Blenco Supermarket.

According to his aide, one Corporal Odiji, the masked men had stormed the site, where he was overseeing some work and opened fire to scare off people.

They abducted the AVM, who also doubled as Chairman of Double Wealth Ventures Limited, a dredging and engineering firm, and made away with him on their getaway boat.

In another development, a couple and their driver were kidnapped in Dopemu area of

Agege, by unknown gunmen, who took them away in two vehicles.

While they later released the wife, they kept the husband hostage and demanded ransom of N50million before he would

be released.

However, as at press time, the fate of the driver was unknown as the kidnappers were said to have put him in a separate vehicle.

Also, one Kingsley Ogbuagu

was kidnapped in front of Catholic Church of Visitation, Festac Town in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area (LGA).

Ogbuagu was said to have made to enter the church after parking his vehicle, when he

was accosted and forced into an unmarked car by hooded armed men.

Confirming AVM Smith’s kidnap, the state police spokesman, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said: “We are aware

of the incident. Concerted efforts are ongoing to rescue him unhurt, and arrest the perpetrators.”

But he claimed not to be aware of the other kidnap incidents across the state.

PLANNING FOR BADEJO’S BURIAL…

L-R: Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Co-Chairman, Burial Committee of late former General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, Rev. Wilson Badejo, Mr. Tunde Lemo; National Secretary, Rev. Yomi Oyinloye; General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, and Chairman of the Burial Committee, Rev. Adedimeji Adegbesan, during a press conference to announce the burial programme of the founder in Lagos…yesterday

Nine Killed as Herdsmen Sanwo-Olu: Attackers of Security Agents will Face Justice Lagos State Governor, Chief Superintendent of Police encourage our law enforcement in our state, no matter the Attack Benue Communities The Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday (CSP), Kazeem Abonde, was agents that we will always stand circumstances. The law is there noted the attacks on law killed on September 23, 2021 by them as they carry out their for us all, should there be Three die in collapsed mining pit

George Okoh in Makurdi At least nine persons were killed by persons suspected to herdsmen in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. Chairman of the LGA, Caleb Aba, who disclosed this yesterday to newsmen in a telephone chat, said the attackers invaded the community last weekend, kidnapped his younger brother with four others when they went to the farm.

The killing happened just as three persons died and one seriously injured yesterday in Anyiin, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State when a mining pit collapsed.

Speaking on the attack by the herdsmen, Aba said:”Yes. On Friday last week, my younger brother went to the farm with four others at the

outskirts of Gbajimba town to harvest rice when the attackers ambushed them on the farm.

The other four ran and were not caught but he being the youngest among them could not escape. They caught him and killed him.”

“I have been following his whereabout until this morning when I learnt he was killed. We have not recovered the body. On Sunday evening, it was Gbajimba market day and the NKST church had their holy communion. So, those who were coming from the church and those leaving the market were attacked. Four people were killed and several others injured who are presently receiving treatment at the Air Force Base hospital in Makurdi.

Yesterday morning (Monday), they were at Ulever community and four people were killed”, the chairman added.

Pensioners Lament Nonpayment of Five Years Retirement Benefits in Kano insolvent and may find it difficult

Ibrahim Shuaibu in Kano

Worried by the non-payment of the retirement and death benefits since 2016 in Kano, a concern group of pensioners have cried out, appealing to the state government to settle their entitlements.

The group, who came under the auspices of “Kano State Pensioners Unity” equally raised concern on failure of the state government to remit its statutory 17 per cent and workers 8.3 per cent contribution to the Pension Fund Trustees as another critical challenge in pension management in Kano.

Rising from a stakeholder meeting, held recently to address the predicament of the retirees, the group alleged that Kano Pension Fund Trustees is presently

to meet the outstanding benefits running into billions of naira.

In a communique signed by nine members committee led by Umar Farouk Ibrahim, who is Chairman, the group observed that the “state Pension Fund, financially solvent at inception, has been depleted as a result of inadequate funding and management to the extent that the body could be termed financial insolvent, except for the few assets in its possession, which unfortunately could not meet its outstanding obligations.

“The settlement of retirement and death benefits for those that left the service or died since 2016 has been kept in abeyance making such unpaid entitlement continue to accumulate into billions of naira.

enforcement agents by hoodlums in the state, saying attempts to trample on law and order by those, who were desperate to turn the society upside down, would not be allowed to happen.

In the latest of such attacks, a

in Ajao Estate by yet unknown hoodlums.

But the governor said: “I have directed the Commissioner of Police to ensure that all those, who participated in this savagery are brought to justice. This is to

duties and, at the same time, send a strong signal to criminals that any attack on our officers will not go unpunished.

“Such display of savagery as the one in which CSP Abonde died will not be allowed

need to redress any perceived wrongdoing. Citizens who take the law into their own hands are promoters of jungle justice, which will not be allowed to take root in our dear Lagos.

Ex-Oyo ALGON Chairman Asks Makinde to Honour Supreme Court’s Judgment Former Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State have berated the State governor, Seyi Makinde over his refusal to comply with the Supreme Court judgement that declared his dissolution of elected local government administration illegal and ordered the state to pay the salaries and allowances

of the council chairmen as compensation over the action.

A statement issued by former Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State, Mr. Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, on behalf of the chairmen, said the non-compliance to

the judgement by the governor is a reflection of the executive rascality that Oyo State has descended ever since Governor Makinde took over governance in the Pacesetter State.

Abass-Aleshinloye, who is also a former Chairman of Oluyole Local Government, said the judgement was clear

and unambiguous.

He therefore expressed surprise that the governor has not deemed it fit to comply with the order, adding that a similar judgement was given against Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State who has since complied with the apex court’s order.

NEXIM Bank Earmarks $10m to Boost SMEs

Goddy Egene

Nigerian Export- Import Bank (NEXIM) and its continental counterpart, African ExportImport Bank (AFREXIM) have earmarked $10 million to facilitate access to funding

by Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). The Managing Director/Chief

Executive of NEXIM, Mr. Abba Bello, disclosed this at the South-west enlightenment and engagement forum on in Akure, Ondo State.

He explained that the $10 million will be in form of project preparation fund (PPF) aimed at supporting pre-operational phase of project cycles.

The objective of this, according

to Bello, is to increase the pipeline of bankable projects, towards addressing the problem of poor access to funds particularly amongst SMEs. He expressed hope that SMEs would take advantage of the products to increase their access to funds and grow their businesses.

The NEXIM Boss also stated that it has launched the State

Export Development Fund.

Under this programme, the bank earmarked a minimum of N1billion for every state of the federation to be disbursed to targeted export-oriented projects in the SME sector, towards crowding in investment and promoting regional industrialization and economic development.

Supreme Court Loses Newly Elevated Justice, Oseji Alex Enumah inAbuja One of the newly elevated Justices to the bench of the Supreme Court, Justice Samuel Oseji, has been reported dead.

He was said to have died in the early hours of yesterday, September 28, 2021 at an Abuja hospital, where he has been on

admission. Director Information, Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande, confirmed his death in a press statement made available to journalists.

He said: “The Supreme Court of Nigeria has lost one of its Justices to the cold hands of death in the wee hours of Tuesday 28th September, 2021 after a protracted illness.

“Justice Samuel Chukwudumebi Oseji who was among the eight Justices of the Supreme Court that were sworn-in on Friday 6th November 2020, died at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he had been receiving medical attention for some days now”.

The late Justice Oseji is from Idumuje Unor in Aniocha North

Local Government of Delta State.

He was born in Jos, Plateau State on June 2, 1954 to the family of Mr. and Mrs. Ebenezer Oseji and attended Nigerian People’s High School, Lagos between 1977 and 1979, and later proceeded to St. Patrick’s College, Asaba, Delta State where he completed his Secondary School education in 1980.

NSCDC Arrests Four with 90,000 Litres of Adulterated Fuel

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, have arrested four suspects for allegedly dealing in adulterated petroleum products.

The suspects were arrested on

the Onitsha-Owerri expressway in Ihiala, Anambra State, while conveying 90,000 litres of adulterated products, which is referred to as Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO), in two trucks.

The state Commandant, Everestus Obiyo, who assumed office a week ago, disclosed this

during a news briefing with journalists yesterday.

Obiyo said: “The AntiVandalism Squad of our command headed by ACC Dennis Reuben on September 23, 2021, at about 2200 hours intercepted and arrested four suspects with two trucks loaded with 45,000

litres each of Low Pour Fuel Oil also known as black oil.

“They were arrested while transporting the suspected adulterated petroleum products in two branded Conoil trucks with registration numbers: Kano KMC-466-ZO and Kano KMC166-ZQ.”

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

Will Osinbajo Bite the Bullet?

Emameh Gabriel disects the chances of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should he enter the 2023 presidential race

Buhari

Osinbajo

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ith the 2023 election looming on the political horizon, analysts, supporters and gladiators have begun making projections on the political game as to who should succeed incumbent Muhammadu Buhari who is at the end of his constitutional limit as President. And his Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has been touted as an exceptional sell.

On Monday, 20th September, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State was quoted as saying Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will enjoy the support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) if he shows interest in contesting the 2023 presidential election. Sule made the assertion when he received members of the Progressives Consolidation Group (PCG) in Lafia, the state capital. According to Governor Sule, the APC governors will support Osinbajo because he is sellable.

He said, “Our concern is how we will sustain the party beyond President Buhari. So, if you come up with the idea, you know you will not only get my attention but the attention of every progressive governor in the country,” Sule said.

“So, if you are going about to sell this man, I want you to know that not every product is

sellable but Osinbajo is sellable.

“I pray that all the work you are doing now will not be in vain. It will be good for our party and the progress of this country.”

Governor Abdullahi is the first governor who has come out to extol Osinbajo and this has raised to the bar the chances of the second citizen of country to succeed his principal, President Buhari.

The Progressives Consolidation Group, is a group within the APC led by Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed and Dr Eberechukwu Eli Dibia, and has been at the centre of the efforts of a coterie network of groups pushing the presidential bid of the renowned Professor of Law. Others include the Osinbajo Grassroot Organization, Good News Nigeria among others.

The PCG has criss crossed the country in consultations for the man they believe holds the passport to Nigeria’s golden future. Understanding the strategic importance of the North to the realization of that ambition, they commenced and have so far concentrated their efforts in wooeing critical stakeholders of the region.

The other day, they were at the Palace

Tinubu of the Emir of Daura, President Buhari’s home town and also at the office of the Governor of Katsina State, Bello Masari, seeking the blessing of his principal’s native land somewhat in a show of respect and loyalty to the latter.

The PCG have also extended its message of paradigm shift to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, several APC state governors, principal officers in the Senate and House of Representatives, members of the APC National Caretaker Committee, former and serving federal legislators, and leaders of women and youths groups.

The Vice President is well loved and regarded in the North not only for his loyalty to the president all this time but also for the awe of his academic achievements.

The North relishes loyalty, and that was why former President Olusegun Obasanjo was tipped to be the President of Nigeria in 1999, for his allegiance to the region, in the same vein, there is a sentiment in the region that believes Osinbajo should be compensated for his loyalty, by supporting him to succeed Buhari as President.

Added to this loyalty, seems to be his mien, which many northerners regard as humble and workable at a time the region is in dire need of solutions and listening leadership.

Analysts opine that Osinbajo’s presidential bid would sail easily if he is paired with either the Governor of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje or Babagana Zulum of Borno state or Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state.

The governors forum both within and across the political aisle have always been instrumental in the political equations in the country and Osinbajo seems to have earned their respect in the course of traversing the country as an henchman in the execution of the administration’s policies. President Buhari is also considered to be well disposed towards Osinbajo succeeding him, as the president has always been suspicious of the regular politicians and finds Osinbajo’s pedigree and age as more suitable for a successor that can continue the policy of the administration.

With all of this in the kitty for him, the question is that, will PYO, as he is fondly called by his admirers, contest?

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

Araraume’s NNPC Appointment and the Disruptive Narrative Iyobosa Uwugiaren looks at the misgivings surrounding the appointment of Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume as Chairman, the Board of Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited

S

enator Ifeanyi Godwin Araraume remains a big issue in Nigeria politics, especially in Imo State. His name wherever is mentioned in the state activates fear and panic among his political enemies - due to what some political monitors in Imo State link to his ‘’independent mind and strong character.’’

In the last few days, ever since President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Araraume as the Chairman, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Board, those familiar with the divisive and disruptive politics in Imo State said that Araraume’s political enemies have relocated to Abuja – with a well- political script to create doubt in the mind of the President and members of the public about his inability to carry out the new assignment given to him.

Although Governor Hope Uzodima of Imo State and Araraume belong to the same political party (APC) they are in different factions in the state - since the last governorship election.

And an insider said that Araraume’s recent NNPC appointment has created panic within the governor’s camp.

Indeed, both social media and the online media have been assaulted with misinformation and disruptive narratives concerning Senator

Ararume

Araraume and his new job at the NNPC. And from the contents of the social media reports, it appears the aim is to disrepute Araraume and construct misgivings in members of the public, especially among the players in the Oil industry, about the fittingness of Senator Araraume to discharge his new responsibility.

In fact, the Convener of Concerned Nigerians, Deji Adeyanju, recently described Ararume’s appointment as a display of ‘’penchant for outlandish and unconventional methods of appointing cronies and men of questionable characters by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The All Progressives Congress, we believe has more qualified technocrats and well experienced players in the oil and Gas industry as members that could have been appointed as the chairman of Board of the country’s mainstay source of revenue,” Adeyanju claimed.

But a player in the oil industry, Yakubu Abdullahi, said in a statement that ‘’they simply want to portray him as unqualified to drive Nigeria’s Oil Sector. These hatched men have gone to town with the falsehood that Araraume lacks the experience and intellectual capacity to head the NNPC Board’’ and run the policies to transform the new NNPC into a commercial concern capable of making profit.’’

Abdullahi said that ‘’these misguided elements’’ had only succeeded in exhibiting their resentment and lack of information about Araraume’s wide experience in busi-

ness, academics and other accomplishments as an employer of labour and a key actor in the Nigerian economy.

To be sure, those familiar with his robust experience in politics and business sectors, have argued stubbornly in the last few days that Senator Araraume’s capacity to deliver on his job - as chairman the NNPC Board, can never be in doubt. They were quick to point to his several oversight functions - while serving as chairman in several committees in the Senate for eight years.

For instance, as the Chairman of the Senate Sub-Committee on the Downstream Sector, Araraume was said to have worked closely with former President Olusegun Obasanjoled executive arm of government in bringing sanity to the sector. Those who worked with him in the Senate have in their congratulatory messages to him in the past few days attested to Araraume’s drive for distinction and proficiency in handling some of the serious issues and decisions taken in the past to make the oil sector lucrative for all Nigerians and investors.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

POLITICS RIGHT OF REPLY

GOVERNANCE IN PHOTOS

Understanding the ‘Demolition Man in Edo State Orobosa Omo-Ojo, Publisher of Midwest Herald, reacts to an article on the propensity of Governor Godwin Obaseki to punish real and perceived opponents

Obaseki

M

y friend and professional colleague, Nseobong OkonEkong (Group Politics Editor of THISDAY Newspapers), started his commentary of September 24, 2021 “Beware! Demolition Man Obaseki on Rampage” on a foul note, obviously due to his meagre understanding of the developmental history of Edo State, at least, since May 29, 1999. Arising from this perspective, I will start from a ‘Dead Ball’ position.

Okon-Ekong scored an own goal with his first shot, when he misrepresented the court order which he argued to have stopped Edo State Government from implementing the compulsory Covid-19 vaccination for those planning to access the ‘Public Space”, including government offices, event centres, churches, cinemas and others.

Curiously, the legal facts of the case OkonEkong referred to, are in the public space and if only he bothered to find out from his judicial correspondent, he should have realised that there was never any order in the first place, that purportedly restrained Edo State Government from enforcing the Executive Order on the public health safety.

Below is the summary of the actual court proceedings that held on September 17, 2021, in Port Harcourt, River State.

Two lawyers (Chief E.O Odey Esq and S.C Eziefule Esq) who claimed to be representing ‘some aggrieved persons’ had reported to the Federal High Court that the Edo State Government had disobeyed the court order and embarked on the vaccination programme.

But the judge was irked and repudiated the appellant lawyers for misrepresenting his order because he never made any restraining order. He called on the Court Registrar to read out all the enrolled orders in the court’s file, and no such order which the applicant claimed was found.

The judge then asked the appellant lead Counsel if he was physically present in court when the alleged ex-parte order was granted and Chief E.O Odey responded that his junior represented him in court on the day His Lordship gave the order. The junior counsel in turn, said he took the enrolled order to the court secretary to insert the ‘omission’.

The visibly angry judge ordered both counsel into the dock and was about to send the duo to prison but for the intervention of Ken Mozia (SAN) and Wole Iyamu (SAN) who appeared in court for Edo State Government.

Both lawyers pleaded for leniency and pardon in the overall interest of a cordial relationship between the bar and bench. Femi Falana (SAN), also joined in plea for mercy.

The Presiding Judge, Hon. Justice A.T Mohammed pardoned both lawyers but warned them sternly against such misconduct in the future. Being the last day of the FHC

vacation court in Port Harcourt, the case was transferred to the Benin Judicial Division of the FHC for continuation of hearing.

It is therefore ironic that my colleague will spend his treasured time to scavenge for unimaginable court order which the originators have already disowned.

Mr. Okon-Ekong also asked if Covid-19 threat is the “most urgent item on Obaseki’s agenda” while relying on the data from NCDC, which according to him does not place Edo as an epicentre of the epidemic.

He tragically went beyond his privileges to make honest comment and fair speech, with his claim that: “Obaseki must have deliberately exaggerated Covid-19 in Edo to deceive the people from looking at the myriad of pressing issues tasking the populace.”

Surely, one would have thought that, as a senior reporter with a leading national newspaper in Nigeria, Okon-Ekong should be in the vanguard of those finding solutions to the global threat of Covid-19. Moving forward, it will be heart-warming if he joins his colleagues, as some of us have done already, in the campaign to push Covid-19 back.

In a manner that may convince most politicians in Edo State, that Okon-Ekong was hired to tackle Governor Godwin Obaseki, he deployed the proverbial rough tactics of ‘if you miss the ball, don’t miss the man’.

My brother at Thisday strayed off target to resurrect the story behind the demolition of Latifah hotel, owned by Mr. Tony Kabaka.

Again, Okon-Ekong failed to carry out his findings, before calling the governor a “demolition man.” If he did, he would have discovered that the matter was exhaustively determined at the court before the hotel in question was brought down to give way to the reopening of an existing road.

If I must add, the benefit of our pen as journalists is to serve the public (both high and low), without deliberately twisting facts or history.

From available records, which again are available to Okon-Ekong, a Benin High Court had refused to grant the prayer of Adun’s lawyer, U.L Osa-Uwagie, sometimes on October 22, 2019 - seeking extension of an initial 14-day restraining order, which temporarily stopped Government from removing Latifah hotel and Suites, that was earlier marked for demolition.

The court which was presided over by Justice D.I Okungbowa declined the request on the strength of a counter argument of the State Solicitor General, Oluwole Iyamu SAN, who insisted that the order cannot be extended beyond the fourteen days lifespan.

He also stressed that it was tidier for both parties to return to court on the 14th day to argue the motion for interlocutory injunction.

In his interlocutory application, Osa-Uwagie argued that Edo State Government did not declare the area (Ugbor), as a planning area and wasn’t gazette as in accordance to the Town and Country Planning Law of Bendel State 1979, CAP 165, Section 6. He also claimed that the State governor was witch-hunting his client (Adun) as a result of their political differences.

Edo State Government, through the Solicitor General, argued that “the Deed of Transfer attached to the motion by Mr. Adun and his lawyer was not registered with the State Government Land Registry, and that the building in question had no approved building plan.

The Solicitor General further told the court that: “The entire Edo State has been declared Planning Area and gazetted by the former Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, with Gazette No 22, published 27th May, 2010.”

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

L-R: Ekiti State Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babafemi; recipient, Africa Initiative for Governance, Barrister Femi Onipede; Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and recipient, Africa Initiative for Governance, Oyinade Olatunbosun; during the presentation of the two Ekiti State civil servants that qualified for the AIG Public Leaders Programme at Oxford University, United Kingdom

Peoples Democratic Party’s flag-bearer for the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo (left) presents a Toyota Sienna minibus to Lolo Nneka Enwelu, the woman leader of Ozigbo Vanguard, a powerful support group

From left- Osun State Governor Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola; his wife, Kafayat; Amotekun Field Commander, Comrade Amitolu Shittu and Asiwaju Musulumi of Yoruba land, Chief Olatunde Badmus, during the Final Fidau prayer of Amotekun Field Commander’s mother, at Didistinguished Event Centre, Osogbo

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi with the new Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG in charge of Zone 17, (Ekiti/Akure), Ene Okon; during a meeting at the Governor’s office, Ado-Ekiti

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WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • T H I S D AY

21

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

22

FEATURES

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

Inside Lagos Sick PHC and a Community Seeking Good Healthcare Rebecca Ejifoma, who recently toured Ibasa Ijegun Egba, a riverine community of Oriade Local Government Area in Lagos, reports that the dilapidated Primary Health Centre that services 24,000 residents excluding persons under 18 does not boast of a single health worker or daily operation despite the myriad illnesses plaguing their community. It brings to the fore the need to revamp PHCs across the state, especially those in underserved areas

The abandoned PHC

Giwa Ganiyat and her baby in front of her shop

O

riade Local Government Area of Lagos State is a riverine locality with 10 communities sandwiched by a murky lake. The communities are: Ibasa, Ibeshe, Imore, Ilashe, Igbologun, Igbeseore, Igbesun, Ireke, Ikare, and Iyagbe.

With 24,000 inhabitants excluding persons under-18, they only boast of one non-functional Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) at their disposal in Ibeshe town. Worse still, it takes a 15-minute boat ride from the Ibasa community at the price of N100 to ferry across the water. Then it takes another 10-minute bike ride at N200 from the shore of Ibasa to Satellite Town, where residents can begin to scout their way to any private clinic of their choice.

Now, for the people of Ibasa Ijegun

Oluwatayo Odunsanya with her baby

Ajara Lawal and her first baby

Egba, where the Awori language is spoken, it has been a futile call for a PHC to save them from the illnesses plaguing their children.

Sitting on local mats on the floor of their balconies, it was interesting to hear the tales of desperate mothers

whose children continuously get down with cold, cough, catarrh, diarrhoea, smallpox, and chickenpox, and malaria, among others, with no medical help in sight.

Use of TBAs, Self-medication

Our children always have cough, catarrh and cold.

Although that might be normal with children, if the government can help us renovate the health centre and bring back the nurses, we'll be happy. We need a standard hospital because of emergencies. We need bridges, too

Kalesanwo Oladunni with her baby on her back

for Immunisation, Others Through the innocent and fragile gaze of Ajara Lawal, a 19-year-old new mom, it was clear what many of the mothers have had to bear daily in their quest to access quality healthcare for their infants and children.

"My baby is three months old. I got married in this place and also live here.

I usually enter the boat with my baby on my back to Mude to find a hospital," said the teenage mother. "We don't have any hospitals here."

Ibasa dwellers have entrusted their sick children to traditional birth attendants (TBAs), who charge N5,000 for all kinds of ailments. For Mrs. Giwa Ganiyat, she and other women seemed troubled about neglect on the government's side.

This is because when children require surgical emergencies or have serious

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

FEATURES

Abandoned PHC

injuries or a chronic condition, they are left with the option of either the TBAs or travel by speedboat to receive appropriate care at a private clinic.

While noting that she has been in Ibasa for many years, she admitted, "We get treated at Iya-alagbo (TBA). It's not just treating the children when they fall sick. The TBA also does immunisation for our babies".

Stuck with Dilapidated PHC for their Health Needs Oluwatayo Odunsanya is another mother of two that couldn't hold back her frustration. She is perturbed about emergency cases of infants and other children in a community where they have to travel to Ibeshe (about 25 minutes walk) to access a lifeless PHC. "Our children always have cough, catarrh and cold. Although that might be normal with children, if the government can help us renovate the health centre and bring back the nurses, we'll be happy.

We need a standard hospital because of emergencies. We need bridges, too," she pleaded.

Neglect of Health Workers Resulted in Abandonment Despite the eyesore state of the PHC, residents said it was manageable to an extent because one or two workers would come to attend to them. However, all of that went south by lack of care on the part of the government.

When THISDAY visited the PHC located in Ibeshe, it was deserted. Its only companions were the tall, intimidating grasses on the left side of the compound, heaps of refuse, shattered glasses, and the cobwebs adorning the walls. The reason for the desertion may not be far-fetched.

"The government didn't take care of the nurses. The nurses were doing their best. Although not all of them used to cross the water, once like that, they did come," Odunsanya disclosed. "We pay N100 for transport fare to cross the water on speedboats or canoe, then pay N300 for a bike if it is an emergency or N100 for a shuttle bus to Agboju, Festac or Alakija. We want the government to build a health centre for us."

Since the PHC remains void of humans, residents of Ibasa continue to stick with TBAs and self-medication more as the perfect substitute to saving their kids' lives. With her baby girl strapped to her back, Mrs. Kalesanwo Oladunni explained that she takes a speedboat for approximately 10 minutes, then a

commercial motorcycle to access a private clinic in Festac Town.

"Our children are always stooling, having chickenpox, and malaria," stated Oladunni. "So I always go to Festac (about 20 minutes to access if a boat loads on time) to get treatment for my child, The mother of three, 11-year-old twins, and a year-four-month-old girl said despite years of waiting on the Lagos government's promises, none came to life. "We have been talking, but the government has not been hearing," she decried.

Elders' Donation of Land for PHC The Baale of Ibasa Ijegun Egba Land, Chief Modiu Abayomi Tolani, revealed that through "our member of House of Assembly, Honourable Wale Rauf, sent some people to request from our king a place where they can build a PHC." The government got two plots of land. "Although they promised to come last year, we haven't seen them," added Tolani.

While noting that the Ibasa community still has faith the government would come, he said that the entire riverine communities in wards H, I, and J in the riverine communities of Amuwo-Odofin Oriade are subjected to a critically sick PHC. "It is in a dilapidated state. So we implore the state government because if our pregnant women are in labour or children need emergencies, we will have to hire a bus to carry them upland, and the upland we are talking about is the Ijegun, Iba, Satellite road that is a no-go area to take a pregnant woman in labour; tankers will block everywhere," Tolani stated. "You can spend two to three hours in traffic before you manage to get to Agboju, Amuwo, or Festac, where you can access a good health centre."

Emphasising the need for a

functional PHC, Tolani mentioned that "although we have this oral therapy that we give the children by ourselves when they have diarrhoea, we need the PHC for the safety of our women and children."

Lack of Basic Amenities While decrying the lack of government presence in Ibasa, Tolani added a lack of potable water, contributing to their woes. "Those who don't have money to make a borehole or buy sachet water, drink water from the well. We have serious issues with dirt disposal. The King has made a dumping site, but many people will not go there to dump."

Chief Adeshina Jubril, the Bashorun of Ibasa Ijegun Egba Land, echoed every word of Tolani. "A community that has been existing for 14 centuries has such a PHC, one primary school since 1958 till date.

If the government can help with a school for the children because they wake up as early as 5:00 a.m. to cross the lake," Jubril explained. "It is dangerous. The worst part is our children graduate from universities but have no employment. Our needs are many. However, the basic and most pressing are a school, employment and a health centre."

Numbers Don't Lie The Nigeria Demographic Health Survey (NDHS) 2018 cited that 13 per cent of children under age five had diarrhoea in the two weeks before the survey. Children from Ibasa likely contributed to this figure.

While acknowledging that childhood ailments like diarrhoea are preventable and treatable, the NDHS said that about 1.7 billion cases of childhood diarrhoea are recorded annually, killing about 525,000 children under five globally every year.

The under-five mortality rate has slightly decreased since 2008

To ensure that the public has adequate coverage of primary healthcare intervention, it’s recommended that every ward in every state should have a primary health centre that is close enough for the people to access healthcare

from 157 deaths per 1,000 live births to 132 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018. This implies that more than one in eight children in Nigeria dies before their fifth birthday.

Solutions for Common Diseases in Children In a research 'Standards for Improving the Quality of Care for Children and Young Adolescents in Health Facilities,' the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a complete, accurate, standardised, up-to-date medical record, which is accessible throughout their care, children must be checked for immunisation, and appropriate vaccines, assessed for growth, nutrition, breastfeeding, acute malnutrition, risk of tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDs, fever, diarrhoea, pneumonia, cough or difficulty breathing, and bacterial infections in sick infants.

According to WHO, in its research, better and quality care for children is recommended and the provision of medicines, medical supplies, equipment, doctors, nurses, midwives, pharmacists, and paramedical staff, all of which the Ibasa community desires.

Expert's Position "To ensure that the public has adequate coverage of primary healthcare intervention, it’s recommended that every ward in every state should have a primary health centre that is close enough for the people to access healthcare," a public health physician at UNICEF, Dr. Ijeoma Agbo, advised.

She further pointed out that the PHC has to be free, accessible and in good condition to provide good services.

"UNICEF does weekly outreach where community mobilisers go out and let them know. They’re supposed to come with their children zero to five years to access immunisation, vitamin A supplementation, nutritional counselling."

The physician also suggested that where there is no PHC, the government should build one or renovate the one in a dilapidated state.

"The Lagos governor has been committing to that," while recommending that the right information on healthy practices, proper hygiene.

In line with their call for a PHC and health workers, health experts believe that if a functional PHC is provided, it would not only improve the health status of Ibasa people, but it will also help Lagos attain Sustainable Development Goal 3, which champions good health and well-being for all.

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WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

A T

REPO

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

08056356325

S E P T E M B E R

S & P INDEX

2 8 , 2 0 2 1

S & P INDEX

EXCHANGE RATE

OBB

14.00%

CALL

4%

INDEX LEVEL

565.29%

1/4 TO DATE

6.06%

N412.08/ 1 US DOLLAR*

OVERNIGHT

14.50%

1-MONTH

6%

1-DAY

–0.11%

YEAR TO DATE

– 15.66%

*AS AT LAST FRIDAY

3-MONTH

10%

MONTH-TO-DATE

0.41%

Balancing Liquidity, Deposit-to-lending Ratio, NPLs, Banks Default in CBN 65% LDR Requirement in H1

Darasimi Adebisi Following concerns over the need to balance between liquidity, depositto-lending ratios and check non performing loans, Tier-1 banks in the country failed to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) 65 per cent Loans-to-Deposit Ratio (LDR) for the half year ended June 30, 202.

This is despite the CBN warning that failure to achieve the target would continue to attract levies of additional cash reserve requirement of 50 per cent of the lending shortfall of the target LDR.

The Tier-1 banks’ are Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) with a Nigeria subsidiary, Ecobank Nigeria, FBN Holdings Plc, Access Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Holdings Company Plc (GTCO), United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and Zenith Bank Plc. Analysis of the banks’ results revealed that in the last two years, they have continued to defy the apex bank LDR policy that mandated lending to real sector.

The apex bank in July 2019, announced an increase in the required minimum LDR to 60 per cent effective end of September 2019.

Upon review of the results of the policy, the CBN decided to raise the ratio higher to 65 per cent which banks were expected to comply with by the end of December 2019.

The CBN in coming up with the policy sought to trigger growth in a weak economy.

Aside Ecobank Nigeria that recorded 67.50 per cent LDR in H1 2021, from 70.10 per cent in H1 2020, all other Tier-1 banks reported LDR below the stipulated 65 per cent demanded by the CBN. Specifically, Access Bank (Group) reported 51.70 per cent LDR in H1

2021 from50.70 per cent in H1 2020, while Zenith Bank Plc (Bank) LDR dropped to 61.60 per cent in H1 2021 from 64.50 per cent in H1 2020.

FBN Holdings’s (Group) LDR increased to 51.70 per cent in H1 2021 from 47.40 per cent in H1 2020 as UBA ‘s LDR dropped to 41.90 per cent in H1 2021 from 43.20 per cent in H1 2020.

In addition, GTCO (Group) reported 46.28 per cent in H1 2021 from 49.42 per cent reported in H1 2020.

The data obtained from CBN website by THISDAY showed that

the Nigerian banking industry LDR stood at 61.97per cent as at June 2021.

The last time the LDR was above the regulatory threshold was December 2019 when it stood at 68.46per cent.

Lenders have been cautious of extending credit to the private sector due to the country’s economic downturn, occasioned by the impact of COVID-19, which crippled global economy between March and November last year and oil price that dipped to $29 in May 2020.

As a result, Nigeria slipped into recession in the second quarter of

last year, the second time in four years, before recovering in the fourth quarter.

Despite aggressively growing customers’ base, and sustained increase in loan & advances to customers, the Teir-1 banks between 2019 and 2020 have come short of meeting the LDR policy of CBN. Banks lost N8.3 trillion to the CBN as the apex bank maintained its strictness on Nigerian creditors in 2020, as banks face sanction over LDR ratio.

Continued on page 26

BCAN Backs Banks, CBN in Publishing Forex Defaulters’ Names Nume Ekeghe The Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) have lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange policy and deposit money banks decision to publish the names of violators of the CBN FX policy.

This is just as seven names have been listed by the United Bank for Africa Plc and First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc to have flouted the forex policy of the central bank.

The customers were alleged to have either presented fake Visas, fake tickets and documentations for travel and did not travel.

The customers it was learnt are likely to be penalised by post no

debt (PND) on all banking platform.

To serve as deterrent, the CBN had recently directed banks to publish on their websites, the names and BVN of exploitative customers who indulged in sharp practices to circumvent its foreign exchange policy.

Meanwhile, BCAN have lauded the CBN and the banks for this initiative, but however urged that the banks shouldn’t falsely accuse customers who didn’t commit any offence.

THISDAY had reported on Monday that UBA had listed three customers’ names including their account numbers.

However, FCMB yesterday posted four names of customers including their Bank Verification

Numbers (BVN).

In a statement on its website, FCMB noted that the customers would be persecuted in due course.

It stated: “In line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)’s mandate, below is a list of customers who have breached the Policy on purchase of FX for Personal / Business Travel Allowance (PTA/BTA).”

“The directive affects customers who purchase FX via fraudulent means such as presenting fake travel documents or cancellation of flights after buying PTA/BTA and failing to return same within two weeks, as stated in the declaration form. Beyond having their names published on the website, such customers may also be liable for criminal prosecution,

”the bank stated.

On its part, UBA revealed that the customers were contacted by several email, phone calls, messages but failed to return the funds.

UBA in a publication on its official website titled, “CBN FX defaulters,” stated that the decision to publish the customers’ details is in line with the directive by the CBN. “In compliance with the directive of Central Bank of Nigeria mandating banks to publish the names of defaulters of the forex exchange regulation, based on regulatory directives, the following customers cancelled their trip and failed to return the PTA availed to them despite several mails, text messages and follow up phone

calls,” the publication reads.

The bank also included the name of a customer, who allegedly presented fake visa to apply for PTA CBN in a circular to all banks dated August 30 and signed by its Director, Banking Supervision Department, Mr. Haruna Mustafa, stated that the trend if not curbed, presented risk to the integrity and stability of the forex market.

“CBN, therefore, directed banks to publish on their websites within two weeks the names and BVN of defaulting customers who presented fake travel documents or cancelled their tickets and failed to return the purchased PTA/BTA, as stipulated in the customer declaration form signed by them.”

Speaking at the end of the last bankers committee meeting, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Guarantee Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said the banks are capable and eager to support the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) FX policy.

On the use of PND, he said: “Banks will report the individuals to the CBN. The likely punishment is that your account would be PND. And if you understand what that means, PND means you would not be able to do anything in the banking system.”

Also, the President of Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Continued on page 26

M A R K E T D ATA A S AT T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 2 8 , 2 0 2 1 FGN BONDS DESCRIPTION 12.175 FGNSB 10-OCT-2021 11.244 FGNSB 16-OCT-2021 10.296 FGNSB 13-NOV-2021 13.390 FGNSB 14-NOV-2021 9.091 FGNSB 11-DEC-2021

Price

Yield

BILLS Change (%)

MATURITY

OTC FX F U T U R E S

Discount Yield Change (%)

100.27

3.76

0.00

NTB 14-Oct-21

3.76

3.77 0.00

100.36

3.82

0.00

NTB 28-Oct-21

3.88

3.89 0.00

100.77

4.06

0.00

NTB 11-Nov-21

4.00

4.02 0.00

101.18

4.07

0.00

NTB 25-Nov-21

4.12

100.96

4.32

0.00

NTB 13-Jan-22

4.53

CONTRACT TENOR (MONTH) 1

Contract

Current Rate ($/₦)

NGUS SEP 29 2021 420.93

2

NGUS OCT 27 2021 422.38

3

NGUS NOV 24 2021 423.83

4.14 0.00

4

NGUS DEC 29 2021 425.28

4.59 0.00

5

NGUS JAN 26 2022 426.73

C Ps MATURITY

Discount Yield

Change (%)

CMBL CP XV 11OCT-21 UBNP CP VIII 18OCT-21 CMBL CP XII 31OCT-21 CMBL CP XVII 15-NOV-21 FSDH CP III 16NOV-21

7.16

7.18

0.00

8.77

8.82

0.00

4.98

5.00

0.00

5.94

5.99

0.00

7.30

7.37

0.00

26

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

At 68.60%, FBN Holdings Leads Tier-1 Banks in Cost-to-Income

Darasimi Adebisi On the heels of reporting 9.6 per cent and 5.3 per cent increase in operating expenses and operating income respectively, FBN Holdings leads other Tier-1 banks in Cost-to-income ratio for half year ended June 30, 2021.

Cost-income is a ratio between the costs involved in running a business and the income the business produce.

The ratio is important for determining the profitability of

a bank and it gives a clear view of how efficiently the bank is being run- the lower the ratio, the more profitable the bank.

The Holdings financial institution recorded 68.60 per cent Cost-income ratio in H1 2021 from 65.80 per cent recorded in H1 2020.

Analysts have noted that double-digit inflation rate often play critical role in increasing Cost-to-income ratio which at the end affects companies earnings.

Notably, Guaranty Trust Holdings

Company Plc (GTCO) has one of the lowest cost-to-income ratio in the banking industry.

With 7.2 per cent increase in operating expenses, GTCO’s Cost to income ratio was setting at 48.98 per cent in H1 2021 from 43.16 per cent recorded in H1 2020, attributable to increase in regulatory cost as the Group continued to remain cost efficient without hurting its business and future performance.

Operating expenses for the reviewed period grew by 7.2 per cent from N83.3billion in H1 2020

to N89.3billion in H1 2021 due to the impact of rising inflation and marginal Naira/Dollar rate movement in the official market, which resulted in the increase in general prices of goods and services.

However, Zenith Bank Plc reported 56.10 per cent Cost to income ratio in H1 2021 from 54.30 per cent in H1 2020.

The bank said the 3.6 per cent increase in cost to income ratio is due to inflationary pressures and regulatory costs.

Meanwhile, Access Bank Plc

reported drop in cost to income ratio to 60.10per cent in H1 2021 from 65.80 per cent reported H1 2020 as United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) also reported 62.30 per cent drop in cost to income ratio in H1 2021 from 67 per cent recorded in H1 2020.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka pointed out that the bank recognises the farreaching effects of the pandemic on businesses globally, and remains focused on its promise to always

provide our customers with the best banking experiences possible.

“Our H12021 performance reflects our progressive efforts in building on the strong momentum that we started the year with.

“As a purpose-driven organisation, we remain resolute in our drive for sustained growth in customer acquisition, transaction volumes and balance sheet, as we consolidate our ‘Africa’s Global Bank’ market position in the years ahead, uplifting livelihoods across the continent,” Uzoka explained.

Stakeholders Laud, Task CBN on Planned $15trn Infrastructure Fund Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Several stakeholders have lauded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on its planned N15trn Infrastructure Fund billed to be launched next month.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had in Abuja at the annual banking and finance conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria stated that the project, which was conceptualised by the apex bank alongside African Finance Corporation (AFC) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), will help to address the infrastructure deficit in the country.

He said InfraCorp would enable the use of mostly private capital to support infrastructure investment

that will have a multiplier effect on growth across critical sectors, while providing reasonable returns to investors.

Former President, Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce (NACC) and Chairman of Tricontinental Group, Olabintan Famutimi noted that while the infrastructure deficits in the country remained worrisome and require interventions like the CBN funding, it was important to manage the funds judiciously.

He urged the government to channel the funds into viable projects with economic benefits instead of politicising economic and business decisions.

He said: “We have huge infrastructure deficit. We need infrastructure but it is more about

which infrastructure government is working on, funding source and the conditions of the fund as well as the overall effect on the economy.”

Famutimi insisted that raising fund to finance infrastructure was not enough,, stressing that a critical examination of the economic outlook of the projects and the multiplier effects of on the nation were very important.

In his intervention, former President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and professor of Economics at Babcock University, Segun Ajibola , explainedthat several hundreds of thousands of road network, rail lines, energy and power, water remained critical but are currently in a bad state.

He noted that the deficit constrains the nation’s economy

despite the growth in population, urbanisation and technological advancement, adding that the need for the provision of these essential infrastructures remains inevitable yet daunting.

He said: “Hitherto, some reliance had been placed on other sovereigns such as China, international financial institutions such as the World Bank, ADB, etc. But there is a limit to which what Nigeria can attract from these countries and institutions because of the not too friendly conditionalities usually imposed on developing countries like Nigeria.

“Looking inwards in the manner being proposed by the CBN may be helpful. But then, the framework must be right. I will recommend a private partnership via collabora-

tive arrangement between local and foreign interests adjudged competent in providing such infrastructure.”

While stating that such partnership would improve the quality of delivery, performance and accountability, he noted that such interventions were expected to berth with relatively generous terms and business-like template.

He urged the apex bank to introduce a framework for monitoring performance, which must be efficient and effective, adding that there must be a shift from seeing intervention funds as free public funds.

Also, an expert at PWC, Habeeb Jaiyeola, noted that while infrastructure funds are used across the world for the development of

critical facilities, adequate planning and strategic contracting must be factored in.

He stated: “It is expected that the N15 trillion fund is channelled into critical infrastructure in the country that will open up sectors and markets as infrastructure challenges have been one of the major factors hindering the growth of some critical sectors in Nigeria.”

Jaiyeola suggested that the N15 trillion infrastructure fund should be administered to complement and align with the plans and projects.

Poor infrastructure has perennially been a major challenge in the country, although it is estimated that Nigeria may require as much as $3 trillion to settle the deficit over the coming years.

BALANCING LIQUIDITY, DEPOSIT-TO-LENDING RATIO, NPLS, BANKS DEFAULT IN CBN 65% LDR REQUIREMENT IN H1 Further analysis of the banks numbers revealed that UBA among

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 investigated Tier-1 banks has the lowest LDR in the two years under review.

The pan-African bank gross LDR dropped to 43.20 per cent in 2020 from 52.9 per cent in 2019.

A reliable source in UBA, said: “the LDR requirement is for the Group’s operation in Nigeria and not on the overall Group. Hence, the estimated of LDR is for the purpose of CBN regulation is meant for Nigeria business. UBA has grown loans and deposits, than industry average in Nigeria over the past two years.”

The same LDR is applicable to other banks, as this report covers data released by these banks in the period under review.

Access bank with 62.1 per cent LDR in 2019 reported 50.7 per cent in 2020, a decline of 11.4 per cent while GTCO’s LDR closed 2020 at 43.2 per cent from 60.62 per cent reported in 2019.

On its part, FBN Holdings Plc

reported LDR of 46.8 per cent in 2020 from 48 per cent in 2019.

Commenting, the Vice President, Highcap Securities Limited, Mr. David Adnori stated that the demand by CBN on 65 per cent LDR is a difficult task, stating that, “Loans are granted to borrowers’ in-line with the cannon of lending.”

He added, “Every bank has it peculiarity of lending to real sector in terms of existing exposure to client; how those funds are performing? Also, the kind of deposit they have to extend lending to real sector. Lending to real sector is not something that can be regulated.”

Analyst at PAC Holdings, Mr. Wole Adeyeye decried Tier-1 banks caution at lending to real sector amid Non-performing Loans (NPL) reduction.

According to him, “Most of these Tier-1 banks are being careful with the level of their non-performing loans and this is the reason why

they have NPL that is below five per cent, which falls within the CBN regulatory requirements.”

The CBN had recently pointed out that failure to achieve the target would continue to attract levies of additional cash reserve requirement of 50 per cent of the lending shortfall of the target LDR. “The CBN has noticed remarkable increase in the size of gross credit by deposit money banks (DMBs) to customers. Accordingly, the CBN has decided to retain the minimum 65 per cent LDR in the interim. All DMBs are required to maintain this level and are further advised that average daily figures are to be applied to assess compliance going forward.

“The incentive which assigns a weight of 150 per cent in respect of lending to SMEs, retail, mortgage and consumer lending shall continue to apply, while failure to

achieve the target shall continue to attract a levy of additional cash reserve requirement of 50 per cent of the lending shortfall of the target LDR on or before March 31, 2020.

“DMBs (Deposit Money Banks) are further encouraged to maintain strong risk management practices regarding their lending operations. The CBN shall continue to monitor compliance, review market developments and make further alterations in the LDR as it deems appropriate, ”it stated.

Also commenting, the CEO of Enterprise Stockbrokers, Mr. Rotimi Fakeyejo explained that because the economy is undergoing crisis, there are no good credits which are seeking for funding.

According to him: “So, if the banks have to lend, they have to lend to some prime consumers.

The banks need to consider if

they have enough request to be able to meet that threshold.”

He also noted that banks have a lot of their funds warehoused in the Central Bank in form of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR), this puts a lot of pressure on them in terms of lending.

“Banks have to balance between liquidity and depositto-lending ratios. These factors to be considered before meeting this requirement,” he added.

The CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele at the last Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) in September said the MPC noted improvement in lending to the real sector following the introduction of the LDR in 2019. According to him: “Industry gross credit increased

by N6.63 trillion from N15.57 trillion at end-May, 2019 to N22.20 trillion at end-July, 2021. The credit growth was largely recorded in manufacturing, oil and gas and agriculture sectors.”

B C A N B AC KS B A N KS , C B N I N P U B L I S H I N G F O R E X D E FAU LT E R S ’ N A M E S Dr. Ogubunka Uju in an interview with THISDAY backed the banks and CBN for this move to punish customers who are in breach of the

Fx policy.

Uju said: “If people are messing up with the system, they deserve to be fished out and prosecuted

within the arms of the law. I don’t think there is a mistake from CBN. However, where it would be a problem would be when there is

a miscarriage of justice if a customer has not done anything wrong and yet their names are being published.”

Fx for travellers is set at the

maximum of $4000; it is however believed that these customers might have defrauded the system of $28,000.

27

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

FINANCE

Towards Fair, Equitable Stamp Duty Administration The Stamp Duty Act presents ample opportunity for the federal government to boost tax revenue and bolster its fiscal position but the obscurity beclouding its administration calls for concern, writes James Emejo

F

aced with increasing fiscal challenges occasioned by dwindling oil revenues and the direct consequence of an economy which is not fully diversified, the various tiers of government are increasingly under pressure to boost domestic revenue drive to meet their obligations to the people.

Also, the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, as well as increasing debt service obligations by the government had further strained the public purse, reinforcing the need to broaden the tax net to improve revenue collection.

One of the areas recently identified by the government that needs improved tax receipts is the Stamp Duty.

The federal government had through the Finance Act reviewed its policy on stamp duty charges which was levied on electronic payments, thereby imposing a N50 stamp duty charge on electronic payments above N10, 000 as against payment above N1, 000.

The Act repealed a provision of the Stamp Duty Act 2014, which holds the threshold for receipts chargeable on stamp duty as N4 and above.

In 2016, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, while attesting to the potential of the stamp duty, pointed out that at a period when oil revenue posed a huge challenge for the government, the CBN was left with no other choice but to increase support for the fiscal authorities to seek other ways to boost revenues, adding that the stamp duty remained a viable alternative to increase tax collection.

The CBN governor said, “We will try as much as possible, working with the banks to ensure that all transactions are captured in a way that ensures that for every transactions of N1000 and above, each of those transactions get debit for N50.”

Emefiele at the time said the total amount, which the government hoped to generate from stamp duty was still unknown.

“We’ve not dimensioned it yet but in due course, I believe Nigerians would begin to know what this would translate into but we believe it would help the efforts of government to improve its revenue.”

RECOVERY

However, in July 2020, the federal government directed the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to recover all stamp duties collected on behalf of the federal government, which were yet to be remitted by government agencies, banks and other companies.

The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr. Boss Mustapha gave the marching order while he inaugurated the inter-ministerial committee on Audit and Recovery of Back Years Stamp Duties and the launch of the FIRS adhesive stamp.

While reiterating the federal government’s determination to strengthen stamp duty collections, he added that the tax had potential to yield about N1 trillion annually if properly harnessed.

According to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Mohammad Nami, total stamp duty collection between January and May 2020 totaled N66 billion, adding that

N18 billion was generated in 2019 fiscal period, attributing the improvement to the trigger provided by the amendment to the Finance Act 2019.

However, by August 2020, Nami, while providing an update on the stamp duty to members of the National Assembly, pointed out that the country generated about N3 billion weekly from the duty tax from May till August through Deposit Money Banks (DMBs).

In addition, a recent insight by the Danne Institute for Research indicated that stamp duty revenues increased by over 1,759 per cent to N120.15 billion in 2020 from N6.46 billion in 2011.

Although the implementation of the SDA had so far shown promising results in the amount of fiscal buffers it could provide for government, its current administration had been fraught with challenges as stakeholders described it as arbitrary.

The stakeholders believed that unless these numerous concerns are adequately addressed, the full potential of the stamp duty tax may never be realised.

STAMP DUTY AND VAT

Experts also believed that in its current state, the stamp duty seemed to clash with the Value Added Tax (VAT), a situation, which amounted to double taxation by exacting both taxes on an instrument.

There are also the challenges of identifying instruments, which are eligible for stamp duty among other frailties in the Act. Only recently revenue authorities including the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Joint Tax Board (JTB) and internal revenue boards from the 36 States of the federation agreed to push for the amendment of the Stamp Duty Act to resolve inherent grey areas that had limited its effective administration in the country.

The stakeholders at the 148th meeting of the JTB, themed: “Achieving Effective and Efficient Administration of Stamp Duties and Other Related Taxes for Enhanced Revenue Generation in Nigeria,” emphasised on the need to overhaul the existing Act to reflect current reality.

According to them, the duty stamp Act represented an old law mainly backed by the Stamp Duty Act of 1939 and which is no longer in alignment with the dynamics of the present times.

The further argued that a situation whereby both VAT and stamp duty is charged on same instrument amounted to multiple taxation with could further harm the business environment.

Nami, at the occasion had described the stamp duty as a “stone that was rejected by the builders, and before our very eyes, it is becoming a corner stone in the annals of revenue generation in our country” adding that the potential of the stamp duty had given rise to other non-tax entities which have sought to encroach into the territory of tax administration “just to savour from the new gold of revenue generation in the country.”

He pointed out that the stamp duty had increasingly become a controversial topic mostly as a result of ignorance and a misapplication and misrepresentation of constitutional provisions and extant tax laws adding that these challenges were also capable of truncating the effective and efficient administration of other related taxes, including capital gains tax, property taxes, among others.

The FIRS boss admitted that there are new challenges confronting tax authorities, adding that these posed a huge hindrance to the administration of stamp duties in the country unless addressed.

He said,” As long as these challenges exist, achieving effective and efficient administration of stamp duties may be a long shot, and this will be to the detriment of not just the national economy, but to the tax paying public as well.”

REFORM

Also, speaking on the issues, Managing Consultant at Pedabo Audit Services, Mr. Albert Folorunsho, said there are lots of things in the current stamp duty Act, which are no longer relevant to current realities.

He told THISDAY, “There is a definite need for immediate reform of that law specifically to address who is to pay stamp duty, what is the timeline for the payment of stamp duty, what is the instrument that are really relevant for stamp duty right now.

“Do you still need to stamp all of those instruments that are listed in the provision which was put there when VAT wasn’t in existence?

“Now we have VAT on some of those transactions and we are still charging stamp duty on the same transaction. These are some of the areas that need to be reformed. We know that stamp duty needs to be adjudicated; somebody has to determine what stamp duty is applicable to a particular instrument.”

Earlier in his presentation to the gathering on “Achieving Effective and Efficient Administration of Stamp Duties and Other Related Taxes for Enhanced Revenue Generation in Nigeria”, Folorunsho said that the existing SDA remained obsolete while the provisions do not communicate certainty, the party responsible to pay including payment timelines, mode of stamping, rates, penalties among others.

He pointed out that except for company registration at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and perfection of title at states’ land registries, the SDA as a statute is largely overlooked.

He said while its administration had been arbitrary, inadequate training for revenue officers on stamp duties was another limitation.

Furthermore, the tax expert said contrasting rates between SDA and FIRS/JTB circulars had only helped to create more confusion and provided fuel for resistance by the public.

Also, lack of data to track compliance has made stamp duty transactions between individuals within the same state hard to establish.

The current Act also lacked clarity on who should collect the stamp duty on electronic transfers.

Among other things stakeholders said Nigerian stamp duty law – Stamp Duties Act which was first enacted in 1939 had not undergone any major amendments to date except for the slight amendments by Finance Acts 2019 and 2020, adding that this explains why the stamp duty had been a successful source of internally generated revenue over time.

However, Secretary of the JTB, Obomeghie NanaAisha, told THISDAY that the meeting hoped to look at areas not hitherto being exploited or where revenue generation had been low adding that one of the main focus was the stamp duty, particularly taxes that could be generated from all the dutiable items but which are hitherto not administered.

She said, “The Stamp Duty Act is a very old Act perhaps adopted from the British tax laws. But as the economy and things evolve, there’s the need for us to fine-tune and re-enact the Stamp Duty Act. “Though some part of it has been touched by the Finance Act of 2019 and 2020, but there is need for holistic overhaul.”

Nana-Aisha said, “This is the time to overhaul the stamp duty Act and what we are also looking at today is that stamp duty cannot go on the same item that the VAT is also going for so as to reduce the multiplicity of taxes in Nigeria.

“These are the areas we are looking into and we also specify who is supposed to pay the stamp duty.

These are the areas that the existing Act currently did not take care of.

“And other instruments that ordinarily people are sceptical about is, how do I administer, how do I administer or the rates.”

Further highlighting the lapses inherent in the existing Act, she said, “Sometimes, it is the taxpayers who tells the tax collector this is what I am going to pay, whereas, these things are supposed to be well spelt out.

“It is the tax collector who is supposed to educate the taxpayers and not the taxpayer educating the tax collector on how much he or she is willing to pay on stamp duty.”

WAY FORWARD

In charting the way forward for the smooth administration of the stamp duty however, Folorunsho called for an overhaul of the SDA to align with current realities and best global practices.

He said this would among other things ensure clear identification of responsible parties and/or collection agents restrict the dutiable instruments to land and securities transactions, identification of stamp duty rates per transaction as well as refund option in the case that remittance ends with the wrong authority.

He also called for review of existing incentives/ exemptions for current relevance as well as shifting the focus from agency parties to instruments relating to the underlying transactions.

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

28

BUSINESSWORLD

ECONOMY

Ending Nigeria’s Borrowing Spree With the troubling revelation of Nigeria’s debt servicing pegged at 98% of revenue, Nume Ekeghe writes that the federal government’s borrowing spree is unsustainable

W

ith a total debt stock of N35.465 trillion as of June 30, 2021, an amount that is growing with each passing day, and has been serviced with N11.679 trillion within five years, there seems to be no end in sight yet for the borrowing spree by the Nigerian government.

The President Muhammadu Buhari -led government had sparked an outrage on the rising level of the country’s indebtedness after it once again requested the approval of the National Assembly to further increase the country’s borrowings.

In a letter to the Senate, President Buhari sought the approval to obtain $4 billion and €710 million loans to address critical projects approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). In the letter, the president said the projects listed in the external borrowing plan are to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency, EXIM Bank and IFAD in the total sum of $4.054 billion and €710 million and grant components of $125 million.

SPENDING ON SERVICING

The worry over the rising indebtedness was further stoked by the State of the Economy presentation made by the Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC), Dr. Doyin Salami. According to the renowned economist, with debt service-to-revenue ratio at 97.7 per cent (January to May 2021), the country’s public debt profile was unsustainable.

Salami noted that 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 projected fiscal deficit for 2021 are put into consideration.

In the past five years, the federal government had committed a total of N11.679 trillion into debt servicing, while N8.31trillion was expended on capital/development expenditure between 2015 and 2020. This translates to a yearly average of N1.386 trillion.

A breakdown of the amount showed that in 2015 and 2016, N953.620 billion and N1.475 trillion respectively were spent on debt service, while N1.841 trillion and N2.203 trillion went into same line item in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

The figures were unveiled in the “Analysis of the 2022-2024 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper,” presented in Abuja by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). The sums of N2.254 trillion and N2.951 trillion went into debt service in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

At the presentation, the Lead Director of CSJ, Eze Onyekpere, whose organisation has been in the forefront of the campaign for fiscal discipline and transparency in public affairs, stated that Nigeria’s debt had also been increasing in double digits year-after-year since 2015, with the highest increase recorded between 2015 and 2016.

Citing the Debt Management Office (DMO) statistics, Onyekpere observed that public debt stock stood at N12,603 trillion in 2015, N17.360 trillion in 2016, and N21.725 trillion in 2017. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, public debt stood at N24.387 trillion, N27.401 trillion, and N32.915 trillion, respectively.

The highest increase was recorded between 2015 and 2016, while between 2015 and 2020, Nigeria’s public debt increased by 161 per cent, indicating a yearly average increase of 37.74 per cent.

The CSJ chief executive stated that the debt service figures provided the factual background to the presentation of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF’s) position on consolidated debt.

He said, “The Consolidated Debt Statement affirms the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy (MTDS) 2020-2023 as the governing policy strategy. The MTEF states that the MTDS focuses on the development of an optimal borrowing structure to fund the government’s financial gap and needs, taking into consideration borrowing options, cost of borrowing and the associated risks with borrowing.

“Under the MTDS, the proposed portfolio composition is 70 per cent for domestic debt and 30 per cent for external debt while total debt as a ratio of the GDP has been increased from 25 per cent to 40 per cent; average tenure of debt portfolio is a minimum of ten years.

“It proposed up to five per cent of the GDP in sovereign guarantees for private companies executing public projects and Promissory Notes is to be issued to settle government arrears, Ways and Means Advance at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the debt stock of 5 state owned enterprises (SOEs.” Onyekpere recalled that the Consolidated Debt Statement setting out and describing the fiscal significance of the debt liability of the federal government was expected to process measures to reduce any such liability.

BORROWING TO CONTINUE

However, Onyekpere regretted that the MTEF’s proposals were about measures to increase the liability, noting that debt as ratio of GDP increased from 25 per cent to 40 per cent and up to five per cent of GDP in sovereign guarantees for private companies executing projects, among others.

According to him, Nigeria would continue borrowing in the medium term to finance expenditure, adding that the borrowing projections in the 2022-2024 MTEF contradicts the provisions of the Medium Term Debt Strategy (MTDS), which sets a portfolio composition of 70 per cent for domestic debt and 30 per cent external debt.

The trajectory, he noted, was leading to a 50:50 ratio, adding that debt service to revenue would be increasing in the medium term, while capital expenditure as a percentage of total federal government spending, would be decreasing in the medium term.

Similarly, he pointed out that from available facts, recurrent expenditure as a percentage of total FGN’s spending would be increasing in the medium term.

Onyekpere pointed out that in the FGN Revenue Framework, the share of oil revenue to FGN overall revenue was projected at 43 per cent in 2022, 51 per cent in 2023 and 46 per cent in 2024, while the share of non-oil taxes (VAT, CIT and Customs collection) to FGN overall revenue is projected at 29 per cent in 2022, 28 per cent for 2023 and 34 per cent for 2024.

He stated that the FGN Expenditure Framework showed that statutory transfers as a percentage of total FGN budget amounted to 4.31 per cent, 5.15 per cent, 5.23 per cent and 4.96 per cent for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. “Debt service, including Sinking Funds to total FGN budget is 29 per cent, 33 per cent, 39 per cent and 44 per cent respectively for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

“Recurrent non-debt expenditure amounts to 48.94 per cent, 52.11 per cent, 47.81 per cent and 44.29 per cent respectively for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The high level personnel costs as a component of recurrent non debt expenditure (66.4% in 2021;

68% in 2022; 67.9% in 2023 and 67.9 per cent in 2024) is further evidence of the imperative for reducing the cost of governance.

“Special interventions funds amounts to 3.04 per cent, 2.94 per cent, 2.61 per cent and 2.39 per cent respectively for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Capital expenditure (excluding Government owned Enterprises and statutory transfers) amounts to 32.87 per cent, 23.82 per cent, 20.22 per cent and 18.50 per cent for the years 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively.”

CSJ recommended that MTEFs should be prepared on the strength of high-level overarching national policy instruments, pointing out that a clear successor to the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERHP) should be articulated and made available to Nigerians for input.

According to the organisation, there are references in the MTEF to a Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP), which is neither in the public domain nor a product of the popular participation

by Nigerians.

INCREASE IN REVENUE BASE

To improve revenue, therefore, Dr Salami said the government must block leakages, unlock opportunities at state levels, improve tax efficiency and coverage, and sell-off dead assets, which are estimated at $900 billion.

Salami had pointed out that the federal government’s expenditure had been on the increase, and at a faster pace than its revenue. He added that public debt had continued to expand on the back of growing fiscal deficit.

He said from January to May 2021, actual fiscal deficit was N3.01 trillion, representing 53.8 per cent of total budgeted deficit for 2021. “While overall expenditure has grown by 102 per cent from N5 trillion to N10.1 trillion between 2015 and 2020, revenue increased by just 15 per cent.

“This subdued government revenue is as a result of constraints around domestic production/ investment; low tax base, as tax revenue to GDP still revolves around seven per cent; limited effort to explore and unlock opportunities for revenue generation at state level; over-centralisation and issues relating to efficiency in revenue collection.”

The economist pointed out that macroeconomic stability, consistency of policy and regulation, sectoral reforms, human capital development, and resolution of the security crisis were key to the economy’s ability to rebound. He also stated that the investment climate in the country currently faced major headwinds as total foreign investment inflows into Nigeria remained low.

The presidential advisor said foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow was $875 million in the second quarter of 2021, which was the lowest quarterly inflow since first quarter of 2016.

Salami said FDI inflow into Nigeria had revolved around $1 billion in the last five years, adding that FDI inflow in the second quarter of 2021 was $78 million, even lower than Q2 2020.

He said the country’s investment climate was being constrained by macroeconomic instability, policy inconsistency, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, as well as tough business climate.

Salami said the way forward for the country was

for the state Houses of Assembly to help in improving state competitiveness by reallocating spending priorities.

He said more emphasis should be given to human capital development and the provision of social amenities for the populace. Among other things, Salami said they serve as champions of Ease of Doing Business, adding that the legislative bodies can review existing legal impediments to doing business in the states.

The steps, according to him, would include amending tax laws; reforming procurement laws to support indigenous private sector; improving access to construction permits; and making it easier to register properties.

A RISING DEBT PORTFOLIO

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s total public debt, comprising states and federal government debt obligations, rose by 7.75 per cent, from N32.916 trillion in December 31, 2020, to N35.465 trillion as of June 30, 2021. The federal government carries 83.07 per cent of the debt burden, while the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) account for 16.93 per cent. Domestic debt accounts for 68.40 per cent, while the external component stands at 38.60 per cent.

Director General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Ms. Patience Oniha, noted that while the total external debt component stood at N12.706 trillion as of December 31, 2020, it rose to N13.711 trillion as of June 30, 2021.

She said total domestic debt increased from N20.210 trillion as of December 2020, to N21.754 trillion as of June 30, 2021. A breakdown of this gives N17.632 trillion for the federal government, while N4.122 trillion is for states and the Federal FCT. Of the N13.711 trillion external debt, the federal government only accounts for N11.828 trillion while the states and FCT make up the balance of N1.883 trillion.

Explaining the latest move by the federal government to secure $4.054 billion, €710 million and $125m fresh borrowing, Oniha stated that it had nothing to do with President Muhammadu Buhari as an individual. According to her, approval has already been secured from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the National Assembly under the under the 2018-2020 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan to finance capital projects.

Oniha noted that there were entrenched processes and statutory instruments, including annual budgets, anchored on the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), which allowed borrowing.

The president said the projects listed in the borrowing plan were to be financed through sovereign loans from the World Bank, French Development Agency (AFD), China-Exim Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Credit Suisse Group and Standard Chartered/ China Export and Credit (SINOSURE).

He said the loans would be used to fund federal and state governments’ projects that cut across key sectors, such as infrastructure, health, agriculture and food security, energy, education and human capital development, and COVID-19 response efforts.

Oniha also spoke on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) overdrafts to the federal government, noting that at the beginning of the year, they stood at N10 trillion, and must have increased by now. When added to the current debt profile, it would certainly increase the debt figures, she stated.

She noted that the process of adding the CBN loans had commenced, adding that the approval of the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly would be secured to that effect.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Upscaling Gender Gap Index in Nigeria Daily, the world opens to the reality of the potential inherent in the joint and equal participation of every gender, especially for the attainment of development goals. Important steps are being made to blur the disparity that once limited the opportunities that were available to women.

Women are increasingly presented with the deserving platforms to take the lead of major organisations, and investment projects. Kunle Aderinokun reports

Lafarge Africa CEO, Khaled El Dokani presents a certificate to one of the female graduands from the Lafarge Driving Institute

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s suggested by the Global Gender Gap Report 2021, globally, 68 per cent of the gap in catching up with gender parity has been covered despite the setback of -0.6per cent in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. These figures, however, are greatly influenced by the performances of large countries.

Nigeria has been able to cover 62.7per cent of the gender gap lurking in various industries, 0.8per cent growth from last year. This growth places the country 139th globally. A lot of the progress recorded in the Nigerian economy can be accorded to the involvement of the private sector, a key driver of the Nigerian economy which has provided the base for the uphill move of 5 per cent in economic participation and opportunity index score. As more opportunities present themselves for women they keep holding onto it and proving their worth in any industry or sector they find themselves in, adding immeasurably to their field.

Moving the spotlight to leadership. In 2020, 20.9 per cent of the board directorships of the Nigeria Stock Exchange top 20 companies by market capitalisation were held by women.

Going by the results of the PWR NGX Top 20 Gender diversity scorecard, one year later, a growth of 2.3per cent occurred on the wings of the 30per cent female representation of 25per cent - a decline from 30per cent - of the top 20 companies listed on the NGX. Lafarge Africa Plc maintained dominance with an increase from 40per cent in 2020 to 45.5per cent in 2020. It is no coincidence that the major drivers of this growth can be accorded to the top-performing industries such as Financial Services, Consumer Goods, Industrial Goods, ICT and Oil & Gas.

SETTING TRENDS

Getting impacts that transcend a particular industry is not just a coincidence, it is a function of a conscious adherence to a well-thoughtout strategy. A strategy that is evident in the commitment to international standards for the inclusion and development of opportunities for women.

Emerging as one of the five top-performing companies blurring the gap in gender roles and encouraging equality and diversity within its ranks, the recognition of Lafarge Africa is on the premise of the recent IFC Gender Equality study, conducted in partnership with Nigerian

Exchange Limited (NGX) to assess gender gaps at 30 leading companies listed on NGX. The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, NGX Group, Mr Oscar N. Onyema, OON, spoke at the virtual launch of the Nigeria2Equal (N2E) Peer Learning Platform and Gender Gap Assessment Report, a collaboration between The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX). He said, “As the first multi-stakeholder country project focused on reducing gender gaps in Nigeria’s private sector companies, Nigeria2Equal is unique in its design to ensure a quantitative approach to improving gender equality amongst the participating companies through careful research.”

“In addition, the program’s approach to celebrating industry best practices and promoting the application of gender-smart solutions at the firm and sector level is best in class and will be celebrated for years to come.’’

Lafarge Africa’s Country Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Khaled El Dokani, represented

by Communications, Public Affairs & Sustainable Development Director, Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, during the launch event, spoke on the Business Case for Achieving Gender Parity in Nigeria: From the CEO’s Perspective’. He said: “We are

“The program’s approach to celebrating industry best practices and promoting the application of gender-smart solutions at the firm and sector level is best in class and will be celebrated for years to come.”

extremely delighted for this recognition. At Lafarge, we are further driven by narrowing the gap, which is a particular nuance in the manufacturing sector. To underscore this, we have set ambitious diversity and inclusion targets.”

According to the Organisation and Human Resources Director of Lafarge Africa Plc, Gbemiga Owolabi Lafarge Africa believes that its success is directly linked to how diverse and inclusive the company is.

“We continue to improve on our various employee initiatives towards ensuring that every employee has the same opportunity, irrespective of gender, to excel,” he remarked.

Championing the call for more inclusion of women in leadership, the release of the inaugural edition of the PWR NGX Top 20 Gender diversity scorecard galvanised huge momentum in corporate Nigeria, raising awareness of the business case for gender diversity in boardrooms. Responding to the scorecards and the call to be more inclusive in the leadership of large companies, at the heart of company strategies, were an increasingly complex and volatile business environment with exponential levels of risk that can be mitigated with diversity. Hence, a direct impact on the inclusivity of more women in boardrooms.

Topping the scorecard in the 2021 edition is Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading innovative and sustainable building solutions provider in the construction industry. Churning out sustainability initiatives more often than not, Lafarge Africa Plc has not ceased to reassure of its commitment to global development standards. Abiding by the guidance of the SDGs and other sustainable development frameworks, the company has crafted strategies that cut through delivering building affordable and sustainable solution products but also delivering on community development and gender inclusion within its ranks and in host communities.

It is worthy of note that before this recognition from PWR Lafarge Africa announced the graduation of 31 female truck drivers out of 52 enrolled in 2021, through the Lafarge Driving Institute (LDI) in Calabar, Cross River State. The Lafarge Driving Institute was set up to ensure safety on roads as enrollees were taken through

months of rigorous training and practical sessions on the road as well as simulator exercises that exposed them to defensive driving techniques.

Upon their graduation, they were absorbed as a key part of the logistics value chain to ensure the adequate and timely delivery of products to customers in a safe, efficient and timely manner even as the gap in gender roles are being blurred.

The Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Lolu AladeAkinyemi, has reiterated on several occasions that Lafarge Africa is constantly investing in critical areas of the business to guarantee the safety of all stakeholders at all times. He noted that Lafarge Africa is committed to sustainability and innovation as the vision is to be the global leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions.

COVID-19 EFFECT

At the start of the pandemic, several norms were altered and growth stalled along the shore of government restrictions imposed to curb the pandemic. International Labour Organization (ILO) projections on the potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic suggest that employment declined by 114 million jobs relative to 2019, and if potential employment growth in 2020 is considered, it could reach 144 million. Even as the world opens up through the recovery stage, not much has made the times better for women who may have resigned, lost their jobs and are seeking re-entry or those hoping to get first-time entry into the labour force. The progress that was being made before the enforcement of the global lockdown has suffered setbacks as women who were frequently employed in sectors directly disrupted by the lockdown, are consequently experiencing higher unemployment rates, lower hiring rates and delayed hiring into leadership roles. Among the women who have continued to work throughout the pandemic, some have cut down on their working hours more than men and some have pulled back from promotions and leadership roles, Global Gender Gap Report 2021 suggests.

Progress has been recorded but just not the desired goal yet. Much more needs to be done to accelerate the rate of change and unlock untapped value for businesses and communities.

Corporate boards currently are the custodians of economic prosperity and have a key role to play in achieving a satisfactory result.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

PERSPECTIVE

Chronicling Shoprite’s Acquisition, Why Initial Fears May Be Premature Abiola Odutola

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he announcement that one of the first South African companies to expand into Nigeria – Shoprite, was divesting its holdings in Nigeria came as a shocker last year. As much as was publicly known, the company was not financially distressed, nor had it fallen into corporate or diplomatic hassles that could have necessitated its exit from Africa’s most populous country.

The company explained that this was part of a larger strategy to modify its business structure in Africa due to currency volatility, a double-digit inflation rate of 13.22% in August 2020 (Nigeria’s highest in 29 months), high import duties and dollar-based rentals.

Shoprite also exited Kenya and restricted capital allocations to its supermarkets outside South Africa.

According to the financial statement released by the company in August 2020, the non-South Africa supermarket operation of the company, excluding Nigeria, contributed a paltry 11.6% to the group sales.

Its non-South Africa sales also declined by 1.4 per cent in 2020. In addition, the lockdown restrictions pertaining to store closures, social distancing, transport restrictions, trading hours, among others, significantly affected the company’s growth potential, leading to a need to restructure the business, despite a 6.4 per cent increase (R156.9billion) in total sales of merchandise by the company.

The reality of the currency devaluation and high inflation rate in Nigeria were perfect reasons as to why a Nigerian company should be the one to acquire the franchise. This year, the acquisition was perfected with Ketron Investment’s acquisition of Shoprite Nigeria in a multi-million naira deal, a development that should have brought a lot more excitement than it did in Nigeria’s media space.

It would seem that the fear of job losses and economic shrinking, which was hinted across several media outlets, did not allow many to see the fortuitous benefits in this move. A few even suggested that the effects of the divestment would include direct job losses and crisis

across an entire value chain of beneficiaries with increased unemployment and misery. Others opined that it would worsen Nigeria’s position in world business rating, with Nigeria being labelled as one of the least favourable places for investors. One could say these fears were justified as the country’s unemployment rate jumped to a staggering 33.3%, according to the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

If this bleak state of affairs was true in any other situation, it is certainly not the case for Ketron’s acquisition of Shoprite Nigeria. For one, the company was not driven out of Nigeria by any government policy. Also, Shoprite did not get shut down or announce any financial distress or corporate mismanagement. The company simply changed ownership and is now 100 per cent owned by Ketron, a Nigerian company owned by a group of institutional investors led

by Persianas Investment Limited.

If it had been acquired by some newbie in the

retail space or some corporate shark whose sole focus is to make money, then there might have been a cause for worry indeed. But that is not the case. Shoprite Nigeria was acquired by Ketron Investment Limited, led by Tayo Amusan – a Nigerian businessman with over 25 years of business experience in Nigeria, spanning retail and real estate. He is credited for building Nigeria’s first mall of international standards – The Palms Shopping Mall in Lagos, as far back as 2004, so he sure knows what he is up to.

“With benefits from our knowledge of the ever-evolving Nigerian retail marketplace, well-grounded social and economic research, and hands-on experience from our team, we are confident that this acquisition will foster a robust and sustainable business model for the ultimate benefit of all stakeholders,” Amusan stated.

Every country has distinct marketplace barriers, challenges and opportunities, but no one understands the Nigerian retail marketplace better

than a Nigerian who has started and grown a retail brand from scratch.

There are not many cases where a single local investor takes over a foreign-owned business, but one can easily look at the amount of revenue that left the shores of Nigeria all those years that MTN International (Mauritius) Limited has held over 78% shareholding of MTN Nigeria. With the recent sale of shares to retail shareholders, this trend can be slightly modified to allow more of the dividends to flow within the country.

South Atlantic Petroleum Limited (SAPETRO) is also a good example of a home-grown business that has broken new levels of profitability in the oil and gas exploration industry. SAPETRO has grown from a little oil exploration firm in the mid-90s to become the second-largest operated acreage holder (over 74,890 square kilometres) in offshore East and Southern Africa and is well placed to play a leading role in one of the world’s major emerging hydrocarbon provinces.

The company’s profile page highlights how being African has helped them have a good understanding of doing business in Africa, leverage their African expertise and maintaining value-added partnerships on the continent. And this is one unique advantage that homeownership of a business has over foreign ownership – a better understanding of the business environment, network and partnerships. The company is not only growing its operations in Nigeria, but also in the Republic of Benin, Madagascar and the French Overseas territories.

Take a look also at the Fintech industry where a lot of local companies have foreign investors. During the November 2020 Fintech webinar, Segun Aina, former President of FinTechNGR, had remarked on the implications for the local economy, saying “A lot of money might be coming in, but it comes from abroad.

The market is here, the money is made here, but the returns go to other countries.”

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

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

CITYSTRINGS

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

The Cost of Growing Up During a Pandemic

Adejoke Folayan

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BC News recently aired a documentary about how millennials are the unluckiest generation in modern history. Although a sample population of Americans was used, is it safe to say that this may be true of people born between 1980-1995 across the world, and maybe even Nigeria?

The documentary chronicles how millennials came of age right in the middle of the 2008 economic recession in America and struggled with finding a stable job and earning a sustainable income. It also highlighted how young people who are affected by multiple factors are marrying and having kids later than their parents.

The documentary was released in July 2020, and I wonder if all the doom and gloom shown in the documentary would have escalated if they shot it merely a year after.

Before March 2020, the goal of the young professional was to earn a stable income that could accommodate their lifestyle, black tax, and the occasional trip to an exotic country if other means of relocation were futile.

However, achieving any of these has required consistent hard work for years before one finds their footing.

While several young people were finally finding their rhythm, the global pandemic happened and scattered the progress that had been made. Many lost their jobs and had to move back home. Others experienced pay cuts because many companies were not earning enough to pay what was left of their salaries.

As inflation rose across the world, so did the unemployment rate jump exponentially. In Nigeria, inflation hit 17.93% in May 2021 before dropping to 17.75% in June, and our current 33.3% unemployment rate is now the second-highest in the world. Of the 33.3%, young people between the ages of 15 to 34 years account for an alarming 42.5%.

The figures might just look like statistics but the 12.9 million unemployed Nigerians are 6 times more

than the population of Namibia which has the highest unemployment rate in the world.

This is a very dangerous situation we as young Nigerians have found ourselves in. The most populous black nation in the world has a third of its citizens unemployed and there is no solution in sight. The Nigerian government which has been in two consecutive recessions has not revealed a plan or the approach that will be taken to remedy the situation.

The Coronavirus is destroying many people in different ways.

Those who are not affected by the disease are affected by the economic crisis it has brought with it. One of the few relatively sane things that have come out of the pandemic is how governments have invested in medical research and grants to pharmaceutical companies to develop vaccines in record time, and companies realizing that the traditional workspace is outdated.

On her part, the Nigerian government increased testing centres and ramped up vaccine distribution. The private sector was also responsive by contributing fiduciary resources for the treatment of affected persons and providing care packages to families affected by the pandemic.

MTN Nigeria, contributed 7 million doses of the COVID-19

vaccines to African countries while Dettol and its parent company, Reckitt, besides producing hand sanitizers, provided PPE, spread goodwill messages, and encouraged people to keep to the precautionary guidelines. On the other hand, the Coca-Cola Company provided support to communities in the form of financial aid to organizations like the Red Cross, and product donations to those medical and hospital professionals on the very front-line, to mention but a few.

Despite thousands attempting to prove that Coronavirus is a hoax, one of my best friends battled the coronavirus. She lost her father and this nearly destroyed her family. So for the naysayers, I laugh with scorn.

Months passed and it felt like things were clearing up, restrictions were lifting, people were getting vaccinated, and nations were gearing up for the Olympics.

These appeared to be a mere false ray of hope because as soon as people were settling in, multiple variants of the COVID-19 virus were discovered. Discussions about rapid response were still ongoing, and then, another viral disease popped up, Monkeypox.

The disease has slowly been ravaging the country since 2017, yet there was little coverage on it until the US tracked their patient zero on an Atlanta flight from

While several young people were finally finding their rhythm, the global pandemic happened and scattered the progress that had been made.

Many lost their jobs and had to move back home.

Others experienced pay cuts because many companies were not earning enough to pay what was left of their salaries

Nigeria. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there have been 483 reported cases since 2017. Of the 483, 17 were reported this year in Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Edo, and Lagos.

Monkeypox’s arrival is ‘ill-timed’ because 100 countries globally are busy fighting the COVID-19 Delta Variants and the economic after-effects of the pandemic, so there will hardly be any focus on it.

It is however worthy to note that precautionary measures for both diseases are similar, so there is nothing new to add to your routine. As long as you continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, sanitize, and get your vaccine, you should be safe.

Battling all these at this point in our lives is maddening. Yet, we find ways to thrive, because, in this country, we cannot afford any other option.

Yes, millennials and Gen Z might be tagged the unluckiest generation but we are the strongest and most determined.

There are people and businesses who have leveraged the pandemic and have risen to fame within the period.

People like internet comedienne, Elsa Majimbo, and businesses like Paystack, a fintech in Nigeria run by two millennials became a unicorn during the period. It might sound a bit too optimistic but it is the reality of many young people, surviving in spite of what life throws at them.

Some brands and organisations have also taken up the mantle to help enlighten the public on how to observe better hygiene practices. Notably, the Dettol Clean Naija campaign targeted towards teaching primary schoolers basic hygiene habits has been at the forefront of this movement since 2013.

Over five million children have also been impacted in Lagos, Rivers, Kano and Ogun State..

So, while we nudge the government to remember its commitments to the youth, we will continue to look for ways to shirk the hand luck has dealt us.

-Adejoke Folayan is a writer living in Lagos.

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

CRIME&SECURITY

The Invasion, Destruction and Takeover of Ikeja Saddle Club by SWAT In this report, Sunday Ehigiator chronicles how heavily armed policemen from the newly formed Special Weapons and Tactics team, formerly known as Special Anti-Robbery Squad, invaded Ikeja Saddle Club, Lagos, for takeover, while providing cover for landgrabbers to demolish the properties, despite an appeal and motion for a ‘stay of execution’ over the property, still pending at the Supreme Court of justice

Still pictures of bulldozers destroying the property of Ikeja Saddle Club on Thursday, September 24, 2021

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ituated at Isheri Road, off Olowora, Ojodu Berger area of Lagos State, the Ikeja Saddle Club has not only been a delight of tourists, but home to all with passion and love for horses, and likewise enjoy having a good time together.

However, the place is no longer ‘Uhuru’ after being destroyed and taken over by heavily armed policemen from the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team unit who now also, fills their belly with every eatables and drinkables recovered at the club therein.

The Invasion Narrating the incident, Solicitor to the Ikeja Saddle Club, Femi Okunnu, in a petition dated September 24, 2021, addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan, AIG Johnson Kokumo, described the incident as an unlawful invasion.

He said the heavily armed and stern looking policemen alongside other no-nonsense armed men in plain clothes without warning, invaded and took over the entire property in the early hours of Friday, September 24, 2021.

He said the officers refused to disclose where they were from and who sent them to invade his client’s land, but angrily responded that they were sent to take over the land without fail and nobody could stop them or remove them.

“Like in a movie, they rounded up all the staff including the grooms who were feeding and tending to the horses in their stable. They arrested four members of our client's staff, chased away the remaining workers.”

He said the policemen equally took some staff of the club away to an unknown destination even as they systematically began to destroy the properties.

Okunnu explained that: “They removed the roof of the reception area, brought in chainsaws and started cutting and felling down trees in the compound.

"They were boasting that they were bringing in bulldozers to completely pull down the club house, reception area and other buildings on the land and bring down and uproot all the trees on our client’s land.

“It was much later in the day that our client’s got to know that the policemen were from the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Onikan, when the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Opue Aju spoke through the mobile telephone line of one of the employee of our client who was taken away earlier in day, spoke to our client.”

Accusations Okunnu accused the Ikumoworo Family, led by one Princess Josephine Momoh of being the mastermind of the invasion of the property.

He said Momoh “claimed to have secured a judgment of the High Court of Lagos State, delivered by Honourable Justice Can-

Still pictures of arm wielding SWAT officials drinking beers recovered during the invasion of Ikeja Saddle Club on Thursday, September 24, 2021

dido Johnson on May 3, 2016 in a Suit No.1D/1352/2001.

“They claimed that the judgment of the High Court, Lagos declared them owners of the said land and that the said judgment has been affirmed by the Court of Appeal in a Judgment delivered on November 14, 2019.

“Further that they have sold the area of land being occupied by our client to one Alhaji who could not take possession of the property because our client is on the land.”

The Prayers Okunnu therefore informed the AIG that the area of land being claimed by the Ikumoworo Family was part of the 1969, 7300 Acres Global Acquisition of the Lagos State government.

“Specifically, the land which is the subject matter of the petition is within the Omole Phase II, Scheme of the Lagos State government, Isheri, in the Ikeja Area of Lagos State.”

He said the entire land covered by the 1969 Global Acquisition was state owned land and property of the Lagos State government, and on the application of their client made around June 1974, the Lagos State government, on July 8, 1975, allocated a parcel of land at Olowora, near Isheri, to the Ikeja Saddle Club.

“Our client immediately took possession of the parcel of land and has been in possession till date.

“Our client subsequently applied for and was issued a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) dated February 4, 1997 registered as number 95 at page 95 in volume 1997A of the Lagos State of Nigeria Land Registry Office, Ikeja. A copy of the C of O is attached as Annexure 1.”

Okunnu further informed the AIG that there was an appeal to the Supreme Court coupled with a motion for a stay of execution pending at the Supreme Court over the property.

“The law is settled that when there is an appeal as well as an application for stay of execution or an injunction to restrain the execution and or enforcement of the judgment all steps towards executing and or enforcing the judgment ought to be put on hold pending the determination

of the appeal.”

He said when the appeal came up on February 22, 2021, “the attention of the Supreme Court was drawn to the attempts made by the Ikumuworo Family and Princess Josephine Momoh to enforce and execute the judgment in February 2020.

“The Supreme Court deprecated the actions of the Ikumuworo Family and Princess Josephine Momoh and warned them not to take any action that would present the Supreme Court with a fait accompli.”

Okunnu therefore urged the AIG to remove his men from their client's land, stating that the matter was still a subject of appeal at the Court of Appeal, in Lagos and the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“We also urge you to release the four employees of our client detained who were merely going about their legitimate business as they have committed no offence known to law.”

Okunnu likewise urged the AIG to intervene, and prevent the destruction of their client’s property, noting that such action may lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.

Reaction Reacting to the allegation, Counsel to Alhaji Adeoye, who is Mr. Olusegun Fabunmi, also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), debunked claims that police officers forcefully took over the club, and also describe the claims in the petition to the AIG Zone 2, as "half-truths, loaded with falsehood."

According to him, the law enforcement officers lawfully carried out lawful orders as pronounced by a competent court of law.

He said officers of the police force had last Thursday chased out the club from the land based on a petition written by the judgment creditor to the land, Alhaji Nurudeen Adeoye, who petitioned the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabber over the land.

The lawyer explained that the police acted to preserve the property in the course of its investigation of a petition to the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers.

Like in a movie, they rounded up all the staff including the grooms who were feeding and tending to the horses in their stable. They arrested four members of our client's staff, and chased away the remaining workers

He explained that Justice Babajide CandideJohnson of the Lagos State High Court on May 3, 2016 in Suit No 1D/1352/2001, declared Princess Josephine Momoh as the lawful owner of the property.

"The judgment was affirmed by the Court of Appeal on November 14, 2019, following which Princess Momoh – in the absence of an appeal, got a court order and was lawfully put in possession of the property by the court appointed Deputy Sheriffs on February 17, 2020.

"A Form O (Certificate of Execution of Warrant of Possession) was also handed over to Princess Momoh on February 18, 2020."

He said Alhaji Adeoye bought the land from Princess Momoh after due diligence that it was without any encumbrance and that the judgment creditor was in full, lawful possession.

He alleged that sometime in September, the Saddle Club, which was not a party to the suit, returned to the land with soldiers and, without a court order, “illegally” chased away Alhaji Adeoye who was already in full possession.

"In order not to resort to self-help, Adeoye reported the matter to the Lagos State Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers which invited all the parties, including the police and the Lagos State government officials."

Saddle Club, he alleged, could not present to the Taskforce any survey plan excluding the land on which the club was built, from the judgment.

Fabunmi added: “What they term as invasion, illegal repossession is an exercise by the police in furtherance of their investigation relating to his petition that, ‘these people are not allowing me to enjoy the fruit of my purchase, they are not supposed to be there because there is a Form O, which has been levied, writ of execution has been levied. They have been chased out. Why were they still there?

“So, whatever is ongoing is exercise of police right in the course of investigation, protecting the res of the investigation. Whatever is ongoing is exercise of Police right, in the cause of investigation, protecting the rest of investigation and the issue of threat to life of Alhaji Nurudeen Adeoye Oyetunde.

'There is nothing on the face of it to show that Saddle Club has taken steps to set aside the Form O, or appeal as an interested party against the judgment of the Court of Appeal or of the High Court, haven been aware of the existence of those judgments.

“The most important thing is that there was no impediment against Alhaji Nurudeen Adeoye from buying that large parcel of land, which is 10 acres. If there was an impediment, he would not have bought it. That was why he went ahead and purchased the land and as of today, there is still no impediment restraining him from taking possession of the land," he concluded.

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

EDUCATION LASUVC’s Appointment Based on Merit, Experts Say With the appointment of professor of Physiology, Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, as the ninth substantive vice-chancellor of Lagos State University, experts have silenced critics, proving her appointment was based on merit and not ethnicity. Funmi Ogundare reports

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he appointment of Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello as the ninth substantive vice-chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU) has been a long and intriguing issue, which marked the climax of a 10-month journey that included the cancellation of two exercises.

On January 11, 2021, the tenure of the former VC, Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, elapsed. The professor of Environmental Law and ex-Director of Research, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, University of Lagos (UNILAG), was appointed by former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu cancelled the process to select his replacement and ordered that a fresh start. The directive of the visitor to the university followed stakeholders’ engagement, petitions and investigation of irregularities. The governor then asked Fagbohun to convene an emergency senate meeting to select the deputy vice-chancellor, who is not a candidate in the cancelled process, as acting vice-chancellor.

The senate was also asked to choose, among its members, a pro tem chairman to preside over the acting VC selection. However, in May, Sanwo-Olu, on the special visitation panel’s advice, fired the governing council and the Pro-Chancellor/Council Chairman, Prof. Adebayo Ninalowo citing flagrant violations of extant laws, breach of due process, and disregard for criteria guiding the nomination exercise.

A new council was reconstituted and given the task of interviewing a new VC. Members of the sacked council and the senate committee who participated in the two failed exercises were exempted.

Similarly, the registrar and council secretary were directed to proceed on leave until the end of the appointment process.

The names of Prof. Olatunji-Bello and other candidates, Prof. Omotayo Awofolu and Prof. Senapon Bakare, were submitted for the position in order of ranking, respectively. Upon completing an interview process, Prof. Ibiyemi Bello emerged first based on merit, followed

by Prof. Omotayo Awofolu, Prof. Senapon Bakare and Prof Tijani in that order.

Olatunji-Bello’s appointment followed her recommendations by the Joint Committee of Council and Senate of the institution per LASU law, cap 169 vol 7, laws of Lagos state. However, her appointment didn’t come without some resistance from groups that described it as a gross marginalisation of Lagosians and has pushed natives into sheer servitude, while others said she was appointed based on her husband’s influence on the governor, especially in connection with his second term bid.

Omo Eko Pataki, a pressure group, in a statement signed by its Trustee, Maj-Gen Tajudeen Olarenwaju (retd.), expressed concern that the Lagos government of one size fits all policy of marginalisation of indigenes is pushing the natives further into an enclave of sheer servitude, adding that the unwholesome decision of the government, will not stop them from speaking out.

“Omo Eko Pataki will never be blackmailed or threatened into silence. We will continue to defend and protect the collective heritage and the dignity of our people against the ravages of the scourge of aliens,” he stated.

He said Sanwo-Olu’ administration is indifferent and contemptuous of the popular feelings of the indigenous community, adding that with the skewed decision to appoint OlatunjiBello, a native of Ondo, as the VC of LASU, Lagosians were inflicted with

Prof. Olatunji-Bello

an unpopular candidate far above well-qualified natives.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Tokunboh Wahab, told THISDAY that being tagged as “the commissioner ’s wife” belittles her merit as a person.

“If we want LASU to be globally competitive, we need to put it on a global pedestal without sentiments.

To attract the best, we must open our arms to the best,” said the governor ’s aide.

“This project started last year, and the first process was cancelled by the visitor because the enabling law of LASU gave him the power to do it and what happened then was that there were applicants, and you set the benchmark,” Wahab further explained. “LASU is a creation of the law. The selection committee itself is a creation of the law, and that law says that the committee must be elected from the senate and external members of the council.”

He also mentioned that the committee had set a benchmark of 10 years for a professor, adding that one of the applicants with eight years interviewed and shortlisted

was recommended to the visitor as one of those to be picked as VC. “That deviates the whole process to start with. As if that was not enough. Then we had a deluge of petitions. They gave us facts and details. As the visitor, the law also allows you to step in at that point.

We looked at the mistakes and the petitions that came in. We asked the former pro-chancellor to go and do it properly,” he stated. “But he went back and convoked a meeting of the selection committee and did not rectify that from the first one, namely electing those three members from the other side to join those elected from the senate without getting the approval of the visitor against their own statutes.”

At that point, he revealed that the visitor said things were getting out of hand and had to invoke his power under the enabling laws of LASU. “We set up a special visitation panel on the deadlock on the vice chancellorship. After about eight weeks, the panel led by Prof.

Bamitale Omole came back with a far-reaching report that we should dissolve the council. So we dissolved

If we want LASU to be globally competitive, we need to put it on a global pedestal without sentiments. To attract the best, we must open our arms to the best

the council. We also did our findings and realised that all the members of the council were at fault,” he added.

“The arrowhead of that council was the pro-chancellor who didn’t stick to the laws. He was removed, and we gave them a new chairman, and we swore them in to start a new council. We also had the registrar, Olayinka Amuni to excuse himself until we complete this process.”

Wahab said those who applied for the VC seat were given a level playing field, irrespective of their creed or gender, adding that with the criteria set up was in line with the NUC requirements, even those with medical fellowships were allowed to apply if they met the required benchmark.

“For instance, the VC of OAU, Prof.

Ogunbodede, is what NUC will cite as a standard example. He was a DVC in OAU, a fellowship holder. While he was a DVC, he applied for the VCship with a fellowship. He had to go to South Africa to do a PhD, came back to Ife, and today he is a VC,” said Wahab.

“But for LASU, we can’t say we want to use the same yardstick holistically.

According to the governing council recommendations, it is a five-year window even to get positions done properly. So let us allow our colleagues that are fellowship holders to apply. So they extended the window for about two weeks to accommodate everybody.”

Asked how the institution intends to address the issue of PhD and medical fellowship dichotomy, Wahab disclosed that the governor would, in the next six weeks, set up a full visitation panel for LASU, noting that the last one was set up 12 years ago.

“By LASU statutes, it should be every five years. So they are due for a full visitation panel, not just because the special panel set up on the issue of VC recommended it, but because of the division that we have also seen in the course of superintending over LASU in the last two years. Part of the reason why the visitor cancelled the first and second report was basically as a result of an allegation of bias and favouritism,” Wahab further stated. “The solution is for us to wait for that full panel to be set up. I believe that will be within the next six weeks. We want the new VC to settle in. Then the panel will come in and see how we can get the report.”

On the controversy surrounding what state the new VC is from, he said, “We are centre of excellence. Is she a Lagosian or not? Her mother is a Lagosian, and she is married to a Lagosian. On what basis should we close our doors to her after all the service she has rendered to the institution? We can’t get the best if we go on this trajectory. Our duty now is to put her on her toes to give the best.”

Bello has since assumed duty on September 20. She sought the support of both staff and students while promising a conducive learning environment, better welfare package, infrastructure, and revamping university scholars awards for them.

“I promised that your welfare will be paramount to me, and you will get whatever is due to you. Your welfare is important to me. We will ensure that the learning environment is conducive and competitive, and we will provide the infrastructure for you,” Bello stated. “We will also ensure the university scholars award is revamped. All university scholars will get a 50 per cent refund of their school fees yearly. We will also provide studentship employment opportunities.

I urge that we allow peace to reign for the good of our university.”

37

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

EDUCATION

Old Boys Provide Intervention for Borno Learning Centre Graduates 154 Pupils Delta School without Toilet

Orphaned by Boko Haram

Michael Olugbode ÓØ ËÓÎßÑßÜÓ

Rev. Father Franklyn Oraegbu with some members of Araigbo Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku, Old Boys Association “84” set, the Principal, Mrs. Augusta Osunde and some students of the school, during the inauguration of the toilet facilities provided by the alumni association Omon-Julius Onabu

Open defecation is a serious problem in any community because it is inimical to the desired healthy development of people and children in particular.

The value of toilets cannot be over-stressed. They ensure the safe disposal of human waste, including urine and faeces, and promote healthy living by preventing germs and other hygiene-related diseases such as diarrhoea.

The provision of toilets in schools is important in promoting the community’s health through hygienic and proper sanitation practice, especially since a large percentage of people in the communities often fall within the school-age bracket. You cannot seriously talk about proper and modern sanitation in schools without toilets.

It was pathetic that Adaigbo Secondary School, Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State, had no toilet facility for many years. Both students and staff had to go into nearby bushes whenever they were pressed.

Alternatively, they had to drive or take commercial motorcycles to town to use the toilet. The school was established as a Catholic mission school in 1954.

That was the situation when the current principal, Mrs. Augusta Osunde, assumed office in 2016. She spoke about the embarrassing situation during the inauguration of the first toilet facilities in the school in many years.

“Well, it has not been so easy; it wasn’t easy to see the students and even the teachers going into the bush, considering the inconveniences and the danger of being bitten by snakes and

scorpions. There was no toilet. When they want to ease themselves, you see them going into the bush. Those who cannot go into the bush have to take a ride into town just to relieve themselves. It certainly hasn’t been easy,” Osunde said.

However, the Adaigbo Secondary School Old Boys Association ‘84’ set recently intervened to redeem the situation. They took it upon themselves to construct a toilet facility as well as provide other useful support items. The project was last week formally handed over to the school.

The chairman of the presentation ceremony, Mr. Jude Elue, disclosed that the idea to provide a toilet for the school was conceived in a WhatsApp group chat that started as a joke. He assured that the group would do more for the school in the near future.

Rev. Fr Franklyn Oraegbu of the Holy Family Catholic Church, OgwashiUku, who blessed the school and the donors and cut the tape to inaugurate the facilities, thanked the association, describing the gesture as worthy.

Apart from the block of four toilets and sewers, the old boys also provided a brand new generator, a water pumping machine, and an overhead water tank to pump water from the large concrete tank.

The school principal, who could not hide her delight, also thanked other sets of the alumni association that had promised to come to the aid of the school with various projects. She disclosed that another set of the old students had, late in August, also inaugurated a new block of four classrooms and chairs for the

students as part of their own project.

“I must say they are doing well because it has never been like this.

So, I’m happy that this time around, and under my watch as principal, quite a lot has been happening. Since I came in 2016, the school hasn’t witnessed anything like this,” she explained. “Just last month, precisely on August 28, another set of Old Boys came to commission the block of four classrooms over there. They also brought some chairs and promised to bring more chairs and desks and tables for use by students. Today we are witnessing another ceremony.”

Several buildings, including the former library, laboratory and college hall, are dilapidated. Most of them had been abandoned since the school became run down following the takeover of missionary built schools in the country by the military regime in Nigeria. Moreover, a gigantic building project in the premises, whose construction contract was said to have been awarded by the Delta government to a certain politician, an alumnus of the school, has been left uncompleted.

By World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF estimation in 2016, with about 50 million Nigerians still practising open defecation, Nigeria needed at least 43,000 toilets in schools nationwide to attain zero open defecation status.

Aside from the health and hygiene benefits, toilets provide the privacy that people generally desire to dispose of human solid and liquid waste.

In secondary schools, and even in primary schools, unisex toilets are not ideal

though they are not illegal.

Against this backdrop, the initiative of the 1984 Set of the Adaigbo Secondary School (Ogwashi-Uku) Old Boys Association must be appreciated. The group has built not just good and separate toilets for male and female students and staff. They have also provided washing facilities with additional water pumping and storage facilities, including a standard power generating set and a pumping machine.

Towards implementation of the federal government’s policy of tackling and stamping out open defecation in Nigeria by 2025, which is barely four years away, President Muhammadu Buhari had, in November 2019, signed Executive Order 009. In the previous months, it had kick-started a supposed nationwide enlightenment campaign on the health and environmental sanitation hazards of open defecation practice through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in collaboration with the ministries of Information and Environment and international agencies, including UNICEF and WHO. The practical dimension to that ambition is the huge challenge of building toilets for an estimated 20 million households (and schools) in the country during this period. All hands need to be on deck to realise that target. Intervention by alumni associations of primary and post-primary schools, such as the 1984 set of Adaigbo Secondary School in Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South local government area of Delta, is certainly a step in the right direction and the way to go.

One hundred and fifty-four students orphaned by Boko Haram have graduated from a Special Learning Centre in Maiduguri.

The students were trained in areas like coding and artificial intelligence towards advancing their education.

President Muhammadu Buhari inaugurated the Learning Centre Maiduguri in April 2019.

The North-East Children Trust Fund manages the school. The federal government recently set it up to cater for vulnerable kids.

Officials at the school said the learning facility is “to create an ecosystem for homeless children orphaned by the conflict in the Northeast of Nigeria that will echo the lives of a normal child growing and thriving in a family.”

The centre, which comprises a nursery, primary and secondary sections, currently has 525 vulnerable children who are mostly orphans from Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States in the troubled Northeast region.

Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Trust, Mariam Masha, speaking during the graduation, said the centre has 337 boys and 188 girls.

The centre currently has 472 pupils at the primary level and 26 at the secondary level.

The 154 pupils advancing to secondary school took lessons in

coding and programming and web design and programming.

The highlight of the graduation ceremony was the demonstration of robotics, coding, and Artificial Intelligence by the pupils.

Masha, who commended the students for learning so fast in a short time, said, “the learning centre is more than just a school.”

She said the centre was “a place to nurture, empower and renew our children and I believe right here before us, is proof that the North-East Children’s Trust can deliver on that mandate.”

She said at TLC, the teachers and caregivers serve “are not just knowledge transfer instructors but are facilitators of knowledge.”

“They have supported your learning and growth in very innovative ways, which have unbundled the uniqueness in every one of you,” she added.

Vice-chairman of the centre, Prof. Hauwa Biu, called on the pupils “not to forget all the lessons you have learnt at the centre.”

Biu further stated, “As you resume secondary school, make sure you take care of each other. Always remember that you are part of a large family and network of people who invested in your growth and success and are always willing and ready to support you.”

Firm Partners Kwara on Distance Learning Solutions for Tertiary Education James Emejo ÓØ ÌßÔË

StudyLab 360 Technologies has signed an agreement with the Kwara State Government to deploy its school management and distance learning solution to all the 12 tertiary institutions in the state.

This followed the government’s commitment to reposition the state education sector.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq recently declared a state of emergency in the sector and urged stakeholders to define an agenda and programme of interventions to make quality education available and accessible to all.

The declaration berthed the Kwara Education Futures Summit held in August 2021, where experts brainstormed on the future of education in the state.

The discussions at the summit triggered the implementation of initiatives largely agreed by the panelists as the future of education.

Consequently, the government swung into action to embrace the use of technology in the general administration and learning.

However, in a statement, the education technology company identified Kwara State University, Kwara State Colleges of Education and Kwara State Polytechnic, among others, as benefitting institutions in the agreement.

The state Commissioner for Education, Senior Ibrahim Suly-

man signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the state government, while Mr. Obi Brown and Mr. Joseph Ologba signed for the company.

Other dignitaries at the event included the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Hajia Hafsat Abdulrahman, directors of the ministry and representatives of all the state owned tertiary institutions.

According to the firm, the StudyLab360 solution has robust capabilities offline access for teachers to enter grades and process results, offline access to e-learning materials for students and for exams, student and staff information system.

Other capabilities are school rankings, lesson content provided by teachers all over Nigeria, assessment practice and solutions provided by teachers across Nigeria, fee collection and bursary module, as well as result generation for schools.

Studylab360 Technologies is a wholly indigenous company deploying school management and learning solution for nursery, primary, secondary schools and other tertiary institutions across the country.

The involvement of the company in improving learning outcomes in schools had earned it awards from 9Mobile, British Council, Samsung and Virgin Atlantic for its work in STEM education.

38

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

US General: Al-Qaeda Terrorists Could Threaten America in a Year Top US General Mark Milley has warned al-Qaeda terrorists in Afghanistan could threaten the US in as little as 12 months, BBC reports.

The Taliban had not broken ties with the group responsible for 9/11 and themselves remained a terror organisation, Gen Milley said.

He and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin are being questioned in Congress about last month’s pullout from Afghanistan.

The government collapsed as the Taliban rapidly advanced through the country.

Senator and committee leader Jack Reed said lawmakers wanted to understand whether the US “missed indicators” of the government’s collapse.

The US has said it will now move towards counter-terrorism missions.

The hearing, held by the Senate armed services committee, comes weeks after a chaotic withdrawal at Kabul airport as foreign powers sought to get their citizens home and thousands of desperate Afghans begged for rescue.

A suicide attack killed 182 people during the withdrawal operation. Thirteen US service personnel and at least 169 Afghans were killed by the airport gate on 26 August.

WHO ‘Sorry’ about Aid Workers Sexually Abusing DR Congo Women The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is horrified at the findings of a report into alleged sexual abuse by aid workers tackling the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Africa regional director Matshidiso Moeti apologised to the women and girls who suffered “because of the actions of our staff” between 2018 and 2020.

Local women said that they were plied with drinks and forced to have sex.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was “inexcusable.”

Dr Tedros said the 35-page report made for harrowing reading and apologised directly to the victims and survivors of the sexual exploitation and abuse.

“I’m sorry for what was done to you by people who are employed by WHO to serve and protect you,” he told a news conference on Tuesday, adding: “It is my top priority that the perpetrators are not excused but held to account.”

The report found that 21 of 83 alleged perpetrators had been employed by the WHO. The abuses, which included nine allegations of rape, were committed by both national and international staff.

The WHO said it was terminating the contracts of four people still employed by the organisation and promised more measures would be taken.

The report followed an investigation after more than 50 women accused WHO and other aid agency staff of sexual abuse and exploitation.

US Legislators Grill Top Military Officials over Taliban Takeover Top military officials are defending the US evacuation from Afghanistan, insisting that despite initial difficulties, the effort “exceeded all expectations.”

There has been unrelenting criticism over the collapse of the US-backed Afghan government and the airlift that failed to evacuate all Americans in Afghanistan as well as Afghan allies at risk of facing retribution with the

Taliban in control.

But US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday that the evacuation went as smoothly as possible and that no other military in the world could have done any better.

“It was the largest airlift conducted in US history, and it was executed in just 17 days,” he told committee members. “We planned to evacuate between 70,000 and 80,000 people. They evacuated more than 124,000.”

“Was it perfect? Of course not,” Austin added, calling the first two days of the airlift “difficult,” as huge crowds rushed to the airport following the Taliban’s unexpectedly swift takeover.

Uganda Opposition Lawmakers Rearrested, Faces Treason Charges Ugandan police have rearrested two opposition lawmakers on charges of treason just minutes after they were released on bail in another case in which they stand accused of murder. The National Unity Party lawmakers deny the charges, which they say are politically motivated.

Police spokesperson Fred Enanga in a statement said authorities were holding legislator Ssegirinya Muhammed on fresh charges.

Earlier Monday, upon his release, security personnel travelling at high speed pursued the vehicle that had picked up Ssegirinya from a prison in the Wakiso district. When it pulled over, they forcefully put him into their vehicle.

Enanga said they were holding Ssegirinya at the special Investigations division for further processing.

The other lawmaker, Allan Ssewanyana, was rearrested outside the prison gate minutes after his release on Friday evening.

The two legislators, both members of the National Unity Platform party, were arrested earlier this month.

They were accused of being involved in a recent spate of murders in the Masaka district in central Uganda that left close to 30 people dead. Many of the dead were

killed with machetes.

The state charged the lawmakers with three counts of murder and attempted murder.

Poisonings Increase as Americans Treat COVID-19 with Ivermectin The number of Americans suffering serious adverse health effects after consuming ivermectin to treat COVID-19 has more than doubled since the anti-parasitic drug was falsely touted as a cure for the virus, according to a report published by the Financial Times (FT) on Monday.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received 49 reports of poisoning and other serious reactions linked to human consumption of ivermectin to treat COVID-19 so far this year. The equivalent figure for the whole of 2020 was 23 cases, the FT wrote, citing data released to it.

The British newspaper added the FDA could not determine whether the cause of death was directly linked to the use of ivermectin or other causes due to limited data.

The FDA said earlier this month that some consumers are turning to drugs not approved or authorised by the regulator.

Ivermectin is approved for human use to treat infections caused by some parasitic worms and head lice.

The FDA has not authorised or approved ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19 in people or animals. Ivermectin is not known to be safe or effective for these indications.

Embattled PM Dissolves Haiti Electoral Body, Postpones Haiti General elections scheduled for November in Haiti have been postponed indefinitely after the country’s prime minister dismissed all members of the body which organises elections.

According to the BBC, Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he would appoint a new electoral council but has not said when he would do so.

It is the fourth time the election has been postponed.

Haiti has been torn apart by a fierce power

struggle triggered by the killing of President Jovenel Moïse in July.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was named by President Moïse just two days before the killing, ordered the dissolution of the nine-member Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) on Monday.

A decree to that effect was published in Haiti’s official gazette.

California Firm to Pay $1.8bn for Biggest Gas Leak in US History Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) has agreed to pay up to $1.8 billion to settle the claims of over 35,000 victims of the Aliso Canyon Natural Gas Storage Facility blowout, the biggest natural gas leak in US history, attorneys for the plaintiffs announced on Monday, Xinhua reports.

The environmental disaster occurred in October 2015 in the Santa Susana Mountains near Porter Ranch neighbourhood in Los Angeles, California. Thousands of families were forced to evacuate their homes after massive amounts of methane gas were released into the air from an underground storage facility belonging to SoCalGas. “Plaintiffs allege they suffered personal injury and property damage after one of SoCalGas’ negligently maintained natural gas storage wells failed and uncontrollably released nearly 100,000 tons of methane and other substances into the atmosphere over 118 days,” said attorneys for the plaintiffs from multiple law firms in a statement.

SoCalGas and its parent company Sempra Energy have denied any wrongdoing. SoCalGas said in a statement that those agreements “are expected to resolve substantially all material civil litigation” against the company related to the blowout.

“As a result of the agreements, SoCalGas will record an after-tax charge of approximately $1.1 billion this month.

Settlement costs will not be borne by ratepayers,” noted the company.

SoCalGas, headquartered in Los Angeles, is the primary provider of natural gas to Southern California and the nation’s largest gas distribution utility.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • T H I S D AY

39

40

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͷ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

FG: AFCTA Offers Every State in Nigeria Chance to be Economically Viable Nume Ekeghe The federal government has stated that once the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is fully implemented, states across Nigeria would be urged to take advantage of their local produce for export purposes to be more economically viable.

The Secretary, National Action Committee on AfCFTA, and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Sector Matters, Francis Anatogu said this yesterday at a virtual interactive session tagged, “leveraging AfCFTA opportunities–The Road Ahead,” organised by Coronation Merchant Bank.

Also, the Managing Director of Coronation Merchant Bank, Mr. Banjo Adegbohungbe said the

commencement of the AfCFTA would be a major catalyst for Africa’s recovery post-covid and urged Nigeria to fully embrace the opportunities.

Speaking on the opportunities for states across Nigeria, Anatogu said: “Afcta and exports offers us the opportunity to make every state in Nigeria economically viable and Afcta provide that platform. So it is really is about identifying what we have. Some specific products when you talk about them in Nigeria come to mind. In fact, it goes beyond Nigeria if you talk about Soya or Ginger, you’ll attribute it to Kaduna, or FinTech and technology you’ll talk about Lagos and if we can capture up to 10 per cent of Africa’s market, we would actually be doubling our export,

total export revenue per annum.

“If you bring the closer as well and making every state variable that means that will not lead to business opportunity is to make every state in Nigeria provide opportunity for them to grow their local economy. Sell as much export as much as they can, and then protect their revenues as well.”

Adegbohungbe added: “ We have chosen to focus today’s conversation on the AfCTA and around the opportunities we would see in the trade and finance space as we begin to prepare for the post-covid business environment.

“Perhaps now more than ever, the expansion of Intra-Africa trade is a critical enabler for the Nigerian economy.

MARKET INDICATORS

Africa Re, IFC Partnership Boosts Insurer’s Capacity to Underwrite Agribusiness Insurance Companies in Nigeria and Africa have acquired capacity to underwrite agribusiness towards the support for food security in the continent following a partnership deal between Africa Reinsurance Corporation and IFC, a member of World Bank Group, DMD/COO Africa Re, Ken Aghoghovbia has said.

In a statement, he added, “In order to address the challenges depriving African insurance from investing in agric space, the IFC’s Global Index Insurance Facility (GIIF) set up an experience account whereby the loss ratios of the net account for local risk carriers would be capped at 75 per cent and the excess loss amounts transferred to the Global Index Insurance experience account, with Africa

Re as the fund administrator.”

Aghoghovbia said IFC/GIIF fund, which Africa Re manages on behalf of the agriculture industry stakeholders aligns well with its mission statement of fostering the development of insurance and reinsurance industry in Africa.

The Global Index Insurance Facility (GIIF) is a multi-donor program managed by the World Bank Group created to address the scarcity of affordable insurance protection against weather and catastrophic risks in emerging countries.

GIIF is supported by the European Commission, the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the German

Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Japan Ministry of Finance He said the pilot phase of the experience account was set up in 2017 for a 3-year period to end in December 2020, with $900,000 fund covering Nigeria and Zambia and, “was intended to support the development of weather and area yield index insurance programs in these countries.

“During the last 3 years, the experience account fund has been triggered twice with two risk carriers, Mayfair Insurance Company (Zambia) and AXA Mansard Plc (Nigeria) benefiting in 2019 from the fund following various flood losses that impacted their net account portfolios.

ITF Signs Agreement with UK Govt.

Seriki Adinoyi ÓØ ÙÝ Industrial Training Fund (ITF) has signed an agreement with the United Kingdom’s Skills for Prosperity- Nigeria (S4P-N) programme, a two-year UK Aid funded programme, to promote and institutionalize the Fund’s intervention programmes to become flagship programmes for the National Apprenticeship Training System (NATS).

Disclosing this in a press statement, ITF Director of Public Affairs, Mrs. Suleyol Fred-Chagu said Skills for Prosperity-Nigeria programme, would equip youths and vulnerable groups with skills that offer them a more attractive

pathway into employment and meet employers’ needs for a more skilled workforce.

She said that the DirectorGeneral of the ITF, Sir Joseph Ari had, during the signing of the agreement, said that the S4P-N Approach is also implemented across nine fast growing economies which include Brazil, South Africa and Kenya, and will build an industry-led National Apprenticeship and Training System (NATS) that is linked with mainstream education by enabling a pathway to career oriented learning that offers unemployed youths that are not in education or training,

a new opportunity to skill-up and participate gainfully in the national and global economy.

According to the Director General, ITF is best suited for the programme considering its mandate, and has willingly agreed to act as strategic owner of this National Apprenticeship and Training System. “We will work alongside the Skills for Prosperity-Nigeria team to institutionalize a formal system that can meet enterprise workforce needs and lead to increased productivity, but more importantly create an enabling environment for the youth of Nigeria to be productively engaged.”

PHEDC: FCCPC Move to Resolve Customers Complains Blessing Ibunge ÓØ ÙÜÞ ËÜÍÙßÜÞ The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has began a move to resolve series of complains by residents of Rivers State electricity consumers subscribing to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC).

Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Mr Babatunde Irukera made

the assertion at the Electricity Consumer Complaint Resolution programme held in Port Harcourt.

Speaking on the ways to resolve the issues bothering on the distribution and consumption of electricity in Rivers, Babatunde stressed the need for reconciliation and better service by PHEDC. He explained that consumers at the programme complained the insensitive of the Electricity Company in ignoring their complaints. Irukera said: “The

primary point of aggravation is the consumers believe that the Electricity Distribution Company is not responsive, is not sensitive, they don’t have sufficient feedback mechanism for them to tell them what the problem is and the limited mechanism they don’t show response.

“Now, what is the primary problem that creat the needs for that: Arbitrary billing, mass disconnection, metering and insufficient supply.

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).

41

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱͷ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Guinness Nigeria Announces N1.01bn Final Dividend for 2021 FY Darasimi Adebisi Guinness Nigeria Plc Monday in Lagos declared a final dividend of N0.46k per 50 kobo ordinary share, translating to N1.01 billion for the financial year ended June 30, 2021.

The company’s secretary, Rotimi Odusola in a statement on Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) explained that, “On 20th October 2021, dividends will be paid electronically to sharehold-

ers whose names appear on the Register of Members as at 28th September 2021, and who have completed the e-dividend registration and mandated the Registrar to pay their dividends directly into their Bank accounts.”

It is pertinent to note that the final dividend of 46 kobo per share, which is subject to appropriate withholding tax and approval will be paid on all of the company’s 2,190,382,819 outstanding shares.

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

This puts the total amount to be disbursed as final dividends N1, 007,576,096.74.

Based on its impressive performance for the period, a dividend of 46 kobo per share, totaling over N1 billion was declared for the period. Guinness Nigeria closed trading on Monday at N30 per share.

The multinational company had announced its audited results for the period ended June 30, 2021 revealing a 110per

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

cent increase in profit after tax to N1.25billion from loss of N12.6billion reported in full year ended June 30, 2020.

The audited results indicated that revenue increased 54per cent to N160billion in 2021 from N104.4billion reported in 2020 Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Baker Magunda, in a statement said: “The performance of fiscal 2021 showed that the business delivered growth despite the

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

challenging external environment characterized by COVID-19 restrictions and high inflation.”

“Revenues grew double digit across all key categories, particularly our strategic focus brands Guinness, Malta Guinness as well as our local and imported spirits.

“This was supported by improved product mix and headline price increases in key brands.

Gross margins declined by three per cent driven by inflationary

O F

pressure, a shift towards more expensive can products given at-home consumption trends, and forex devaluation impacting some materials.” Magunda explained.

The company, however, revealed that its net finance costs remained on similar level as last year despite the lower debt position, due to the devaluation of Naira impacting the foreign currency denominated trading balances.

2 8 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

42

WEDNESDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021• T H I S DAY

43

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 27Sept-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 159.36 160.70 -1.57% Afrinvest Plutus Fund 100.00 100.00 7.42% Nigeria International Debt Fund 317.92 317.92 -15.98% Afrinvest Dollar Fund 106.92 107.97 -3.51% 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 9.29% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.33 3.49 -2.11% 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 8.06% Anchoria Equity Fund 133.61 135.27 1.21% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.15 1.15 -13.63% ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 19.50 20.09 7.55% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 430.87 443.86 7.62% ARM Ethical Fund 38.38 39.53 13.84% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.12% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.98 0.98 -6.71% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.42% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 3.40% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 8.66% Paramount Equity Fund 16.45 16.76 2.88% Women's Investment Fund 136.82 138.39 2.81% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.38% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 119.45 120.22 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.74 107.74 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 8.69% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.20 1.22 0.35% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.44 1.44 -8.93% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 7.61% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.43% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,162.86 1,181.04 0.99% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,422.02 1,422.02 11.64% FBN Balanced Fund 190.58 191.81 1.54% FBN Halal Fund 113.03 113.03 9.28% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.53% 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

127.07 157.90

127.07 3.79% 159.92 4.44% fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com

Bid Price 1.00 3.98 1.58 1.19

Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn 1.00 6.18% 3.98 2.76% 1.61 3.82% 1.19 4.73% coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com

Bid Price N/A N/A N/A

Offer Price N/A N/A N/A

Yield / T-Rtn N/A N/A N/A

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 7.72% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.79 2.85 -2.24% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 153.52 153.79 -1.28% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.51% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 1.01% 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 1.43 1.45 4.86% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,153.56 1,153.56 6.19% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund 11.35 11.40 8.37% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.14% 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 1.68 1.71 7.09% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.63 11.63 -4.37% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 6.85% PACAM Equity Fund 1.70 1.71 7.19% PACAM EuroBond Fund 113.39 115.39 3.29% 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 132.65 134.95 8.28% 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 3,428.33 3,465.37 6.75% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 233.29 233.29 3.75% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.21 1.23 3.39% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 308.10 308.10 4.56% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 224.62 227.81 2.89% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.45% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,393.42 10,536.63 -0.98% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.28 1.28 4.02% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.79 115.79 4.24% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 104.08 104.08 UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 01-6317876 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.30 1.32 2.06% United Capital Bond Fund 1.92 1.92 4.95% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.89 9.06% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.31% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.55 120.55 5.31% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 3.46% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 6.37% 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 12.82 12.93 8.04% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.17 14.31 16.06% Zenith Income Fund 24.40 24.40 1.73% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.18%

REITS NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

124.98 53.37

10.62% 5.66%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

13.27

13.37

0.38%

121.68 96.11 17.22 18.18

124.69 98.22 17.32 18.28

1.19% -3.13%

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 5.46 17.31 1.00 19.28 157.88

3.86 5.54 17.41 1.00 19.48 159.88

1.30% -4.00% 6.67% 7.55% -6.02% -28.21%

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.

44

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

FCT Targets to Overtake Lagos in IGR Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Muhammad Bello, has challenged stakeholders to work towards improving the revenue generation in the nation’s capital and overtake Lagos State in subsequent generations.

The minister, who was represented by FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, handed the call while delivering a keynote address in Lagos, during a stakeholders’ retreat, “Towards a harmonized revenue management framework in the FCT”, stressing the need to improve in revenue generation.

“In a nutshell, the FCT is not fairing badly, but it is not yet uhuru because we are performing far below our set expectations in terms of revenue generation and I am confident this retreat will enable us consolidate and reposition on the right pedestal to even takeover Lagos in the area of internally generated revenue(IGR).

“Our IGR in terms of per capita last year actually placed us next to Lagos, ahead of Rivers State with N24,600 per person, Judging from FCT’s population estimates of 2006 census, inclusive of the five

percent growth rate between 2016 and 2020. Rivers State places third with IGR per capita of N15,281.

“However, in terms of total amount of IGR for 2020, FCT generated little over N102 billion and was ranked third behind Rivers State, which realised N117.19 billion, “the

minister said.

He noted that with its huge potentials and unique status as the seat of the federal government, the FCT should naturally do better in revenue generation.

“With the huge resources, we have in the FCT, if properly tapped and effectively

managed, no one will see our back in revenue generation and we will not have to be running “cap-in-hand” to the Federal Government for allocation when we can actually raise these funds and take the Federal Allocation as additional income.

He said the FCT IGR alone

should be more than adequate for self-sufficiency in the delivery of effective services and infrastructure, in line with global standards, for all residents, all Nigerians and visitors.

He averred that in light of public expectation the FCT has the obligation to deliver on

government promises, adding the FCT Administration is not willing to entertain excuses.

Commenting on the controversy surrounding the right of collection, Bello identified lack of trust and confrontational practice as the major challenge hindering revenue collection process

UNILAG, NGX PARTNER…

L-R: Divisional Head, Listings Business, Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited, Mr. Olumide Bolumole; Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe; Chief Executive Officer, NGX Limited, Mr. Temi Popoola; and Divisional Head, Trading Business, NGX Limited, Mr. Jude Chiemeka, at a meeting in Lagos…recently

Bukola, Gbemisola Kick as Fayemi: I’ll Make Ekiti Among Top Five Kwara Demolishes Father’s Investment Destinations in Nigeria creating enabling environment would eliminate all forms of We have established a website Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Legacy Library for investors. encumbrances for businesses to through which this can be done

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Demolition of a community library in the Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State by government officials yesterday has generated reactions from residents of the state.

The Library named after the former Senate Leader, Late Dr. Olusola Saraki was on Tuesday demolished by the officials of the state government. The library is located at Kuntu Area, AgboOba, Ilorin in Ilorin West Local Government Council Area of the state.

The library was built in year 2000 by the administration of Late Alhaji Gafar Mogaji of Ilorin West local government council area of the state. The students of University of Ilorin, Kwara state Polytechnic

and other students of secondary schools have been making use of the library since it was built and named after Late Dr. Saraki.

However, at 4.00 pm yesterday, some officials of the government from the local government were said to have moved to the site of the library and demolished the building.

The development according to THISDAY checks has caused confusion among the people of the area. Reacting to the development, the scion of late Dr.Saraki and former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki said: “I just got the news that the major official assignment carried out by the Governor of my state, Kwara, today, is the demolition of an old public library named after my late dad, Dr. Olusola Saraki.

Nigerian Navy Dissociates Self from Allegations of Arms Sale against Chadian Soldiers Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Navy yesterday disowned a statement credited to one of its senior female officers, Commodore Jamila Abubakar Malafa, which indicted Chadian soldiers whom she claimed “sell arms when broke”.

Malafa spoke on Monday at a public hearing organised by the House of Representatives committee on National Security and Intelligence during the consideration of four security bills.

Malafa, who is also a lawyer, represented the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, at the public hearing.

She said some of the weapons donated by developed countries to neighbouring

nations were finding their way to non-state actors, thereby complicating the security situation of the country.

But in a statement issued yesterday, Navy Spokesperson, Commodore Suleiman Dahun, said the Navy “categorically dissociates itself from the view of the senior officer.”

He maintained that her comments were “unauthorised, personal comments on the issue of transnational trafficking of small arms and light weapons.”

“The House of Representative Committee on National Security and Intelligence yesterday 27 September 2021 held a public hearing on 4 Bills, including the Bill for an Act to Establish the National Commission Against Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (HB 10).

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said his government waas resolute about making the state one of the top five investment destinations in Nigeria before exiting office in 2022.

He claimed that the determination triggered the establishment of Ease of Doing Business Steering Committee (EoDB) to drive the sector by

Fayemi gave the assurance in Ado Ekiti, on Tuesday, during an interface between EoDB Committee and Ekiti Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (EKICCIMA).

Fayemi, represented by the Director General, Ekiti Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA), Damola Ajibade, assured the gathering that Ekiti

thrive and for rapid economic development.

He said EKDIPA was conceptualised in 2019 by his administration to improve the ease of doing business in the state.

“For businesses to thrive in Ekiti State, EKDIPA was established to complete process for payment of registration online.

easily and it had helped in eliminating corruption, extortion and administrative bottlenecks being encountered by intending investors.

“We are making permit process more transparent while also improving the ease of doing business. By our activities, we are attracting and retaining investments in Ekiti better than before,” he said.

Gunmen Abduct Lecturer, Demand N20m in Kogi Gunmen have abducted the Dean of Faculty of Management Sciences, Kogi State University, Ayingba, Professor John Alabi, at his residence in Ayingba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.

Alabi was returning home on Monday evening around 6.00pm when he was accosted by unknown gunmen in a Mercedes Benz car.

THISDAY learnt that as soon as the university don alighted from his car at main gate of his house, the hoodlums armed with guns abducted in the waiting Benz car and drove him away.

It was gathered that the unsuspecting lecturer was trying to check his car when he was picked him up.

Sources hinted that the suspected gunmen had contacted

the university management and his wife to demand for ransom of N20 million.

Efforts to speak with school authority proved abortive.

When some journalists visited the home of Alabi in Lokoja, they were directed to Apostolic Church where wife had joined prayer warriors for the unconditional release of her husband.

The Police Public Relation Officer, Kogi State Police Command, DSP. William Aya, confirmed the incident.

Aya explained that the Commissioner of Police, CP. Idrisu Dauda Dabban, has deployed the operatives of the command to be on the trail of the hoodlums to get them arrested and be brought to justice.

Insecurity Threatening Nigerian Democracy, Says IPAC Francis Sardauna in Katsina The National Chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Leonard Nzenwa, has said that the spate of insecurity orchestrated by insurgents and bandits is threatening Nigeria democracy.

Nzenwa, who disclosed

this in Katsina yesterday during an interactive session with government officials and security agencies in the state, explained that nothing works in a country where insecurity pervades, including democracy.

He said: “Democracy is being threatened in Nigeria.

When insecurity pervades a

system or undertakes a place nothing works there including democracy. So democracy is threatened.”

Nzewa, who said the IPAC team was in Katsina on a security fact-finding mission, kicked against the call for the declaration of state of emergence in north-west region of the

country.

According to him, “once you declared a state of emergency in a place everything that has to do with democratic tenets and culture seizes. It means in many years that this country has moved forward on account of stabilising democracy also dies.”

Why NG Eagle is Yet to Start Operation Chinedu Eze A new airline, NG Eagle, which is being floated by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is yet to obtain Air Operator Certificate (AOC) it needs to start operations because one of the aircrafts needed to secure minimum

number of equipment that would qualify it for certification is not yet ready.

The aircraft, a Boeing B737-700, originally owned by Arik Air but taken by AMCON to NG Eagle is waiting for livery change at Ethiopia Airlines Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Addis Ababa.

THISDAY sighted the aircraft on Tuesday and learnt that it has been in the MRO facility for weeks after a C- check (maintenance) had been conducted on the aircraft.

The aircraft would be ferried to Nigeria after it has been repainted to enable the NG Eagle to complete the process

of obtaining AOC from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

Informed source from Arik Air told THISDAY that the aircraft might be leased to the startup airline, which is scheduled to commence operations before the end of the fourth quarter of 2021.

45

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

NMA Blames Former NARD Leadership for Lingering Strike Says strike may end soon Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

to cooperate with the NMA. , meaningful interaction . And but even if it goes on CNN , it all is well . We had to look peace. And we really want to “ I’m here with the newly after that , I told them that I means we have opened a new at some of the things that have resolve this once and for all, so The Nigerian Medical elected officers of NARD . had secured appointment to chapter, very positive chapter unraveled since 2nd August . we can move on. Nigerians are Association (NMA) has They came to me and we introduce them to you which because a chapter can be bad. As you know, I’m a man of suffering and we can’t allow “ We cannot pretend that peace and my leadership is for it to continue. attributed the ongoing strike had a meeting , very cordial I thought should be private by the Nigeria Association of Residents Doctors (NARD) which has entered its 58th day to the uncooperative attitude of the immediate past leadership of NARD. It assured that the new leadership of NARD has a better understanding of the issues in contention and have a better approach to resolve the dispute with the cooperation of the federal government .

The President of the NMA, Professor Innocent Uja made the assertion when he led the newly elected leadership of the association to a familarisation meeting with the Minister of Labour and Employment , Senator Chris Ngige, on Tuesday in Abuja .

A statement signed by the Deputy Director Press and Public Relations Mr. Charles Akpan quoted Ujah as having expressed L-R: Former President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry(LCCI), Mr. Babatunde Ruwase; former Minister of Trade and Industry, Mrs. Nike Akande; husband disappointment that the past of the celebrant, Mr. Abiodun Okeowo; celebrant, Mrs. Layo Bakare-Okeowo; Mrs. Adebola Olawale-Cole; and Deputy President, LCCI, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, , NARD elected officers failed during the 60th birthday celebration of Bakare-Okeowo in Lagos… recently ETOP UKUTT

HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY…

N20bn Kogi Loan: Court Fixes Oct.15 for Hearing of Applications Kingsley Nwezeh inAbujaand Wale Igbitade Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday adjourned till October 15, 2021 for hearing of all applications in respect of the Kogi State N20bn salary bail-out account domiciled in Sterling Bank Plc. On August 31, 2021, Justice Tijani Garba Ringim had ordered the freezing of the account, following an ex-parte application filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

The EFCC, in a 13-paragraph affidavit in support of the ex-parte application, had stated that it received a credible and direct

intelligence, which led to the tracing of the funds reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities in an account No. 0073572696 domiciled in Sterling Bank, Plc with the name Kogi State Salary Bailout Account.

Moving the application for the interim forfeiture of the funds on August 31, 2021, A. O. Mohammed, counsel to the EFCC, had urged the court to grant the Order so as to prevent further dissipation of the funds in the account.

Mohammed had also told Justice Ringim that the N20 billion loan meant to augment the salary payment and running cost of the government was kept in an interest-yielding account with the Bank.

Court Jails Two US Military Impostors for Love Scam in Kwara

Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

A Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin yesterday jailed two persons that posed as military officers of United States of America (USA) over offences bordering on love scam and other internet-related fraud.

The two suspects, Mr. Akinrodolu Sunday and George Tobi were jailed alongside one Oluwajobi Victor on separate charges of fraud brought against them by the Ilorin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).

The convicts were among the 34 suspected internet fraudsters arrested in different locations in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State on March 8, 2021.

While Akinrodolu and George were posing to be US military officers to lure unsuspecting

victims into online relationship, Olujobi was charged for attempt to defraud people seeking accommodation in USA. The defendants admitted committing the crime and pleaded guilty when the charges were read to them.

Items recovered from the defendants, including a Toyota Corolla Sport Car, iPhones, Ipad, bank draft and incriminating items printed from their devices, were tendered by Aliyu Adebayo and Rasheedat Alao, who prosecuted the cases for the commission and admitted in evidence by the court.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Mohammed Sanni sentenced Akinrodolu to six months imprisonment each on count one and two with option of fine of N300,000 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira) on each count.

POLICE ARREST 57 SUSPECTS AS SECURITY FORCES, SHIITE GROUP CLASH IN FCT – Continue from page 11 The FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Sunday Babaji, said the effort was yielding positive results as seven kidnapped victims were rescued along Pegi axis of the FCT. One AK-47 rifle, 15 AK-47 magazines, suspected fake military camouflage uniforms, six mobile phones, hard drugs, charms and cash sum of 47,000 were recovered by the police team from the kidnappers.

The CP stated that the command, acting on intelligence, which revealed the activities and hideout of some criminal

elements suspected to be kidnappers, drafted personnel of the command’s anti-kidnapping unit in a joint operation with the DSS and Police operatives from Pegi division, stormed the hideout of the suspected kidnappers.

“Upon sighting the security operatives, the kidnappers engaged them in a gun battle but for the superior gun fire of the security team, one of the suspected kidnappers, who has been on the wanted list of the command for his nefarious kidnapping activities, Umar

Bappa a.k.a Maishede Blakie met his waterloo while others escaped into the forest.

“Seven kidnapped victims held hostage by the kidnappers were rescued unhurt and immediately taken to the hospital for proper medical attention after which they were reunited with their families.

Efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of the gang,” it said.

In a similar development, the command said it had commenced investigations into the reported abduction

of a doctor and five others in Chikuku Village, Kuje axis of the FCT. “The command enjoins members of the public with useful information about the incident not to hesitate to avail the police with same so as to assist in the rescue of the victims.

“The command urges residents to remain calm while reaffirming its unflinching commitment to rid the FCT of crimes and criminality and protect the lives and property of residents,” it said.

ZONING CONTROVERSY CONTINUES IN PDP AS PARTY’S GOVS MEET TODAY – Continue from page 8 A source said, “The worst case scenario is to throw open the contest for the presidential ticket of our party. Remember that this is the position the committee led by the governor of Bauchi State recommended.

“To avoid insinuations that the PDP is dominating the South, it is highly being suggested that all eligible members are free to contest for the presidential candidate. It will be unfair to insinuate that the ticket is already reserved for the North. We are working on the recommendation of the Bala Mohammed committee.”

It would be recalled that the Bala Mohammed committee had recommended that the presidential ticket be thrown open. The committee anchored its position on the fact that across the land, Nigeria boasted good hands capable of bailing the country “out of her current quagmire.”

According to the report, “In line with certain unwritten

conventions of the nation’s history, many people think that, for fairness and equity, the North-east and South-east geo-political zones that have had the shortest stints at the Presidency, should be given special consideration, in choosing the presidential flagbearer of the party, for the 2023 elections.

“While we admit that this is a strong argument, we should not lose sight of the fact that Nigeria is endowed with many capable and very experienced leaders in every part of the country. Moreover, the exigencies of the moment demand that nothing should be compromised in choosing the leader, with the attributes to disentangle the country from the present quagmire.

“Therefore, we think that every Nigerian, from every part of the country, should be given the opportunity to choose the best candidate, through a credible primary election; as a way of institutionalising a merit-based

leadership recruitment process, for the country.”

It is generally believed that how PDP handles the presidential ticket controversy may determine its fate in the South during the elections.

Meanwhile, OGANS, in a statement by its president, Dr. Olawale Akanbi, from their Ibadan national office, stated that in the last few weeks, the protagonists and antagonists of zoning had dominated the political landscape with several variegated points of argument, which at best only exacerbated the ethnic divide across the land.

The group said the unfolding scenario was not good for national cohesion, because it only confirmed the ethnic chauvinism among the political class as they advanced and canvassed their various positions on the burning zoning topic.

“Anyway that you look at it, whether from the northern Arewa standpoint or Southsouth or South-east or the

Oduduwa region, what is manifestly clear is that it is the ethnic campaigners that are promoting the zoning hysteria once again as 2023 presidential election is around the corner.

“If one cares to illuminate himself/herself on the presidential zoning controversy, the idea has neither been popular nor adhered to by the modern subscribers of the issue.

It is only by taking a dip into history that one realises the extent to which some ethnic politicians have consciously thought to promote and accept certain undemocratic, illogical and ill-disposed notions in power sharing.”

The group, stated, “We are looking for the best material for the position of the president, who can rally the whole nation together, instead of a president produced under the weak premise of zoning and who undoubtedly will pander to ethnic ideals over national values.”

Ekiti Police Arrest Six for Kidnapping, Rape, Defilement Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Ekiti State Police Command has arrested six suspects in connection with alleged cases of kidnapping, rape, and defilement, which have become rampant in the recently.

The state Police Commissioner,

Mr. Babatunde Mobayo, at a parade conducted in Ado Ekiti yesterday said the men of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on September 19, 2021 at about 07:30p.m. arrested suspects, Abu Tobi, Falodun Ojo, Ogundele Tope and Adams Saheed for allegedly kidnapping Oyetuyi

Taiwo and Ibitoyi Pelumi.

Mobayo, represented by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Abutu, said the suspects were arrested at Soludero hotel, Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area of the state. “It was gathered that on

September 18, 2021, Abu Tobi, Falodun Ojo and Ogundele Tope left Ayede-Ekiti on an unregistered Boxer Bajaj motorcycle and arrived at Isan-Ekiti at about 3:30p.m. and settled at a drinking joint very close to Soludero Hotel where their targets had lodged.

WEDNESDAY, ͺ΁˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

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WEDNESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor: Duro Ikhazuagbe Email: duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com

0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Messi Scores Superb First PSG Goal in Win over City Lionel L ionel Messi scored his first Paris St-Germain goal in stunning fashion as they beat Manchester City 2-0 in an enthralling Champions League group game last night.

Messi, making his fourth appearance for PSG since leaving Barcelona, ran from the halfway line before playing a one-two with Kylian Mbappe and leaving Ederson rooted to the spot with a lovely 20-yard shot.

The roar from the Parc des Princes crowd was deafening as the Argentine, on his return from injury, added one PSG goal to the 672 he managed for Barca.

Idrissa Gueye had given last season's French runners-up an early lead with an excellent drive into the top corner.

City had plenty of chances

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE to score in between those goals with Raheem Sterling's header hitting the bar and Bernardo Silva striking the woodwork from the rebound with an empty net in front of him.

They also had seven shots on target but could not beat Champions League debutant Gianluigi Donnarumma in PSG's goal.

Elsewhere, Liverpool inflicted another heavy 5-1 defeat on Porto to remain top of their Champions League group.

Jurgen Klopp's side were superb throughout as they maintained their 100% start in the competition.

Mohamed Salah's prodded

Buhari Hails D'Tigress over Afrobasket Victory in Yaounde Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed Nigeria's senior women basketball team, D'Tigress, on their victory at the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket Women's Championship in Yaounde, Cameroon.

The President, in a release issued Tuesday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said he was extremely delighted to

see the team excel over and over again on the regional and world stages,demonstrating that with hardwork, resilience and dedication, victory is sure.

President Buhari joined other Nigerians in celebrating the unique achievements of the winning team, praying that the discipline and talent which made them three-time Africa champions in a row, will inspire more breakthroughs in their careers.

IBB Lines up 500 Golfers for 61st Independence Tourney Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja After it was deferred last year because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Independence Day tournament will return to IBB International Golf Club to mark Nigeria’s 61st anniversary with a field made up of about 500 players.

The Chairman of the tournament organising committee, Mike Ekoja, disclosed this yesterday while briefing the press.

He said the tournament, which begins tomorrowwith ladies and gentlemen playing Handicap 19- 36 and veterans, will climax on October 2.The field will comprise largely of members of the club and guest golfers.

On Independence Day, golfers playing between Handicap 0-18 will also contend for honours.

The player with the best net either of the two days will emerge as the overall winner of the tournament.

He/ she will get a business class ticket courtesy of Qatar Airways to travel to any destination of his/her choice.

There will be trophies for the

top three players in each division in addition to ancillary prizes like hole-in-one, longest drive and nearest to the pin.

The highlight of the tournament will be the participation of the members of Achimota Golf Club of Ghana.

The Ghanaian delegation will arrive Abuja tomorrow. The Ghanaians will square up against the IBB Club contingent for the singles and doubles matches on October 2and 3 respectively.

Ekoja, who is the Vice-Captain of IBB Club said that COVID-19 protocol will be strictly maintained for all the participants and other guests.

He expressed gratitude to all the sponsors and partners for making it possible to organise the tournament.

He said the course is in top condition as the committee has put in the efforts to ensure it is playable for the tournament.

Also speaking to reporters, the Captain of IBB Club, Senator Emma Anosike described the attainment of 61 years by Nigeria as an occasion that calls for celebration.

finish set them on their way at the Estadio do Dragao with the opener in the 18th minute with Sadio Mane making it two on 45th. Salah added the third in the 60th while Roberto Firmino (77th and 81st) capped the night for the Reds.

The most shocking result of the night came from Madrid where Moldovan Sheriff Tiraspol produced one of the great Champions League upset, upstaging 13-time European champions Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Sebastien Thill snatched victory for the tournament debutants with a stunning final-minute strike. Jasurbek Yakhshiboev's first-half header had given the visitors the lead.

Karim Benzema’s penalty goal in the 65th count little.

RESULTS PSG 2-0 Man City Leipzig 1-2 C’Brugge AC Milan 1-2 Atletico FC Porto 1-5 Liverpool Ajax 2-0 Besiktas Dortmund 1-0 Sporting Shakhtar 0-0 Inter R’Madrid 1-2 Sherrif

Lionel Messi...scores superb first PSG goal in 2-0 defeat of Manchester City last night

Zenith Bank Renews Commitment to Delta Principals/Headmasters’ Cup The sponsor of the annual Delta Principals/Headmasters’ Cup, Zenith Bank Plc, has renewed its commitments to the competition which is into its fifth and third editions respectively.

The Zenith Bank /Delta Principals’ Cup returned in 2017 with this edition making it the fifth edition as the organisers promised a better competition this year.

Speaking at a press conference in Asaba, Delta State to herald this year’s events, Senior Manager, Zenith Bank, Ijeoma Okowa, who represented the CEO/GMD of the bank, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, who was unavoidably absent at the event, said they were happy to invest in sports.

He mentioned the security situation of the country and the need by the bank to help in engaging the minds of the youths and children in the country.

“Zenith as a brand takes Corporate Social Responsibilities very seriously. We don’t just make profits at the bank, but we make sure part of the profits return to the society and one of ways we have chosen over the year is sports development, especially at the grassroots,” he noted with pride.

“I really want to thank the governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who has given us the enabling environment, likewise the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for what they have been doing by working on the templates for a successful event.”

On his own part, the state’s Commissioner for Primary

Education, Chika Ossai, who spoke on behalf of himself and the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu, said the two competitions have already grown in leap and bound with the Headmasters' Cup, (solely sponsored in the past by the state government), now also fortunate to be bankrolled

by Zenith Bank Plc.

According to him, 377 public and private primary schools and 300 public and private secondary schools have already registered for this edition.

The Headmasters’ Cup is expected to kickoff on Thursday, September 30, while the Principals’ Cup will take its turn of also starting from October 7at the St Patrick School, Asaba.

L-R: Representative of Zenith Bank GMD, Ijeoma Monday Okowa; Delta State Commissioner for Primary Education, Ossai Chika; his Secondary Education counterpart, Mrs Rose Ezewu and MD/CEO Hideaplus Ltd Mr. Tony Pemu during the press briefing on the Delta Principals/Headmasters’ Cup competitions in Asaba...yesterday

47

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SPORTS

Tuchel: Juventus Demand Respect from Chelsea Despite Struggles Mount, Pulisic, Kante, Others missing in Blues’ line up. Maguire out Cup holders Chelsea will be without Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, N'Golo Kante and Reece James for their Champions League game at Juventus tonight.

Kante has Covid-19, while attacking midfielders Pulisic and Mount and right-back James are injured.

Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE City in the Premier League on Saturday, their first defeat of the season.

Massimiliano Allegri's Juve are four games unbeaten and have moved up to 10th in Serie A after a terrible start.

"They are such a big club," said Blues boss Thomas Tuchel. "Yes they have had some troubles, a rough start but they were very convincing in the Champions League (a 3-0 win at Malmo).

"They are reliable. It is a no-

brainer, they demand respect."

Chelsea beat Zenit St Petersburg 1-0 in their Group H opener and have only conceded four goals in 14 Champions League matches since the start of last season.

"Maybe there is expectation," added Tuchel. "We came from a role that wasn't favourites last season and we got better with

every match and now we are seen as a real contender.

"Now it is easy to make us the favourites. We have the experience that means there is a higher value and motivation to play against us. We have to accept this. We are not favourites for this title."

Juventus are without former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala through injury, meaning Federico Chiesa is likely to keep his place.

Meanwhile, Manchester United Captain, Harry Maguire, is facing a "few weeks" out with a calf injury, says boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Maguire, 28, will be absent for tonight’s Champions League

TODAY Ba’Munich v D’ Kyiv Benfica v Barcelona Atalanta v Young Boys Man Utd v Villarreal Salzburg v Lille Wolfsburg v Sevilla Zenit v Malmoe Juventus v Chelsea match against Villarreal and is likely to miss England's World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary in October.

The defender limped off in United's Premier League defeat

by Aston Villalast Saturday.

Special Olympics Nigeria Concludes SNF Coach Developer Project Special Olympics Nigeria has successfully concluded its Coach Developer Project sponsored by Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

The project aimed at improving quality of coaching through a combination of in-person and virtual training is aimed at providing coaching education support for coaches and athletes through training, seminars and workshops.

Chelsea players at training in Cobham yesterday ahead of tonight’s clash with Juventus in Turin

Nigeria Lands in Rwanda, Seeks Defence of African U-19 Cricket Title The Junior Yellow-Green, Nigeria’s Under-19 Cricket team landed in Rwandan capital city Kigali early on Tuesday morning to begin the defence of the title that earned the country her first Cricket World Cup appearance.

The team had flown in from Harare, Zimbabwe, where they had been on a 10-day pre-tournament tour for the last leg of their preparation for the Championship.

The winner here will fill the last slot of the continent’s spot at the ICC U-19 Cricket Championship in 2022.

Nigeria’s Coach, Uthe Ogbimi, is optimistic about his wards chances. He believes his team is well prepared and will be taking the event one game at a time.

“We are going to this ICC U-19 Africa World Qualifier as the defending champion and that puts a lot of attention on us. We know that,” began yesterday.

He however admits that Nigeria’s game plan is to take every game on its merit.

“Our plan is to take every game on its merit. Our most important game is our next game and we are primed to give our best to every game.”

Ogbimi however warned his wards that no team is ordinary.

“No team at this event is ordinary and we hope to treat everyone with such respect,” he pledged. Six-time winners of the event and last edition’s runnerup, Namibia, Uganda, Tanzania and host Rwanda make up the list of teams jostling for honour at the eight-day tournament.

Nigeria’s opening match at the event is billed for Friday, October 1st against host Rwanda before taking on Tanzania on Sunday October 3rd. The clash with Uganda is scheduled for Monday 4th before closing the event on a high against Namibia on Wednesday 6th.

Nigeria’s team is captained

by Boniface Oche and with other team members including; Prosper Useni, Ridwanulahi Mohammed, Victor Ipoli, Destiny Chilemanya, Nzube Nwokike, Ridwan Kareem, Lukman

Kofoworola, Joshua Sunday, Talabi Odunayo, Paul Pam, Huzaifa Abdulsalam, Theophilus Jeremiah, Isaac Onyemgba, Udekwe Chiemelie and Elochukwu Ndubudem The winner of the Qualifying

series will take up the African Qualifying spot at the 2022 U19 Cricket World Cup scheduled for West Indies. South Africa and Zimbabwe have already booked spots at the event along with 13 other teams.

2021 Adron Games Get Keystone Bank Backing The Organisers of the 2021 Adron Games scheduled to hold in November at the Gateway Stadium in Sagamu have received commendation from the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone Bank, Olaniran Olayinka for creating the opportunity for the workforce of the property development company to bond in harmony.

Speaking during his courtesy visit to Adron Homes Limited in Lagos recently, Olayinka remarked that it was interesting to note that the novel idea of the Adron Games has reached

its fifth edition this year.

He further commended the use of former Nigerian international sportsmen and women as ambassadors of the Games, stressing that it was another opportunity of empowering these former stars who served the country to their abilities before retiring to private lives.

The GMD of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King

was full of appreciation for the visit of the Keystone CEO and pleaded for the opportunity of partnership on the Games.

Ex -Super Eagles midfielder and CEO of Match International, consultants to the Games, Waidi Akanni, said this year’s event would be more competitive, glamorous and exciting, in line with theme of sports fiesta, ‘Be Fit For The Top.’

As part of the project activities, Special Olympics Nigeria organised leadership forums for 144 participants. It created a platform for coaches’ and athletes’ developmental support as well as identifying business opportunities in sports.

At the end of implementation of project activities after a six-month duration, the programme achieved successful training of 263 coaches on unified sports, leadership skills, sports management, fitness and safety techniques.

“This was achieved alongside the promotion of the utilization of the Special Olympics Learning Portals which resulted in completion of online courses by over 420 coaches nationwide,” a statement from Special Olympics Nigeria announced.

It also revealed that the partnership between Special Olympics Nigeria and Stavros Niarchos Foundation has been tremendous towards achieving the mission of Special Olympics by promoting inclusion, encouraged friendships, and showcase the sports skills of persons with intellectual disabilities.

Special Olympics Nigeria is part of a worldwide movement (Special Olympics international) that is aimed at changing the misconceptions individuals have about people with intellectual disabilities (PWID).

Nigeria Pitch Awards to Honour Aisha Buhari, IGP, Amokachi, Others The Nigeria Pitch Award has listed the country’s First Lady, Dr. Aisha Buhari tops on the list of high ranking personalities to be honoured at this year’s Ceremony scheduled for March 26, 2022 Speaking at a luncheon for the awards’ college of voters in Lagos yesterday, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, Shina Philips, said Mrs Buhari will be presented with the Special Achievement in Sports Award for the successful hosting of the inaugural edition of the six-nation Aisha Buhari

Invitational Women’s Football Tournament which held recently.

Other football personalities to be honoured at the 8th edition of the foremost football award in the country include; the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman as well as former Nigeria international, Daniel Amokachi.

NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick who is also a CAF and FIFA Executive Committee member, will also be honoured for his contributions to the game at one point or the other.

Shina thanked the awards’ college of voters and the accounting firm, SIAO Partners for standing with Matchmakers over the years.

Philips said the forthcoming edition is going to be grand , adding the voting process for the 8th edition would soon commence in the last week of October.

In all over 170 sports journalists across the country have been involved in the voting process at different times.

L-R: Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone Bank, Olaniran Olayinka; GMD of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King and Consultant to the Games and Former Chairman, Lagos FA, Waidi Akanni, presenting a commemorative 2021 Adron Games Jersey to the Keystone Bank CEL during the visit to Adron Homes Limited...recently

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

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MISSILE

PANDEF to Northern Govs “There is no sane person, nobody in his sane mind that should say power should not rotate after eight years of a Northern presidency. The decision of the Northern governors is most ridiculous and insensitive. It exposes them as hypocrites and cowards. Anybody …that says that there should be no power rotation in 2023 does not love Nigeria” ---PANDEF National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, castigating the Northern governors for opposing power shift to the South in 2023.

PATUTOMI GUEST COLUMNIST

If Nigeria Were a Democracy W

e won democracy with blood, sweat, and tears.

But somewhere along the line, we succumbed to state capture and creeping fascism. The results are coming home to roost. The thick clouds of discontent with politics, politicians, and sometimes even with the Nigeria project continue to form a huge pall with existential consequences for a people impoverished by bad economic management, insecurity causing pain for those who watch their family, friends, and even foe yield the gift of life, in agony, as their blood run like a stream down the gutters of their neighborhood. Then they witness the devastation of disease; whether it be Cholera, or Malaria claim the best of the rest as their leaders fly abroad when they have headaches. If we were a democracy politicians driven more by purpose than power would be troubleshooting and problem solving these and other scourges with rational public conversation as fuel.

Sadly, we are not a democracy, and the make-belief of civilian government as democracy when elections are more or less coup d’états by other means has reached the point of a crisis of legitimacy that the big Quo Vadis moment is here.

As Sonny Okosun used to sing;, which way Nigeria: I want to know. No true citizen and patriot can live this be unaffect and keep from acting.

So how did we get here? For people like me who have been in the thick of the struggle for Nigeria’s emancipation for nearly 50 years, since age 17, survived Assassination attempts, economic shut out by people who cornered power and fear truth and justice, and who have invested passions and resources in providing the generation next shoulders to stand on, engaging in this kind of independence day reflection is a huge dilemma.

I will be telling a lie if I do not admit that these days my emotions swing from ‘’you have given enough of yourself so just find some peaceful place on the planet to live out the rest of your days watching the drama of Nigeria like a Big Brother Naija reality show” to a ‘duty is duty and to Retreat from a call to rescue Nigeria is to incur history’s wrath’ mode and mood.

This is a dilemma I seldom experienced in the many years of effort to get compatriots to recognize how we can elevate the Common Good and build a Nation. But watching the hard-won democracy become more of a government of politicians for politicians by politicians with the people as excuse and seeing the consequence for tragic economic management, social and security upheavals, and deteriorating legitimacy of the political order does sometimes make me wonder

Buhari

if the personal sacrifices and self-denial can be justified when the gains you hoped for in the lives of the people are not visible. Fortunately, the emotion that favours legacy and the Common Good tends to triumph over that tending toward despair or self love.

The Quo Vadis Nigeria question immediately leads to initiatives on how Nigeria can be salvaged knowing that votes seldom count here and impunity is so the way that people who seek the common Good can easily be hounded with institutions of state, framed, or harassed through social media.

My frustration with seeking to find partners to work for change for good left a crater frustration in my activist nature. Am I knocking my head against the wall on a fruitless mission. Was the weight of the burden of so limited progress in Nigeria, relative to our dreams and great expectations, pushing us down to hunchback status. I tecognized long ago that a good heart and generous spirit would be necessary but not sufficient to rescue Nigeria from the iron clasp of those that despoil her innocence. Careful strategy making was imperative. I then made the choice to draw from experience 700 years after the Magna Carta as Laissez faire reigned over 19th Century Europe.

A few lessons from the intellectual elite that were threatened for wanting change in the late 19th Century in Laissez Faire Britain would help my thinking on how to engage.

In Britain, these men meeting behind

Beer Parlors(Pubs) found as model for their own mission to rescue Britain the Roman General Fabius Quintus Maximus who in the face of superior “Fire Power” of the Carthaginian Army led by Hambal the famed General from Carthage, chose persistent harassment and massive chipping away to wear down the enemy and bring triumph to Rome.

One in this group which included the poets Edward Carpenter and John Davidson, Frank Podmore, suggested they name themselves from Fabius the General. They thus became the Fabians, after (Fabius).

The Fabians founded the London School of Economics and Political Science to institutionalized the enlightenment and the Labour Party to proselytize Fabian Socialism. In the flattery of imitation I began to rally old friends to zoom meetings bearing the strategy of the Fabians in mind.

I pulled together a romp of the Concerned Professionals which I had helped found to challenge the annulment

My frustration with seeking to find partners to work for change for good left a crater frustration in my activist nature. Am I knocking my head against the wall on a fruitless mission. Was the weight of the burden of so limited progress in Nigeria, relative to our dreams and great expectations, pushing us down to hunchback status.

I recognized long ago that a good heart and generous spirit would be necessary but not sufficient to rescue Nigeria from the iron clasp of those that despoil her innocence.

of the June 12 election of 1993, and called it the new Fabian Society.

The strategy was to encourage several social movements that were issues focused to enlighten and bombard the strongholds of a formidable cancer, a Nigerian political class that has been self-serving and indifferent to the growing poverty of the people, the insecurity it has generated, and Nigeria’s lost glory in a world that once saw in far awayWest Africa, a frontline state in Africa’s liberation war which sadly is now seen as strategically irrelevant.

In my visioning of things effort already under way by groups of patriots could be coordinated .

The Ncfront (National Consultative Forum) would work on a redraft of the constitution of Nigeria, electoral process reforms , or uincluding the rehance on electronic transmission of results, and modeling a political party or parties with clear values, ethics, and developmental state , and others focus on leadership selection criteria, and National Economic and National Integration Strategy to chisel away at the obsession with ethnicity and identity politics.

I have been worn down from actively participating in the planning as operations of many as seven of these groups now beginning to formally go public with their strategies.

When the Rescue Nigeria initiative went public with work that had been going on about how to lay down criteria for leadership selection in public life that can lead to better governance a media anxious to push street feelings that something different from the current order was needed was quick to declare that the 3rd force had come and a new party had arrived. That declaration showed a limited understanding of Fabius the General and how Fabian socialism overcame Laissez-Faire Britain.

To save Nigeria new blood needs to enter public Life and old blood flushed or put through autotransfusion where the blood is filtered and re-injected into the body. My goal is that the new thinking moves clear-headed minds into APC and PDP to reform from within while one or two new parties emerge to create a truly democratic order and culture.

Unless such can happen and democracy is restored, fascism pushed back and a developmental state in which production is emphasized over and above the sharing of revenues, Nigeria will continue down the road to Somalia with its gifted youth getting on the plane to Canada and elsewhere. This is what burdens me as Nigeria marks 61 years of independence.

Pat Utomi, Political Economist and Professor of Entrepreneurship teaches at the Lagos Business School and is the Founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership

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