THURSDAY 30TH SEPTEMBER 2021 by THISDAY Newspapers Ltd

Buhari: Akunyili’s Killers Won’t Go Unpunished Says killing inhuman, reprehensible Obiano places N20m bounty on murderers South-east govs demand arrest Region under siege, Ohaneze warns Senate observes a minute silence, as Obi expresses shock Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje in Abuja, Joe Chukindi in Awka, Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki and David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, expressed sadness over the gruesome killing of Dr. Chike Akunyili, widower of the late former Director-general of

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Professor Dora Akunyili, and assured that his killers would not go scot-free. Buhari

described the killing of Akunyili as inhuman and reprehensible, stressing that his killers would face the wrath of God and man. The president’s position was

reinforced by the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, who placed a N20 million bounty on the heads of Akunyili’s killers. The South-east Governors Forum

also condemned the killing and demanded security agencies move quickly to arrest the perpetrators Continued on page 12

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El-Rufai: Northern Govs Never Opposed Power Shift to South Says they're only against language used by southern colleagues SaMBA claims north’s position can inflame secessionist agitation Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha and Emameh Gabriel in Abuja Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, yesterday, clarified the

position of the northern governors over the power shift controversy, saying his colleagues in the north never opposed the presidency going to the south in 2023, but were only

against the language used by their southern colleagues. This is as the Southern and Middle-Belt Alliance (SaMBA), has described as inflammatory, the

resolution of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) over power rotation, saying such statement was capable of fuelling secessionist agitations in the country.

The Northern Governors Forum, in a communiqué read by their chairman and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, after their emergency meeting, had said:

“The Forum observed that some northern states governors had earlier expressed views for a power-shift Continued on page 42

Senate Presses Buhari to Designate Bandits Terrorists Wants govt to wage total war on them, bomb hideouts Says their leaders should be declared wanted Gunmen kill over 43 villagers in Niger IG directs AIGs, CPs to lead security operations at independence anniversary Wike identifies lopsided appointments, injustice as cause of insecurity Deji Elumoye, Kingsley Nwezeh, Juliet Akoje in Abuja and Laleye Dipo in Minna Worried by the criminal activities of bandits in many parts of the country, the Senate, yesterday, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a total war on the felons and declare them as terrorists. The Red Chamber resolved these at its Wednesday plenary. It called on Buhari to, as a matter of urgency, order the military to eliminate the bandits by bombing their hideouts. The Senate also told the president to immediately declare all known leaders of the bandits wanted, and track them wherever they are for arrest and prosecution. The resolutions followed the consideration of a motion on banditry in Sokoto State, sponsored by Senator Ibrahim Gobir. Nonetheless, bandits, late on Continued on page 12

A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR EFCC...

L-R: Representative of Chairman, House Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Hon. Francis Charles Uduyok, Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Suleiman Abdu Kari; EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa; National Coordinator, of Rule of Law and Anti-corruption, ROLAC, Mr. Danladi Plang and Representative of European Union/ECOWAS, Clement Boutillier, during public presentation of the EFCC Strategic Plan, (2021- 2025) in EFCC headquarters, Abuja... yesterday

EU, UK, FBI Hail EFCC's New Strategic Plan... Page 5

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

NEWS

83RD ANNIVERSARY LECTURE OF IKOYI CLUB... L-R: Lagos State Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN); wife of the Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1983, Mrs. Lawal Mumuni; her husband, Mr. Ademola Mumuni; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Vice Chairman of the Club, Mr. Akinwunmi Akintola, during the 83rd Anniversary lecture of the Club at the Rotunda, Ikoyi Club 1938, Lagos, ... yesterday

EU, UK, FBI Hail EFCC's New Strategic Plan Blueprint prioritises prevention over enforcement Emphasises public education, engagement, intelligence-driven investigation UN: Plan will be used to hold anti-graft agency to account Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja In a proactive move towards operational efficiency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched its Strategic Plan 2021-2025 on Wednesday in Abuja, with the European Union (EU), United Kingdom (UK), and the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) hailing the plan and pledging their support. Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Dr. Oliver Stolpe, said the plan had set out clear and established targets for the commission. Stolpe, however, warned that the document "will be used to hold EFCC to account." EFCC’s international partners joined Executive Chairman of the commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, to unveil the strategic plan targeted at improving its performance. The document, titled, "Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Strategic Plan 2021-2025," was unveiled at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja. The EU, UK, the National Assembly, and FBI hailed the document as pointer to a better future for Nigeria. Bawa said the plan was occasioned by the fact that economic and financial crimes remained a major impediment to the sustainable growth and development of the country. He stated, "It is in recognition of the devastating effects of these crimes and the (fact that) failure to address the menace will continue

to hinder our development efforts as a sovereign nation, that the Federal Government of Nigeria established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2002. “Since its establishment, the commission has grown rapidly in capacity and capability as well as recorded significant milestones in the fight against economic and financial crimes." Bawa recalled that in 2013, the commission developed its first fiveyear strategic plan (2013-2018), with five strategic goals to guide the attainment of the EFCC mandate within the stated period. He said annual action plans were developed for the effective implementation of the strategy. "Upon the expiration of the plan in 2018, the commission embarked on a comprehensive review to identify successes and outstanding commitments unattained with corresponding challenges,” he stated. Bawa added, "The review targeted to map out new strategies to improve performance and, thus, led to the development of the New EFCC Strategic Plan (2021 – 2025). “The EFCC Strategic Plan 2021 – 2025 has been designed consistent with the pillars of National AntiCorruption Strategy (NACS) 2017 – 2021, which is anchored on five pillars, namely, prevention, public engagement, ethical re-orientation, enforcement and sanctions, recovery and management of proceeds of crime." He said each of the pillars had a corresponding technical objective

and activity designed to achieve the objective. The EFCC boss said the new strategic plan aimed to sustain the agency's commitment to continuous improvement on the attainment of its vision. He listed the five strategic objectives of the plan to include increasing public engagement in the fight against economic and financial crimes; improving systems and processes for the prevention of economic and financial crimes; improving intelligence-driven investigation, prosecution, and asset recovery. Others are improving law enforcement coordination and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and enhancement of institutional capacity and human capital. Bawa elaborated further on the objectives of the plan, stat-

The operations of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) is to be decentralised, the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Alhaji Ahmed Idris has disclosed. He said this in Minna Niger State, yesterday. Idris in a message at the closing of a 3- day nationwide IPPIS Payroll Training for IPPIS Role Players in the Federal Capital Territory, said the decentralisation of the scheme would ensure efficiency and improve service delivery. Represented by the Director IPPIS in the Accountant General’s Office, Dr. Ben Nsikak, Idris stressed that the decentralisation

would remove challenge of some stakeholders traveling to Abuja to solve one problem or the other. "The decentralisation is to ensure that people, role players and the MDAs are able to carry out updates and variations at the backend without necessarily coming to Abuja," the Accountant General further explained. He, however, warned that, checks and balances have been introduced to ensure the decentralisation was not compromised, saying that internal auditors in the respective MDAs were expected to review the updates that have been done while accounting officers, "who have responsibility over human materials and financial resources of the establishments are also

In his goodwill message, the Country Representative of UNODC commended EFCC for the work done so far. The representative of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and West Africa, Mr. Clement Boutiller, identified corruption as a major challenge confronting Nigeria. Boutiller said the EU contributed €88 million in support of the anti-graft war and expressed EU's support for the implementation of the plan. Representative of the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Clowes, said the plan, "makes it possible for a better future" for Nigeria. Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Suleman Kwari, said the strategic plan would boost the fight against financial crimes. Kwari disclosed that the bill on

forfeiture of assets had undergone second reading in the National Assembly, stressing that it would enhance the agency's management of recovered assets. Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes, who was represented by Hon Francis Uduyok, said the parliament was in support of the plan. FBI’s Legal Attaché, Mr Uche Ahamdi, said FBI had a strong partnership with EFCC. Ahamdi commended the agency for producing the strategic plan, which he said would measure its performance. He said, "It's important. If you can't measure, you can't manage it." National Coordinator, Anticorruption and Rule of Law, Mr. Danladi Plang, described the plan as a "strategic message to the staff that they are doing well and need to redouble efforts."

OPEC Insists Withdrawing Investment in Oil Sector May Be Disastrous Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has once more warned that reducing investment in the oil and gas industry due to pressure from activists and climate change crusaders might have serious implications for energy supply in the coming years. Speaking during the 55th Meeting of the OPEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC) yesterday, the Secretary General of the organisa-

FG to Decentralise IPPIS, AGF Reveals Laleye Dipo in Minna

ing, "The commission recognises the importance of partnership with the public in achieving its mandate. This is demonstrated in our commitment to continuous improvement and strengthening cooperation with all stakeholders consistent with objective four of the strategic plan. "The new strategic plan prioritises prevention as a cheaper and more efficient tool against economic and financial crimes than enforcement. The plan also places significant premium on intelligence-driven investigation, prosecution and asset recovery while upholding high ethical standards in the discharge of our mandate. "The EFCC core values were also reviewed to reflect our commitment to integrity, courage, professionalism and collaboration as we deliver our mandate."

expected to sign up and take responsibility for whatever update that has been done." Idris disclosed that the IPPIS which started in 2007, with the enrolment of only seven MDAs has now enrolled 711 of the agencies. On the shortfall being recorded in the payment of workers’ salaries, Idris said the problem has reduced drastically, noting that, "only few MDAs have shortfalls compared to what we have last year." He disclosed that the office of the Head of Service of the Federation has cleaned up the human resource module in the programme while his office was already carrying out similar exercise for the salary payment module.

tion, Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, noted that given the projected dynamics in the market, lack of investment could lead to tighter supply which could distort the market. Earlier, during the launch of its 2021 World Oil Outlook (WOO), OPEC had said the organisation was continuing to see oil demand growing, strongly in the short- and medium-term before demand plateaus in the long term. It had insisted that fuel would continue to retain the largest share in the energy mix at 28 per cent in 2045. According to the cartel, cumulative investment requirements in the global oil sector could amount to $11.8 trillion over the 2021-2045 period, of which upstream could account for 80 per cent. The document indicated a modest change from last year's estimates, rising to 103.6mn b/d in 2025 from 90.6mn b/d 2020, with long-term demand slightly lower at 108.2mn b/d in 2045 compared with 109.1mn b/d previously. But the view from OPEC was in contrast with that of the International Energy Agency (IEA), a strong voice for renewable energy sources, which in a May report had said investors should not fund new oil projects if the world wants to reach net zero emissions by 2050. However, Barkindo said current tightness in the gas market was

having ripple effects across sectors that depend on the all-important fuel, with potentially negative implications for the world’s economic growth potential. He stressed that already, there are signs that tightness in the gas market could further drive demand for substitute fuels, including oil products for heating and power generation. These developments, he said, reinforce the need to keep a close watch on supply and demand fundamentals in the coming months, taking into consideration the weather and seasonal factors. “The situation in the gas market appears to be exacerbated by logistical problems, supply disruptions and investment challenges stemming from last year’s demand slump. “Regarding investment, what we are seeing now could become more pronounced in the future, given the current policy efforts and investor activism aimed at crowding out investment in essential fuels like oil and gas,” Nigerian-born Barkindo argued. In view of the observed downward trend in commercial oil stocks over the past five months and recent tightness in the gas market with heightened market volatility, the secretary general urged the committee to carefully look at the supply requirements in the coming quarter and entering into

the first quarter of 2022. He urged its members to bear in mind the uncertainties and associated downside risks, particularly in the second half of 2022. He mentioned some uncertainties that merited close attention as clogged supply chains, inflationary pressures and unease about mounting piles of debt which represent risks to recovery. Barkindo reiterated that the global economy remains on course to grow by a robust 5.6 per cent this year and by a healthy 4.2 per cent in 2022 as China and India continued to see strong economic activity, although localised COVID-19 restrictions, supply bottlenecks and weaknesses in some key indicators could slow the momentum. He said: “To put the overall situation in perspective, allow me to turn back the clock to January and the 47th JTC, when we expected the global economy to grow by 4.4 per cent this year – a full 1.2 percentage points lower than the current outlook! “Solid underlying fundamentals are supporting the oil market, with the outlook remaining similar to the last JTC meeting. For this year, we continue to see demand rising by 6.0 mb/d, to average 96.7 mb/d. In 2022, oil demand is expected to grow by around 4.2 mb/d and return to pre-pandemic levels of around 100.8 mb/d.”

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AWARD FOR BURATAI... L-R: Former Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd); Elemuren of Emurenland in Remo, Ogun State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adesegun Alowonle; the Oluwu of Kuta Kingdom, Osun State, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adekunle Oyelude Makama; Lagos State Commissioner for Information Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, and former Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (rtd), who represented the former Chief of Army Staﬀ and current Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, General Turkur Buratai, during the presentation of an award for excellence on Turkur by the Global Excellence Magazine in Lagos... yesterday PHOTO: DAN UKANA

THISDAY Digital PDF WhatsApp Edition Goes Live on MTN’s Zigi Chatbot Emma Okonji Over 73 million MTN subscribers can now stay updated on daily happenings around the world on THISDAY with free data, as the digital PDF edition of THISDAY goes live on MTN’s Zigi Chatbot. MTN subscribers can simply click https://wa.me/2349033000001 and select to get started. To connect to Zigi Chatbot, MTN subscribers would simply say ‘hi’ to Zigi, then go to 'Zigi Daily Freebies' to download the free digital THISDAY Newspapers. The digital edition would be available daily from 6am Nigerian time. The Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE NEWS Channel, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, last month announced the partnership to offer the digital copies of the newspapers on MTN

Zigi Chatbot. According to Obaigbena, “The offer is one of a series of business collaborations between THISDAY and MTN Nigeria, in fulfillment of a promise made by THISDAY to MTN Nigeria, to commemorate MTN’s 20th anniversary celebration.” MTN, which rolled out its telecoms services in Nigeria in August 2001, has maintained its original ownership structure and brand name, since 2001, a development that helped the MTN brand to focus more on network expansion across the country, while offering quality service to its over 73 million subscribers, with a market share of 39.3 per cent. Since inception, MTN has maintained the position of the largest telecoms operator in Nigeria in terms of the volume of subscribers’ number on its network.

Launched last year, the MTN Zigi Chatbot, is MTN’s all-new digital personal assistant that can answer questions, and assist MTN subscribers with products, services, and activations. Zigi chats in English Language and she is available to chat with both existing MTN customers and non-MTN customers as a guest. The Zigi chatbot saves the time of customers waiting for customer care representative to respond to question. The online assistant chatbot was designed to enhance customers’ digital interactions with the brand, and provide speedy and secure marketing, sales and technical support. Customers would be able to interact with the chatbot on multiple channels including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, the official MTN website and

myMTN App. It would provide a wide range of services including account balance checks, airtime, data purchases and answers to frequently asked questions. The chatbot would also have the ability to transfer customers to a live agent. The Zigi chatbot offers comprehensive support and services to all customers interested in interacting with MTN through ‘Zigi’. Commenting about ‘Zigi,’ the Chief Customer Relations Officer, MTN Nigeria, Ugonwa Nwoye, said, “Zigi offers personalised, intuitive and prompt service to our customers. Her introduction will not take away the customer’s access to live agents but will serve as the first point of contact for customers who choose to interact with Zigi.’ We believe that ‘Zigi’ will ensure increased convenience which

translates to better experiences for our customers, which is at the core of our purpose as a business.” The Chief Digital Officer at MTN Nigeria, Srinivas Rao, said ‘Zigi’ would always aligns with MTN’s digital transformation objectives. “We now live in a fast-paced digital age with new technological

Obaseki Appoints Two Special Advisers, Sends Names of 11 Commissionernominees to State Assembly Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has appointed two Special Advisers and forwarded the names of eleven commissioner-nominees to the Edo State House of Assembly for confirmation.

Alleged $48m Claim: Court Says CBN, Banks Have No Case to Answer Alex Enumah in Abuja The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has struck out the name of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Guaranty Trust Bank and Access Bank Plc from a suit by the Panic Alert Security Systems Limited on the grounds that the respondents were not proper parties to the suit. Panic Alert Security Systems Limited and its Chief Executive

Officer (CEO) had dragged the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to court over the payment of $47,821,920 being 10 per cent commission on the sum of $478,211,925.89 recovered for the forum. Panic Alert and the governors’ forum had allegedly executed terms of settlement on March 29, 2019, and adopted it as consent judgment on April 8, 2019, after

the court struck out the names of CBN, GTBank and Access Bank from the matter. However, on June 30, 2021, the Incorporated Trustees of the NGF filed an application against Panic Alert Security Systems Limited and its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. George Uboh, CBN, Guaranty Trust Bank and Access Bank, seeking an order of the court setting aside the consent judgment entered on April 8, 2019.

Counsel to the Incorporated Trustees of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, P. H.Ogbole SAN, had urged the court to set aside the consent judgment on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter in the first place as same bordered on simple contract which was not within the jurisdiction of the court to entertain. However, counsel to the CBN, Adeola Adeniyi, urged the court

Buhari to Unveil Book on Nigeria’s History Since Independence Today Deji Elumoye inAbuja President Muhammadu Buhari will today unveil “Discover Nigeria,” a pictorial book on Nigeria’s history, covering the period from Independence in 1960 to date. According to a statement issued yesterday by the President's Media Adviser, Femi Adesina, the 392-page book, authored by Bayo Omoboriowo, the President’s official photographer, which showcases the country’s rich traditional institutions, ingenuity of its people, the beauty of its landscape, the richness of its farmlands, stunning waterfalls and seas, among others, would be launched at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja. He said the foreword of the book was written by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and an introduction by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who acknowledged the contribution

of the Special Assistant to the President, Tunde Sabi’u Yusuf, to the publication. There are also reviews from another former Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida; Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader and former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. In his foreword, General Abubakar said, “This book brings a smile to my face. Chronicling our people, places, progress and more, it is an invitation to all to discover- and rediscover-Nigeria. This book is more than beautiful images. It reflects the heart and soul of Nigeria through images that tell stories and texts that share insights in Nigeria’s history, the present day and the future.’’ In his review, General Babangida lauded the youthful dominance in Nigeria’s creative industry and their penchant to demand a better Nigeria from the government. ‘‘I draw a lot of inspiration

from the works of the younger generation in the creative industry, from their pursuit of knowledge and most importantly, their desire to hold the Government accountable in helping to achieve a better and more prosperous Nigeria,’’ Babangida said. The author, Omoboriowo has hinted that the book has been enlisted as a contender for the Guinness World Records largest photobook. He said: "The previous record for the largest photobook is 45sqm. The book has been printed and mounted as a 60sqm giant frame book-60 images, 60 pages, 60 square meters, celebrating Nigeria at 60 (60:60:60:60)". Omoboriowo explained that the book presentation was conceived as part of Nigeria’s diamond celebration. Over 60 young Nigerians took part in the construction of the giant frame book mounted at the State House Conference Centre (formerly Banquet Hall), venue

of the event, which would be attended by governors, traditional rulers, members of the diplomatic corps, the business community and stakeholders in the creative industry. The event would also feature an exhibition of Nigeria’s Art, craft and cultures, across the six geo-political zones - curated by the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC). The exhibition entails a detailed display of various artworks, artefacts and cultural symbols from various states and ethnic groups in the country. Nigeria's cuisine and delicacies would also be on display. ‘‘The overall goal of this event is to remind all and sundry, the beauty that our diversity brings, and the strength that our unity affords us as a country. “We believe that an after-effect from the event will be the changing narratives about the important role everyone plays in the Nigeria project,’’ Omoboriowo said.

advancements driving the constantly changing landscape. This is why at MTN, we are determined to lead digital transformation, which will provide easy-to-use connectivity solutions, improve customer experience and maintain the highest quality of service for everyone in our ecosystem,” Rao said.

to strike out the name of CBN, saying it was an improper party to the current suit. According to him, the court in entering consent judgment on April 8, 2019, had struck out the name of the CBN from the suit. He further pointed out that the dispute was essentially between the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Panic Alert Security Systems Limited given that the CBN was not party to the terms of settlement adopted as judgment of the court. Adeniyi further contended that the said order of court striking out the name of the CBN remained valid and subsists until same was set aside. He, thereafter, urged the court to hold that the CBN was not a proper party to the suit as there were no specific claims or reliefs against it. On his part, Counsel to Access Bank, Ikechukwu Duru, aligned himself with the submission of the CBN and urged the court to strike out the name of his client for not being a necessary party to the suit. In a short ruling, trial judge and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, agreed with the submissions of Adeniyi and Duru and struck out the name of CBN, Guaranty Trust Bank and Access Bank from the suit. Panic Alert Security System Limited and Dr George Uboh were represented by Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, SAN whilst the Incorporated Trustees of Nigeria Governors’ Forum was represented by P. H Ogbole.

The appointment came more than 10 months after Obaseki was sworn in for a second term in office. A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Osarodion Ogie, announced the two Special Advisers as Crusoe Osagie, who has been appointed as Special Adviser, Media Projects and Sarah Esangbedo Ajose-Adeogun, who is Special Adviser, Strategy, Policy, Projects and Performance Management. According to the statement, the commissioner-nominees whose names were forwarded to the Edo State House of Assembly included: Oluwole Osamudiamen Iyamu; Prof. Obehi Akoria; Dr. Joan Osa Oviawe; Osaze Ethan Uzamere and Monday Osaigbovo. Others were: Marie Edeko, Joseph Eboigbe; Moses Agbukor; Isoken Omo; Andrew Emwanta and Mrs. Otse Momoh-Omorogbe. Osagie, a media expert, has over two decades experience in journalism and public relations practice. He served as Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy in Governor Obaseki’s first term in office. Ajose-Adeogun, a former employee of Shell, is an accomplished professional with over two decades of multi-disciplinary experience in the oil and gas industry. During her career in the oil industry spent in Shell Petroleum Development Company, and its other subsidiaries, she was involved in various transformation initiatives that generated sustainable value across social performance, information technology and local content disciplines. While at Shell, Sarah deployed technology applications for management of over USD2 billion investment funds and managed the Pension Fund digitisation programme, among other projects. Shortly after he was sworn in, the governor had made just three appointment, namely, Secretary to State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyoha; and Jimoh Ijegbai, as Deputy Chief of Staff.

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SHOWING LOVE TO DISABLED... L-R: Founder, Albino Foundation, Mr. Jake Epelle; Director, Institute for National Transformation(INT), Mr. Vincent Anigbogu; Chairman House Committee on disabilities, Miriam Onuoha and member PHOTO: KINGSLEY ADEBOYE of House Representatives, Mr. Robert Though; during a courtesy call to Albino and Disabled Foundation in Abuja .... yesterday

Nigeria Records 81,413 Suspected Cholera Cases with 2,791 Deaths Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja Nigeria has disclosed that a total of 81,413 suspected cases of cholera have so far been recorded in the country with 2,791 deaths. An epidiomology report issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) stated that Cholera disease was reported in 28 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2021. The states are Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ekiti, Enugu, FCT, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Osun, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Rivers and Zamfara. According to the NCDC, 15 states reported 1,825 suspected cases in the last one week. The states included: Zamfara (524), Bauchi (347), Yobe (302), Katsina (282), Borno (139), Adamawa (76), Kano (46), Jigawa (22), Kebbi (22), Gombe (22), Sokoto (13), Kaduna (12), Abia

(12), Kwara (5) and Taraba (1). It said there was a 38 percent decrease in the number of new suspected cases in week 37 (1,825) compared with week 36 (2,955). The report said: "Zamfara (524), Bauchi (347), Yobe (302), Katsina (282) and Borno (139) account for 87.3 percent of 1825 suspected cases reported in week 37 "During the reporting week, 36 Cholera Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDT) were conducted. RDT conducted were from Adamawa (18), Kaduna (11), Zamfara (2), Yobe (2), Abia (2) and Kwara (1).” Of this, a total of 21 (58%) were positive by RDT "A total of 10 Culture tests were conducted in Katsina (6), Adamawa (3) and Kaduna (1). Of this, two (20 percent) were positive "Of the cases reported, there were 55 deaths from Zamfara (19), Adamawa (7), Yobe (7), Jigawa (6) Katsina (5), Borno (5), Kebbi (2), Bauchi (2), and Kwara (2) states with a weekly case fatality ratio (CFR) of 3.0

percent," it said. The NCDC stated that cumulatively, as at September 19, 2021, a total of 81,413 suspected cases including 2,791 deaths (CFR 3.4 percent) have been reported from 28 states and FCT

in 2021. The report stated that among the suspected cases since the beginning of the year, age group 5 - 14 years was the most affected age group for male and female. Also, of all suspected cases, 50

Dike Onwuamaeze A British-Nigerian and Founder of the TEXEM UK, Dr. Alim Abubakre, has called on multisector organisations in Nigeria and other Sub-Saharan African countries to forge a partnership that will enable them respond effectively to national epidemics and global pandemics. Abubarkre, who is also a lecturer at Coventry University, UK, said the partnership should be focused

on building community resilience for withstanding and recovering from pandemic situation, adding that leadership and prudent management of resources were required for the success of the collaboration. The university don’s scholarly article was recently published in the International Public Management Journal (IPMJ) with the title: “Modeling the Barriers to Multi-stakeholder Collaboration for COVID-19 Pandemic Response:

As legislature moves to stop illegal charges on cargo transport President Muhammadu Buhari has written formally to the Senate requesting to replace the nomination of Engr. Sarki Auwalu as the Chief Executive Officer on the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NPRA) board. This is just as the Red Chamber moved yesterday to stop illegal charges on cargo transport by freight agents in the country. The President's request was contained in a letter dated September 28, 2021, and read at plenary yesterday, by the Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan. The President had in an earlier letter dated September 16, 2021, requested the upper chamber to confirm Auwalu alongside three others as board members of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority. In his new request, President Buhari however asked for the approval of the Senate to replace Auwalu with Engr. Farouk A.

Ahmed as Chief Executive Officer. He explained that the replacement request was duly in accordance with the provision of Section 34(3) of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021. Also yesterday, the Red Chamber commenced moved to stop processing delay and illegal charges on cargo transport by freight agents in the country. The decision to end multiple charges on cargo processing and transport was reached by the upper chamber in a resolution, following consideration of a motion during plenary. The motion titled: “The need to streamline Import and Export Cargo Processing in the Aviation Sector” was sponsored by Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah. Rising under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, Na’Allah noted with dismay the loss of about N250 billion on agroexport of produce in the country. According to him, the loss which translates to a ratio of 87:13 continues to impact negatively on the country’s economy. Na’Allah noted that there are

cases. NCDC further said that 10 Local Government Areas across five states (Bauchi (4), Jigawa (2), Zamfara (2), Kano (1) and Katsina (1) have reported more than 1,000 cases.

COVID-19: UK-based Expert Calls for Multilateral Partnership

Buhari Seeks Senate Approval to Replace Auwalu as NPRA CEO Deji Elumoye and Juliet Akoje in Abuja

percent are males and 50 percent are females. In addition, the report said that three states of Bauchi (19,309 cases), Kano (11,783 cases) and Jigawa (10,758 cases), accounted for 51 per cent of all cumulative

about 16 sundry charges for goods coming in or out of the country – with 16 in Lagos and 15 in Abuja – and many of them being unofficial and illegal. He lamented that loading 100 tons of cargo on aircraft cost around $35,000 in Nigeria, compared to Ghana that cost just about $4000 USD. The ranking Senator said: "This has caused substantial damage to the Federal Government efforts of stimulating Capital Inflow”, adding that, “airlines involved in cargo transport have started avoiding Nigeria in view of the prohibitive charges.” The Senate, accordingly, mandated the Joint Committees on Trade and Investment, Agriculture and Rural Development, and Aviation and Customs to invite stakeholders and Freight Agents to come with acceptable template of processing Nigeria’s Imports and Exports. Meanwhile, the Senate President has referred President Muhammadu Buhari’s request for the confirmation of Engr. Mohammed Sani Baba,

representing Bauchi State as Federal Commissioner in the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, to the Committee on National Planning and Economic Affairs. The Committee was expected to screen the nominee and report back to the upper chamber in two weeks. Also, the President’s request for the confirmation of five nominees as Commissioners in the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission was referred to the Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes. The nominees for screening included: Dr. Mojisola YayaKolade, Ekiti (South-West); Mrs. Anne Otelafu Odey, Cross River (South-South); Alh. Goni Ali Gujba, Yobe (North-East); Dr. Louis Solomon Mandama, Adamawa (North-East); and Senator Anthony O. Agbo (Ebonyi). The Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes Committee also has two weeks to screen the nominees and report back to the Senate.

Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa.” The IPMJ is comparable to the Harvard Business Review. “The collaborations should be focused on building community resilience for withstanding and recovering from the pandemic situation. “This approach is often referred to as collaborative health emergency preparedness. "It should also remind us of the need for countries to pursue a multi-sectoral collaboration for the planning and coordination of an effective response to pandemics. “Using available resources most efficiently and equitably is an essential consideration for countries seeking to meet the enormous financial requirements to respond to the coronavirus crisis,” he stated. He noted that the critical actors in this partnership include policymakers, public health workers, civil society organisations, public sector administrators, academics, religious and community leaders. Abubakre pointed out that it was unfortunate that studies on obstacles to effective collaboration were focused on developed countries like the United States and Sweden. He, therefore, urged African leaders and policymakers in the health sector to realise that developed country contexts are quite different from developing ones that have remained, “relatively under -researched by academic scholars.” He said the COVID-19 pandemic should serve as a reminder of the shared vulnerability of all people no matter which part of the world they might be residing in. “It should also remind us of the need for countries to pursue a multi-sectoral collaboration for the planning and coordination of an

effective response to pandemics,” Abubakre said. He said healthcare leaders and policy makers should enhance their comprehension of the contextual barriers and their interaction with each other. Abubakre said: “Knowledge of the obstacles is crucial as these hindrances could create challenges for different actors from the public and private sectors as well as civil society and non-governmental organisations.” He said lack of knowledge could prevent actors from effectively preparing and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and planning for future health emergencies. Abubakre’s said that his scholarly article that was published IPMJ “offers actionable insights into how to strategically lead in a crisis for policymakers, business leaders and directors in the third sector. “Specifically, this article underscored the importance of having a systemic and holistic approach to solving health, and by extension, security, poverty, educational and social cohesion pandemics. “All these pandemics are ravaging Nigeria and some parts of the developing world because government initiatives and corporate social responsibility projects are done in silos. “And, this process appears to make those efforts too little too small. “The private sector, government, third sector, and multilateral organisations should have a joinedup and multi-stakeholder approach to solving societal challenges. “A strategy that countenances multi-stakeholders expectations will enhance organisations’ potential and capability to advance prosperity for all, optimising performance and fostering national cohesion for global benefit.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY, ͻ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

TWELVE BUHARI: AKUNYILI’S KILLERS WON’T GO UNPUNISHED of the dastardly act and bring them to justice. In a statement by the Chairman of the Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, the forum described the killing as "not only barbaric but also unbecoming how much human lives no longer matter in our society. We give security agencies a marching order to go all out to uncover and arrest all the perpetrators of this inhuman act and make them face justice,” In its own reaction, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, raised the alarm over the incessant killing of innocent citizens in Igboland, concluding that the zone is currently under a heavy siege. The Senate observed a minute silence for the deceased at its plenary yesterday, and a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, expressed shock at the murder of Akunyili. Buhari, in a release on Wednes-

day by his media adviser, Femi Adesina, shared the pain of the children, relatives, and friends of the deceased. The president said he had fond memories of working with the late Dora Akunyili at the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) and Nigerians would never forget the memory of the amazon, who distinguished herself as a courageous, dependable and patriotic citizen. Enjoining security agencies and leaders of thought to work harder to bring an end to the violence being unleashed on innocent Nigerians, the president assured the grieving families, who lost their loved ones in the incident, that the perpetrators of the heinous act “will face both the judgement of man, and that of God.” Obiano placed a N20 million bounty on the heads of the killers and others, in a press release he personally signed after a meeting with heads of security agencies

in the state. He implored anyone with useful information about the killing of Akunyili and other persons, who fell to the bullets of gunmen between Sunday and Tuesday, to come forward with it. The statement read, "It is on a very sad note that I address the state today to condemn in very strong terms, the violence that has been witnessed in Anambra in the past few days. "Since last weekend, some armed persons have unleashed terror with sporadic attacks on innocent citizens in various parts of the state. From the briefings I have received from security commanders, offices of some political parties, branded campaign vehicles and individuals occupying them have been attacked with killings and burning of vehicles observed. "Other innocent road users have become victims of this menace with many losing their lives and others, their properties. Between

Sunday 26th and yesterday, 28th September 2021, attacks on citizens at Oko, Agulu, Obosi, Nkpor, Nnobi, Nnewi, and other places have left about 10 people dead, including an illustrious son of this state, Dr. Chike Akunyili, husband of the late Professor Dora Akunyili, who was, reportedly, gunned down yesterday around Nkpor. "To reinforce our commitment and seriousness on this issue, I, on behalf of the state government, wish to announce a twenty million naira (N20, 000,000.00) reward for any useful information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators of these heinous attacks on our state." The governor regretted the wanton killing of illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra people. He said, "These are our own people dying every day and for what reason? Ndi Anambra, these attacks and accompanying deaths cannot be justified and must stop now. I have, therefore, conducted an

SENATE PRESSES BUHARI TO DESIGNATE BANDITS TERRORISTS Tuesday, raided parts of Niger State, allegedly killing no fewer than 43 villagers. Details of how the incident happened were still sketchy at the time of filing this report due to the jamming of communication networks in the areas. But the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Baba, directed Assistant InspectorsGeneral (AIGs) in the Zonal Police Headquarters and Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to personally lead security operations across the country in order to maintain law and order during this year’s independence anniversary celebration. Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike identified politics of exclusion and absence of social justice as some of the causes of insecurity in the country. Presenting the motion on the floor of the Senate, Gobir lamented that Sokoto East Senatorial District had become a safe haven for bandits following a crackdown on them by the military in Zamfara State. He expressed worry that on Saturday, September 25, about 21 security men were killed in Dama and Gangara villages by rampaging bandits. According to the senator, out of those killed, 15 were soldiers, three mobile policemen, and three members of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, in addition to yet to be ascertained number of civilians from the neighbouring villages. Gobir stated, “This has gone to portray the seriousness of the problem, which requires concerted and urgent action by the declaration of total war on banditry. “Losing such numbers of trained security personnel will further deplete the numerical strength of the security personnel we have in the country, therefore, jeopardising the security architecture of the country.” According to him, most of the bandits have now relocated to Sabon Bimini and Isa local government areas due to the sustained military operations in the Zamfara axis. The ranking senator observed that while the crackdown on the bandits was taking place in Zamfara State, no concrete measures were taken in Sokoto State to prevent a spillover from Zamfara, a situation that left the state exposed to the activities of bandits. He said the present military onslaught on the bandits was not well coordinated, stressing that it is only being orchestrated in Zamfara State, instead of all the frontline states ravaged by bandits. Gobir called on the military to carry out a holistic operation on frontline states, such as Sokoto, Katsina, Niger, and Kaduna, in order to produce effective and desired results. Speaking after the adoption of the motion, Senate President,

Dr. Ahmad Lawan, commended the efforts of the armed forces in the fight against insecurity in the country. While calling for increased funding for the military, Lawan charged relevant committees of the National Assembly to ensure that funds appropriated for the armed forces were judiciously applied to the purposes they were budgeted. The senate president said, “I think the issue of insecurity is one issue we will never get tired of debating here, and we must commend our armed forces and other security agencies. They give their lives in trying to secure this country, and that is the ultimate sacrifice anybody could pay. I believe that they are doing their best, but we also need to do our best as a government by giving them the kind of resources that they need. “I believe we have done that in the supplementary budget, like I pointed out, but we also need to improve the annual appropriation for them. If we could pass over N800 billion in the supplementary budget, I don’t see why we cannot improve the resources up to N1 trillion and then hold our security agencies accountable. “I believe that we need to monitor the procurement processes when we give such kind of resources to our armed forces. The security related committees, particularly, the armed forces related committees – Defence, Army, Navy and Air Force committees – need to work very closely on the procurement processes by these services. We must ensure that funds appropriated are not put in the wrong areas, and ensure that this fight is taken to its logical conclusion.” The senate, accordingly, as part of its resolutions, directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant federal government agencies to, as a matter of urgency, give all the necessary support to the victims of bandits in Sokoto and other parts of the country. It also observed a minute silence in honor of the fallen heroes and civilians, who lost their lives in the unwholesome activities of the bandits. Meanwhile, on the Niger raid last night, reports had it that the bandits were escaping from the military operations in parts of Zamfara and Kaduna states when they carried out the killings. They were also said to have set some houses ablaze and kidnapped an unknown number of persons. Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, confirmed the story but did not give details. In a related development in Sokoto State, three mobile policemen were reportedly killed on Tuesday, when bandits stormed Kagara town, the headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area. The marauders also kidnapped a large number of people from the Kagara market, where they

first operated before ransacking the Emir’s palace in the town. A source from the area told THISDAY last night that the monarch, who escaped kidnap, in company with the Commissioner for Police, was in Kagara town to assure the people that government was on top of the situation. The SSG confirmed the death of three people in the Kagara incident But the Inspector General of Police assured of maximum security during the independence anniversary celebrations. A police statement said the force had put in place adequate security measures to protect the citizens, ensure the success of the activities lined-up for the anniversary celebrations, and prevent any untoward situation throughout the period of the celebration and beyond. The statement said, "Consequently, the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in all the zonal and state commands and the FCT have been directed to lead the independence anniversary security operations from the frontline. "They are to ensure high visibility and confidence boosting patrols around the venues of the celebrations, residential areas and other places of public resort to prevent any infiltration by hostile elements." The IG pledged the unalloyed loyalty of the Nigeria Police to the sovereignty of the country as well as its unflinching commitment to combating criminality in the country and ensuring the safety of the citizenry. He called on citizenry to go about the celebrations in the most peaceful and law abiding manner, even as he appealed "for a new sense of pan-Nigerian spirit, patriotism, love and deliberate efforts by leaders at all levels at de-escalating ethnic tensions and suspicions in the land". The IG also enjoined the citizenry to continue to cooperate with the police and other security agencies in fighting crimes and criminality in the country. Wike, who blamed politics of exclusion as well as the absence of social justice for insecurity in the country, also accused the federal government of failing to provide "responsible governance" that could promote sustainable governance. The governor spoke in Abuja at a lecture delivered at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), titled, "Governance, Security and Sustainable Development in Africa, Nexus, Challenges and Prospects: Rivers State as a Metaphor." He took a swipe at those opposed to power shift, saying they are promoting injustice. The lecture was delivered to the participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC 14), who were rounding-off their study at the NISS, preparatory to the award of the fellow of the security

institute. Wike stated, "What we have today cannot be said to be a responsive government that will provide all these. What we are hearing is excuse one, excuse two. It is terrible. So, if you don't have a responsive governance, you will not have environmental sustainability, because it requires good governance. "A sense of social justice, equity is fundamental to achieving peace, security and sustainable development, which only good governance can achieve. You cannot have this if you do not have good governance and you cannot talk about sustainable development when you don't have good governance. It is practically impossible. "Thus, among other structural and infrastructural variables, nothing can be more relevant to the progress of society than the practice of good governance, led by visionary, effective and transformational leadership as essential precondition for effective democracy, the rule of law, sustainable development, and enhancing the living conditions of ordinary people. "Unfortunately, poor governance and bad leadership model continue to characterise Africa's political, economic, security and social landscapes." He said those who held that zoning was unconstitutional were promoting inequity. According to him, "I am sorry, people forget, when people say zoning is unconstitutional, but you know what is called equity. Equity brings peace. Let everybody be part of it. But the moment you begin to think that this is your own exclusivity, that nobody else, then it becomes a crisis. "When you begin to see some people, to deny them certain things, that will lead to insecurity and with insecurity, you cannot achieve sustainable development. Take, for example, when the Igbo are crying to say, look, in appointment, you don't recognise us, what is wrong in listening to them? "What is wrong in sitting back and saying, look, we are all one, we want this country to be together in order for us to achieve sustainable development? Because, if you don't include them, some of them will begin to believe that they are not part of the system." Wike recalled Buhari's position on sections of the country that did not vote for him, saying, "Now, take for example, with all due respect, when Mr. President said ninety-something per cent of whatever will go to only those who voted for him, that alone will create crisis. "That is not part of good governance. I don't expect the president of a country to say, ‘I will only remember those who voted for me’. That is not democracy."

extensive security meeting and have directed all security agencies to step up and confront this monster ravaging our land. "I charge everyone involved in the security architecture of Anambra State to take very seriously this threat to our livelihood and boldly rise to confront same. Everything that needs to be done will be done and no stone will be left unturned in this effort. My directive to this effect is clear and I urge every security personnel on duty in Anambra State to do his utmost best to secure our people."

Ohaneze Ndigbo Alleges South-east Under Siege

Igbo’s apex sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze NdIgbo Worldwide, raised the alarm over the incessant killing of innocent citizens of the Igbo nation. Ohanaeze said the zone was currently under a heavy siege. President General of the organisation, Professor George Obiozor, raised the alarm during the Igbo Day Prayer Summit organised by Ohanaeze NdIgbo Worldwide, in collaboration with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South East zone. Obiozor spoke against the backdrop of Dr. Chike Akunyili’s murder. The president-general, who was represented by Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Mr. Innocent Nwudenyi, stated that there was need for the people of the South-east to pause and seek the face of God, because there were too many killings in the zone lately. Obiozor stated, "As we gather today to pray, we need to take a pause in Igbo Nation. We need to seek the face of God, we need to remember our brothers and sisters that have been killed over the years but more importantly, we need to think about today. The Igbo Nation is under siege; there are too many killings. Many unnecessary killings in the zone." He described the killing of Akunyili as unfortunate, regrettable and most worrisome, pointing out that the killings in Anambra State and otherstates of the South-east have reached an alarming stage. The Ohaneze Ndigbo president noted that something needed to be done urgently to save the South-east from the unnecessary killings. He also asked the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other groups to think deeply and take a pause. "Professor Obiozor has asked IPOB and other groups to think deeply, because if they kill every person, who will be there,” Nwudenyi said. “We need to take a pause as a people and understand what is confronting us," he added. The president-general regretted that beyond the sit-at-home order, there were on-going killings from one state to another in the Southeast and called on the clergy to pray fervently for the zone. In an address, Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, wondered why Igbos would be killing each other, and called for brotherly love, harmony, and peace among the Igbo. Umahi, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner, Dr. Kenneth Ugballa, regretted the killing of Akunyili and noted that his death was a big blow to NdIgbo

Senate Observes a Minute Silence

The Senate, Wednesday, observed a minute silence for the late Dr. Chike Akunyili, who was brutally murdered by unknown gunmen at Afor Nkpor in Anambra State on Tuesday. The moment of silence in the Red Chamber followed a point of order raised by Senator Uche Ekwunife (Anambra Central). Coming under Order 43 of the Senate Standing Rules – Personal Explanation, Ekwunife noted with concern that on Tuesday, September 28, 2021, Akunyili was gunned down in a most gruesome manner at Afor Nkpor, Anambra State. According to Ekwunife, Chike Akunyili was till his death Medical

Director of St. Leo Hospital in Enugu. She said the deceased was an established academic, medical director and one who had contributed to the development of healthcare in Nigeria. Narrating the circumstance that led to his death, Ekwunife said, “Dr. Akunyili went to Onitsha to present a paper and receive an award at the memorial lecture put together by a civil society organisation in honour of his late wife, Professor Dora Akunyili, and was gruesomely attacked at Nkpor on his way home." The ranking senator also noted that lots of horrible attacks and killings had been going on across the entire South-east zone especially, Anambra, Enugu and Imo states. She urged the Inspector General of Police and heads of other law enforcement agencies to step up action towards unravelling perpetrators of the killings in Anambra State and other South-east states. Ekwunife also urged governors in the South-east to rise to their responsibilities of ensuring safety of life and property of the citizens as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

Obi Expresses Shock, Identiﬁes Body in Morgue

A former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, expressed shock at the death of Dr Chike Akunyili, who was shot dead on Tuesday evening. Obi, who spoke to journalists, said he was in Lagos on Tuesday for some functions, and on Wednesday morning he got the news of the death of Akunyili on social media and immediately boarded a flight back to confirm it. The former governor said, "I was lucky to get the first flight, and I landed in Owerri and moved straight to Iyienu Hospital in Onitsha, where I and his son identified him in the mortuary. "He was not the only victim, there was his driver and police security aide. About nine people in all were involved in the shooting on Tuesday, and some of them were even headless, and it is now a problem identifying them." Obi said the killing of Akunyili, who was a private medical practitioner, remained a great pain to him and members of Agulu community, where Obi and the late Akunyili hailed from. Obi added, "It is a very sad thing to think of. If you knew Dr Akunyili, you will know that he could not hurt anyone, not here in his village and not anywhere else. He was a good man who was so happy with himself. "As for who his killers are, I can only say that no one knows. It is a very sad thing, and as I speak to you, Agulu people are in mourning." Meanwhile, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tony Olofu, assured the people of the command’s commitment to public safety. In a press statement by the command's spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Toochukwu Ikenga, Olofu, who had visited the scene of the incident for on-the-spot-assessment, called for collaboration between the people and the police to fish out bad elements in the state. Ikenga, in the release, said, "The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Tony Olofu, has today, 29th September, 2021, observed with grave concern, the series of security breaches that have taken place within the state, and has, therefore, ordered tactical commanders of the command to immediately put an end to the madness. "He gave this order when he led senior police officers from the command on on-the-spot assessment to the crime scenes. The CP, while regretting the unfortunate loss of lives and valuables due to those senseless acts, has sued for calm, as the command collaborates with other security agencies in the state to decisively deal with the perpetrators, who seem to have Continued on page 42

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

COMMENT

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

HAITI’S REPARATIONS AMERICANA

President Biden should join forces with Ramaphosa to achieve reparations for Africa and Global African Diaspora, writes Okello Oculi

resident Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa demanded (at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly), ‘’reparations’’ for victims of euro-american slave commerce.

As he spoke, American border-guards on horseback were rounding up Haitians seeking to enter the United States along the Mexico-Texas border. Charges and occasional whippings resembles Australian farmers using dogs to keep sheep in line. Ramaphosa, a politician fresh on legacy of a political oven of South Africa’s racism, was probably unaware of the brutal and shameful drama in southern Texas. The people of Haiti are descendants of traded Africans with a special historic relationship with America’s diplomatic history. Led by Toussaint D’Louveture, African slaves rose up in 1801 and slaughtered French owners and managers of vast agricultural lands worked by slave labour. Their revolution shook politicians and business owners of plantations in the Caribbean, north and south America, and ran industries that processed sugar, coffee, tobacco and mineral ores from the region. The French rose with vindictive rage to reverse the Haitian revolution. Its navy was, however, roundly defeated. While the defeat inflicted a second humiliation on France, it was a blessing to the newly independent United States of America. The French navy was due to also crush the rude Americans who had seized a French territory of Louisiana. Their crushing defeat in Haiti saved the American revolution, thereby imposing on her a historic Debt of Deterence owed to the gallant African people of Haiti. The panic which that defeat aroused in Europe and their Caribbean and South American colonies also resonated among slave-owners in North America. The fear of ‘Haiti Virus’ aroused a consensus to impose a universal economic embargo on Haiti and kill it with diplomatic kwashiorkor. The prospect of a strong Haiti strutting on the international stage would not likely to signify nothing. Haitians would spread seeds of armed revolution against Caucasian peoples to mineral-rich Southern Africa, India and China. Similar panic was felt in 1976 after Fidel Castro sent mainly Black Cuban troops to Angola and drove back white South African troops. Henry Kissinger, (as America’s Secretary of State), rushed to Brazil to assure its leaders American military help if Castro lit fires of revolution among horribly oppressed Afro-Brazilians. Che Guevara and Castro had propounded the theory of causing American capitalism to crumble from within by forcing it to fight wars in ‘’many Vietnams’’ around the globe. Haiti is owed reparations for the crime of international

86$

ASSASSINATING VISIONARY AFRICAN LEADERS, MILITARY COUPS, PROMOTING CORRUPTION, AND DECADES OF SUPPORTING GOVERNANCE AS ‘’CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY’ IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, INSTRUCTS AFRICANS TO VIEW HAITI AS A MODEL WHICH EURO-AMERICA WISHES FOR THEM

economic and diplomatic embargoes which stunted its sovereign right and freedom to develop and build happiness for its people. As President Ramaphosa urged, the United Nations must make ‘reparations’ against peoples of African descent whose right to life, freedom, dignity and development was desecrated by Euro-American slave commerce. The anti-Haitian drama in Texas stirred images of a panicstricken crowd of Afghans running on tarmac to catch a ride on an American aircraft rolling towards take-off. Both groups were desperately aspiring to escape certain poverty and death by getting shelter inside the United States. President Biden justified his rushed termination of a 20-year hug with Afghanistan with a vision of America winning minds and souls around the globe with a new internal strength and a diplomacy of virtue. The last time the United States replaced thuds of bombs with Mana from trans-Atlantic skies, was when her leaders ate and swallowed the ‘Kim Philby Stake’. Philby and his fellow team of Communist Party students at Britain’s Cambridge University, smuggled secret formula for making atomic bombs to Russia so that when World War 2 (1938-1945) came to an end, America’s military power would be checked by Russian power. They rejected the picture of a Europe devastated by war being trodden over by a lone Yankee exploiting and impoverishing Europe like South America’s ‘’banana republics’’. Their plan was to force America to counter Russian Communist power by throwing vast economic resources in to a war-ravaged Europe. They got the ‘’Marshall Plan’’ and a proud Europe sucking breasts of the Statue of Liberty. Africa offers President Biden a post-Afghanistan vision of ‘’Ubuntu Diplomacy’’ which steams hot from Nelson Mandela’s heart and mind: proclaiming a shared ‘familyhood’ of nations and peoples. The blood-hungry invaders of America’s Capito building on January 6, 2021, showed that veterans of diplomatic legacy of exporting violence (to Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, and Vietnam), have come back as rabid enemies of democratic governance. Assassinating visionary African leaders, military coups, promoting corruption, and decades of supporting governance as ‘’crimes against humanity’ in Southern Africa, instructs Africans to view Haiti as a model which Euro-America wishes for them. Biden’s new ’Ubuntu Diplomacy’ must reject this model; and join Ramaphosa in achieving reparations for Africa and Global African Diaspora. A developed Haiti and Africa must become his diplomatic virtue.

PETROL SUBSIDY REMOVAL PALAVER Eniola Olakunri makes a case for bridging fund and ancillary transport costs

n July this year, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, affirmed that government subsidy on petrol had risen to some ଂ150 billion monthly and made a strident case for its removal altogether. The issue of subsidy has been a thorny one in recent years and its burden on the nation’s economy has always been trumpeted by the nation’s economic managers and various other stakeholders. Hajiya Ahmed raised cogent points to support her assertion: “We have a situation wherein, in a month, the subsidy costs as much as N150 billion...that is money that the federation account, federal and state governments forgo. If this revenue is available to fund education, infrastructure, health, it will reduce our borrowing. It will reduce the crises that states are having of not being able to pay salaries....” A few days before the minister made that call, the Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari had said the pump head SULFH RI IXHO VKRXOG DW OHDVW UHDG ଂ SHU OLWUH JLYHQ WKH market dictates of that time. Few will argue with the fact that the subsidy overhang has become an albatross on the weary neck of the nation’s straining economy, especially if viewed from the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Authority’s (PPPRA) FODLP D \HDU DJR WKDW VRPH ଂ WULOOLRQ ZDV XWLOLVHG RQ VXEVLGLQJ SHWURO EHWZHHQ DQG For many though, the colossal subsidy amount(s) could only be attributable to bridging and other ancillary costs such as marine transport and transporters allowance (reimbursables made to marketers for moving petrol in WUXFNV EDUJHV WR ¿OOLQJ VWDWLRQV DQG ÀRDWLQJ PHJD VWDWLRQV in riverine areas), to maintain price parity all over the country. That is not the case. For emphasis, whilst bridging and its ancillaries are components of the PPPRA’s pricing template, they do not, in any shape or form, represent the entire gamut of the subsidy regime. In March this year, there was a general uproar when the PPPRA hoisted the Guiding Prices of its template for the month, on its website. The Agency had indicated that

RZLQJ WR PDUNHW WUHQGV SHWURO SULFH VKRXOG DWWUDFW D ¿JXUH RI ଂ XSSHU EDQG SHU OLWUH DW ¿OOLQJ VWDWLRQV 7KH din that followed the information release was so jarring, it reverberated ceaselessly all over Aso Rock corridors and beyond. Needless to say, the federal government, through the NNPC, quickly responded and doused the combustible atmosphere, explaining that there was no plan to effect any price increase. The PPPRA also toed the government line and claimed its position was merely advisory and that it was in no way, advocating for a hike in price. The Agency, perhaps in hearkening to advice emanating from the corridors of power, quickly yanked off the ‘offending’ Guiding Prices from its website. 6XFK LV KRZ YRODWLOH DQG LQÀDPPDEOH WKH LVVXH RI SHWURO price could be for the Nigerian people, most of whom are reeling under some heavy and punishing economic burden at the moment. +RZHYHU IRU WKLV SLHFH WKH 3335$ 0DUFK template would be borrowed to differentiate the real subsidy from bridging and ancillaries. According to the Agency, the Average Petrol Price (Free RQ %RDUG 5RWWHUGDP %DUJH DPRXQWHG WR ଂ SHU OLWUH $YHUDJH )UHLJKW FDPH WR ଂ D OLWUH EULQJLQJ ([ &RDVWDO 3ULFH WR ଂ SHU OLWUH $GGLQJ $YHUDJH /LJKWHULQJ ([SHQVHV 1LJHULDQ 3RUWV $XWKRULW\ 13$ 1LJHULDQ Maritime Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA), -HWW\ 7KUX¶3XW DYHUDJH ¿QDQFLQJ FRVW DQG VWRUDJH FKDUJHV SXVKHG WKH H[SHFWHG ODQGLQJ &RVW WR VRPH ଂ D OLWUH 7KH H[SHFWHG H[ GHSRW SULFH ZKLFK VXPPHG XS DW ଂ OLWUH KDG WKH IROORZLQJ DV ଂ FRPSRQHQWV SHU OLWUH :KROHVDOHUV 0DUJLQ 7UDQVSRUWHUV $OORZ DQFH 0DULQH 7UDQVSRUW $YHUDJH %ULGJLQJ )XQG $GPLQ &KDUJH 5HWDLOHUV PDUJLQ ZDV SXW DW ଂ SHU OLWUH ZLWK H[SHFWHG UHWDLO SULFH ORZHU DQG XSSHU EDQG VXJJHVWHG DW ଂ DQG ଂ SHU OLWUH UHVSHFWLYHO\ $Q H[FKDQJH UDWH RI ଂ DJDLQVW WKH dollar, was employed for calculating the import segment of the costs applied. From all enunciated above, it clearly showed that

EULGJLQJ FRVW DQG LWV DQFLOODULHV PDULQH WUDQVSRUW DYHUDJH DQG WUDQVSRUWHUV DOORZDQFH DPRXQWHG WR ଂ D OLWUH IRU 0DUFK RXW RI WKH XSSHU EDQG VXJJHVWLRQ RI ଂ SHU litre as indicated by the regulatory agency. What amounted to a large chunk of the template’s components was fuel LPSRUWDWLRQ DQG LPSRUW UHODWHG FKDUJHV &XUUHQWO\ SHWURO LV EHLQJ VROG E\ PRVW ¿OOLQJ VWDWLRQV DW ଂ SHU OLWUH 7KDW OHDYHV D JDS RI ଂ ZKHQ WKDW DPRXQW LV GHGXFWHG IURP WKH ଂ D OLWUH 3335$ 0DUFK VXJJHVWLRQ )RU PDQ\ WKDW ଂ LV ZKDW constitutes subsidy whereas bridging and ancillaries DFFRXQWHG IRU RQO\ ଂ RI WKDW VXP 7KH VXEVLG\ LQ UHDO ¿JXUHV DQG WKLV SDUWLFXODU VFHQDULR LV ଂ DQG WKDW¶V DOPRVW WLPHV PRUH WKDQ WKH DPRXQW VXJJHVWHG IRU compensating marketers in making petrol prices uniform across Nigeria. The case for maintaining the bridging fund and ancillary transport costs: In Nigeria, there are no social safety nets as such. Pensioners are even having a harried time collecting their dues at intervals, not to mention the burgeoning unemployment/underemployment plaguing the country. Subsidies are generally popular with governments in (XURSH DQG 1RUWK $PHULFD DQG DUH DSSOLHG WR D ZLGH range of businesses such as agriculture, transport, oil and gas to mention a few. Welfare payments are also made to the indigent, by most. It is on record that the United States, for example, VXEVLGLVHV IDUPHUV WR EH WXQH RI ELOOLRQ D \HDU $W the height of the covid pandemic last year, most farmers in America thrashed their produce because they couldn’t get the same to consumers as truckers stayed home. The government stood solidly behind the farmers, offered them succour, and ensured that they did not go out of business. $OVR DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH 86 (QYLURQPHQWDO 6WXG\ ,QVWLWXWH GLUHFW VXEVLGLHV WR IRVVLO IXHO LQGXVWULHV DYHUDJH ELOOLRQ a year, with 15 billion of that sum provided by the federal government. $ (XURSHDQ 8QLRQ UHSRUW HVWLPDWHG WKDW WKH 8. VXEVLGLVHG IRVVLO IXHOV WR WKH WXQH RI ELOOLRQ LQ DFFRUGLQJ WR D SLHFH SXEOLVKHG E\ 7KH *XDUGLDQ /RQGRQ LQ -DQXDU\

SWI swissinfo.ch, an information platform of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation published a report in February last year, quoting the Swiss Conference for Social Assistance that “the welfare system makes an essential contribution to social harmony in Switzerland and guarantees that all people live in dignity”. (The bulk RI 1LJHULDQV DUH QRW UHDOO\ OLYLQJ GLJQL¿HG OLYHV DW WKH PRPHQW ,W ZDV HVWLPDWHG WKDW WKH VXP RI ELOOLRQ ZDV VSHQW RQ LQGLJHQW SHRSOH LQ $QG RQO\ half of those were Swiss! Asylum seekers and refugees are DOVR FRYHUHG XQGHU WKH FRXQWU\¶V ZHOIDUH VFKHPH (YHQ struggling pensioners can always apply for “supplementary EHQH¿WV´ Since Nigeria does not have mitigants against poverty as enunciated above (at least for now), it behoves the government to ensure there’s parity in petrol prices across the land even if the ‘main subsidy’ is to be dispensed with. This can only be achieved if the costs of transporting fuel VWLOO KROG ¿UPO\ LQ WKH WHPSODWH IRU *XLGLQJ 3ULFHV 2WK erwise, the resultant increase in uneven or convoluted fuel prices would result in higher costs of conducting business, with transportation of goods and services heavily impacted. It could also trigger accelerated unemployment, ramp up UXUDO XUEDQ PLJUDWLRQ H[DFHUEDWH HQYLURQPHQWDO SROOXWLRQ give rise to increased banditry, elevate kidnapping and generally fuelling mammoth insecurity across the land. 0RUH LPSRUWDQWO\ WKH ଂ XWLOLVHG LQ PRYLQJ products all over Nigeria, (including the riverine areas and mountainous terrains), is not sourced from the federation account and therefore not subsidised as it is worked into the template for fuel consumers. From the analysis drawn afore, no soothsayer is required to point out that the nation needs to get its UH¿QHULHV DQG SLSHOLQHV XS DQG UXQQLQJ DV TXLFNO\ DV practicable if we are to stem the colossal sums expended on imported gasoline. In April, the NNPC signed a $1.5 billion contract with DQ ,WDOLDQ FRPSDQ\ 0DLUH 7HFQLPRQW IRU WKH UHSDLUV RI WKH EDUUHOV SHU GD\ FDSDFLW\ 3RUW +DUFRXUW UH¿QHU\ Olakunri is a Director of Oats Global Energy

T H I S D AY • THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

EDITORIAL

NIGERIA AND FAILURE OF BRIDGES Government should invest more on maintenance of bridges

t least 21 persons were killed recently after the vehicles they were travelling in fell into a collapsed bridge at Rabadi village in Gwaran Local Government Area of Jigawa State. Among the victims were 11 persons returning to Adamawa from Kano State where they sat for a recruitment screening exercise into the Nigerian Army. The bridge reportedly went down due to torrential rainfall. While we commiserate with the families of the deceased, the decay in the country’s infrastructure is widespread, and taking its toll on the transportation system. Most roads and bridges across the country are in terrible shape. Like the cases of building collapse, many bridges are also collapsing, causing grave harm, and severing crucial connections across the country. The 2017 collapse of the Tatabu bridge in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, for instance, resulted in large scale suffering for commuters. With a forced diversion of trafﬁc THERE IS AN URGENT through bush paths, NEED FOR GOVERNMENT hundreds of commuters heading toward TO INVEST MORE IN Abuja and other parts OVERSEEING AND of the north were MAINTAINING OUR stranded for hours due BRIDGES TO PREVENT to gridlocks. FUTURE CATASTROPHE Similarly, the people of Iluju community in Ogbomoso, Oyo State experienced untold difﬁculties albeit on a smaller scale recently when the only bridge connecting them with other communities collapsed due to excessive rainfall. Even though no lives were lost, the unanticipated consequences ran deep. All social and economic activities were paralysed. More unfortunately, some SSS3 students of Community Secondary School, Iluju who are currently sitting for the WAEC examination could not gain access to their school. The lawmaker representing Oriire State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Jacob Bamigboye who visited the area asked Governor Seyi Makinde “to

Letters to the Editor

help direct relevant ministry or agency to commence the reconstruction of the bridge.”

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

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ADIEU CHIKE AKUNYILI

he death yesterday of Dr Chike Akunyili was heartbreaking for me. A first class graduate of medicine from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he was until his death running St Leo’s Hospital, Enugu. Although my wife and children were not as close to him as they were to his late wife (‘grandma NAFDAC’ as she was called in our house), he and I communicated regularly. Throughout the glorious career of his wife (first in Lagos, and later, Abuja), Dr Chike Akunyili chose to stay in the Southeast where he served his people with everything he had. The fact that he chose to stay in background while the wife was riding waves of fame as Director General of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) was a testimony to his strength of character. I had it on a good authority that he would quietly sneak into NAFDAC building whenever his wife needed his help, render the requested assistance and leave without any fanfare. This unassuming man not only stayed out of the limelight, he never used his late wife’s ‘connection’ to peddle influence. Instead, he chose to stay in the Southeast to render his service to his people. It was therefore tragic that his life would be terminated so gruesomely in Onitsha as it was yesterday morning. This tragic incident raises two concerns. The first is

ridges are essential as they offer unique solutions for road and rail traffic to cross rivers, gorges, and other difficult environmental terrains. That is perhaps why they are expensive to construct, particularly in the riverine region of the Niger Delta. But the rampart collapse of many of these structures is worrying, as some of the failed bridges are attributed to faulty designs or inferior materials. In May this year, the Ozuma bridge in Okengwe, Okene local government area of Kogi State, collapsed a week after it was commissioned by the government. The bridge reportedly failed the concrete strength test as inferior materials - 10 mm rods – were allegedly used by the engineers for the construction work. This raises profound questions on contracting and corruption, a subject that is routine across the nation. However, some bridges fail largely from the effects of nature, exacerbated in recent times by the prevailing climatic changes, with intense weather conditions and floods. A study conducted on the 2017 collapsed Tatabu bridge revealed that the positioning of the bridge within a valley as well as steady increase in precipitation from 2015 to 2017 contributed to its eventual collapse. But exceptional stresses due to the volume of traffic and imposed dead weight can also lead to the collapse of bridges. Indeed, some experts stress the need to install monitoring devices to record stress on bridges. Only recently, a member representing Ovia Federal Constituency, Dennis Idahosa warned that Ugbogui Bridge in Ovia Southwest local government area of Edo State is a disaster waiting to happen. A section of the bridge on the busy Lagos-Benin Highway has caved in and causing unending gridlocks. “One can clearly see the river and also notice the increase in vibration as motorists struggle to find their way through the narrow section that is good”, he said Overall, there is an urgent need for government, at all levels, to invest more in overseeing and maintaining our bridges to prevent future catastrophe.

the situation in the Southeast where assassins, in the guise of ‘unknown gunmen’, seem to have been let loose. As we inch towards the November gubernatorial election in Anambra State and the 2023 general election, nothing can be more dangerous than allowing these killings to continue. I hope that critical stakeholders in the region will help in taming the madness wherever it may be coming from. The second concern is the lack of empathy for persons in crisis in Nigeria. Some of the videos being circulated in the social media reveal that Dr Chike Akunyili was still alive for a while after the shooting. Bystanders were apparently more interested with recording and sharing videos than helping to rush him to a hospital. While it is not in doubt that so many people may have gotten into serious legal problems simply because they render help to victims in distress, we should not lose our humanity. I hope the National Orientation Agency (NOA) will use this tragedy to commence reorienting the populace on the primary role of bystanders and reemphasizing the principle of a good Samaritan. While I join in calling on the security agencies to apprehend the killers of Dr Chike Akunyili and bring them to justice, I pray God to comfort the children and other members of his family and give them the fortitude to bear this huge loss. Olusegun Adeniyi, Abuja

WEEPING SENTIMENTS ON SALE OF EDO LIBRARY

was dismayed when l read about the outright falsehood being peddled about the sale of Edo Library and the Ministry of Agriculture by some uninformed persons, guided by emotional imbalance. No doubt, those pushing this story appear confused and are behaving like sore losers. How could the alleged sales of Edo State Library and the Ministry of Agriculture, be compared to the sales of Edo House, located in Lagos, an edifice which was inherited by Edo State, after the historic division of the then Bendel State, into Edo/Delta States respectively? To me, it is a case of conjuring unnecessary weeping sentiments, because the sale of Edo House was a grand design hatched by the then government of Adams Oshiomhole, to rip off the state. But thanks to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the opposition political party then, under the leadership of Chief Dan O. C Orbih, attempts to manipulate the people to buy into the unpopular idea failed. Governor Godwin Obaseki, for me, l will say, is the proverbial single voice, that has been

able to transcend the forest (according to an Ishan proverb). If l am to outline some of the investment efforts the Obaseki administration has attracted to the state, l may just be deviating from this issue. But imperatively, the modular Refinery which has since been completed, but, to our dismay, the much needed crude oil pipelines, expected from the federal government, have not been connected, is a matter for another day. The Gelegele Sea Port is ongoing, the Industrial Hub, the Independent Power Station, coupled with the political bullying Mr. Governor Godwin Obaseki is going through, within the state, and at the national level, the so-called ‘single train being piloted by him has not stopped. The governor keeps moving. The governor is being made to pass through political persecution, via the ‘pull him down’ being piloted by members of the opposition political party. Back to the alleged sales of Edo Library and the Ministry of Agriculture: those peddling these lies about the alleged sales also mentioned that ShopRite is owned by foreign investors. Diagi Lucky, Benin City

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

POLITICS

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

Orji, Ebonyi Commissioner: IPOB’s Sitat-home Illegal Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Uche Orji who spoke with Ugo Aliogo recently disagrees with the thinking that the sit-at-home order imposed by the Indigenous People of Biafra was successful

ext month October, Ebonyi State will be 25 years, by the vision of the founding fathers; do you think the creation of Ebonyi State has satisﬁed their yearnings and aspirations? I can say so far with the coming on board of the Governor, Mr. David Nweze Umahi, he has brought a lot of development that will make Ebonyi truly the salt of the nation. In 2015, when he came on board, we had no solid infrastructure, scarcity of human capital, and our state was never reckoned with in all its ramifications. But his emergence has triggered a lot of progress in development especially in infrastructure and human capital development. In the area of infrastructure today, Ebonyi is having a network of roads whereby every local government area and community have a road network that cuts across and links with other communities. Each local government has no less than a 25kilometre road, built with concrete pavement, 20-kilometer street lights, that is switched on from 6 p.m to 6 a.m and one critical infrastructure. For instance, a local government has African’s biggest shopping mall, (that shopping mall is a microcosm of the Dubai Mall). The Chief Executive Officer of Silverbird Television, Senator Ben Murray Bruce, said the shopping mall is the biggest mall in Africa and so we are grateful. Another local government is warehousing Africa’s biggest Ecumenical Centre, the Governor decided to build a befitting place of worship. It is a multi-functional edifice that hosts international and local conferences, social events and it is a money generating asset. We have what is known as the face of Ebonyi State, it is a place where, when you get there, you will wonder if you are actually in Nigeria, Dubai, or one of the Western countries, it is the light tunnel which is named after President Muhammadu Buhari (President Muhammadu Buhari light tunnel). It is a four-way light tunnel that links to the new government house. The new government house is the most beautiful government house yet. For me, I describe it as the three-arm zone where we have the Governor’s office, Governor, and Presidential lodge. The Government House was started and completed within two years, and it is a beauty to behold. The light tunnel links to the international market which is on the trans-Saharan highway that links through Cross River State to Cameroun. Of course, when the bridge between Cross River State to Cameroun is built, then the African countries will be coming to the international market with ease. From this light tunnel, you will be able to connect to the International Airport that is ongoing. The approval of the international airport was secured under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, but I can assure you that it is getting to 70 percent completion because the necessary equipment and machines have been procured and you can be sure that in less than a year from now, the first airplane will land in Ebonyi State. The governor is looking to make the place one of the three contending International airports in Nigeria. The airport when fully operational will trigger employment opportunities; we are looking at 10,000 jobs, including businesses. The governor is also looking at increasing the revenue base of Ebonyi state through all of these facilities that he created. Of course, there will be a lot of commercial activities within the state and investors will be attracted to these facilities. The governor is looking at having trade which will create a situation where our people can go into business and travel from any part of the world straight into the state without having to land in any other airport. The governor is also addressing the issue of insecurity to ensure that these facilities are enjoyed by indigenes and non-indigenes alike without any hindrance. If you are at the metropolis, apart from Abuja and Lagos, one can say that it is the next emerging capital city in Nigeria in terms of beauty, neat-

shortlisted hawkers who are outside the state, they were trained and given empowerment. The case of Lagos was N130 million grants. While for Anambra N400,000 tricycles were given to Ebonyi indigenes living in Anambra including those within the state. This has increased the opportunity for our people to fend for themselves without having to rely on the government. I can say that Ebonyi state is a construction site and we are using the skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled to carry out these efforts. The construction workers are drawn from indigenes and non-indigenes, and this has reduced crime and social vices to the barest minimum. What the governor does is redistribute the facilities created to our youths and women. For instance, the shops in the shopping mall are being distributed to our youths and women, so that they can be permanent owners of shops, of course Certificate of Ownership (C/O) can be given to them and no future government can withdraw it from them. This is applicable to the international market and other facilities that the government created. What is the state government’s view on the currentValue Added Tax (VAT) controversy where some states are saying they contribute more than other states? Being a matter before the court of competent jurisdiction, we will not speak about this. We are a law-abiding state, whatever is the judicial decision of the final court, we shall abide by. We shall also abide by the laws of the state and the laws of the federation. We need not speak on this until there is a final conclusion on the issue.

Orji ness, and infrastructure including water fountains. Across the major junctions in the metropolis, you will see the wonderful fountain. In the metropolis, we have 12 water fountains, including the one that is known as Africa’s biggest water fountain underneath the light tunnel. That water fountain provides beauty and of course, it is a tourist center. Therefore all of these facilities have helped to satisfy the aspiration of the founding fathers. Let me say here that before the state was created, it was drawn from Abia and Enugu State. Today, the governor has three satellite towns linking the two zones, (old Abakalika and Afikpo). Each of the satellite towns is blossoming in terms of economic activities. I can say that the greatest thing that this administration has done is to give a sense of self-worth. Today, we no longer wear the cloth of inferiority complex that plagued Ebonyi state in the past, today we can say that we are from Ebonyi state which is the greatest legacy of the administration of our dear governor. How have you fared in terms of employment opportunities because we have seen how the society has fared on the issue of employment generation, and judging from the high crime rate in this country such as banditry, and kidnapping which emanates from the lack of employment opportunities? So how did the government manage these tendencies? The governor upon assuming office saw that the engagement and employment of women and youths were an issue he must squarely address, and then he decided

to introduce the second address scheme, which is aimed at giving our people empowerment. So the governor is looking at employment and empowerment as twin pillars that will bring about self-sufficiency and self-reliance on the side of our youths and women. He decided to map out a strategy of employing 5,000 youths and women between the ages of 18 and 35 into the civil service which means that 2,000 will be drawn from the local government system, and 3,000 from the civil service from the state level and a committee has been set up to rationalize the shortlisting to ensure that the various Local Government Areas are eventually given this opportunity on an equal basis. But beyond all these, the governor is thinking that providing white-collar jobs which is an alternative to the Civil service is the ultimate thing. So he enrolled in empowerment programmes in different areas both in agriculture, vocational trade, entrepreneurship, and other aspects. This is why today, our widows have been empowered with N4b in N300,000 tranche under the widow empowerment scheme. This has also helped to raise the living standards of these families who have been taken care of, some of these families are people who never had the opportunity to spend N5, 000, in bulk, so today their means of livelihood has been increased. N750 million naira empowerment grants have been given to 3,000 youths and women have also increased the living standards of these youths and women. There are other empowerment programmes such as the tricycle empowerment and diaspora where the state government

The state governor quickly discovered agriculture as an where we have a comparative advantage. So what the governor did diﬀerently is that he decided to remove impediments so that youths and women will be interested in going into agriculture. So he had to introduce what is known as mechanization and commercialization of agriculture

You talked mostly about the effects of the employment opportunities, what is the crime rate like in your state? Apart from the EndSARS that plagued the state which caused most of our women and youths to engage in violent protest, and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which some people took advantage of mayhem, I think generally, security in Ebonyi state is very calm and apart from the community disturbance that recently reared its ugly head, which has also been put under control, we have got no issue of crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery. If you go to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) crime record, you will see that we are not one of the flashpoints of violent crimes. I know it is because of the way and manner that our youths and women are gainfully employed. As I said, Ebonyi is a construction site, anywhere you go, you will get something doing, and we use our youths and women in all of our construction works and this keeps them empowered. This has really helped in reducing the spate of crimes and criminalities. But essentially the governor has fortified the security architecture and he is working in tandem with the conventional security agencies. With the recent inauguration of the Ebube Agu which is a South-east security outfit, which is having its ground fully in the state we can be sure that not less 4,000 Ebube Agu officials, all of the security issues are being addressed and the governor is looking at providing intelligence through Ebube Agu, and sharing relevant information with the conventional security agencies that make them crack and track criminals. We also have the Close Circuit Cameras Television (CCTV) that are installed in the major junctions in the state and we have a viewing center. Once you get to the viewing center, you will be able to monitor what is happening in all the major junctions of the metropolis and the satellite towns. The governor is looking at ensuring that this security system is also deployed down to the rural community when this is done, we will be at par with civilized society in the area of security architecture. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

POLITICS

Adeola: Local Government Gives Power to the Electorate

Abolaji Adeola, a pastor and the newly elected Councillor representing Ofada Ward in Obafemi/Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State is also the Deputy Leader of the Legislative House. In this interview with Mary Nnah, he expresses optimism on the possibilities at that level of governance

hy were you inspired to contest as councillor in Obafemi/Owode local government area of Ogun State? I am a registered resident of The RCCG Redemption Camp in Mowe, Ogun state and the camp is under Ofada Ward of Obafemi Owode Local government. My ward, especially as its name implies is the base of Ofada rice production in the southwestern region, it is also the first point of call into Ogun State along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the largest ward in Obafemi Owode LGA. For a politically aware person like me who has spent a good number of years in a particular environment, it is difficult to ignore the several salient features that make up my community. If I don’t know anything about my LGA, I know it is rich in its culture, it’s entrepreneurial landscape and religion. As a matter of fact, my ward accounts for a large chunk of economic power attributed to the LGA as a whole due to the several businesses and facilities it houses. This however did not inspire my decision to run for counsellor, my decision stemmed from the desire to see developments come to my people at the grassroots. I have mentioned on several platforms as an argument that since my ward accounts for a good number of Tax returns in the local government, it is only right that the ward also enjoys a reasonable amount of infrastructural and human development.

agenda. While other people are bothered about compromising my faith, I remind myself of how God has brought me to where I am and place my focus on setting an example for other kingdom minded individuals who hope to find themselves in a position like mine one day. Permit me to also remind us that as children of God, we are saddled with the responsibility of standing in the God through prayers for our leaders and particularly the righteous that are in politics and government.

Adeola cessfully effect the changes we want to see in government. This understanding informed my decision from the onset. It doesn’t matter what role or responsibility you carry in church, as long as you have the zeal and the backing from heaven, make that move. As children of God, there is a standard for our conduct wherever we find ourselves. No matter what is presented as the status-quo, it is important to remember that we are light sent to shine in the midst of darkness. My office as a politician cannot be separated from my responsibility as a shepherd in church. In fact, as a shepherd, I’ve been called to the unbelievers, hence my place in the political space, particularly “the dirty” political system, is highly pivotal to the kingdom

As a pastor in politics, how do you ensure you don’t compromise your faith? I understand the importance of the righteous getting into power. In this dispensation of Nigeria as a country, a lot of things are going in the direction that doesn’t favour the righteous and the country as a whole, so except we as the church go into the system, we cannot suc-

What skills and strengths are you bringing to do things differently? My skills and strengths cut across different industries and fields and they all play important roles for my job a s councillor. I have an MBA from Redeemer’s University. I have a training in Politics and Leadership from The School of Politics, Policy and Government which is Affiliated with Nexford University (Nigeria) and I am a skilled digital communication practitioner. Aside from my skills in the digital and communication space, I am also a trained security expert and private protection consultant. These skills position me in a space where I understand generational trends, possess a wide horizon of knowledge across industries and it provides me with necessary information needed for statutory modalities like security consciousness and individual conduct. As one who “chests” all of these qualifications and skills, I see myself as “rightly equipped for the job” Can we say that RCCG sponsored your aspiration? It is totally wrong and out of place to attribute funding of my political career to

the church. Indeed I am a pastor in RCCG but it is necessary that I remind myself that I am not the only RCCG Pastor who is actually in government. Funding for my campaign came from my purse, support from the party as well as support from good friends and family. At the just concluded party primary, we learnt that your nomination came as a surprise to many, can you tell us how you were able to beat other notable aspirants to get the party ticket and also how you intend to unite the party or if the winner takes all approach? My nomination at the primaries was solely a product of the right qualification and God’s Grace. I cannot rule out the fact that God had a hand in it, indeed there were several backs and forth as to who the party will send forward, but the several parameters for qualification set me on the advantaged side during the process of selection. What do you hope to achieve in politics? In my position as councillor and deputy leader of the legislative house, I carry both executive and legislative powers. I am grateful to God for this right positioning because it places me at an advantaged point where I can effect decisions that favours the church and the community at large. I have spent years observing from a distance how the underrepresented community is marginalised in legislative corners. Nonetheless with my capacity as a Councillor to the government and a deputy leader in the legislative house, my position sets me as the mouthpiece of the community to the government as well as the bridge between where we are and where we ought to be. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

Bulama: There Wont be Crisis in APC Because of Convention Former National Secretary of the the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Chairman of Polytechnics Governing Council Chairmen, Waziri Bulama, an architect, in this interview with select journalists including Akinwale Adedayo speaks on issues of governance, herders/farmers clashes and restructuring. Excerpts:

ou have been a key factor in the Buhari political story, even as former National Secretary of the APC. Would you say he has made this nation better than he met it? I can say with all sense of seriousness that President Muhammadu Buhari has made Nigeria today better than he met it in 2015. The fundamental responsibility of government is to ensure stability and continuity, and to prevent chaos and break down of law and order. That is the number one responsibility of any government. What President Buhari met in 2015 and why Nigerians rejected the PDP administration and voted him in was, because of massive insecurity in the Niger Delta and in the North-east. Many territories were, at that time, out of the control of the government. Secondly, the Nigerian economy was literally not working because the government was broke. It was not even paying salaries and procurements. Both federal and state workers were not being paid. Nigerians lost hope in that government and they voted in President Muhammadu Buhari because he is known as a man of integrity; because of his reputation for prudence and frugality in the management of national resources. He got down to work and ensured that peace and security was restored in the Niger Delta where the production of oil and other economic activities were restored. In the Northeast, through his effort, the Nigerian security forces were able to liberate and recover territories controlled by Boko Haram and as at today, all organised crime under Boko Haram

Bulama and ISWAP have been neutralized and they are surrendering in their thousands everyday. Peace has been restored and people are returning to their farms and business transactions. Thirdly, President Muhammadu Buhari has succeeded in pulling back the Nigerian economy twice from recession. He has been able to ensure that there is sufficient government funds to pay salaries at the National, State and Local Governments. There is reasonable economic stability. For instance other things he has been able to

stabilize are the energy and fuel supply; petrol, gas and other fuel oils that were in scarce supply before he came to power. People were buying in gallons all over the country and in our urban centres queues were common where you spend four, five, six to ten hours to fuel your car. Today fuel is readily available at reasonable price all over Nigeria, saving time and ensuring smooth operation of business and transport activities. Because of these things Nigeria was really almost in chaos and witnessing stagnation as at 2014, 2015. Today he has been able to fund reflationary budget for the past four, five years, introduced many iconic policies like the Economic Recovery and Growth Programmes and massive investment in infrastructure all over the country. The country is relatively more peaceful, the economy is relatively stable. People are going about their businesses. Internationally, the image of Nigeria has witnessed a boost immensely. President Muhammadu Buhari is highly respected in West Africa and throughout the African continent. He is also highly respected globally. He has become a big voice in international decision-making circles. He has influenced the emergence of the leadership of OPEC, Dr. Barkindo. He has been able to influence the emergence of Dr. Adesina in the African Development (AfDB), Amina Mohammed as Deputy Director General of the United Nations; Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the Director General of the World Trade

Organisation. He has been able to influence very many others across the world so the image of Nigeria as a global citizen has immensely got a big stimulus under President Muhammadu Buhari. Our relationships with all the major global players i.e. Europe, America, Asia, China and so on have soared. Investments and coilaboration with all these international bodies and countries have become stronger under President Muhammadu Buhari. So, in all fairness Nigeria is today far better than how President Muhammadu Buhari met it in 2015. Even within the country, you can see big investments are picking up. Private refineries are coming on stream, and local refineries under serious turnaround. Many local investors like Dangote, Olam, BUA, Skipper and other big companies are making huge investments in the country as a show of confidence in the economy under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari. He has restored stability, order and rule of law. He has also been able to ensure that regulatory institutions in the country are all working because he gives them freehand to operate. Just two weeks ago the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics reported that the Second Quarter (Q2) growth recorded this year is five point one (5.1%) which was a big achievement under President Muhammadu Buhari and we see this positive growth continuing and its impact trickling down to other parts of the economy. NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 •T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET

A S

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

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Telcos: After 61 Years of Independence, Telecommunications Sector has Significantly Impacted Nigeria’s Economy

Emma Okonji Ahead of tomorrow’s 61st Independence anniversary celebration, telecommunication operators (Telcos) in the country have stated that the telecoms sector has significantly impacted the Nigerian economy in various ways, especially in the past 20 years of the rollout of Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Chairman of the Association

of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, while recounting the gains and challenges of the telecoms sector since Independence in 1960, said for 41 years from the time Nigeria gained Independence in 1960 to the time of GSM rollout in 2001, the country was able to connect only 400,000 lines, which he attributed to an era where it was declared by government that telecommunications was the

exclusive right of the affluent in the society. Adebayo who spoke exclusively to THISDAY said from 2001 when GSM services were commercially rolled out, up till date, Nigeria has recorded over 200 million connected telephone lines, thereby giving telecoms access to majority of Nigerians, despite the increased population of the country. “For 41 years of Independence, which was before the rollout of GSM

services in Nigeria, the country had 400,000 lines, but at 61 years of Independence which was after the roll out of GSM services, Nigeria has over 200 million telephone lines. This means that in the past 20 years, when GSM was rolled out, Nigerian population has increased and more people now have access to telephone lines. This goes to show that GSM is a tool and bedrock for faster development in the telecoms sector, which other sectors now rely

on for growth and development. “In the past 20 year of GSM rollout, telecoms has also added to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and it has made great contributions to Nigeria’s economy. So we are bold to say that telecommunication has done well and has remain one of the pillars of modern development and economic emancipation of Nigeria,” Adebayo said. He further told THISDAY that

looking inward; it was obvious that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) had become the future technology that countries must adopt. “Given the foundation, which ICT has enabled, one can quickly say that in another 10 years, Nigeria will be among the comity of nations that will be leading in modern science and development, with telecommunications Continued on page 24

Ojakol: AfCFTA’s Single Market Projection Targets Tariff Elimination, Lifting of African Businesses Raheem Akingbolu The Chief of Staff of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Silver Ojakol, has faulted the consumption pattern of African consumers, which appears to tilt more towards patronage of foreign goods over and above made in Africa goods. He has also pointed out that

high custom rates, restrictions and avoidable barriers among African countries are frustrating business growth in the continent, hence the need for tariff liberalisation to help remove some barriers to investment in the member states, and allow the private sector to be able to do more business. Addressing participants at the Africa Rising 4, a regional virtual

conference of the International Advertising Association (IAA), held on Tuesday, which was put together to project African brands to the world, Ojakol expressed his regret that African brands have remained thwarted because majority of African consumers consume what they don’t produce. He said, “How can we grow the African economy when we are not

patrons of African brands? It has been said and established often and often that most of our people consume what they don’t produce but I think the time has come for us to consume what we produce and produce what we consume. It is through such patriotic consumer approaches that we can impact positively on our economy,” As part of the AfCFTA’s

resolutions, the Ojakol pointed out that the free trade area, which was established by the 55 member states of the African Union, was committed to creating a single continent-wide market for goods and services as well as promoting the movement of capital and natural resources on the continent. He explained that the member states in their agreement aims to

reduce all trade costs and enable Africa to integrate further into global supply chains by eliminating a substantial percentage of tariffs and focusing on outstanding non-tariff barriers to enhance a single market with free movement of goods and services. “Cutting red tape and simplifying Continued on page 24

D ATA S AT D AY, M AMRAKREKTEDT ATA A SA AT W EWDENDENSEDSAY, S EAPUT GE U MSBTE R1 12, 92, 022012 1 ONNDDSS FFGGNN BBO DESCRIPTION 11.668 FGNSB 12.175 15-AUG-2021 10-OCT-2021 10.301 FGNSB 11.244 16-AUG-2021 16-OCT-2021 11.150 FGNSB 10.296 11-SEP-2021 13-NOV-2021 12.364 FGNSB 13.390 12-SEP-2021 14-NOV-2021 12.175 FGNSB 9.091 FGNSB 10-OCT-2021 11-DEC-2021

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MREP CP CP XV XXXI CMBL 1113-AUG-21 OCT-21 UNCP CP VIII III 27UBNP 18AUG-21 OCT-21 VAAG CP IXII 27CMBL 31AUG-21 OCT-21 TTNG CP IIXVII 31CMBL AUG-21 15-NOV-21 SIBP CP 2-SEPFSDH CPI III 1621 NOV-21

9.02 7.16

9.03 7.18

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4.14 7.37

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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

TELCOS: AFTER 61 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, TELECOMMUNICATIONS SECTOR HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED NIGERIA’S ECONOMY

becoming one of the pilots of such development, ”Adebayo said. According to him, the growth and development that have been enabled by the telecoms sector since Independence has been tremendous. Citing such growth and development, Adebayo said in 2001, Nigeria’s teledensity was 0.04 per cent, but has risen to 99.18 per cent as at August 2021. He also said broadband penetration was 0.6 per cent in

2010, but rose to 19.49 per cent in August 2017, with a further rise to 41 per cent in August 2021. In the area of GDP growth, Adebayo said telecoms contribution to GDP was 7.40 per cent in Q4 2013, and it increased to 14.42 per cent in Q2 2021. He said pricing in the telecoms sector has continued to drop, compared to other sectors. According to him, the cost of SIM card in 2001 was N20,000,

but it has significantly dropped to as low as N100 in 2021. Speaking on service quality, Adebayo said although there had been improvement in service quality since 2001, he however said various environmental factors that are beyond the telecoms regulator and operators are still impeding service quality. He added, “For Nigeria to have unhindered service quality, all critical factors must be looked into,

which he said, include electricity supply, roads, government policies on Right of Ways (RoWs) and multiple taxation.” Adebayo therefore advised government not to tax telecoms operations to death, as currently been seen in some states of the federation. Adebayo who commended the federal government for the approval of 5G network rollout in Nigeria, said: “At 61 years

of Independence, government has made the right decision to approve the policy on 5G rollout for Nigeria. This is because 5G is the next generation network that will speed up development. Countries without 5G will be stifling their growth and development. So the approval of 5G rollout in Nigeria by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which coincides with the 61st Independence celebration of Nigeria, is quite significant and

this will provide solid foundation for the future development of ICT in Nigeria.” “So many things that will speed up the country’s development, will ride on ICT infrastructure just like the eNaira that is currently being introduced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). 5G is the technology that is sought-after and it is coming at the right time when Nigeria is celebrating her 61st Independence, Adebayo further said.

Report: Financial Services Organisations Hit by Ransomware Spend over $2m in Recovery Costs Emma Okonji Sophos, a global leader in nextgeneration cybersecurity, has revealed how mid-sized financial services organisations worldwide spent more than $2 million on average recovering from a ransomware attack. It stated this in its latest survey report findings, titled: “The State of Ransomware in Financial Services 2021.” This figure exceeds the global average of $1.85 million, even though the results also show the financial sector is among the most resilient against ransomware. Accordingly to the report, nearly, two-thirds, about 62 per cent of victims surveyed in the technology sector were able to restore their encrypted data from backups. The survey studied the extent and impact of ransomware attacks during 2020. The report found that 34 per cent of the financial services organisations surveyed were hit by ransomware in 2020, while 51 per cent of the organisations impacted, said the

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)

attackers succeeded in encrypting their data. The findings further showed that only 25 per cent paid the ransom demanded to get their encrypted data back. This is the second lowest payment rate of all industries surveyed. “Financial services were among the most highly regulated industries in the world. Organisations must adhere to myriad regulations, including SOX, GDPR, and PCI DSS, which include pricey penalties for non-compliance and data breaches. Many of these organisations are also required to prepare business continuity and disaster recovery plans to minimize any potential damage from data

breaches or operational disruptions stemming from a cyberattack, “the report further said. Analysing the report, Senior Security Advisor at Sophos, John Shier, said: “Strict guidelines in the financial services sector encourage strong defenses. Unfortunately, they also mean that a direct hit with ransomware is likely to be very costly for targeted organizations. If you add up the price of regulatory fines, rebuilding IT systems and stabilising brand reputation, especially if customer data is lost, you can see why the survey found that recovery costs for mid-sized financial services organisations hit by ransomware in 2020 were in excess of $2 million.

“Two other slightly worrying data points are the fact that a small, but significant, 8 per cent of financial services organisations experienced what are known as ‘extortion’ attacks, where data is not encrypted, but stolen and victims are threatened with the online publication of their data unless they pay the ransom. Backups cannot protect against this risk, so financial services organisations should not rely on them as an anti-extortion defense. Further, 11 per cent of the financial organisations surveyed believe they won’t get hit because they are ‘not a target. This is a dangerous perception because anyone can be a target. The best approach is to assume you will

be a target and to build your defenses accordingly.” According to the report, “Of the financial services organizations that believe they’ll be hit by ransomware in the future, 47 per cent said this is because attacks are now so sophisticated they have become harder to stop. About 45 per cent feel they’ll become a target because other organisations in their industry have already been targeted with ransomware, while 40 per cent believe that since ransomware is so prevalent, it is inevitable they’ll get hit by the cybercrime.” The financial sector has too much at stake to not set up an in-depth defensive plan to protect, detect and

block cyberattackers,” Shier, said, adding that while they should continue to invest in backups and their disaster recovery efforts to minimise the impact of an attack, they should also look to extend their anti-ransomware defenses by combining technology with humanled threat hunting to neutralise today’s advanced human-led cyberattacks. The State of Ransomware in Financial Services 2021 survey polled 5,400 IT decision makers, including 550 in financial services organisations, in 30 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific and Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Solewant Group Invests $200m to Meet Africa’s Standard Steel Pipe Needs Peter Uzoho Original engineering equipment manufacturer/oil and gas services provider, Solewant Group, said it has spent over $50 million and currently investing additional $150 million, cumulating to over $200 million investments, in the expansion of its automated Longitudinal Submerged Arc-Welding (LSAW) pipe milling plant. The Group Chief Executive Officer of Solewant Group, Mr. Solomon Ewanehi, said the investments were to enable the company consolidate and provide standard steel pipes needed in the African oil and gas and water sectors. Ewanehi, disclosed this when a

team from the ministry of water resources paid an inspection visited to the company’s facilities at Alode, Eleme-Onne, in Rivers State. Facilities inspected at the Solewant Group Industrial Area included the company’s Pipe and metals fabrication centre, state-of-the-art laboratory, fabrication and coating yard of over 139,000 square meters, multi-layer pipe coating plant and concrete weight coating factory. Ewanehi noted that Nigeria has over the years suffered from inadequate local capacity in the water, oil and gas industry, particularly in the areas of in-country value addition and production of tubular goods. To address the gap, Ewanehi, said the company set up her Industrial

Area to drive local content and provide direct impetus to the existing water, oil and gas laws and regulations that support local content development. He added that Solewant Industrial Area would also provide a strong African presence, as Nigeria is at the forefront of the West African development where major oil, gas and water facilities were being installed. He said their journey to manufacturing was an example of value creation that started in 2004, when the federal government met with some stakeholders in Abuja to examine progress made by indigenous industries. This, he said, led to the development of the company’s

Industrial Area. “The purpose of this pipe and metals centre is to provide employment to the youth and training of engineers in pipes/pipe coating application services, encouraging local content, technology transfer, to save time of project delivery and minimize cost of projects and efficient pipes/ metals coating solution to project owners,” he said. Ewanehi identified environment and patronage as major challenges, pointing out that their company was not looking at challenges, because they were natural. The GCEO said he was more excited that Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has certified Solewant as

original equipment manufacturers of coating pipes in the country, saying “so if you need such products and solution, you must come to Solewant facility.” In his remarks, after the tour of the company’s facilities, the leader of the delegation from the ministry, Mr. Oyok Nsa, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Water Resources, Adamu Suleiman, described the products manufactured by Solewant Group as of high quality and unprecedented in Nigeria. According to Nsa, “it is more gratifying to see a hundred percent Nigerian company manufacture such products in-country, and as such, Solewant needs to be encouraged and supported.”

OJAKOL: AFCFTA’S SINGLE MARKET PROJECTION TARGETS TARIFF ELIMINATION, LIFTING OF AFRICAN BUSINESSES customs procedures will bring significant income gains. Beyond trade, the pact also addresses the movement of persons and labour, competition, investment and intellectual property, ”the Chief of Staff added. Speaking further, he stated that AfCFTA isn’t just a trade agreement but a development instrument for the continent to promote industrialization, infrastructure, and investment, among other lofty

projections. Ojakol pointed out that the agreement was put together to encourage trading across the borders and that considering the population within the continent of about 1.3 billion people, with a combined GDP of $3.4 trillion, AfCFTA is determined to bring stability in the trading and investment environments. Earlier, the World President and Chairman International Advertising Association, Joel Nettey stated that

the conference was important to the rediscovery of the potential of African markets and brands. Beyond population, which appears to be the major inviting factor luring in foreign investors into Africa, Nettey said the continent is blessed with many other factors, including human resources to grow businesses. Also speaking at the conference, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan, said

the financial sector, as a platform for economic development, has played the unique factor of stimulating the continent’s economy through partnership with various stakeholders. Global Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at First Bank Limited, Folake Ani-Mumuney, identified good business leadership, technology and partnership with the SMEs as essential tools needed to grow African brands and the

continent’s economy. According to her, corporate bodies, especially in the financial sectors should provide good leadership that would be all encompassing in the area of partnership and empowerment. She made reference to how banks and other organisations rose to the occasion at the peak of the dreadful COVID-19, by cushioning the effect of the harsh economy brought about by the pandemic through empowerment of consumers.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

DEVELOPMENT

Drug Abuse: A Ticking Time Bomb The recent revelation by the Chairman of NDLEA, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd) that close to 2 million Kano residents abuse tramadol, codeine, and other cough syrups is alarming and calls for concern by authorities responsible, writes Ugo Aliogo

he recent exposé by the National Law Drug Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Chairman, Brigadier-General Buba Marwa (rtd) that close to 2 million Kano residents abuse tramadol, codeine, and other cough syrups, is a stark reminder that federal, state governments and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have to develop new mechanisms and strategies to win the fight against drug abuse. The expectation is that in the fight against drug abuse, Nigeria should move from legislation to enforcement of policies and relevant laws in order to punish offenders and curb the practice. Like everything in Nigeria that ends at the doorpost of legislation and advocacy, substance use is not left out. It might not be fair to assert that the government is treating the issue with levity, judging with the numerous arrests and clamping down on culprits, which the NDLEA has been embarking on under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. However, the arguments from some quarters are that there is a need for all hands to be on deck in tackling this menace to the barest minimum, and advocacy should be strengthened across all levels of government. To broaden the perspective of the discourse, THISDAY spoke to the Country Representative, United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), Oliver Stolpe, who stated that the spread of the drug use epidemic in Nigeria is indeed a grave public health concern, noting that overall, they are counting that there are some 15 million drug users in the country. He argued that their data concerning drug addiction as a medical condition requiring treatment and counselling is less robust, though they estimate that this applies to approximately 20 percent of the drug users. He further explained that the agency has been working intensively in addressing the menace of drug abuse with the support of the European Union, He avowed that they are also collaborating with the NDLEA, the Ministries of Health and Education, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC), State Governments, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). According to him, “In these past years, we have achieved a lot on all fronts. New important policy documents and strategies have been developed, operational capacities of NDLEA, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as well as the courts have been upgraded to effectively intercept, investigate, prosecute and adjudicate drug trafficking. The health sector has developed standards and skillsets to provide much-needed treatment and counselling to persons grappling with drug use disorders, though access to these services remains a challenge. In cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Education and several State Commissioners of Education, we are rolling out UNPLUGGED, a school-based drug use prevention programme throughout the country.” Corroborating the views of the UNODC Country Representative, was the Director-General, Christ Against Drug Abuse Ministry (CADAM), Dr. Dokun Adedeji, who affirmed that Gen. Marwa comments are consistent with survey findings of substance abuse in the country, noting that in 2019, the UNODC released the report of their 2018 project. He espoused that the global prevalence rate is substance abuse among the 15-64 age-grade was 5.6%, while the

national prevalence rate was 14.4% translating to a population of near 14 million Nigerians so affected, “this figure is almost triple of global prevalence rate.” “The Kano youth figures fall into the national consideration. There might arise the temptation to think from the Marwa comments that this menace is probably highest in the north. No, not true because the available statistics do not support such an assertion,” he further said. Also lending a voice to the discourse was the Director, Media, and Advocacy, NDLEA, Femi Babafemi, who shared the view that it was the work of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and UNODC that provided the statistics on drug prevalence for Nigeria. He said before the conduct of the National Drug Survey of 2018, Nigeria’s drugs statistics were mere conjectures, but the report of the UNODC-backed National Survey on drug use and health presented, “incontrovertible facts and figures that make it easier for us to speak accurately about drug use prevalence in Nigeria.” “It is instructive to note that with correct statistics, it is easier to monitor trends and then come up with interventions that will curb the trend in the abuse and trafficking of illicit drugs. You will agree with me that in the past eight months, the Agency has been on top of the game. Please also note that Gen. Marwa didn’t say there are two million drug addicts in Kano, he only said the drug survey shows two million persons abused drugs in the state during the period covered by the survey,” Babafemi said.

CUTTING DOWN THE NUMBERS

In curbing the number of people involved in illicit drug use, the UNODC Country Representative standpoint is that drug prevention and access to drug treatment indeed have been at the forefront of their efforts in recent times. He revealed that more than one thousand teachers across Nigeria have been trained in school-based prevention through improving students’ life skills, such as their ability to deal with stress, anxiety, peer pressures, enhancing their understanding of their own emotions, and to act rationally when coming into contact with drugs. He disclosed that guidelines and quality standards for drug use treatment have been promulgated with the support of UNODC, stating that they would continue to provide training to drug treatment professionals, including through supporting the establishment of model treatment centers. According to him, “Drug prevention, treatment, and care sensitization training has been rolled out to thousands of law enforcement officials, teachers, traditional and community leaders, social workers, health professionals and other persons who regularly interact with drug users. When in-person access to drug treatment and counselling became a challenge due to COVID-19 related school closures, government lockdowns, and other restrictions, we helped a group of Nigerian drug counsellors to organize themselves and launch DrugHelpNet providing drug counselling services over the phone. Drug use prevalence is on the rise and has become a

formidable public health crisis, and if we fail to muster the necessary resources to address this challenge, we will probably see the number of drug users and people living with drug use disorders double if not triple by 2030.” Adedeji remarked that it would be erroneous to assume that a single agency such as NDLEA or UNODC, can significantly arrest the increasing trend of substance abuse in Nigeria or any other nation. The CADAM DG’s submission is that the fight against substance abuse can only be won if the responsibilities are shared and roles understood, and until each sector of the society, “appreciates the great danger we face and then pursue our roles, we deceive ourselves.” Adedeji’s argument is that the UNODC does not have its primary role in fighting substance abuse per say, but as the menace contributes to global crime, they nevertheless assist agencies like NDLEA to win the war. Babafemi revealed that there is an increase in the number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) that have partnered with the NDLEA in the fight against abuse and trafficking of illicit drugs. He added that UNODC has been and continues to be a strong technical partner of the agency, and has been instrumental to some of the policies and interventions that the NDLEA has been implementing. In his remarks, Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Rafsanjani, said the partnership between the NDLEA, CSOs, and international actors such as UNODC is really helping. He affirmed that while the UNODC has been providing technical support to the agency, CSOs have been at the forefront flagging issues that require urgent attention. “If you look at the drug use in Nigeria report produced by the UNODC, you will observe that every region of the country is suffering from drug abuse with one in Every seven Nigerian using drugs. Looking at the rising unemployment rate which is at 33% and the unemployment for young people between the ages of 15-24 at 54%, one need not be told where the problem of drug use is coming from,” he added.

ILLICIT DRUG USE

Stolpe maintained that drug use is prevalent across Nigeria with an average prevalence close to 15 per cent. He revealed that the highest regional prevalence the agency has recorded in the Southwest zone is with more than 22% of the population between the ages of 15-64, who have used an illicit drug or engaged in the non-medical use of a pharmaceutical psychotropic substance during the preceding 12 months. He disclosed that other hotspots include Gombe, Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi and Kano, as well as Imo and Enugu, adding that the drivers of drug use are different just as the reasons for the decision to use drugs differ. He identified rapid urbanization, important trading hubs, cross border locations as factors associated with comparatively easier access to

drugs, while youthful curiosity as much as poverty, inequality, unemployment, hard physical labour, and individual disposition are drivers as well. Babafemi said the National Drug Survey 2018 remains the agency’s reference point for drug use in the country, the finding of the research shows that the Southwest region at 22.4% has the highest prevalence, with the Oyo-Lagos axis contributing to the spike.

MEASURING PROGRESS

The UNODC chief is optimistic that progress is being, judging with the improvement that has been achieved in the past 10 years especially in creating the laws, policies, institutional capacities, and skillsets. He expressed the view that if there is a commitment made to scale up those efforts to match the level of drug use prevalence, then government and state actors stand a better chance to start reducing drug use prevalence in the country. He said it is critical that a distinction is created between the ‘war on drugs with a ‘war on drug users’ because there is a temptation. “At UNODC and in line with relevant international standards we, therefore, prefer to promote the balanced approach which puts equal emphasis on drug control, prevention, and treatment, always with the consciousness that drug use is first and foremost a health condition and drug users and their families require our empathy, care, and support,” he added. The NDLEA Director opined that in line with intensifying efforts the agency has arrested over 8,634 drug traffickers and five major drug barons controlling different cartels across Nigeria between January and August 2021, adding that they have filed over 5,000 drug cases in court with over 1,630 convictions and 3,232 pending cases in court. He espoused that within the year under review, the agency has seized more than 2.7 million kilograms of assorted illicit drugs, with cash and drug seizures valued at over N100 billion. “We have balanced our drug supply reduction effort with a corresponding effort at drug demand reduction with over 4,269 drug abusers counselled and rehabilitated at NDLEA facilities,” he noted.

ACHIEVING A DRUG-FREE SOCIETY

The UNODC boss is optimistic that a lot of progress has been achieved especially with the new National Drug Control Master Plan (2021-2025) which he said is a well thought-through, evidence-based roadmap. In his words, “Providing the necessary resources to effectively implement this roadmap will be critical and key to reducing drug use prevalence. However, we need to remain realistic. The goal, for now, should be to reverse this trend of increasing drug use, then to achieve a consistent reduction and in the long run to create a system where we control the public health challenges, such that are able to reduce the inflow as well as the production of illicit drugs in the country; prevent, reduce and delay drug use in particular among our youth; and provide access to treatment and counselling to everyone in need.” NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

e-BUSINESS

Charting New Economic Roadmap with FinTechs Emma Okonji examines the economic potential of FinTech players in the development of Nigeria and the need to grow and mentor technology startups to drive such development

ll over the world, there is a paradigm shift from oil-based economy to knowledge-based economy that is driven by technology. Just as technology rules the world, nations are beginning in invest in emerging technologies and in technology startups. Some startups, through training and mentorship, have over the years, grown into global technology companies that are addressing specific challenges with their technology solutions. The FinTech among them have through their solutions, changed the old narrative in the financial sector, and have made financial transactions a lot easier and safer. Majority of the FinTech companies are generating so much revenue that is far much than what is being generated from the oil and gas sector of the Nigerian economy. It is for this reason that most government agencies, private organisations and banks in Nigeria, are investing in the training and mentorship of technology startups, in order to develop them into global FinTech companies that will not only address specific challenges, but will also create jobs for Nigerian youths, while growing the Nigerian economy. African FinTech Foundry (AFF), the FinTech arm of Access Bank, is one of the financial institutions in Nigeria that has consistently invested in FinTechs in the last three years, through its accelerator programme, where it plans to raise 40 successful technology startups and develop them into different successful FinTech businesses that will address global challenges. Giving insight into the potential and value of FinTech companies, the Head, African FinTech Foundry, Mr. Daniel Awe, told THISDAY that the banking business had evolved from its old traditional way to a technology driven banking system, courtesy of the financial technology solutions that were developed by FinTechs to disrupt the financial sector. According to Awe, “AFF looks at the FinTech ecosystem, the innovators, the startups, entrepreneurs that have great ideas, which can be developed into technology solutions that can address specific industry challenges in different sectors of the economy such as banking, energy, telecommunications, education, health, insurance, sports, among others. Majority of the FinTechs are into financial payment solutions, and the reason is that the payment space is so large that virtually every sector of the economy cannot do without financial transactions, which involve payment and alternative to payment.” FINTECH AS THE NEW OIL Different global statistics have shown that FinTechs all over the world are making huge impact to grow economies, and have positioned themselves as the money spinning knowledge-based companies that are ruling the world in terms of revenue generation. Nigerian budget for 2021 for instance, is $35 billion, but Google alone, which is a global technology company, made a revenue of $169 billion in 2019, which means Google’s revenue is more than the revenue of a country like Nigeria.

Apple has a cash reserve of $180 billion. This means Apple alone is richer than Nigeria and could even foot Nigeria’s bills in the next six years or more. Apple can conveniently tell Nigeria to stop producing and selling oil because it can conveniently take care of Nigeria’s annual budget in the next six years or more. That is the power of technology. The capitalisation of Amazon is bigger than the GDP of the entire African continent. The capitalisation of Apple is bigger than the GDP of Africa. So Global technology companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Twitter, Ericsson, among others, are doing great and they are changing the world and ruling the entire world with technology innovation. So solving specific challenges with technology solutions by FinTech and technology companies, is the new trend and it is the new oil that the world is talking about. AFF’S INVESTMENT IN FINTECHS The African FinTech Foundry (AFF), the FinTech arm of Access Bank, had in the last three years, consistently trained and mentored startups in Nigeria, through its AFF Accelerator Programme, where startups are given intensive training and mentorship for several weeks, before the final selection of the best teams that would graduate from the AFF Accelerator programme to the AFF Catalyst programme, where further mentorship will take place and where they are exposed to pitch their business ideas to local and international investors for business growth. According to Awe, “We received over 3,000 applications for the 2021 AFF Accelerator Programme. From the list of over 3,000 applications, we shortlisted to 357, and further shortlisted to 70, before selecting the top 10 for pitching, which AFF will further mentor to become FinTech companies of global repute. We assembled the best of judges from investment companies as well as local and international investors and capitalists to listen to the pitches and make their choice of investments, depending on the solution that appeals to them most. “Investors and capitalists are looking for where to invest their money and the AFF platform is a good place to invest their money to further develop the startups, hence we invited them to AFF Accelerator pitching programme to listen to the pitches from among the selected top 10 startups. What AFF is doing with the accelerator programme, is to showcase the best of FinTech talents to the whole world as potential startups that could attract investments. AFF is a platform to showcase potential startups to the world. The startups need mentors at their formative stage who will not only fund their business ideas, but also guide them on how to generate money and

reinvest such revenue into the business to further expand it.” Giving further details of the vision of AFF, Awe said it plans to develop and grow as much as 40 portfolios of successful technology startups in the next four years, who will be addressing specific challenges with their solutions, while generating huge revenue and creating jobs for Nigerians. “In the next four years, we want to have about 40 portfolios of startups who will be addressing specific challenges with their solutions, and making money from the business that will drive job creation and employment for Nigerians and the entire world. “We plan to further escalate that number such that in the next seven to 10 years, some of them will become a billion dollar worth of FinTech business. This is the kind of development we are looking at in Nigeria. We may grow our Gross Domestic Product (GDP), but we need to create new businesses in order to develop faster as a country and to further grow the Nigerian GDP and economy,” Awe further said. Giving further details about the 2021 AFF Accelerator Programme, Awe explained that the startups who applied in 2021, were trained for 17 weeks before the final selection process that brought out the top ten. THE SOLUTIONS Some of the solutions that were pitched, seek to address payment system and the challenges associated with farm produce. Afrinovate, one of the top ten solutions from AFF Accelerator Programme, seeks to address digital financial services at the grassroots level, using agent network, and local Afrinovate points across the country. It is a one-stop-shop where customers can access all their financial services and also have access to insurance and lending. It plans to cover the entire Nigeria and further expand to other African countries. Another solution, called OgaPoS, seeks to address payment solution in restaurants, bars and clubs, such that the customer who has the OgaPoS app, could make online orders even before arriving at the restaurant. The solution seeks to reduce time of waiting after orders must have been placed. CapitalX was another solution that pitched. It is a mobile lifestyle digital app that rewards customers for using digital app for their financial transactions. Sanwopay, a mobile app solution for making payments at physical markets, malls and to bus drivers and their conductors, was among the solutions pitched. The app is such that every user who belong to the Close User Group (CUG), could make online payments for goods and services, including transportation services, using the mobile phone. It seeks to address the issue of incomplete payment during transactions. Sanwopay also offers loan facilities to bus drivers who need quick loans for repairs of their broken down busses.

Josla Electric was also pitched, which seeks to curb wastage of electricity consumption, to as much as 60 per cent reduction in electricity waste. Other solutions pitched were Farm Delite, Agro, RegXta, InsuranceHub, among others. The startups who pitched, were able to develop solutions that address specific challenges across various sectors like payment system, energy, education, governance, transportation, eateries, among others. AFF’S EXPANDED INITIATIVE For those who could not make it to the top 10, Awe said they do not need to feel bad about it, because they could learn from their failures in order to grow and succeed from future opportunities that would be offered by the AFF Accelerator programme. “We have Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with which we judge them, and those who are able to meet up with our standards, are selected and showcased. We will continue to mentor them, having graduated from the AFF Accelerator programme to the AFF Catalyst, where further mentorship will take place,” Awe said. Executive Director, Business Banking at Access Bank, Chizoma Okoli, while admonishing the top 10 startups from the AFF Accelerator programme who pitched their solutions, said FinTech would continue to rule the world and it is the way to go. She advised the selected top 10 startups to take advantage of the AFF Accelerator programme to further develop their business ideas, since lots of opportunities abound for them. “Access Bank will help you achieve your dream through support and mentorship, we will be with you always as you grow your business and climb the ladder of success. It is true that businesses fail, but do not be deterred by the number of failures, just be focused and believe in your dreams to succeed. The journey may be rough in the first two to three years, but after the trying and challenging moments, comes success. It is not easy to grow a business to a point of success, but with the right support from Access Bank, you will surely be successful,” Okoli said. ISPON HACKATHON COMPETITION The Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), a private sector driven organisation, had through its annual ISPON National Software Conference and Competition, trained and mentored startups from different tertiary institutions across the country. In one of its Hackathon competitions, ISPON launched a 42-hour App building competition in which the 27 contestants who came from different parts of the country to participate, were grouped into a teams of 2 and 3 (a total of 10 teams)to build their choice of software application within 42 hours. The Hackathon competition was facilitated by the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON). NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

T H I S D AY ˾ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

BUSINESSWORLD

BRAND & MARKETING

How Nigerian Brands Navigated Difficult Moments Some of the world’s preeminent brands nearly caved recently having encountered crisis and negative media reportage. In this report, Raheem Akingbolu writes on the strategies embarked upon by promoters of some brands in Nigeria to stem bad press and instability

AIRTEL IDENTITY CRISIS

erhaps the most controversial brand crisis in the corporate Nigeria in the last 20 years is the story around frequent name changes by what is today known as Airtel. The brand started in the Nigeria market in 2001 as Econet Wireless, and just a few months in operations the brand into a storm. In five years of operation, the company had changed ownership, name, management and brand identities four times before it finally settled for Airtel as the fifth name few years ago. For the management of the company and its creative and public relations partners, there was a challenge of maintaining regular corporate and brand visibility despite the odds. Fortunately for its promoters, the company maintained positive public perception in the first year of launch and subsequently earned the brand the epithet of the ‘people’s network’ However, the peak of the crisis in its evolution was the moment it was renamed Vodacom. Following the strident quest for funding, the board of Econet Wireless Nigeria signed a Management Service Agreement (MSA) with Vodacom, the South African mobile operator. Three months into the MSA, Vodacom withdrew from the agreement citing alleged corruption. The sudden withdrawal took the company by surprise but the Vodacom secondees elected to resign en masse and stay back in Nigeria to run the fledgling mobile company. The implication was that the company had to drop the Vodacom brand immediately. Overnight, working with Centrespread Advertising Limited, the Marketing team led by South African Lawrie Golding, developed a new brand livery (name, logo, colors and pay-off line). This was presented to the Board of Directors in the morning of the following day and upon approval, a media statement was issued announcing the emergence of the new brand! It was classical but it put all stakeholders on their toes.

THE COCA-COLA/CPC CRISIS

On October 27, 2014, the media was awash with stories of a criminal suit filed against Coca Cola Nigeria by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), alleging the violation of the rights of Nigerian consumers. The issue was triggered by two half-filled cans of Sprite which was discovered during a routine inspection. The discovery gave the impression that Coca Cola was violating both the content specification and possibly the health standards specified for the packaged goods sector. Consequently, The Quadrant Company was recruited to manage the aftermath of the crisis generated by the brouhaha. Among other strategies, the PR firm was able to put together a Crisis Management and Litigation Communication Plan, part of which includes issuing firm rebuttals of the CPC claims by way of holding statements and press releases. At the end, the campaign was able to douse the heat generated by the issue as the firm was able to create a pool of corporate and initiate endorsers, which led to a balance of views and opinion on the crisis. Through proper management of judicial media around the issue, the suit was withdrawn by the CPC As part of the counter action, an agenda was set and a coordinated campaign was initiated to call attention

to the positive side of the story. This was achieved through independent advocacy groups, opinion page articles by concerned independent writers and spin of the case by judicial reporters. In framing the issues, efforts were made to show and convince the public about the company’s world class production facility through a media tour of Coca Cola’s production facility. Aside from influencing judicial reporters to tell a different story in the court of public opinion, the company’s spin doctors won the war for the singular reason of using business and consumer advocates as champions of their strategy.

GTBANK/ORANGE LOGOS SIMILARITY

Guaranty Trust Bank, which is today popularly known as GTBank or GTB, is a wholly African brand, conceptualised by two visionary young Nigerian bankers, Fola Adeola and late Tayo Aderinokun. Against all odds, the brand became an instant success and warmed its way into the heart of the banking public within the first five years of operation. Today, it is not only one of the most respected banking institutions but also one of the most admired brands by its patrons and other members of the public. Its early towering equity notwithstanding, the brand, which has evolved into a holding company, was to later attract bad publicity over the similarity between its corporate identity and that of a global brand, Orange Telco. In the weeks that followed, the issue became a hot debate among top brand analysts and journalists. For a local brand that had little or no strong crisis management strategy in place prior to the upheaval, the situation literally put its then known consultants; Enterprise IG (a South African firm) and Alder Consulting, on their toes. That was the beginning of hot water navigation for a brand that was then seen as Nigeria’s pride. Except for the different names, the colour and shape of the square-shaped logo of both organizations were similar. Though both the bank and its consultants tried unsuccessfully to prove the originality of the concept, GTBank won the war because of the solidarity it enjoyed from the Nigerian public. Besides, the ‘Orange Rules’ campaign conceptualised by Alder was like a magic wand as it connected well with Nigerians and registered strongly on the minds of most citizens. Finally, the fact that GTBank was mainly domiciled in Nigeria then, compared to Orange that was already spreading across Africa, made the case inconsequential to an average Nigerian. Both brands retained the orange colour.

ETISALAT/9MOBILE

The month of July 2017 started with most Nigerians exchanging “Happy new month” messages via WhatsApp. Nobody saw the impending implosion in the telecom sector (especially at Etisalat Nigeria) coming. But what happened to the brand that month remains its major crisis till date. Etisalat Nigeria took out a $1.2 billion (N377.4 billion) loan with 13 Nigerian banks in 2013 to

refinance an existing loan and fund expansion. By 2017 there was an impasse over repayment of the said loan and this led to the exit of Etisalat International and all the United Arab Emirates shareholders in Etisalat Nigeria. Following the exit, Etisalat Nigeria was given three weeks’ notice to stop trading with the Etisalat name in Nigeria. The management was still trying to negotiate with Etisalat International until it became clear that they had a seven-day hard stop date to rebrand. The former chief executive officer of Etisalat, Boye Olusanya, put together a crack team of his best talents across functions to deliver this uphill task with the then five years old agency, X3M Ideas, as the arrowhead. A team of X3M Ideas creative, strategy and brand management executives checked into Oriental Hotel for the week and from the warroom set up there, the 9mobile brand was conceptualised and delivered. Prior research had shown the possibility of massive churn if the Etisalat name was changed, but the rebranding was managed so seamlessly with little or no damage to the equity of the brand. 9Mobile has become firmly etched in the minds of Nigerians as a reliable network provider.

DANA AIR PLANE 2012 LAGOS CRASH

On Sunday June 03, 2012, a Dana Air flight 992 crashed in the neighbourhood of Iju-Ishaga, a Lagos suburb close to the airport, killing 153, comprising of 147 on board and six on the ground. The crash immediately created a crisis situation given the level of damage and destruction caused. The media became immediately awash with news on the crash focusing on many angles. The crash created a reputation management problem as Dana Air was prior to the crash seen as the safest domestic airline to fly. However, by dint of hard work on the part of The Quadrant Company, the Public Relations agency hired by the management of the airline, the story was retooled to present the facts and coordinated opinions on the cause of the crash. It was also followed by human angle stories emanating from the lives and times of passengers and crew members on board. The outcome of the engagement was that sizable balanced coverage of crash incidents in local and international media were churned out to the public. At the end, Dana got a softened regulatory treatment with regard to the withdrawal of its air licence. This helped to normalize the company’s business operations after the restoration of its license.

MTN/FG FACEOFF

Though a pacesetter brand, the overwhelming success of the 20 year-old MTN brand in Nigeria was soon to become a burden for the telco brand. Like every big brand, there is always the tendency to get carried away and dare the authorities and test their resolve. The first major brush MTN had with the

authorities was in October 2015 when it was accused of not deleting over five million lines, which were not registered and were still being used by subscribers. The federal government had decreed that every GSM user in Nigeria, irrespective of service provider, must register their lines on or before a stipulated time frame after which the lines so unregistered would be deleted. However, it was discovered by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, via the compliance audit carried out by the commission, that MTN had about 5.2 million Subscribers Identification Modules, SIM, simply known as lines, that it had failed to disconnect or deactivate. Invoking Section 20, Subsection 1of Telephone Subscribers Regulation, TSR, Law on MTN, the NCC fined the GSM service provider a staggering $1000 for each of the 5.2 million lines that were not deactivated by the company. This amounted to $5.2billion. On November 2, 2015, MTN wrote a letter to the NCC admitting wrongdoing on its part and asked for reduction of its fine and also be given more time to be able to pay the fine. In its response, the NCC said the decision on the fine was final but that the two parties could meet to see how the deadline for payment of the fine could be reviewed and structured. On 16th November 2015, the NCC assured the public that the payment of the penalty would not be enforced until the two parties had come into an agreement. It was a major public relations crisis for the company and heads had to roll. The then chief executive officer, Sifiso Dabengwa, had to resign. He was not the only one. The head of the Nigerians operations, Michael Ikpoki, had to go too. The Head of Corporate Affairs, Akinwale Goodluck, resigned. In resigning, Dabengwa had this to say: “Due to the most unfortunate prevailing circumstances occurring at MTN Nigeria, I, in the interest of the company and its shareholders, have tendered my resignation with immediate effect.” What followed were diplomatic efforts by the South African government and its Nigerian counterpart to give MTN a safe landing and mitigate the effect of such a humongous fine on its finances. At the end of the day, a compromise was reached and MTN had to pay $3.2 billion instead of the initial $5.2 billion.

GUINNESS NIGERIA AND CASH DIVIDEND

It came as threats from shareholders who protested the non-payment of cash dividend by Guinness Nigeria Plc but by the time the dust settled, the brand had lost its goodwill. Again, The Quadrant Company was brought in to manage the strategic communication to stave-off the crisis by convincing shareholders to accept the benefits of raising capital for expansion by converting the payment of an annual dividend to a scrip option: effectively meaning no cash that year to shareholders, most of whom were pensioners! NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, ͰͮͰͯ ˾ T H I S D AY

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

CBOF Foundation, Rotary Club Partner To Promote Standard of Education Emma Okonji

In a bid to promote standard of education and to make teaching and learning a lot easier, Chris Bamidele Onalaja Foundation (CBOF), in partnership with Rotary Club of Maryland, Ikeja District 9110, this week, commissioned and handed over a newly built and fully furnished block of classrooms and hall to Community Junior Secondary School, located in Wasimi, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos. The block of classrooms, with staff room, offices and hall, was built inside the community school from foundation to completion by the foundation, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Maryland, Ikeja District 9110, and handed over to the community. Pleased with the donation, the Principal of the school, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Sadare, thanked the CBOF Foundation and Rotary Club of Maryland for their kind gesture. According to her, “Rotary Club visited the school and demanded for the needs of the school. We told them the school needed more classrooms and a hall, including an expanded staff room, to ease teaching and learning and to make the students study under a conducive environment. We were asked if we had a piece of land within the school premises and we showed them a piece of land inside the school premises. Within few weeks, the foundation was laid and within few months, the block of three classrooms, staff room, principal office and hall that are well furnished, were ready for commissioning and we are indeed very grateful to CBOF and Rotary Club,” Sadare said.

Speaking during the commissioning on Tuesday this week, the President, Rotary Club of Maryland, who doubles as the Founder of CBOF Foundation, Mr. Bamidele Onalaja, said the block of furnished classrooms, was part of the corporate social responsibility of the Club a d the Foundation. “Rotary Club is about giving to the society and we are happy to donate the block of classrooms to the school as planned. This is part of our contribution to improving the standard of education in Lagos State. Apart from donating the school building, we also donated exercise books for the students and teachers and we are glad we were able to accomplish all of that as planned,” Onalaja said. Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers, Lagos branch, Comrade Alase Sakirudeen Adekunle, who was present at the commissioning and handing over of the school building to the community, thanked the Foundation and the club for the successful collaboration to build and donate a block of classrooms to a community school at a time when school population is outgrowing the available classrooms for learning. Permanent Secretary/Tutor General, Education District VI, who was represented at the commissioning of the school building, applauded the uncommon efforts of the Foundation and the Rotary Club of Maryland, Ikeja, and asked the management of the school to take full advantage of the facilities to promote healthy teaching and learning. CBOF was created with the vision to contribute to the sustainability, growth and development of humanity. The Foundation’s core

areas are: Child and Maternal Health; Education and Scholarship grants; Economic and Community Development; Widows

SHELT Global Limited has announced a new partnership between Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB) and its wholly owned entity in Nigeria, Cyber Immune Limited. Galaxy Backbone is a public enterprise of the federal government of Nigeria, and the Managed Security Services partnership, would enable both SHELT and Galaxy Backbone to lead the way in the development and deployment of technology initiatives and services in Nigeria. Speaking about the partnership, the Managing Director of SHELT Global Limited, Mr. Youssef Abillama, said: “This MSS partnership with leaders such as GBB in Nigeria, proves that not only is the country keen on digitisation, but also eager to

promote the security of its processes. We are happy to be a part of this journey with Galaxy Backbone.” Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammad Bello Abubakar, said: “I am quite pleased about the partnership between our organisation and SHELT. I am confident that this collaboration will further help deliver greater value to the cybersecurity space in Nigeria. Together, we will secure a Digital Nigeria.” SHELT GLOBAL LIMITED is a technologically advanced European based Managed Security Service provider (MSSP), offering a versatile range of cybersecurity services to and through leading institutions in Europe, Middle East and Africa. The company has been nominated for 2020 by Enterprise Security

Emma Okonji The Ogun State government under the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration has concluded plans to sanction defaulters of its Land Use and Amenities Charge (LUAC), adding that the taskforce has been empowered to begin enforcement on commercial and industrial properties in the state, beginning from October 1, 2021. This is coming as residents have been urged to explore the use of Remita and Xpressway online platforms to pay relevant charges to avoid sealing of property. The Commissioner for Finance in the state, Mr. Dapo Okubadejo, made this disclosure in his office in Abeokuta, the state capital, affirming that actions would be taken against property owners who have failed to pay their Land Use and Amenities Charge. He noted that the LUAC taskforce would begin enforcement starting from October 1, 2021 and that defaulters’ property would be sealed. He added that the enforcement would be focused on LUAC defaulters from previous years. Okubadejo explained that LUAC bills were distributed to generate revenue and help the government in providing the amenities that would make life

Magazine as one the top 10 Managed Security Service Providers in Europe. Galaxy Backbone is a public enterprise of the federal government, with the primary mandate of setting up and operating a unified Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure platform that addresses the connectivity, transversal and other technology imperatives for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government. The company is also charged with operating a nationwide network backbone for the benefit of public and private organisation and to help facilitate the digital inclusion of underserved areas and rural communities towards the realisation of the MDG goals.

Start-Rite School Produces Global Scholars in Microsoft Office Specialist Nosa Alekhuogie About 23 students of Start-Rite Schools, Abuja recently sat for and passed the Microsoft Office Specialist International Certification examination powered by New Horizons, a global IT training company, and partner to the school. Being certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist, demonstrates that the students have the skills needed to get the most out of any Office even at a developmental stage. Microsoft Office Specialist expert is a trained professional whose skills are used in a variety of business functions across many different industries. A Microsoft Office Specialist uses skills to engage in a variety of tasks such as word processing, data

entry, power-point presentation and spreadsheet preparation utilizing the Microsoft office suite. The Specialist is considered an integral part of many businesses as they skilfully use an office suite to perform essential daily duties like written correspondence through MS-word, email programs, analysing data sets. While speaking at the graduation ceremony organised by the College, the Principal of the School, Mr. Philip Reynolds, expressed his joy that Start-Rite School has been living to its billing as a top notch and front-line IT-driven College for many years and that the achievement by this group of students are glaring testaments to that fact. He reiterated his delight at the

with financial support and skills acquisition trainings; the foundation has also provided support for childcare and youth empowerment. Its community outreach was

particularly aggressive during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown when the foundation through RevolutionPlus Property distributed palliatives to over 1,000 households in Lagos.

Ogun Begins Sanction of Land Use Defaulters Oct. 1

SHELT Global, Galaxy Backbone Partner to Deliver Cybersecurity Solutions in Nigeria Emma Okonji

Empowerment; Water sanitation and hygiene; and Disease, Prevention and Control. Over the years, the Foundation has empowered several widows

productive strategic International ICT Partnership which her school established with New Horizons, a US-based, world’s largest International IT Skills and Certification Training Organization that has presence in more than 80 countries of the world. The General Manager, Northern Region at New Horizons, Mr. Dave Abolagba, congratulated the students, management and generality of the school for the impressive heights the school has attained in terms of global standard education and in compliance with 21st Century ITdriven stance, which guarantees that all the students mandatorily undergo training in different International IT skills acquisition under its partnership with New Horizons.

easier for individuals and make businesses thrive. It will also help to bring development closer to the grassroot as certain percentage of the amount generated goes to the local governments in the state, he further explained, adding that LUAC is not an avenue to exploit individuals and businesses. He therefore pleaded with

property owners to pay their LUAC bills and cooperate with the taskforce as they would be carrying out their duties. “Payment of the Land Use and Amenities Charge is easy and convenient. Property owners can make payments online via www.pay.ogunstate.gov.ng using the payment code on their bills.

Payments can also be made with the payment code by using the REMITA and Xpresspay platforms at all banks nationwide. LUAC has no accredited agent therefore, payments should be made only through the stipulated channels. Also, no form of payment should be made to any member of the enforcement team,” Okubadejo said.

Blue Apple To Facilitate IEC Young Professionals Programme Nosa Alekhuogie The Nigerian National Electrotechnical Committee (NN-IEC) and Blue Apple, are set to work together to facilitate the setting up of the IEC Young Professionals Programme in Nigeria. The collaboration is to improve the transfer of technologies and experiences of mentoring young electrical and electronics engineering professionals. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) which is a not-for-profit, quasi-governmental organisation is the world’s leading organisation that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. Founded in 1906, the IEC is one of three global sister

organisations (IEC, ISO, ITU) that develop International Standards for the world and provides a platform to companies, industries and governments for meeting, discussing and developing the International Standards they require. Close to 20,000 experts from industry, commerce, government, test and research laboratories, academia and consumer groups participate in IEC Standardisation work. The programne, known as the IEC Young Professionals (IEC YP) Programme, offers an important networking platform and a unique opportunity to help shape international standardisation and conformity assessment work. The IEC benefits from the increased participation of young experts who bring new ideas to its activities. The World Bank has recommended

that Nigeria needs to make the most of her demographic dividend to improve her economy and lift its extremely poor population. Both bodies believe that the collaboration would expose Nigeria’s young population to ideas that could lift the industrial sector of this nation to the next phase of the industrial revolution. Blue Apple, which is a STEM organisation with a subsidiary National Engineering Codes and Standards Group, is involved in an array of activities that include the promotion of the National Engineering and Science Technology Essay Competition (NESTEC) among undergraduate engineering students in institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. In 2019, the organisation launched an Integrated National Technology

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 •T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 • T H I S D AY

T H I S D AY ˾ , SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

HEALTH & LIFESTYLE

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

Financing Quality Healthcare, Medication as Panacea to Poor Maternal Health In this report, Sunday Ehigiator examines how proper financing of maternal medicines-drugs and medication, can help reduce the high rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria given that many pregnant women still can’t afford or lack access to quality healthcare and drugs, before, during and after labour

Water-logged Maternity Ward at Agboyi PHC

aternal mortality and morbidity has continued to be a significant problem in low-income countries like Nigeria, despite a worldwide focus on the need to improve maternal health. According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS), “Maternal mortality includes death of women during pregnancy, delivery, and 42 days after delivery, excluding deaths that were due to accidents of violence.” The NDHS report pegs the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) for Nigeria at 512 deaths per 100,000 live births for the seven-year period before the survey. Similarly the World Health Organisation (WHO) pegs the lifetime risk of a Nigerian woman dying during pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum or postabortion, at one in 22 women, in contrast to the lifetime risk in developed countries estimated at one in 4900 women. As the country’s population continues to increase, so does the demand for good and affordable healthcare for pregnant women. Unfortunately, many pregnant women, who genuinely require this care, do not usually have access to them. To increase access, various financing options have been used. Despite this, maternal mortality rates remain high and spending is still largely out of pocket. According to ‘Trends in Maternal Mortality (2000-2017) Report’, 23 per cent of global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria. While expanding access to quality, affordable maternal medicines have been identified as critical to making progress in reducing maternal mortality, poor financing of maternal medicine has however significantly impeded such access. Many women, especially in rural communities are still vulnerable to common and preventable causes of maternal mortality due to lack of access to antenatal health care, and required maternal medicines and medications. Plight of Agboyi Women – a Reﬂection of the Maternal Status in Nigeria Agboyi-Owode, a community located under Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), in Kosofe Local Government (LG) of Lagos State, is one of such places where women still have very poor access to quality and affordable maternal healthcare and medicines. The island community which is home to no fewer than 30,000 inhabitants can only be accessed by a propeller paddled canoe, as it is surrounded by a very deep lagoon. Upon visitation to Agboyi Public Health Centre (PHC), it was gathered that the community only has one poorly-funded and grossly dilapidated PHC, which was built over 70 years ago, located at the riverbank as you arrive into the community. Upon arrival at the healthcare center on Wednesday September 8, 2021, at exactly 1:50 pm, THISDAY met the clinic under lock. The nurses and other staff (cleaners) had all closed for work and gone home. From information gathered, they closed for work at about 1:30pm after conducting immunisation exercises on some children between ages 0-4 years old.

State of the PHC in Agboyi

Two years ago, a family in this village lost their only child to convulsion. It was in the afternoon at about 3pm when the boy of two years old was convulsing. They rushed him to the clinic, but no one was there. Before they could rush him to a private hospital across the water, the boy died inside the canoe. This made the family pack out of this village to another place We were however able to gain entrance into the building with the help of some concerned members of the community, and volunteer staff (also a member of the community) of the clinic who is always in charge of the keys. Upon entering, we were welcomed by a muddy floor, which tripped this reporter off his feet. Every part of the center was untidy and seriously leaking water from the roof Upon entering the maternity ward and labour room, the rooms look unkempt and waterlogged at the corners. More disturbing was the empty drug dispensary of the clinic. Findings revealed that the last time the facility took delivery was in 1992 (29 years ago), and ironically so, the delivery was handled by a popular Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) in the community called Mrs. OlasunboAgoro, a.k.a. IyaAbiola. It has also not provided antenatal care for pregnant women in that period. The state of the health care center has forced women in the village to patronise Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) for care during pregnancy and labour. Only very few who can afford modern day hospital care go through the length of traveling across the river for proper antenatal care at private hospitals around Ketu. Even so, the people suffer a high rate of maternal mortality especially when there are complications during delivery by a TBA. Speaking with THISDAY, a 29-year old mother of two, currently nursing a four-month old son, Mrs. Debora Ojulari said, “My first son is four years old and my second son, whom I’m holding is just four-month old. “I gave birth to both of them with the help of a TBA. All through the time of their pregnancy till the point I gave birth to them, I spent roughly N15,000. I spent N5,000 for the herbs I was taking during pregnancy, and N10,000 for delivery costs. “We don’t deliver or get antenatal care at the PHC because they don’t provide such services. We only go there to immunise ourselves and our child after birthing them. The other option we have is to get care or

give birth in private hospitals across the water. However, they are too expensive compared to our TBA here in the village. “If you are using a private hospital, between the period of pregnancy and when you eventually put to bed, you spend not less than N100,000.” Also speaking, 28 years old mother of three, Mrs. Kafayat Owolowo reiterated, “We only visit the center to immunise ourselves and our children after giving birth. And it is free of charge. Other than that, there aren’t any other services rendered by the center, except now that they have also begun vaccination against COVID-19. If you want to be vaccinated, you can go there from 11am. By that time you are sure to meet them, but anytime from 2pm, you may not meet them because they don’t stay long. “Two years ago, a family in this village lost their only child to convulsion. It was in the afternoon at about 3pm when the boy of two years old was convulsing. They rushed him to the clinic, but no one was there. Before they could rush him to a private hospital across the water, the boy died inside the canoe. This made the family pack out of this village to another place.”

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born. This village is over 600 years old and used to be an economic strength for the state. However, things have become very bad now. “TBA has gained a lot of popularity here. Only few that can afford the cost go across the waters to get care at private hospitals. “But I can say that over 90 per cent of pregnant women in this community patronise TBA, and we all know the risk that comes with that especially when there are emergencies. “Most of these deliveries take place in the dead of the night. And IF there are complications, before you get a boat to take the woman across the water, and then find a car to take her to the nearest private hospital, she would have lost her life due to loss of blood and exhaustion. “This is why we are begging the government and every other concerned Nigerians to come to our help. They should help us at least upgrade and equip it within the immediate need. Then also provide us with a proper hospital with well trained doctors,” he noted.

OOP Expenditure and Other Financing Options Currently in Nigeria, the health financing system puts much financial burden on the population, which is difficult to shoulder when it is considered that the vast majority of Nigerians live below the poverty line. It is not difficult to appreciate the dilemma faced by a man who earns a dollar a day (N500) and needs to find the resources to cater for a family of four, pay N50,000 (in some facilities over N100,000) for antenatal care of an unplanned but urgently needed caesarean section. Similarly, a fisherman in somewhere as AgoboyiOwode community, whose wife delivers during the dry season when catch is low, and earns less than N10,000 in a month, then needs to pay over N100,000 for four units of whole blood because the wife had primary postpartum hemorrhage and blood, is needed urgently is not to be envied. According to the WHO the existence of a high proportion of total health care expenditure coming from out of pocket payments is indicative of lack of protection of the people against the unpredictable risks of disease including those associated with pregnancy and delivery. What is obvious from the foregoing is that Cry for Help Speaking with THISDAY, the Paramount the Nigerian health system runs a very unfair Ruler of the Community, His Royal Majesty and inequitable health financing system. There (HRM), Oba. Mao Oladega said, “Women is clearly no provision to ensure access to health in this community face a lot of issues during for the poor and unemployed. Government expenditure on health is still very pregnancy and childbirth due to the bad state low and the contribution of the national health of the healthcare center. “Every part of the center is leaking, no drugs insurance scheme is still relatively negligible. Speaking with THISDAY, Pharmacist and CEO, at the center or funding from the government. We have written several letters to the LCDA Advantage Health Africa, Abimbola Adebakin about the situation of the place but nothing said apart from Out of Pocket (OOP) spending for healthcare (including medication), the other has been done. “We have over 30,000 people in this major alternative is health insurance, offered by the community and the majority of them are regulator/social health insurance (NHIS), the state women and children. And the population run equivalents and private Health Maintenance keeps growing. And we are all supposed Organisations (HMOs). “There are no other solutions I am aware of, to be using just this one health. “I am over 50 years old now; this healthcare although I know some of us in the health innovation center has been in existence long before I was space are creating alternatives that should become operational soon.”

T H I S D AY ˾ , SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

NEWS FINANCING QUALITY HEALTHCARE, MEDICATION AS PANACEA TO POOR MATERNAL HEALTH

Mrs. Debora Ojulari with her 4-month old son

Unequipped Drug Dispensary at Agboyi PHC Importance of Financing for Maternal Medicines Adebakin continued that ensuring people have access to preventive, promoting, curative, restorative and rehabilitative care was a very integral aspect of healthcare financing. “When health is unaffordable, all efforts at quality and access become futile. So, on a general basis, it is essential for all parties in the ecosystem to consider as many options as possible to enable health financing. “We have an alarming maternal and child care situation, with mortality rates among the highest in the world. So, definitely, finding sustainable and holistic financing for maternal medicines is very important as it would reduce the burden of healthcare needs at a time that should otherwise be a time of joy. “When you consider the risky health-seeking behavior of a large population of Nigerians at the bottom of the pyramid, it becomes even more imperative to create solutions for funding healthcare during the pregnancy and newborn baby phase. Nigeria needs working maternal care and medication financing solutions.” Affordability, Quality and Availability On affordability, quality and availability of maternal medicines for pregnant women and new mothers, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecologist, Dr. Halimah Sunmonu said, “we can’t talk about reducing maternal mortality without taking a critical look at the integral part of financing maternal healthcare through maternal medicines. According to her, for each of the identified causes of maternal mortality, such as, hemorrhage, hypertensive disease, sepsis, unsafe abortion, etc. “there are drugs and medicines that are vital in its successful management to prevent mortality. Unfortunately, Nigeria has not made much progress in financing for maternal medicines. “The tetanus toxoid, malaria prophylaxis and hematinics (a nutrient supplement required for the formation of blood cells during pregnancy) for instance are practically the only free drugs available during antenatal care in most government hospitals now. “Programmes like the conditional cash transfer that encouraged delivery in the facilities have fizzled out. Out of pocket spending is still the major source of financing which has made access to quality healthcare a mirage for many. “This is very difficult, usually a bitter pill to swallow when you know these medicines can help, but patients cannot afford it. Sometimes, we doctors have to pay for this. “You see some of these drugs are life saving, like the drugs used when a woman is having an eclamptic fit. Affordability depends on your earning power; we all know what the economic situation of the country is like now. “Most government hospitals have the essential medicines in their emergency packs which thankfully patients can access in emergency situations but sadly inequality already exists in the geographical distribution of our health facilities. “Many people especially in the informal sector also do not have access to the health insurance scheme which would make accessibility easier.” Adding her voice, Adebakin said, “For uncomplicated pregnancies, I will say the medication is fairly priced and available. Well managed licensed pharmacies, clinics, public hospitals and patent medicine stores typically have a sufficient stock of maternal medicines at relatively affordable rates. “However, seeing the impact of supply chain vulnerabilities and challenges we became more aware of during the lockdown accompanying the global pandemic in 2020, we cannot rest on our oars that there is affordable medication.” She said until Nigeria is self-sufficient in the local manufacturing of maternal medications, just like with several other critical health issues, we cannot achieve accessibility. “You need medication for any complication, an example being oxytocin, which has been a challenge for thousands of births at the point of need. We have similar maternal medication unaffordable or not sufficiently accessible in

Nigerians.” Supply Challenges Speaking further, Adebakin said the challenges associated with the supply of maternal medicines are the same as the challenges associated with most pharmaceuticals. “The fact that they are mostly imported and so there’s instability in cost and availability. We also struggle with opaque supply or distribution systems, a large part remaining unregulated due to this poor visibility (especially downstream). “Nigeria is still at the early stages of adopting modern and reliable tracking and tracing solutions, where available and utilised, it is applied to still a narrow spectrum and by few players upstream. “I am confident however that in a few more years, the inputs, logistics and regulatory oversight needed to assure the country of medication access, quality and affordability will be in place.” Also speaking, a Gynecologist with one of the General Hospitals in Lagos, who only agreed to speak on condition of anonymity said, “Let me add that at the Primary Healthcare Centers (PHC), maternal medicines such as hematinics needed for pregnancy and growth are part of essential medicines that must be available at all times, we must not be out of stock. But have you gone to any PHC and checked how many of them have this? “Reproductive medicines such as misoprostol, oxytocin, chlorhexidine, magnesium sulphate, etc. are part of UN life saving commodities that must not be out of stock, but I can tell you for a fact that you can’t find them in stock at many primary healthcare centers in Lagos.” Role of NAFDAC According to Dr. Sunmonu (a Gynecologist),, “aside affordability, other challenges of accessibility include poor distribution network, stock -out in our hospitals, fake products, corruption, and poor regulation which NAFDAC has a central role in. “They have a role to play in ensuring that authentic products get to the public, and push for establishment of government policies to ease accessibility and affordability of maternal medicines. It should be an ‘all stakeholder’s effort.” Procurement Policies On maternal medicine procurement policies, Adebakin said, “I am unaware of any specific procurement policies or procedures for maternal medicines at the moment in Nigeria. “On general medication procurement policies, yes, we could do much more. From production and importation policies, to warehousing and local distribution through transparent channels that offer assurance of medication integrity (case in point being cold chain medication, other being those that are sensitive to light and moisture); policies on handling by certified personnel, reporting, and management of expired or damaged medication.

“Policies on controlled medication and duplication or overlapping responsibilities and finally oversight of actual use of medication by individual consumers- prescribing practices, record keeping, compliance management and adverse reactions reporting and response management. “We have other aspects I might have missed, but you can see that we can always find a subset of these that cover maternal medication, with focus on the safety of the unborn and newly born. “We have a somewhat frightening drug distribution network that allows (intentionally and unintentionally) unsafe practices that come back to bite us with counterfeits and substandard medication. “According to some reports, we have up to 17 per cent incidence of counterfeits in Nigeria, so all hands must be on deck to tackle this menace. It can affect anyone. My people say when you throw a rock in a market; it will hit your family member. No one is immune.” Efforts to find out if the country or state has a procurement policy for maternal medicines at the Lagos State Ministry of Health proved abortive as requests made to the ministry on August 31, 2021 (also acknowledged on the same date) were not responded to before the publication of this report. Recommendation to Government In her recommendations, Adebakin said, “we need a government that consults far and wide, beyond workshops and events. We need benchmark studies and lessons taken from other places that are getting it right. There is no pride right now. “A 20-year plan to ensure self sufficiency in our sector will go a long way. Do you know we have nothing yet, in terms of the active pharmaceutical ingredients production within the country? “I learnt of the beautiful news recently that our foremost local manufacturer, Emzor, is about to do something about producing pharmaceutical ingredients in Nigeria, that’s in one area of medication, I love it and want to see more. “Government should seek more ways to stimulate such deliberate interventions, sponsor it where possible, guide interested parties to it or simply enable an environment that gives reward to those staking their fortunes in the upstream sector of our pharmaceutical industry. “As we go further downstream, we need a diverse and well empowered ecosystem of operators creating solutions and using technology that could address grey areas of our medicine distribution, such as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the area of procurement and supply. “We need financing that truly gets to the retail end which will reduce the burden of financing businesses in medication provision and distribution. Healthcare is an essential part of our lives and when we have that covered; I think we will be a better nation. “What many of our citizens are looking for abroad is a reliable healthcare system, not a cheaper one. You will not be surprised that people pay multiples of what is demanded

We need ﬁnancing that truly gets to the retail end which will reduce the burden of ﬁnancing businesses in medication provision and distribution. Healthcare is an essential part of our lives and when we have that covered; I think we will be a better nation

His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba. Mao Oladega here, they just need the peace of mind associated with spending so much on care and medication. “That’s what I think the government should focus on. Not just cheaper, but more reliable financing for healthcare, can cushion the way people pay, and also make it convenient to pay in installments through health financing instruments.” Dr. Sunmonu also noted that the government needed to provide better coverage of the health insurance schemes especially in the informal sector. According to her, “there should be fee exemption policies for pregnant women especially in the underserved areas, increase in budgetary allocation to maternal medicine and maternal health, subsidies on essential drugs in maternal health, improving the economic indices of the country as a whole.” Innovative Approaches Towards Financing Maternal Medicines Speaking on some innovative approaches towards financing maternal medicines, Adebakin said, “We are in a time when financial solutions are leveraging technology, entertainment, hospitality, e-commerce, etc. “Ensuring maternal medicine gets better financing, so it can reach isolated rural and urban areas; we must 100 per cent, leverage technology. “Case in point is what we do at Advantage Health Africa with our flagship ‘myMedicines’, we are giving thousands of people peace of mind regarding their medication, as we find genuine sources and ensure delivery at the last mile in every state of Nigeria. There are other issues people can tackle, till we get a well developed ecosystem.” The ‘Esusu’ approach Also speaking with THISDAY, Health SystemCommunities Strategist and Project lead at Linka.ng, Dr. Noimot Balogun recommended a ‘Communitybased Thrift Collection Mechanism’, a.k.a. ‘Esusu’, as a viable means of financing maternal medicines especially in rural and underserved communities. According to her, “Esusu has been documented to be a reliable community approach to meeting future expenses, unfortunately even though Nigerian communities keep their money for emergency needs, they do not show the same disposition to health savings towards Health insurance schemes. “According to a report from PWC, while health insurance has been operational in Nigeria for over 15 years, the uptake has remained low. As at 2016, only 3 per cent of healthcare expenditure in Nigeria was paid for using health insurance. “A survey by the Lagos Bureau of Statistics revealed that only 11 per cent of household members in the state have their healthcare costs covered by any form of health insurance. The thrift collection approach may help mitigate these difficulties. “Monetary transactions are a social interaction that is based on trust in many communities in Nigeria. As such, community people prefer to engage in monetary transactions with people in their informal circles that they can trust and have a track record of. “This is the underlying principle with thrift collectors. Many of them have an earlier reputation of credibility that has been proven through referrals. “Also, the average Nigerian does not want to think of ill health or death. Therefore, efforts should also be geared towards integrating healthcare with wellbeing and productivity. This can be achieved through a number of awareness programs delivered through various types of media in and out of homes. “Health financing is a very important approach to sustainable healthcare delivery. It is therefore imperative that the formal health system begins the move for innovative engagement solutions to a perception disruption campaign to address the gap in communities-health system delivery,” she said. In conclusion, Nigeria can also take a clue from the various health financing policies of different developed countries around the globe, and localise the same to address our peculiarities. Furthermore, a mixture of all recommendations stated above could also be explored in order to improve access to quality healthcare, and maternal medicines, so as to reduce the negative indices of MMR in the country.

T H I S D AY ˾ , SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

NEWS

FERTILITY

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

TechnoServe Launches MFI to Tackle Malnutrition RECURRENT PREGNANCY Ayodeji Ake To reduce the level of malnutrition, an international non-profit organisation, TechnoServe, has launched a Micronutrient Fortification Index (MFI) web portal for food quality control. Speaking at the official launch recently in Lagos, Regional Program Officer, TechnoServe, Mr. Tobi Durotoye, noted that the importance of MFI is to promote healthy living of Nigerians through the quality of food consumption. He said: “We are on a journey to fight malnutrition in Nigeria and the journey consists of a very effective solution such as food fortification, which is the richness of food such as; vegetable oil, flour, salt and sugar. “The focus of this event is to convene high level stakeholders from the private sector, government, and civil society around

the launch of the micronutrient fortification index rankings and web portal as a key data driven management, governance and accountability mechanism that will drive opportunities for collectives action around scaling up large scaling food fortification (LSFF) to address national nutrition challenges, aligned with the digitalisation of national initiatives in the Nigerian food sector.” In his dispensation, Durotoye, said the launch of MFI will also provide an opportunity to rearrange the leadership of food processors participating in the index. “TechnoServe, in partnership with Flour Millers Association of Nigeria, Lagos Business School and the Bill& Melinda Gates Foundation. “We want to ensure essential micronutrients are added during food processing, widely identified as a cost effective strategy

for addressing micronutrients at scale. “With funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the international NGO Technoserve’s Strengthening African Processors of Fortified Foods (SAPFF) project takes a holistic approach to promoting the competitive, healthy, and effectives production of fortified foods in Nigeria. “Following a mandate from the 2018 Nigerian Food Processing and leadership (CEO) Forum convened by Aliko Dangote and Bill Gates, SAPFF’S consultation with food-sector stakeholders compliance with national fortification standards and sustained quality management improvement. “The MFI was created to respond to this need to support broader efforts at the digitalisation of quality control and quality assurance in Nigeria’s food sector”.

Doctors Threaten Strike in Kwara over Poor Conditions of Service Hammed Shittu ÓØ ÖÙÜÓØ Members of the National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners (NAGGMDP), Kwara State branch have threatened to embark on strike over the alleged inability of the state government to raise the good conditions of service, especially in the payment of new renumeration to the members of the union. The union also said it has extended their ultimatum given to the state government on the strike action saying that, “if by November 1, the government fails to implement the new renumeration as demanded by the union, the strike will commence in all the state’s health hospitals and medical centers”. Speaking with journalists in Ilorin, Chairman of the association, Dr. Saka Ismail Agboola, said NAGGMDP had extended the ultimatum by eight weeks, to lapse on November 1, 2021. He said, “Earlier, there was a 21-day ultimatum given. The ultimatum expired recently. And

a congress was held. “Arising from the congress, we want to announce to you that the congress has decided to extend our ultimatum by eight weeks to end on November 1, 2021. “Our decision to extend the ultimatum by eight weeks is borne out of empathy for the general public. We do not want to cause more harm to our people. Also government has shown commitment and serious concern to some of our demands. “That is why we decided not to put too much burden on our people. That is why we have reconsidered our decision and we are hopeful through the ongoing negotiations that good things are coming out of the deliberations. “This government has invested so much on health in terms of renovation of dilapidated infrastructure, building of new ones and supply of modern equipment. “We believe with all these structures, if the drivers of the structures especially are not well remunerated and well motivated, they may be tempted to migrate

to other states. “We feel that when remunerations of the doctors are better packaged, more doctors will be motivated and ready to stay in the state and deliver their services effectively. “These are some of the challenges we have communicated to the government after which a-21 day ultimatum was given. “This is based on the good gesture we have received from the state government and for the fact that we know that the government does not make unfulfilled promises and we believe that our own case will not be different. “By November 1, congress will reconvene and deliberations about what must have transpired will be discussed and reviewed. After then our next line of action will be communicated to the public. We are still open to negotiations and other deliberations till then. “We want to assure the general public that we are committed to rendering our services diligently without bias.”

Cardiologist Recommends Checking, Treating SUA for Every CVA Patient Dike Onwuamaeze A consultant cardiologist at the R-Jolad Hospital, a Lagos based Multi Specialist Hospital, Dr. Oladapo Adewuya, has advocated for regular check and treatment of serum uric acid (SUA) in all patients at risk of cardiac vehicular accident (CVA), which is known as “heart attack” by an average Nigerian. Adewuya made this known last week at the 50th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Cardiac Society (NCS) with the theme: “Delivering Cardiovascular Care in Emergency/ Disaster Situations.”

He recommended that every patient susceptible to Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) also commonly known as “heart attacks,” should routinely assess their SUA levels to mitigate the risk of such attacks. He said preliminary studies carried out at the R-Jolad Hospital associated SUA with high blood cholesterol in hypertensive patients, adding that the cardiologists at the hospital were of the opinion that a comprehensive diagnosis for SUA should be carried out for all hypertensive patients as well. Adewuya said: “We urge every patient at risk of Acute

Myocardial Infarction (AMI), which in layman language is known as a heart attack, to regularly check their SUA levels and treat it while controlling high blood cholesterol; the results of our study suggest that even if their case is at intermediate levels, its association with SUA tends to increase the risk of an acute heart attack.” He said R-Jolad Hospital has helped to instill confidence in an average Nigerian citizen by providing affordable and accessible healthcare services, adding that the hospital’s core strength over its almost four decades of existence is attributable to its service diversification.

LOSS (PART 1)

Fabwoman.com

or couples who have been trying for a baby, the death of a child though not yet born can be very devastating. While this loss may seem invisible or unreal to others, to the woman who is affected, it may be too hard to bear as some of the cases come with intense physical pain, bleeding, coupled with the very traumatic side of emotional rollercoaster that comes with recurring pregnancy loss. What Does Recurring Pregnancy Loss Mean? Recurring pregnancy loss refers to three or more consecutive loss or miscarriages. Miscarriages are early pregnancy losses, usually occurring in the first trimester or the first 90 days of the pregnancy. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), between 2-5% of couples are affected by recurrent miscarriage/loss with one in ten pregnancies ending up in miscarriage and 15-25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage even before the pregnancy test. Recurrent Pregnancy loss can be either early or late. Early pregnancy loss occurs during the first ninety days, or first three months of pregnancy and is considered a spontaneous abortion or miscarriage. At that time, the weight of the baby is approximately five hundred grams, unable to support independent life. Several conditions can cause early pregnancy loss ranging from hormonal imbalance, embryo deformity, immune reactions to the growing baby among others. Late pregnancy loss can happen in the next six months of the pregnancy between 20 to 36 weeks. If this happens, it is called preterm birth. Symptoms of late pregnancy loss include pink to brown discharge along with severe abdominal cramping, prior to the miscarriage. Contractions of the womb can also be present. It is critical that you seek specialized medical care when you experience any of the symptoms above. These babies may have also died within the womb with delivery of a stillborn. A missed abortion can occur in late recurrent pregnancy loss. These cases can become surgical emergencies with blood coagulation and irregularities which if not handled quickly and accurately may result in the death of the mother to be. Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) may be spontaneous or incomplete Recurrent abortions can either be spontaneous (occurring itself) and threatened or incomplete with only pains which subsides after complete bed rest. Complete miscarriage has severe signs, incapacitating abdominal pain with bleeding from the womb and the portions of the developing baby. When this occurs three or more consecutive or nonconsecutive times, an extensive laboratory series of testing is mandatory. Several Factors that Causes Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Anatomical / Iatrogenic causes: The

structure of the uterus (womb) has an effect on the ability to carry a child to term e.g. polyps, fibroids in the cavity of the womb, a weak cervix (mouth of the womb) often referred to as incompetent cervix, adhesions within the womb from previous surgical interventions can be the cause of a recurrent pregnancy loss. Transvaginal Ultrasound scans can identify the exact nature. Some of the conditions can be corrected while others are permanent, but the fertility specialist/ gynaecologist can best guide you to the best option available for conception Endocrine Disorders: Diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism (decrease or increased activity of the thyroid gland) and ovarian hormones imbalances (luteal phase defect) are some endocrine causes of recurrent miscarriages. Diabetes (elevated blood sugar) is a frequent cause of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss that can be present before or after the start of the pregnancy. It is the cause of 20-25% of miscarriages that happen even before the pregnancy test. If diabetes develops during the pregnancy, it is called gestational diabetes, which should disappear/resolve after the delivery of the baby. As it occurs in 2-3% of all pregnancies, it must be considered as a possibility and checked for at each antenatal visit. Use of a glucometer, with a finger prick is the blood test done. If the blood sugar is much raised, the developing baby can suffer from overproduction of the growth hormone with resulting large overweight baby at birth. If the diabetes were present before the pregnancy and the medications were oral, a switch to injections of insulin is recommended. A special diabetic diet with nutritionist consultation and a program of exercise for close monitoring of the blood sugar level is part of the best treatment plan. Thyroid gland abnormalities can cause hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism (decrease or increased activity of the thyroid gland) and either can be the cause of recurrent pregnancy loss. It is important to have a thorough blood laboratory workup to identify a potential cause. Thrombotic Causes: Thrombophilia is another common cause of early recurrent pregnancy loss. This blood clotting disorder can be either an inherited or acquired condition. The risk of blood clots forming inside of the blood vessels is increased in obesity, those with family history and pregnancy. Unfortunately, this is one of the frequent causes of pregnancy losses that can be treated. Identification of a blood protein homocysteine, if found can be treated. Laboratory testing of the complete blood count with further test of various blood antibodies and blood proteins can give good treatment plan. Initial treatment with anticoagulants starts and dietary supplements with folic acid have been successful in most of these cases. TO BE CONTINUED

T H I S D AY ˾ , SEPTEMBER 30, 2021

INTERVIEW

L-R: Head of Sales & Business Development BASF West Africa, Mr. Oyewale Akeredolu; Assistant Director, Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, NAFDAC, Mr. Rasaq Jadah; Deputy Director, Food Safety & Applied Nutrition, NAFDAC, Mr Kayode Fagboyo; Assistant Director, Laboratory Services, NAFDAC, Mrs. Yemisi Odoﬁn; Account Manager Human Animal Nutrition BASF West Africa, Mrs. Ifunanya Aginam; Managing Director, EDCEL Limited, Mr Cletus Chibuko and Mrs Ijeoma Umego of Standards Organisation of Nigeria during the launch of Vitamin A premix for edible oils fortiﬁcation in Lagos, recently

Primary Healthcare Challenges in Nigeria – Pragmatic Solutions Dr. Onyekachi Ifudu

rimary healthcare is the bedrock of any country’s healthcare system. It is aimed to provide individuals and communities with protective, preventive, restorative and rehabilitative health services within the available resources. Many of the challenges in our primary healthcare system are a direct result of laying the weight of our entire healthcare burden on the primary healthcare system – then relegating the primary healthcare to local governments, the lowest tier of government which currently lack the technical, financial, managerial, and political capacity to run the core of our country’s healthcare system. Most of the rural people our primary health care facilities serve have not been exposed to high quality health services so they accept what they get as the norm. The appeal of the prescribed solutions is that the emphasis is on what “we the people” as citizens can do to make a difference and not just what government should do.

community but are often frustrated by the lack of straightforward opportunities that are devoid of red tape, and they definitely would not route their money through any government official. By “adopting a PHC” individuals, groupings of individuals or organizations can commit their money directly into any PHC of their choosing without handing their money to a government official. State governments can initiate this process by setting up a website with a listing of all the rural PHCs and publicize the program to attract “adopters”. The adopters would directly fund infrastructure maintenance, equipment procurement, purchase 0f medical disposables and even staff training. They can either do this directly or set up an endowment fund which they will manage. The logistics and scope of their involvement can be worked out, but the key is that the adopters don’t have to hand their money to anybody or government entity. In other words, “the one percent must supplement”.

Strengthen community involvement Communities must be galvanized and possibly incentivized by State governments to be more involved in the upkeep of their primary healthcare center (PHC) and ditch the idea that government must do everything. Improved community engagement could start by communities setting up an endowment fund for their PHC which will be funded by levying themselves or conducting fundraising events. The endowment fund will be managed by the community and the funds used for purchase of medical supplies, infrastructure maintenance and possibly staff training. State governments, through their ministry of health should intensify efforts to educate and inform the ward or village development committees which are designed to strengthen local communities in the hope that they can advocate for themselves.

Continuously retrain primary healthcare workers The brain remains the most important “equipment” in medical science. Continuously retraining the primary healthcare workers should be a major objective so they can perform their jobs effectively. Even with suboptimal facilities at the PHC, an intellectually prepared primary healthcare worker can go into the community and proffer disease prevention measures in informal setting. This continuing medical education would be provided by nearby academic medical centers or by licensed continuing medical education providers. Once this provider arrangement is formalized, each primary healthcare worker would be encouraged at the minimum to obtain 20 hours of continuing medical education every two years.

“Adopt a Primary Healthcare Center” Involve the rich Many Nigerians at home and abroad are keen to contribute to the development of their

Formalize relationship with referral medical centers State governments should work in

tandem with the federal government to formalize the relationship between PHCs and referral centers so that each PHC will have a designated referral hospital. It may also be helpful to incentivize any of the referral centers with the requisite expertise to serve as the provider of continuing medical education for the PHC whom they serve as the referral center. Sensitization workshops for local government council leadership Local governments have the main responsibility regarding the management of primary healthcare, but there is a high turnover rate in the leadership of local governments in Nigeria. Based on the premise that local government leadership can’t fix a problem that they don’t fully appreciate, sensitization workshops are necessary for leadership of local government councils. The State ministry of local government should organize sensitization workshops targeted at newly “elected” local government chairmen and supervisory health councilors. The interactive workshops will review the major challenges in primary healthcare in the State and offer a template of innovative solutions to improve primary healthcare delivery. Mandate, verify and enforce a minimum level of spending on health There should be legislation at the federal and state levels to mandate a minimum level of budgetary allocation by local governments to healthcare. Guidelines should be provided for the deployment of funds to mandate how much goes to medical disposables, infrastructure maintenance, disease prevention efforts, staff training and staff salaries. The Big Picture Emphasize public health principles in schools Public health is best distinguished from clinical medicine by its emphasis on preventing disease rather than curing it, and its focus on populations and communities

rather than individual patients. The top ten diseases responsible for most deaths and hospital visits in Nigerians, are all preventable diseases. Therefore, the thrust of our entire healthcare system should be primarily focused on disease prevention. Federal and State governments must update the curricula of medical schools, nursing schools and schools of hygiene to emphasize public health principles and epidemiology of the major ailments that afflict us. Also, an immediate impact can be made by providing a two-day intensive public health workshop for doctors starting their National Youth Service Corps before they proceed to their work locations. Considering the frontline role they play in healthcare delivery in the rural areas, once empowered with knowledge base at the workshop, they will proceed to the grassroots where implementation of health promotion and disease prevention initiatives will make an immediate impact. Finally, State Governors can instantaneously elevate the entire public health enterprise in their State by ensuring that physicians appointed to be commissioners of health also have a degree in public health. This has long been the norm in most aspirational societies, because training in public health equips the individual with the skill set to craft and implement public health policies that will benefit the entire population of the State. In addition, in a situation where there is limited resources, the individual will have the insight to prioritize implementation of public health measures that will profoundly enhance the long-term wellbeing of majority of the residents of the State over the current trend of building hospitals. Furthermore, it will facilitate the ability of the commissioner to interact with international organizations, transnational charities, healthcare grant providers as well as major schools of public health in the west that are eager to partner with us to tackle our public health problems. None of the above detailed measures in of itself is a magic bullet. But taken together and diligently implemented, they will go a long way in alleviating our challenges in the primary healthcare arena. t*GVEV XSPUF JO WJB EPEPLJOBTF!HNBJM DPN

Nizamiye Hospital Commemorates Independence with Discounted Medical Screening The Nizamiye Hospital Abuja, in commemoration of Nigeria’s 61st independence celebration, is offering Nigerians a 30 per cent discount on medical screening. This was disclosed in a statement by its PRO, Mohammed Abubakar. He stated that the discounted

medical screening is a part of the corporate social responsibility initiative of the hospital towards encouraging Nigerians to undergo regular health checks. “From experience, we realized that most Nigerians haven’t prioritised regular health screening, and as

a means of encouraging Nigerians to undergo regular health checkups, we have offered a 30 per cent discount on all our checkup packages beginning from 1st October.” He further added that the discounted medical checkup is a strong statement on

why Nigerians must take their health seriously to detect illness at their early stages. “The benefits of regular health checkups cannot be overemphasised. It reduces the risk of getting sick; detect potentially life-threatening health conditions or diseases early; increase chances for

treatment and cure, and increases lifespan and improve health. “In times past, we detected life-threatening medical conditions on some patients that came for medical screening, the interesting part of it all was that they all looked hale and healthy. It is therefore

imperative for regular health screening to enjoy good health.” It would be recalled that the Nizamiye Hospital is a world-class hospital in Abuja, with state of the art facilities catering for the health needs of Nigerians from all walks of life.

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ ˜ 2021

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

UBA: LEO Remains Smartest Banking Chatbot, Hits 3m User Mark United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has stated that it has in the last three years won the hearts of its customers with its artificial intelligence chat bot, LEO, which it stressed, has proven to be the most formidable artificial intelligence chat bot till date; serving an ever-increasing clientele who now have less transaction hassles to worry about. The bank in a statement said, “Leo is an AI chatbot for banking services currently available on Face-book Messenger, WhatsApp, Apple Device and is set to launch soon on other social media platforms. “Birthed January 11, 2018, with a firm resolve to prioritise its customers as well as put the bank at the heart of disruptive technologies that will transform the experience of esteemed customers, UBA did just that with a million users becoming hooked in less than three months of its LEO’s inception.”

“Three years later, and with over 3 million customers and counting, UBA’s LEO, has without doubt, remained the smartest Banking Chatbot in Nigeria because of its speed and quick learning intelligence and has continued to evolve with plenty to offer its teeming customers. “While other financial institutions are still trying to figure to find their feet as regards AI, UBA’s LEO has become a massive success as the AI continues to consolidate on it successes and accolades winning several awards overtime, “it added. The chat bot, UBA stated, continues to enjoy periodic and systematic upgrade with special emphasis on enhanced advancements and specialised unique features which have clearly earned the chatbot over three million Users. Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, UBA, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, affirmed

that UBA customers indeed agree that LEO is one of the bank’s biggest investments in cutting-edge technology and has been steadily changing the face of banking in the continent. “UBA’s vision has always been and will remain a dominatingforce in Africa’s digital banking space. Our resolve is to provide unparalleled experience across all channels. We are atechnology-driven institution with vast knowledge in the business that we do and LEO, being a tested, dependable and intelligent personality, replicated on WhatsApp the success it recorded on the Facebook Messenger platform where it started its journey and later on the IOS (iPhone Operating System) platform. It is a solution that is from the customer’s standpoint, easy to use by anyone regardless of demography. LEO is always ready and waiting to help with any form of banking service,” Uzoka said.

Mining: Asuquo Faults Abandonment of Solid Minerals’ Sector Kasim Sumaina ÓØ ÌßÔË The Director General, National Metallurgical Development Centre, (NMDC) Jos, Prof Linus Asuquo has faulted the age long abandonment of the solid mineral sector for its petroleum counterpart, stating that the decision by the country’s leaders led to its non industrial development. The NMDC boss noted that with adequate funding especially in research and development, the country’s mining sector will be able to ensure economic growth and sustainability. Speaking to newsmen in Abuja, Asuquo stated that there can not be industrialization in the country if there was no adequate funding in research and development saying that funding was needed for development of solid minerals which was capital intensive.

He noted that in the drive to diversify the economy through mining and bringing in investors, adequate budget should be made for research and development as no country would be able to move forward with a 0.1 percent allocation for research. He said especially for solid minerals sector of which the country being blessed with about 44 minerals has to invest in accurate data gathering to attract investors due to the dwindling prices of oil. He said, “The country had only invested 0.1percent in research and development until the present administration’s upgrade to 0.5 percent.” He maintained the country is blessed with about 44 solid minerals and Jos, Plateau state in particular, is blessed with so many of such minerals and was

recognised as the second best in the world. “Because of oil, these minerals were abandoned and there has been a rethinking that we should concentrate on our solid minerals to increase revenue and diversify the economy because of the draining prices of oil, “he dded. He stressed that due to the draining prices of oil and the present administration efforts to diversify the economy through the mining sector, the centre has been working assiduously not only for the state but for all resources from the states across the country to improve on research and development. Asuquo stated that though there was no adequate funding for the centre but it has been able to upgrade its equipment for the production of iron ore and to improve its value in the market.

Hollandia Lactose Free Milk Raises Awareness on Lactose Intolerance Since its introduction into the Nigerian market, Hollandia Lactose Free Milk has been at the forefront of educating consumers on the challenges of lactose sensitivity, striking at the heart of the leading cause of dairy wariness - Lactose Intolerance. With the aim of creating a community of consumers making conscious decisions on lactose sensitivity, Hollandia Lactose Free Milk is driving conversations across multiple engagement platforms in a creative, simple and relatable manner, delivering key messages of a wholesome healthy experience. The brand is creating awareness with advertisement on Out of Home platforms, as well as activities in the digital space educating consumers on the challenges of lactose intolerance, the benefits of milk and proffering solutions. Only recently, the issue of Lactose Intolerance was one of the focal points of discussion during the Hollandia Dairy

Day Conference in May. A nutrition consultant and Speaker at the conference, Mrs. Amaka Nwaora stated that lactose intolerance is an impaired ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and other dairy products. She noted that while lactose intolerance is not dangerous, its symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, nausea, and diarrhea can be distressing. Nwaora encouraged lactose sensitive consumers not to avoid milk because of its numerous health benefits but to explore lactose free milk like Hollandia Lactose Free Milk to eliminate this discomfort. CHI Limited Marketing Director, Mrs. Toyin Nnodi, stated that the brand will continue to explore platforms to create awareness on lactose sensitivity and engage consumers with interest to take action. “With a high number of lactose sensitive consumers, it is unusual that there are so few lactose free

milk products to choose from, further highlighting the importance of Hollandia’s offering. Hollandia Lactose Free Milk, the only Ready-to-Drink (RTD) lactose free milk in Nigeria, is a 100% lactose free easy-to-digest milk which contains Calcium and essential Vitamin D for strong bones and teeth development. “It is also a rich source of Vitamin A, B-Vitamins, Vitamin E, and Protein, which support a healthier immune system. Hollandia Lactose Free Milk is a great tasting milk that is ideal for direct consumption, or use with beverages and milk-complementary meals. Many people avoid dairy because of lactose intolerance concerns. Our message is simple, Hollandia Lactose Free Milk offers a wholesome healthy experience without discomfort. You can safely choose Hollandia Lactose Free Milk and still enjoy all the taste and nutritious goodness of milk to meet your body’s need, ”she stated.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JANUARY 2021 Money Supply (M3)

38,779,455.43

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

1,039,129.55

Money Supply (M2)

37,740,325.88

-- Quasi Money

21,779,302.69

-- Narrow Money (M1)

15,961,023.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,364,871.13

---- Demand Deposits

13,596,152.06

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,414,275.50

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

31,365,179.93

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

42,916,586.63

---- Credit to Government (Net)

12,304,773.44

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

30,611,813.19

--Other Assets Net

3,892,112.74

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,264,585.14

--Currency in Circulation

2,831,167.19

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

10,433,417.96 317,234.17

˾ ÙßÜÍÏ ̋

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

˾ ÙØÏÞËÜã ÙÖÓÍã ËÞÏ ̋ ͯͱϱ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ Ͱͷ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $78.37 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $77.73 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

T H I S D AY ˾ ͱͮ˜ ͰͮͰͯ

Fitch Affirms Union Bank’s Long-term Issuer Rating at ‘B-, Stable Outlook Darasimi Adebisi Following a comprehensive rating process, Fitch Ratings has affirmed Union Bank’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating at ‘B- with a stable outlook. The lender’s Long Term National rating was also upgraded from ‘BBB- (nga)’ to ‘BBB (nga), with its Short-Term National Rating upgraded to ‘F2 (nga)’ from ‘F3 (nga)’. According to the rating agency,

the upgrade to Union Bank’s national ratings reflects the lender’s increased creditworthiness relative to other issuers in Nigeria and the relative strength of its funding and liquidity profile. Fitch in the rating report stated: “Union’s Long-Term IDR is driven by its intrinsic creditworthiness, as defined by its ‘b-’ Viability Rating (VR). The VR also reflects Union’s concentration and sensitivity to Nigerian operating environment

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

risks and moderate franchise. “This is balanced by a stable funding and liquidity profile and adequate profitability for the bank’s risk profile. The Stable Outlook reflects Fitch’s view that risks to Union’s credit profile are captured at the current rating level, with sufficient headroom, under our base case, to absorb the fallout from operating environment pressures.” The agency also explained “Union (Bank)’s National Ratings

S E C U R I T I E S MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

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reflect its creditworthiness relative to other issuers in Nigeria and are driven by its standalone strength. The upgrade of Union’s LongTerm National Rating reflects its increased creditworthiness relative to other Nigerian issuers. Its Short-Term National Rating is the higher of the two possible options for a ‘BBB (nga)’ Long-Term National Rating under Fitch’s criteria, reflecting the relative strength of the bank’s funding and liquidity profile,

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

which reduces the vulnerability of default on its short-term local-currency obligations within Nigeria.Union’s 16.1% total capital adequacy ratio at end-1H21 is modestly above its 15per cent minimum regulatory requirement and is supported by qualifying subordinated debt of N30 billion (equivalent to 17per cent of eligible capital), which matures in 2029.” Union Bank continues to remain resilient in the face of a

O F

persistently challenging economic environment, delivering a 1.4per cent increase in Profit Before Tax (PBT), to N11.5 billion in H1 2021 compared to N11.3 billion in H1 2020. This steady performance reflects the Bank’s successful efforts in growing transaction volumes by leveraging its strong brand, nationwide presence and customer-focused segmentation approach to deliver higher revenues across board.

2 9 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 1 DEALS

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THURSDAY, ͻ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021• T H I S DAY

MARKET NEWS A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return. An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange. A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 28Sept-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 N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Dollar Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 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 3.32 3.48 -2.43% 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 N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 19.51 20.10 7.56% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 430.97 443.96 7.64% ARM Ethical Fund 38.39 39.54 13.87% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.09 1.09 -1.18% ARM Fixed Income Fund 0.98 0.98 -6.67% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 8.41% AVA GLOBAL ASSET MANAGERS LIMITED info@avacapitalgroup.com Web: www.avacapitalgroup.com Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AVA GAM Fixed Income Dollar Fund 106.46 106.46 4.67% AVA GAM Fixed Income Naira Fund 1,038.31 1,038.31 3.83% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.06 2.06 -5.40% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.13 2.17 -5.79% CARDINALSTONE ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfunds@cardinalstone.com Web: www.cardinalstoneassetmanagement.com ; Tel: +234 (1) 710 0433 4 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CardinalStone Fixed Income Alpha Fund 1.02 1.02 3.42% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 9.38% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 119.61 120.38 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 107.76 107.76 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 8.74% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.20 1.22 0.12% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.43 1.43 -9.50% 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 7.56% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 8.34% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,161.97 1,180.21 0.92% 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 1,422.58 1,422.58 11.64% FBN Balanced Fund 190.50 191.75 1.50% FBN Halal Fund 113.06 113.06 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

127.07 157.70

127.07 3.79% 159.72 4.31% 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 7.64% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.79 2.85 -2.22% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 4.50% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 153.54 153.82 -1.26% Vantage Equity Income Fund (VEIF) - June Year End 1.28 1.32 1.63% Vantage Dollar Fund (VDF) - June Year End 1.10 1.10 4.21% 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 1,157.28 1,157.28 6.52% 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 11.36 11.39 8.37% Meristem Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 9.18% PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A PACAM EuroBond Fund N/A N/A N/A SCM CAPITAL LIMITED info@scmcapitalng.com Web: www.scmcapitalng.com; Tel: +234 1-280 2226,+234 1- 280 2227 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SCM Capital Frontier Fund 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 3,406.76 3,443.40 6.08% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 233.33 233.33 3.77% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 1.21 1.23 3.39% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 308.16 308.16 4.58% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 224.58 227.76 2.87% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 7.45% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 10,382.80 10,526.27 -1.08% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.28 1.28 4.04% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 115.80 115.80 4.25% Stanbic IBTC Enhanced Short-Term Fixed Income Fund 104.11 104.11 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 2.03% United Capital Bond Fund 1.92 1.92 4.96% United Capital Equity Fund 0.86 0.89 9.03% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 9.33% United Capital Eurobond Fund 120.57 120.57 5.33% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.05 1.07 3.35% United capital Sukuk Fund 1.06 1.06 6.38% 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 8.01% Zenith Ethical Fund 14.14 14.29 15.84% Zenith Income Fund 24.40 24.40 1.74% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 6.97%

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

0.39%

121.53 96.14 17.22 18.18

124.54 98.23 17.32 18.28

1.06% -3.11%

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

3.81 5.47 17.31 1.00 19.28 157.56

3.85 5.55 17.41 1.00 19.48 159.56

1.01% -3.90% 6.69% 7.55% -6.00% -28.35%

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.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 •T H I S D AY

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

FOREIGN DESK

COMPILED BY BAYO AKINLOYE

30 Ecuador Prisoners Shot Dead, Beheaded At least 30 inmates have been killed and dozens injured in a fight between rival gangs at a prison in the Ecuadorean port city of Guayaquil. A police commander said at least five inmates had been decapitated while others had been shot dead. Commander Fausto Buenaño said the prisoners had also thrown grenades. The regional governor said it took 400 police officers to regain control of the jail, which houses prisoners with links to international drug gangs. So far this year, more than 150 people have been killed in prison violence in Ecuador. In the bloodiest incident so far, 79 prisoners were killed in simultaneous fights in February. The Litoral Penitentiary, where the latest deadly fight took place on Tuesday night, is considered one of the most dangerous in the country. Police Commander Buenaño said that inmates from one wing of the prison had crawled through a hole to gain access to a different wing, where they attacked rival gang members. Police managed to reach six cooks who had been trapped in the wing where the fight unfolded and get them to safety.

Tunisia Appoints First Female Prime Minister Tunisian President Kais Saied surprised many Wednesday with his appointment of Najla Bouden Romdhane, a 63-year-old professor at a prestigious engineering school, as the country’s first female prime minister, BBC reports. The geologist was named prime minister after the office was vacated July 25 when Saied froze parliament and seized executive powers, leaving the country in limbo. Saied’s office issued a statement ordering Bouden to fill Cabinet positions as soon as possible. The president’s moves sidelined the Islamist Party that dominated the legislature, prompting critics to denounce his actions as a coup that jeopardizes the country’s young democracy and could threaten democratic gains made after the Tunisia Revolution that helped spark the Arab Spring in the early 2010s. The Arab Spring was a sequence of armed, anti-government rebellions and other forms of unrest that swept across much of the Arab world in response to corruption and economic woes.

Last week, Saied suspended most of the constitution, contending he could govern by decree during an indefinite “exceptional” period.

39 Trapped Canadian Miners Rescued After Three Days All 39 miners trapped deep underground in central Canada have been brought to the surface, three days after an accident damaged the mine’s lift, reports BBC. The workers at the Totten mine in Sudbury, Ontario climbed up to 4,000ft (1.2km) using a series of ladders, with the support of a rescue team. The rescued miners were all in good health, according to Vale, the company responsible for the mine. The final miners emerged just before 05:00 local time (10:00 BST). Vale Chief Executive Officer Eduardo Bartolomeo thanked the rescue team for their efforts and said bringing the miners safely to the surface had been a “top priority”. They “deserve our deep respect for their perseverance and strong will”, he said in a statement early on Wednesday morning. After they reported for the day shift on Sunday, the miners became trapped after a heavy scoop bucket crashed into the lift system and blocked the shaft, Vale said. After the incident, the miners proceeded to refuge stations, where they had access to food and water and remained in contact with their families and staff outside the mine. The workers are using a secondary ladder system to leave the mine, with rest stops along the way. They had to climb between 1,800 feet and 4,000 feet to the surface, depending on where they were underground. The rescue operation took two and a half days. The rescue in the northern Ontario mine was a “complex situation”, said local United Steel Workers union president Nick Larochelle in a statement.

Russia Threatens to Block YouTube Russia threatened Wednesday to block Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube after Russian statebacked broadcaster RT’s German-language channels were deleted and said it was considering retaliating against German media.

YouTube said on Tuesday that RT’s channels had breached its COVID-19 misinformation policy, a move Russia’s Foreign Ministry described as “unprecedented information aggression,” says VOA. Russian state communications regulator Roskomnadzor said it had written to Google and demanded the restrictions be lifted. It said Russia could seek to partially or fully restrict access to YouTube if it failed to comply. Google declined to comment Wednesday. The Kremlin said it may have to force YouTube to comply with Russian law, saying there could be zero tolerance for breaches. “Of course, there are signs that the laws of the Russian Federation have been broken, broken quite blatantly because of course this involves censorship and obstructing the spread of information by the media,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. The foreign ministry said Russian authorities had been approached with “a proposal to develop and take retaliatory measures against the YouTube hosting service and the German media.”

Fumio Kishida to Become Japan’s Next Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has won a race to lead Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), putting him on course to become the next prime minister. Mr Kishida will succeed Yoshihide Suga, who decided to step down after just one year in office. His first mission as prime minister will be to lead the LDP to victory in an upcoming general election. The party’s popularity fell after it pushed to host the Tokyo Olympics despite public opposition. Mr Kishida, a former foreign minister, beat out Taro Kono, who was widely regarded as the most popular candidate. Given the LDP’s majority in parliament, Mr Kishida’s position as prime minister has been all but cemented. Mr Kishida, 64, has long targeted the prime ministerial role, losing out to Mr Suga in last year’s poll. The new prime minister faces a range

of tough issues, including post-pandemic economic recovery and confronting threats from North Korea.

IRC: 2.1M Kenyans Face Hunger Due to Drought The International Rescue Committee says more than two million Kenyans are facing hunger due to poor rainfall. Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, declared a national disaster this month because of drought. Thirty-six-year-old Suleiman Ahmed Osman lost 50% of his livestock to drought in the past six months. He says more are dying now due to worsening drought. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) says Kenya received insufficient rainfall during the October to December 2020 and March to May 2021 rainy seasons, leading to the current drought situation. The IFRC report said that arid and semi-arid areas received less than 50% of the average rainfall in June. The three counties in northeastern Kenya received less than 25% of average rainfall. The International Rescue Committee says 2.1 million people in Kenya are now food insecure.

Toxic Gas Fears as La Palma Volcano Lava Reaches Ocean Lava from an erupting volcano on Spain’s La Palma island has reached the Atlantic Ocean, raising fears of toxic gases being released and explosions, according to the BBC. Clouds of white steam were seen rising as a red-hot current made contact with the water in the Playa Nueva area. This could trigger a chemical reaction that can irritate the skin and eyes and affect breathing. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed since the Cumbre Vieja volcano in the Canary Islands erupted on September 19. About 6,000 people were evacuated as the lava was engulfing houses, schools, and some banana plantations. On Wednesday, the EU’s Copernicus service estimated that the lava had covered 267 hectares (2.7 sq km) and destroyed 656 homes on its way to the ocean.

THURSDAY, ͻ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

INEC: We’ll Transmit Anambra Election Results Online Jonathan supports electoral commission on e-transmission IG says police won’t tolerate any sit-at-home during poll

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, declared that the November 6 governorship election result would be transmitted electronically real time. The commission, therefore, urged Nigerians to log in to view the results of the election online. Curiously, however, INEC seemed to have secured an uncommon support on the e-transmission of results debate as former President Goodluck Jonathan has said the bid to introduce more electronic means in the conduct of elections would enhance the electoral body’s processes in the conduct of free and fair elections. But the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, has assured the people of adequate security during the election, adding that the threat of sit-at-home by any group would not be allowed during the election. INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, who spoke at a workshop by journalists covering the commission with the theme: "Inclusive Elections in Anambra State and Beyond", was represented by INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of publicity and Chairman, Voter Education, Festus Okoye. Reading the address of the INEC chairman, Okoye said, "The Commission will also use its new technological device to upload polling unit level results to its central result viewing portal. Nigerians that have access to internet facilities can log in and view the results as they are being uploaded. For this, we have commenced elaborate voter education and publicity activities in the state. "The Commission will also deploy relevant and appropriate technology for the conduct of the Anambra State Governorship election. To this end, the Commission will deploy the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for the accreditation of voters. "The bimodal accreditation system will use fingerprints or facials for efficient voter accreditation. Therefore, those engaged in identity theft must steer clear of the polling units in Anambra State as only voters that are properly authenticated using their fingerprints or facials will be allowed to vote," Yakubu stated He explained that out of the 14 items listed in the said Timetable and Schedule of Activities, the Commission had implemented eight and on October 7, 2021, the Commission wouldpublish the Official Register of Voters and the Final List of nominated candidates, bringing the total activities already implemented to 10. Yakubu, who gave details of the Anambra governorship election, said the state has a total of 21 local governments, 326 registration areas (Wards), 5,720 polling units and 2,447,996 registered voters. He said the number of registered voters would definitely increase with the end of the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration Exercise and the display of the said Register for Claims and Objections. He also said based on the figure

of completed registrations released by the commission on September 20, 2021, a total of 138, 795 registrants completed their registration and that thefigure might decrease after the cleanup of the said register. "As you are aware, on the 23rd May 2021, the commission’s facilities in its Anambra State office were attacked and destroyed. The Collation Centre was burnt, stores housing over 326 generating sets and the generating sets were burnt. Six utility vehicles were set ablaze and the main building substantially damaged and burnt and over 50% of non sensitive materials meant for the election were also set ablaze. "The Commission has made substantial progress in restoring these facilities and other burnt national electoral assets. The stores have been reconstructed and ready to receive materials. The Collation Center will be ready in a few days time and the restoration of the main building will also be completed in a few days time. “The implication is that in the next few days, the Commission will begin the movement of non-sensitive materials from its zonal stores in different parts of the federation to Anambra State office, preparatory to batching and delivery to our local government offices," he said. He assured the people that the commission was determined to conduct a good election in th state and all its processes and procedures were geared and targeted at achieving this objective. Jonathan, while noting that the nation has made incremental progress towards deepening the roots of democracy, added that Nigerians wanted more to be done by politicians to make democratic rule work better for the people. The former President stated this on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering a paper titled ‘Human Security and National Development: The Whole Society Approach’ at the National Defence College Course 30 Inauguration Lecture. His words: “I have always made the case that electronic voting is the way to go, if we truly desire to secure the credibility and integrity of our elections. It is difficult, therefore, to understand why the argument against the possibility of electronic transmission of election results continues to subsist, despite all the advancement made in information and communication technology, over the years. “I want to appeal to members of the National Assembly to always ensure that they do not embark on measures that could hinder the progress and independence of INEC. If they have to amend the electoral law, they should do so in a manner that would enhance INEC’s processes in its performance of its duties, especially, through the adoption of innovations in ICT to aid its operations. “Since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, our nation has made incremental progress towards deepening the roots of the nation's democracy. The fact that questions are today being asked by the people on the direction of that progress means that Nigerians appreciate

BUHARI: AKUNYILI’S KILLERS WON’T GO UNPUNISHED lost every iota of human conscience and sensibility in them. "He implores members of the public, particularly, residents of the state, to continue to partner the police with a view to containing these atrocious acts, stressing that the command is more than ever determined to flush out these undesirable elements and make the entire state safer for law-abiding citizens to go about their lawful businesses." Anambra has within three days witnessed several incidents of attack by unidentified gun wielding men. Persons riding in two unmarked Sienna vehicles and a Toyota Hummer bus attacked a team of police operatives attached to the Aguata Area Command about 2pm on

Tuesday, while the team was on routine patrol duty along Ezinifite/ Igboukwu road. The hoodlums set the patrol vehicle ablaze and fled the scene. There was also a gun attack on a member of the public about 5pm on the same day along Oko road. The attackers set the vehicle of the victim ablaze, leaving him with a bullet wound on his feet before escaping. About 4pm on the same day, some gunmen, in an attempt to snatch a Lexus 350 from its driver along Agulu Road, shot the owner and abandoned the victim and the car, and fled. The incident at Nkpor, which claimed the life of Akunyili, also led to the death of about nine other persons.

democracy but expect us to do more to make it work better for our people and the country. “There is the need for those involved in the ongoing electoral reforms to review their efforts and ask themselves some tough questions. That way, they will be able to determine whether they are advancing the course of democracy by working to enhance and protect the constitutionally guaranteed duties of INEC or seeking to encumber the body by assuming positions, capable of negatively affecting the exercise of its independence, in the conduct of elections.” Democracy, Jonathan further stated, might not have all the answers to the national challenges but explained, “The truth is that a truly democratic system narrows the space for strife and conflicts,” adding that the independence of the electoral management body, was the key plank upon which a thriving democracy rests.

According to him, “From my experience in leading election observation missions to many countries, people hardly go to court to contest election results in countries, where the processes are credible and transparent, because of the level of confidence in the system. “It is not exactly the same here. In Nigeria, the system is such that as politicians prepare for elections, they also prepare for litigation. I recall that as Vice President, then at one international engagement, I asked my counterpart, the Deputy President of South Africa about his country’s experience with post-election court actions, and he expressed surprise that people go to court after elections. “I have always said that we have to develop our democracy to a level where going to court on election related issues, will cease to be a viable option for politicians.” The former President, whose

lecture focused on whole society approach to human security,further stressed that security should be everybody’s responsibility. “Everybody should be involved in securing the country. Yes, the government will do its part but we as individuals should also do our own part. My humble suggestion is that government and stakeholders should do a lot of dialogue. When you start talking, it reduces the anger in people,” he said. He identified fear as a key factor in human development, adding that nations should place emphasis on human security as a means of mitigating the effect of fear in the society. He said, “There is indeed a corresponding relation between fear and economic growth. Nations, where people live in fear tend to record reduced economic activity and less development than others. “In many circumstances, the fear factor in human survival, prosperity

and security requires that more should be done to restore hope in the people and in their economic wellbeing. “As a nation, the security architecture must accommodate the management of fear in the land, because of the place of fear in human development and national growth.” On his part, the Inspector General of Police, represented by Muyiwa Adedojobi, pledged adequate security of lives and properties during the election, saying there won't be any sit-at-home order as it would not be tolerated by the police. He said Nigeria was a sovereign nation and as such, there was no directive by the federal government on any sit-at-home and therefore, there won't be a sit-at-home order, urging the people of the state to disregard such directives as the federal government through the various security agencies would protect their lives and properties.

NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE INAUGURATION LECTURE... Former Presidemt Goodluck Jonathan (left) and the Commandant National Defence College, Rear Admiral Makanju Mackson Kadiri as the former President arrived to deliver a lecture for the inauguration of Course 30 Participants of the National Defence College at Abuja...yesterday

EL-RUFAI: NORTHERN GOVS NEVER OPPOSED POWER SHIFT TO SOUTH to three Geo-Political Zone in the south to promote unity and peace in the nation. “Notwithstanding their comments, the Forum unanimously condemn the statement by the Southern Governor’s Forum that the presidency must go to the south. The statement is quite contradictory with the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended that the elected president shall:-score the majority votes; score at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 States of the Federation. In the case of run-up, simple majority wins the election.” Unfortunately, the back and forth between governors of the two regions had elicited concerns as well as reactions from other stakeholders from both ends, suggesting obnoxious scenarios in the two regions. But El-Rufai, on Wednesday, clarified the resolution of the governors and said they were alarmed that their southern counterparts could use the word “must” in their agitation for power shift to the south after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure in 2023. The North West governor stated that the word “must” was at variance with democracy, which was characterised by negotiations and horse-trading by parties involved, often out of the public glare. According to him, he and some other northern governors had earlier called for a power shift in 2023 in their individual capacities to foster national unity and togetherness, adding that “he was called names

by his people for making that call.” El-Rufai, who made the clarifications in a media chat with select Kaduna-based broadcast journalists on Tuesday night, pointed out that the media misrepresented the resolution of the Northern Governors’ Forum meeting which held on Monday, on power shift. Although he spoke in Hausa, the Kaduna governor reminded the south that, “The north has supported southern presidential aspirants in the past”, adding that they “supported Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s aspiration in 1999 and his re-election in 2003.” El-Rufai was of the view that their southern colleagues should have reached out to them on the issue of power shift instead of playing to the gallery. Reacting too to the development, SaMBA in a statement by its spokesman, Rwang Pam Jnr., emphasised that though there was no express provision for zoning in the Constitution, Section 14(3) explicitly provides for distribution of offices in the composition of government in the country and therefore disapproves of any attempt by any region to dominate other regions. SaMBA, therefore, warned the Northern Governors Forum that any further attempt to want to retain power in 2023 would defeat the purpose of a united Nigeria, where every man and region’s right to rule was equal and would endanger the already fragile unity of the country. The statement stated: "The recent statement credited to the Northern Governors Forum that power shift

is unconstitutional, is an attempt to stand history on its head and could fuel separatist agitations in the country. "The section of the Constitution referenced by the Northern Governors only refers to the requirements for someone to be declared as elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but the relevant constitutional provision for power rotation is section 14(3), which explicitly provides for the spread of political offices in the country to prevent one ethnic group or region from dominating the others for the sake of peace and unity in the country. "Section 14(3) states: The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies. "Therefore, it is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Constitution and a danger to the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the core North to spend eight years in office and still be thinking of seeking another eight years. "Nigerians are aware, that after former President Olusegun Obasanjo completed his 8-year term in 2007, the south unanimously agreed for the Northern Nigeria to produce the President. In 2007,

the South did not cry that zoning is unconstitutional, and President Obasanjo duly handed over Power to a northerner, the late former President Umaru Ya'Adua. "It is also public knowledge that former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the 2015 Presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari partly, because of the global sentiment, that it was the turn of the North to produce the President, even though Dr Goodluck Jonathan had only spent one term in office as elected president. "Therefore, it is not in the interest of the country for the North to hold onto power in 2023,because doing so will be to the detriment of the already fragile unity of the country and more likely to lead to an increase of separatist movements across the country. The position of the Middle Belt Region is categorically clear; that it agrees with the rest of Nigerians, that the South should produce the president of Nigeria in 2023. "We, therefore, unequivocally advise the Northern Governors Forum to perish the thought of holding onto power in 2023 and the same applies to the various political parties (APC, PDP, or any other party) to bury the thought of zoning the Presidency to the North. “We further advise the governors of the 15 states, where the middle belt ethnic nationalities constitute the dominant population, that any governor from the Middle Belt that supported the notion that power should remain with the Northern region is not reflecting the views of their peoples," the group insisted.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Fayemi Laments N43bn Drop in States’ IGR in 2020 Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Governor of Ekiti State and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr. Kayode Fayemi, yesterday lamented the devastating effects of the COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy in 2020, saying that it led to a N43.15 billion or 3.4 per cent drop in states’ internally generated revenue (IGR). Fayemi spoke as the Guest of Honour at the seventh NGF Annual IGR event that brought together stakeholders, policymakers and professionals to discuss and proffer innovative strategies to assist states achieve their revenue projections. The event also fosters peer learning amongst states on associated reforms. He said the marginal growth in states’ IGR recorded year-onyear from 2016, peaked in 2019 and recorded a decline of N43.15 billion (3.4 per cent) in 2020. The NGF chairman said: “States recorded a compound annual IGR growth of 12 per cent, from N687 billion in 2015, to N1.21 trillion by 2020,” due to various reforms.

“These reforms comprise legal revisions, policy directives, institutional restructuring, and technological innovations to improve tax administrative

processes and procedures. “Still, the marginal growth in the IGR of states recorded year-on-year from 2016, peaked in 2019, and recorded a decline

of N43.15 billion (3.4 per cent) for 2020,” the chairman of the governors forum explained. He added: “Although, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed

strongly to the decline recorded, our tax effort (tax-to-GDP) as states is estimated to be less than three per cent. “Advancing beyond our

current revenue levels will warrant more systemic reforms to address low tax morale and voluntary compliance by taxpayers.

COURTESY VISIT…

L-R: Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), Hon. Stella Okotete; Deputy Governor, Ondo State, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Governor Rotimi Akeredolu; and Managing Director, NEXIM Bank, Mr. Abba Bello, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Akure…recently

FEC Okays 14 Days Makinde Presents N294.5bn 2022 Budget to Oyo Assembly Annual Paternity Leave for Workers KemiOlaitaninIbadan

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The federal government has approved a 14-day paternity leave to enable male civil servants to properly bond with their newborn babies or wards. It also okayed the revision of public service rules for federal civil servants as well as initiated moves to remove the dichotomy between Degree and Higher National Diploma (HND) holders in public service. The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Folasade Yemi-Esan disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the State House, Abuja, at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Yemi-Esan, who spoke in company of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, explained that paternity leave was approved for men to observe when their wives are delivered of their new babies. According to her, bonding was important to help the newly born or adopted babies properly bond with the father at the early period just as the baby bonds with the mother. She said: “We’ve also gotten approval to include paternity leave. This is something that is new. And this is something that the unions in the service asked that we include, and luckily, we’ve been able to include it.

Governor ‘Seyi Makinde of Oyo State yesterday presented a budget in the sum of N294.5 billion to the State House of Assembly for the 2022 fiscal year. The governor, who christened the document, ‘Budget of growth and opportunities,’ said that his administration was determined to move the state from poverty to prosperity.

According to him, “Last year, we presented to you our budget on Continued Consolidation. I had a chance to present to you a report of our accomplishments over the previous budgetary cycle and our plans for 2021. “Mr. Speaker Sir, Honourable Members of the House, this year, it gives me great pleasure to be with you again for the presentation of the 2022 Fiscal Budget which we have tagged a Budget of Growth

and Opportunities.” While giving a breakdown of the N294.5 billion budget, the governor said capital expenditure stands at the sum of N156 billion, representing 52.97 per cent, while recurrent expenditure will stand at N138.5 billion, amounting to 47.03 per cent. He said the N294.5 billion budget represents an 18.3 per cent reduction from the amended 2021 budget, stating that funds for the 2022 budget

shall be sourced from internally generated revenue, statutory allocations, and capital receipts. A further breakdown of the budget indicates that infrastructure is to gulp the sum of N96.6 billion, amounting to 32.83 percent, Education sector is allocated the sum of N54.1b, amounting to 18.37 per cent; the health sector is to get the sum of N17.4b amounting to 5.9 per cent, while Agric will get N11.3b amounting to 3.84 per cent.

APC Governors Pledge to Tackle Poverty The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) the umbrella body of governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has stated the resolve of its members to implement programmes that would strengthen the capacity of APC states to create jobs, stimulate economic activities, reduce inequality and diminish

poverty in Nigeria. The Chairman of the Forum and the Governor of Kebbi state, Badaru Abubakar, gave the assurance in a statement issued yesterday to commemorate his 59th birthday and the 67th birthday of Governor Gboyega Oyetola of Osun state. The Forum said: “We rejoice with, HE Muhammad Badaru

Abubakar and HE Gboyega Oyetola, we also reaffirm our collective to continue to implement programmes that strengthen the capacities of our progressive states to create jobs, stimulate economic activity, reduce inequality and diminish poverty in Nigeria. The forum acknowledged and commended Bagudu and Oyetola’s leadership, visions

and commitments to a united and prosperous Nigeria. The forum added:”Guided by our party, APC, they have been consistent and selfless contributors to our team of Progressive Governors, providing insightful and resolute inputs to the processes of managing governance in Jigawa and Osun States respectively, as well as at the national level.”

INTELS Ordered to Pay Entitlements of 624 Sacked Dockworkers China Proffers Poverty Reduction Ugo June 2021. Director, Trade Union Services seconded by the 3rd party (AMS) Aliogo A statement by the President- and Industrial Relations, Mrs. to the 2nd party (INTELS) Mechanism for Nigeria The Industrial Arbitration General of the Maritime Workers Omoabie Akpan, on behalf under their labour management The Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, Cui Jianchun has advised Nigerian government on how to reduce poverty in the country. He said Nigeria can reduce poverty ravaging the nation by investing in human capital development and increased investment in the critical sectors of the economy. The envoy said this in Abuja on Tuesday in his remarks at the closing ceremony of the Nigeria-China Cultural week and award ceremony. He said his country was ready to help Nigeria reduce the level of poverty in the country, adding that China eradicated extreme poverty in February 2021 through good leadership dedicated to sustained policies that revamped the Chinese economic from its backward state to a modern economy with a GDP of $15.7 trillion in a period between 1952 and 2020.

Speaking on the occasion to mark China celebration of its 72 independence anniversary and Nigeria’s 61, the envoy said the successes in economic growth, innovation, poverty eradication, the Belt and Road Initiative were predicated on mobilising the people behind a collective will to work together and achieve a goal. Jianchun noted that as part of the robust 50-year-old bilateral relations with Nigeria, China can assist in replicating its successes in Nigeria by sending young Nigerians to China to understudy the system, get the experience and impact on the Nigerian system. He said: “I would like to share with you that we can do this together because poverty elimination, reduction or eradication really needs leadership and that has been shown that the Chinese President had the strong will.

Panel, (IAP) has ordered the Integrated Logistics Services Limited, INTELS and Associated Maritime Services, AMS, to pay the full entitlements including gratuities and terminal benefits of the 624 Dockworkers they sacked. The workers were sacked by INTELS and its subsidiary, AMS between November 2020 and

Union of Nigeria, (MWUN), Prince Adewale Adeyanju, disclosed that the panel also indicted INTEL and AMS for sacking the affected workers, while the case INTELS instituted against the workers and their Union subsisted, describing the action as unfair labour practices. Adeyanju quoted a letter dated September 13, by the

of the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige. According to the letter, “The IAP in accordance with the provision of Section 13(2) of the Trade Dispute Act CAP T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, after looking into the dispute, and making about eight findings ruled that all the contract staff/ employees

contract namely; 599 contract staff affected by redundancy exercise conducted on November 30th 2020, 8 contract staff affected by redundancy exercise conducted on 2nd February, 2021, and 17 contract staff affected by the redundancy exercise conducted on June 15, 2021, are employees of the 2nd party; INTELs Nig. Limited.

Trial of former JAMB Registrar, Ojerinde Stalled as Lawyer Announces Withdrawal Alex Enumah in Abuja The trial of former Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Adedibu Ojerinde, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, was stalled yesterday following announcement by his lawyer, Mr. Peter Olorunishola (SAN) that he was withdrawing from the case.

Ojerinde is standing trial on an 18-count charge bordering on alleged diversion of public funds to the tune of N5.2 billion. He was arraigned on July 6 and after he entered a not guilty plea, the court had fixed September 29, for commencement of trial. When the matter was called yesterday, prosecuting counsel, Mr. Ebenezer Shogunle, informed the

court that he was prepared and has three witnesses in court. However, one Itieubong Usoroh (who said he held the brief of the actual defence lawyer (Olorunishola), said Olorunishola has written the court about his decision to withdraw from the case and that he also needed time to address some issues surrounding the payment of his professional

fees. Usoroh said Olorunishola has therefore applied for a short adjournment to enable them resolve all pending issues to allow for his formal withdrawal. Responding, Shogunle agreed that the defendant was entitled to a lawyer of his choice, but argued that such entitlement should not be exploited to delay the trial.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

#EndSARS: Forensic Report Dismisses Use of Live Velocity Projectiles on Lekki Protesters Military-grade ammunition ﬁred after soldiers left, expert claims Segun James A United Kingdom-based forensic expert, Dieye Willie-Harry, has debunked claims that Nigerian soldiers shot at #EndSARS protesters with live high velocity projectiles last October 20. Willie-Harry told the Lagos State judicial panel probing the incident that from his investigation, he was “99.999 per cent sure” that the bullets fired by the military were blank bullets. He said the results of his forensic study showed that no live high velocity projectiles were fired at the protesters at Lekki tollgate on 20th October 2020 between the hours of 18.30 and 20.43 when the Army were on ground. Willie-Harry noted, nevertheless, that live, militarygrade ammunition, might have been fired at some point after the military had left, by persons yet to be identified. He particularly disputed the video of the CNN report and described it as a huge disappointment for an organisation of that calibre. Willie-Harry, the director and senior consultant of Oxygene Consulting UK Ltd, testified on Tuesday, September 28, via Zoom link. There were no fewer than 14 petitions relating to the alleged shooting incident, out of the 235 petitions received by the panel between October and December 2020. The petitioners alleged that soldiers from the Army’s 81 Division, Victoria Island, Lagos,fired live bullets on peaceful demonstrators, injuring and killing some. But the army, which appeared thrice before the panel, denied the allegations, saying soldiers fired blank bullets in the air to disperse the crowd. It, however, shunned repeated summons by the panel requiring it to respond to petitioners’ further questions and protesters’ evidence challenging its claims. Willie-Harry, aside giving an oral testimony, also submitted a flash drive containing two

reports. He stated that his organisation was engaged by the Lagos State government to conduct a forensic and ballistic investigation of the Lekki tollgate incident of October 20, 2020. The investigation was conducted by his organisation in December 2020 and the report compiled in February 2021 and submitted. The witness said the conclusion that the military did not fire live high velocity projectiles at EndSARS protesters on the said day was due to the obtained medical data of the victims, who were admitted and treated at five medical centres, the time of arrival and the nature of injuries sustained. He also stated that four of the victims, who sustained gunshot injuries were discovered to be projectiles from low velocity firearm, which was not associated with the military or any of the security agencies. He said the low velocity projectiles from which the four identified patients were treated were common with locally produced firearms. Willie-Harry, however, admitted that his team, during the course of investigation were unable to ascertain how, by whom, where and when the gunshot injuries were sustained by the victims. He noted that it might not be unconnected with the breakdown of law and order on the October 20, 2020 in the state, including at the tollgate. The witness said the rifles shown as being carried by men in military gear, who were at the Lekki tollgate protest ground from footages and videos obtained were Russian made Kalashnikov AK 47 rifles and that if the rifles had been shot with live bullets at protesters, that the damage would have been catastrophic because an AK 47 rifle when fired within a range of 50-100 metres has the capacity to kill 2-3 persons or more at a single shot. In conclusion, Willie-Harry said, “From the examination and research surrounding open-source

imagery and news reporting (including social media), along with the individual injuries and medical reports, we are of the opinion that ‘live’ military-grade

ammunition, may have been discharged at some point at the Lekki Toll Gate on 20th October 2020, after 21:00 hours and possibly aimed, at the road

surface in front of protesters, which ultimately caused the projectiles to ricochet resulting in the core breaking out of the jacket and hitting the majority of

the victims in the lower limbs at much reduced kinetic energy but with enough energy to fracture the long bones without exiting the victims’ bodies.

INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT CONFAB…

L-R: Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo; President, and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management, Mrs. Patience Anabor; Deputy President, Major General Abdullahi Muraina, (rtd) and National Treasurer, Dr. Chirstiana Atako, during the institute’s annual national management conference in Abuja.. recent KINGSLEY ADEBOYE

Former Nasarawa Deputy Governor, Ewuga Rescued from Kidnappers Igbawase Ukumba in Laﬁa The Nasarawa Police command said its operatives yesterday rescued the former Nasarawa State deputy governor, Senator Solomon Ewuga, unhurt few hours after his abduction. Ewuga, who was one time Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, was reportedly

kidnapped on Tuesday at Kurmin Shinkafa close to Gudi town in Akwanga Local Government Area on his way to Abuja. When contacted, the Nasarawa State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) ASP Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the rescue of the elder statesman.

He said: “The former senator was on his way to Abuja and was kidnapped at about 20:40 hours, but due to mounted pressure by men of the Nigerian Police Force who were alerted on time, moved into the forest and rescued the senator. “No arrest was made, but the command is not relaxing

over the matter to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book as investigations was ongoing. “As I speak with you, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adesina Soyemi, has ordered operatives of the command to move into the forest for possible arrest of the criminals,” the PPRO said.

Gbajabiamila Seeks Improved Minimum Wage for Workers Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has advocated for reasonable minimum living wage that will serve as a social protection cover for workers in Nigeria. Also the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ayuba Wabba, has called for a new social contract

that will guarantee universal social protection coverage to ameliorate the suffering of the people. Speaking at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Roundtable on Social Protection Cover in Abuja, on the theme “Expanding Social Protection Cover and Ensuring Effective Implementation in Nigeria”, the Speaker said that it was the duty of

the government to ensure that there was suitable and adequate shelter and food for the people. “There should be old age care and pensions, care for the unemployment, sick persons and welfare for the disabled should be provided. “This is how we will ensure that the people born in Nigeria can live life of accomplishment and contribute to the society

meaningfully all through their life,” he said. While describing social protection as one of the most important responsibilities that proved how the government lived up to its constitutional obligations, he that the house would ensure that there was a collective agreement on what it would take to achieve the best vision for Nigeria and welfare of our people.

VAT: Oyo Seeks to Join Lawyers Back State Governors’ Stand on Value Added Tax Rivers in Suit against FG Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie

The Oyo State has asked the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for joinder in the suit instituted by the Rivers State Government against the Attorney-General of the Federation in respect to the bid by the state to take over the collection of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from the federal government. The suit, instituted by the Attorney-General of Oyo State, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, is seeking an order of the Appellate Court to enable Oyo State to join the suit as an interested party. In the suit, the government of Oyo State is seeking two orders: an order of the Honourable Court joining the Attorney-General of Oyo State as a respondent on the appeal with suit number FHC/ PH/CS/149/2020 and appeal number CA/PH/282/2021, and any other order the Court may deem fit. According to Oyewo, the

government of Oyo State was unaware of the suit between the Attorney-General of Rivers State and the Federal Inland Revenue Service at the Federal High Court until the judgement was delivered. Other grounds upon which the application was based include that the decision of the appellate court will affect the collection of VAT by the government of Oyo State, being one of the States which the judgement of the lower court recognised as entitled to collect VAT within its territorial jurisdiction. Oyo State government also indicates that the applicant (Attorney-General of the State) “represents the interest of the Oyo State government, whose interest in the collection of Value Added Tax within Oyo State will be impacted one way or another by any judgment delivered by this Honourable Court in this Appeal.”

Some Nigerian lawyers yesterday threw their support behind the state governors who that are pushing for the collection of Value Added Tax (VAT) in their respective states. The lawyers spoke on the Morning Show of ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, One of the lawyers, Goddy

Uwazurike, who reacted to the controversy surrounding VAT, said the issue remained a state affair. Uwazurike accused the federal government of simply doing the ‘Abacha era’ type of domination, and taking control of VAT from the beginning, which he termed as being wrong. He, however, commended governors Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for driving the

case about VAT and others who followed suit. “This way is where we will streamline correctly what is due to who. As at now in this country, the VAT collected by the president and distributed to every other part of the country is illegal. No other court has said anything to the contrary. I encourage the issue of VAT resolution in court,” he said. Addressing the issue of insecurity in the country, the lawyer totally condemned it.

He said: “You cannot create life so why should the take life. In Anambra, unknown gunmen, as we call them are in action. And they don’t want any election thereby making the state un-governable. All the thugs you can think of are rushing to Anambra because there’s a job to be done, there is employment. These gunmen are not ordinary gunmen and they are definitely not Igbos, they are people who kill for pleasure.

Adichie Wants Unlawfully Acquired Artifacts from Africa Returned

Sunday Okobi

A renowned writer and activist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has charged European powers to banish the ghost of their infamous colonial past and return the arts (artifacts), especially spiritual objects, stolen from Africa, Asia, and Latin America still in their possession. She sent the strong message to the European governments in a

thought-provoking speech that has left social media vibrating, which was delivered at the opening of the Humboldt Forum in Berlin, Germany, last week. Her speech was not only met with enthusiastic applause by the audience in Berlin but is also resonating across the world as one of her ‘best speeches, yet!’ The Humboldt Forum is a state-of-the-art museum complex that features collections of

African, Asian, and other nonEuropean art in a partial replica of a Prussian palace that was demolished by East Germany’s communist government after the World War II. Among the artifacts allegedly stolen are the famous Benin Bronzes, which were looted from the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin by the British colonial expedition in 1897. Adichie has called on

Germany and other European nations in possession of stolen artifacts to return them. In her stimulating speech, she said: “Obviously I don’t think everything should be sent back to the countries from which they came. Not everything was stolen, but those things that are sacred. Those things for whom people were killed. Those things that have the stain of innocent blood should be returned.”

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS XTRA

Petroleum Producers Want Security for Oil and Gas Assets Laud FG on passage of PIB Peter Uzoho The Independent Petroleum Producers Group (IPPG) has congratulated the federal government over the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law last month. The group also solicited federal government’s support in protecting oil and gas facilities from attack especially in the South-east. In a delegation to Vice President(VP) Yemi Osinbajo led by its Chairman, Abdulrazaq Isa, the group congratulated the FG for the enactment of the PIA with the hope that uncertainty issues and under-investment in

the industry over the last few years will come to an end. IPPG also commended the Vice President’s peace efforts in the Niger Delta in 2016. The IPPG Chairman said that Osinbajo has been a great supporter of the group, adding that “your intervention helped in resolving the security situation that we faced in the Niger Delta region in 2016.” Isa noted the incidence of crude theft are unprecedented and becoming unsustainable particularly on the eastern axis. While soliciting the support of the federal government in securing investments in the sector, Isa disclosed the importance of gas in the

emerging global energy landscape saying ‘’gas should be considered as a transition fuel with deliberate policies formulated to attract investment into the sector’’. Isa reiterated the group’s commitment to partner with the federal government by saying ‘’IPPG remains committed to working collaboratively with Government in realising its aspiration for the sector.’’ In his response, the VP assured the group of the Buhari administration’s commitment to the security of lives and property, noting that government is open to suggestions that would lead to permanent resolution of the issue.

Man to Die by Hanging for Killing Two Women in Kogi Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja A Lokoja High Court has sentenced a middle-aged man, Danladi Ichado to death by hanging for allegedly stabbing two women, Rabiyetu Yusufu and Jemila Yakubu to death. Justice Nicodemus Awulu of Kogi State High Court 5 while delivering his judgement passed the sentence in a case of Culpable Homicide brought against the convict. Awulu held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that

the convict was presumed to have intended to kill the women based on the weapon he used. The jurist held that the evidence of Rekiya Rilwan (PW1), who was an eyewitness at the scene of crime had fixed the defendant and demolished his alibi. Awulu therefore, convicted the defendant and sentenced him to death by hanging. Earlier in the case, the prosecution led by Inedu Opaluwa, Senior Legal Officer with the state Ministry of Justice had told the court that Danladi

Ichado of Odogomu, Ankpa Local Government Area of the state committed the alleged offence on June 6, 2020. Charged with Culpable Homicide Contrary to Section 221(a) of the Penal Code, Ichado was said to have on 6th of June 2020 at Oko-Ojuwo, Ogaji in Ankpa, caused the death of the women by stabbing them with a short cutlass on the head and in the chest. Opaluwa called six witnesses and tendered four exhibits while the defendant called one witness and gave evidence in his defence.

Insecurity: Kaduna Shuts Telecoms Services in Parts of the State

The Kaduna State Government yesterday announced the closure of telecommunications services in some part of the state, with effect from today(September 30). The Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, made the announcement in Kaduna. “I am here to inform you of, and to formally announce the implementation of certain measures to assist the security agencies in parts of the state.

Relevant federal agencies have today informed the Kaduna State Government that the processes for telecoms shutdown in parts of the state have commenced as part of the steps to address the current security situation in the state and neighbouring states in the North-West and North-Central regions,”he said. The commissioner explained that the Kaduna State government has held several meetings with security agencies

to adopt critical measures towards crushing bandits in their identified hideouts. “The military and other security forces have been carrying out assaults on the identified locations.The state government is advised that certain measures are now necessary to assist the spirited efforts of these security agencies. The following measures become effective from Thursday, 30 September.

Apapa Gridlock: Lagos Denies Allegation of Racketeering Segun James The Lagos State Government has debunked allegation of racketeering by its officials deployed to address the perennial traffic gridlock at the port access road at Apapa, Lagos. Speaking during an interview on Arise News Channel, the Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business District and Head of Operation, Apapa Traffic Management and Enforcement Team, Mr. Sola Giwa, said the port authorities have designated a parking space

and a ticket payment portal to reduce the gridlock in Apapa. The Apapa Traffic Management and Enforcement Committee has also activated the Electronic Call-Up System (ETO) designed to sequence and batch trucks coming into Apapa and Tincan Island ports. Set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address the perennial traffic gridlock in Apapa area, he maintained that the committee was winning the war against traffic congestion and extortion of truck owners and drivers in the axis with the ETO.

He said there has been great improvement compared to the situation of things nine months ago during the manual call up system, where trucks going to the ports usually caused heavy traffic from Onipanu to Apapa and from Cele bus stop to Tincan Island areas of Lagos respectively. Giwa explained: “Racketeering in Apapa is a false accusation. For those who said they have been collecting money from them, we want to see the evidence and we take it up. You can make a video of anyone that wants to collect money from you.

PAYE, Loans, Others Suffer as Ogun LGs Record N578.9m Deficit James Sowole in Abeokuta

Facts emerged yesterday that local government areas in Ogun State would not be able to meet some of their financial obligations this month as total money received by the 20 council areas fell short by N578.9 million. The state Commissioner

for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Moruf Afuape, yesterday disclosed that all the local government areas in the state shared the sum of N3,433,366,025.10 as revenue allocation from the federal government for the month of August. Speaking during the Joint Account Allocation Committee (JAAC) meeting

with the chairmen of the 20 local government areas in the state, Afuape said financial obligations of local government areas stood at N4.02billion for the month. He said when compared what came to the 20 local government areas to their total financial obligations, they were left with a deficit of N578,927,662.

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Iheanacho ‘Bounced’, Ndidi Suspended from Legia Warsaw Clash Refused entry into Poland due to issues with his travel documents Nigerian international, Kelechi Iheanacho, has been ruled out of Leicester's Europa League Group C trip to Legia Warsaw because of an issue with his travel documents. The striker travelled to Poland but a problem with his paperwork meant he was not allowed into the country. "His documentation coming into the country wasn't sufficient," said

Wilfred Ndidi (left) and Kelechi Iheanacho will be absent from Leicester City’s lineup against Legia Warsaw in Poland this evening

EUROPA boss Brendan Rodgers. "We'll have to look at that when we're back." Iheanacho’s compatriot, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi misses the game through suspension, having been sent off in their opening group match, a 2-2 draw at home to Napoli. Similarly, defender Jonny Evans is again missing because of a foot injury. The 33-year-old defender has played less than 170 minutes in total this season, although he was on the bench for Saturday's 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley. The Foxes have been inconsistent throughout this season, with Jamie Vardy's two goals rescuing a Premier League home draw against Burnley on Saturday to leave them with seven points from six games. Legia, 15-time Polish champions, have also struggled so far this season, losing four of their opening seven league games. On Saturday, they were beaten 3-2 at home by Rakow to leave them 14th in the 18-team Polish top flight. However, they did get off to a winning start in the Europa League, beating Spartak Moscow 1-0 in Russia thanks to an injurytime goal from Lirim Kastrati. "They're very well organised,

Rivers Angels Draw Sundowns Ladies, Morocco’s ASFAR, Vihiga

Duro Ikhazuagbe with agency report

CA F W O M E N ’S C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E

Nigeria’s representatives in the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League, Rivers Angels have been drawn in Group B along with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, ASFAR of Morocco and Vihiga Queens of Kenya. At the draw ceremony yesterday conducted by CAF’s

Director of Competitions, Samson Adamu and assisted by fourtime African Player of the Year, Perpetua Nkwocha and Egypt women’s national team star, Alia Zenouki, in the Egyptian capital Cairo, hosts Wadi Degla were placed in Group A with AS Mande (Mali), Malabo Kings (Equatorial Guinea) and Hasaacas

Ladies (Ghana). Speaking on the draw, Nkwocha described all the teams in Group B as ‘good’ but sees her former club, the reigning Nigerian Women’s Premier League champions Rivers Angels and Mamelodi Sundowns making it to the knock-out stage.

Pacquiao Says Goodbye to Boxing Manny Pacquiao is finally hanging up his gloves, capping a phenomenal two-decade career that swept him from being a hardscrabble, odd-job worker at a poor coastal town in wartorn Mindanao to a superstar boxer known all over the world and, possibly, to becoming the Philippines’ next president. “It is difficult for me to accept that my time as a boxer is over.

Today, I am announcing my retirement. I never thought that this day would come… Goodbye, boxing… I just heard the final bell,” he said in a 14-minute video released on his Facebook page on Wednesday. Now 42, he finishes his 26-year, 72-fight career with 62 wins, eight losses and two draws. He won 12 world titles and is the only fighter in history to win titles

Manny Pacquaio...calls time on his illustrious boxing career

in eight different weight classes. “I’m amazed at what I’ve done,” he said. What he has done is rise from being a fishmonger moonlighting as a boxer so he can earn an extra peso to buy a sack of rice for his mother, to a boxing demigod who can rake in US$100 million (S$135.8 million) for a day’s work. “He is the ideal aspirational model for ordinary Filipinos, the underdog who, through perseverance, manages to make it to the different portals of power: cultural, political, economic,” said pop culture expert Rolando Tolentino, of the University of the Philippines. Pacquiao was born in 1978 in Kibawe town, in the southern province of Bukidnon. He grew up dirt poor. He once recalled sleeping on flattened cardboard boxes stacked together just high enough to provide some cushion from the hard floor. He said he was always in rags, and his mother’s shack was the only one in his village that did not have a television.

“I think that group it’s gonna be tough because all the teams that have qualified are good teams,” the former Sunnana SK disclosed to goal.com. “However, I believe in Rivers Angels because I have seen them play in (in recent times). I feel Rivers Angels and Mamelodi Sundowns will come out of the group,” observed the former Super Falcons star player. Similarly speaking, Sundowns Coach, Jerry Tshabalala, confirmed the readiness of his team to conquer the continent. "We are ready to go to Egypt and conquer Africa," began Tshabalala. "If one wants to be a champion, you will need to play against strong opponents. We find ourselves in a very tough but exciting group." Tshabalala said he was able to watch both Queens and (Rivers) Angels handled by Edwin Okon during the qualifiers, leaving Moroccans ASFAR as something of an unknown quantity. "The only closed book is ASFAR - we will we need to go out there and find out how they play, how they apply themselves," he said. "We are doing our homework and looking forward to representing South Africa." The line-up for the maiden finals was decided after Malabo King of Equatorial Guinea clinched the last place earlier this month, with all the teams bar hosts Wadi Degla qualifying through regional events. Rivers Angels, Hasaacas Ladies and AS Mande made it through from west Africa, ASFAR from the north, Malabo King from the central area while Sundowns Ladies and Vihiga Queens from

the south and east respectively. Queens Captain, Enez Mango, agreed with Tshabalala that not only is Group B 'very competitive' but that learning about opponents ahead of a new competition is equally challenging. The 2021 CAF Women’s Champions League takes place from November 5 to 19.

the players are very committed, and on the counter-attack they can give us problems," said Rodgers. "In the last game and a half, we have been more like ourselves in our football, so hopefully we can bring that to Legia and make it really difficult for them. "You travel to play in great stadiums in front of passionate supporters. It should be a great game in a great atmosphere, and it's something you always have to deal with away in Europe. "It's been a great experience and we want to keep achieving it. It's an ambition of ours to keep playing at this level. You have to earn it and that's hopefully something we can keep doing over the next number of years."

EUROPA (Today) Lyon v

Brondby

S’Prague v

Rangers

Sociedad v

Monaco

S’Graz v L’Warsaw v Napoli v

PSV Leicester S’Moscow

Fenerbahce v

Olympiacos

R’Antwerp v

E’Frankfurt

Lazio v

Lokomotiv

Marseille v

Galatasaray

Ludogorets v

Zvezda

Bragga v

Midtjylland

Celtic v

Leverkusen

Ferencvaros v Genk v West Ham v

R’Betis Di’Zagreb Rapid Wien

EUROPA CONFERENCE Tottenham v U’Berlin v

Mura M’Haifa

Adeagbo, Others Set for Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Qualifiers Africa's first female Skeleton Winter Olympian, Simidele Adeagbo and 10 other athletes have been named in Nigeria’s Bobsled and Skeleton national team to participate in races to qualify for the Winter 2022 Olympics, in Beijing, China. Adeagbo, who has already competed in some races, is the only athlete returning for the qualifiers from the contingent that debuted for Nigeria at the last Winter Games, in Pyeongchang, South Korea. All 10 athletes (six male and four females) were selected from the Winter Olympic Trials held at the National Stadium, Lagos. Six athletes introduced to the famous Pyeongchang ice tracks earlier in the year maximized the experience to make the national team, while four others, without experience on ice also made the team. The trials equally turned out to be the second major event of the Bobsled and Skeleton Federation of Nigeria after the maiden tryout, in September 2019, to introduce the sport. Ugochukwu Dickson,

Mbakwe Chinonso and reserve athlete, Subair Yaya (Bobsled Brakeman), Yusuf Hammed (Bobsled Driver), Otukoya Kehinde and Akinbo Emmanuel (Skeleton), were selected for the men’s team. The quartet of Alawode Sekinat Abiola, Kika Iyabo (Bobsled Brakeman), Perpetua Nwanna (Driver) and Lawal Folawiyo Khadijat (Skeleton) as well as Adeagbo make up the women’s team. Remarkably, Dickson, Hammed, Emmanuel, Abiola, Nwanna and Folawiyo, who experienced ice for the first time in Pyeongchang participated in the maiden tryouts in September 2019. Against all odds, Nwanna and Abiola showcased the Nigerian can-do spirit on ice for the first time to claim bronze medals in Women’s Bobsled during the BSFN training camp and competition, in March. The 11 athletes will continue their quest to compete at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, in Europe, where they will join others in qualification races.

THURSDAY, ͻ͸˜ ͺ͸ͺ͹ ˾ T H I S D AY

SPORTS

Ronaldo Grabs Injury-time Winner for Man Utd against Villarreal Juventus begin revival with win against Chelsea. Barca beaten again Cristiano Ronaldo scored an injury-time goal as Manchester United came from behind to beat Villarreal 2-1 in an action-packed Champions League Group F contest at Old Trafford. The victory for the Red Devils

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE revived their chances of qualifying from the group to the knockout as they are tied on same three points as Young Boys with Atalanta just

one point ahead of them. Before Ronaldo’s goal in the 95th-minute Paco Alcacer gave Villarreal the lead in the 53rd

minute in a repeat of last season's Europa League final, won by the Spaniards on penalties. Alex Telles brilliantly volleyed in an equaliser on the hour before Ronaldo struck right at the death as United bounced back from an

opening group stage defeat by Young Boys. Elsewhere, Federico Chiesa proved to be a big game player once again with the only goal in Juventus' 1-0 Champions League win over Chelsea which could kick-start their faltering season. In Group E, Barcelona suffered a second straight 3-0 loss in the Champions League group stage as they were well beaten by Benfica in Lisbon. Now, the struggling LaLiga giants are at the bottom of Group E with no point from two matches.

TODAY B’Munich 5-0 D’Kyiv Benfica 3-0 Barcelona Atalanta 1-0 Young Boys Man Utd 2-1 Villarreal Salzburg 2-1 Lille Wolfsburg 1-1 Sevilla Zenit 4-0 Malmoe Juventus 1-0 Chelsea

Chisora Defends AJ’s Tactics against Oleksandr Usyk

Derek Chisora has leapt to Anthony Joshua's defence over the 31-year-old's disastrous game plan to outbox Oleksandr Usyk during his heavyweight defeat last Saturday. Joshua's decision to ditch his raw power and destructive combinations in favour of a more cautious, tactical approach has left a number of fans and pundits baffled in the aftermath of his disappointing performance. The dominant nature of Usyk's unanimous points victory has left most onlookers dismissive of AJ's chances of avenging the defeat in a rematch, likely to take place early next year. But British veteran Chisora, who spent the final week of AJ's camp with him at his training base, is adamant that Joshua will win the rematch, insisting that there was 'nothing wrong' with the game plan. “He wanted to box the boxer. And if it had gone perfectly, and he had won, we would all be calling him a genius,” Chisora told BT Sport. “It went the other way so we go back to the drawing board

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating scoring the winning goal against Villarreal...last night

Nigeria’s Chess Family Welcomes Africa Champion, Quickpen, from Accra FemiSolaja

The reality of Deborah Quickpen’s achievement at the just concluded African Youth Chess Championship in Accra, Ghana, has started manifesting in her young career as chess players and top administrators were on hand to receive her in Yenagoa, the capital city in Bayelsa State. The entire country’s chess community celebrated the young prodigy for the performance she displayed at the international event where she won eight points and topped her age category and above all, defeated all pretenders in the pool. But when Quickpen returned with her coach, Bomo Kigigha alongside two others from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to the Bayelsa State International Airport, a large crowd of chess players were on hand to receive the new African queen of chess. The nine-year-old Bayelsaborn chess star who amassed 8.0 points, defeated Tunisia’s

Hasnaoui Abrar in her 9th and final game, to be crowned champion ahead of 19 others in the competition that featured players from other African nations. The jubilant crowd received the gold medallist from the Bayelsa International Airport, near Amassoma to the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, accompanied by officials of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Bayelsa State Sports Council amidst solidarity songs and dancing. Addressing the contingent, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Daniel Igali, congratulated Deborah Quickpen and her team for making the state proud. He assured Quickpen of the state’s unrelenting commitment to see her go beyond this level even as she prepares to represent Nigeria next year. He asserted that the state government would do everything possible for Deborah Quickpen to take part in the

World Youth cadet championship in Batumi, Georgia next year having conquered Africa. Earlier, Director of Sports Bayelsa State Sports Council, Sir Braveman Wodi, commended the trio of Shine Ekperi, Deborah Quickpen and Treasure Ebiakpo for the show of dexterity, explaining that the victory had further placed Bayelsa State as a sporting state. Sir Wodi reminisced on how he encouraged Bomo Kigigha to become a champion in chess, saying that Deborah’s success story was incomplete without the continuous support from her parents. Also, convener of Team Deborah Quickpen, Mr Ada Gwegwe thanked the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the Bayelsa State Sports Council for giving little Quickpen the enabling environment to flourish ,calling on the private sector to support her. In an interview, Coach Bomo Kigigha said he sold his properties alongside his wedding ring to ensure that

the lads travelled to Ghana to take part in the showpiece, pointing out that they went to the competition by road due to the non-availability of funds. He explained that three players took part in the annual Africa Youth championship in U-10, U-13 and U-14 but

Deborah Quickpen stood out in the under ten category where she outperformed her Tunisian counterpart to emerge champion. He thanked God for seeing them through the tournament in Ghana, attributing Deborah’s success to divine intervention and commitment to hard work.

Anthony Joshua was forced to go for eye check up after his latest bouts with Oleksandr Osyk... last Sunday.winning goal against Villarreal...last night and he will get it right next time. “The gameplan was the gameplan they worked on, it's not like he just came up with it in the ring on the day, this is what they worked on in the last five or six months. “There was nothing wrong with the gameplan but it just didn't work enough. “He could pull it off in the rematch, it is all up to him. He doesn't have to change drastically, he just has to work more and put more power punches together.” Chisora utilised a much more rugged approach when he took on Usyk last year and caused the 34-year-old problems with his size and weight advantage, but the Ukrainian weathered the storm and took victory on points. “He had his own game plan which was to beat him with boxing,” Chisora added. “My gameplan was to rough him up. I trained to rough Usyk up, he did not train to rough Usyk up. “It just went the wrong way on the night but I believe the rematch will be an amazing fight.”

Little Deborah Quickpen (with the trophy) flanked by chess aficionados and officials of the Bayelsa State Sports Council on her return from conquering the rest of the continent at the Championship in Accra, Ghana...recently

Thursday, September 30, 2021

UT H

& RE A S O

Price: N250

MISSILE Nyesom Wike to Godswill Akpabio “NDDC has been a cash cow for politicians. You will see competition over who will be the Managing Director, Executive Director (Finance), Executive Director (Projects). These are people who will make sure money is available for politics. You have portfolio contractors from Abuja. Every now and then, the Managing Director will be running to Abuja”— Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) under the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio

OLUSEGUNADENIYI THE VERDICT

olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

‘Nigeria @ 61 No Be Moi-moi’ T

omorrow marks Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary. While we lament about what might have been and politicians play their usual games that contribute nothing to the welfare of people, let me confess straightaway that the copyright for the title of this piece is not mine. But there is an interesting backstory to it. Late in July this year, I received a call from the Director, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage, Dr. Baba Gana Adam. He informed me that I had been nominated to chair a panel of Judges for an essay competition with the theme, ‘60 Years of our Togetherness: Nigeria Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.’ It is part of the activities initiated last October by President Muhammadu Buhari when he inaugurated an inter-ministerial committee headed by Secretary to the Government (SGF) of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, to plan and organise a befitting 60th anniversary celebration that would last one year. The idea of the essay competition, according to Adam who headed the task team of the sub-committee, was to “celebrate exceptional writing skills of young Nigerians, while also projecting a greater Nigeria to the world at large.” Notwithstanding his patronizing words about the selection of Judges, I was inclined to decline the offer. If the idea was coming so late in the day (the year-long ceremony will end today, 30th September with a ceremony at the Villa), then the essay competition must have been an afterthought. But Adam followed up with a visit to my office where he explained the reasons for the delay which I could relate with given my own experience in government. What eventually tipped my hand was membership of the panel of Judges. All are highly regarded, including the editor-in-chief of 21st Century Chronicle, Mahmud Jega, cultural affairs specialist, United States Embassy, Bella Anne Ndubuisi, chair of the Blueprint Newspaper editorial board, Zainab Suleiman Okino, author and digital entrepreneur, Japheth J. Omojuwa and public affairs analyst and writer, Gimba Kakanda. I accepted the assignment on two conditions. One, there would be no announcement of the names of judges to avoid any controversy that might detract from the essay competition and preserve its integrity. Two, I suggested that the subcommittee work with a consultant who would help publicise the competition, receive and collate entries and present a shortlist of the best 50 entries for us (panel of Judges) to choose from. This elimination stage was to consider the extent of the participants’ attention to the theme of the competition, depth and originality of ideas, clarity of thought and mastery of the use and mechanics of English which remains our Lingua Franca. The consultant was also expected to deploy digital tools that would automatically weed out plagiarized entries. After preliminary meetings of the Judges, subcommittee members and the consultant, I suggested that Gimba collaborate with the government team to simplify our work in the interest of time. His assignment was to assist in the process of drawing up a list of outstanding entries which each of the Judges

Mustapha

would then grade before determining the average scores. That turned out to be a good decision. Gimba’s concise review of submissions was not only apt, it helped us when taking the final decision. With each Judge grading the 50 entries, we concluded that aspect of our assignment at the weekend, collated scores on Monday and held a virtual meeting on Tuesday to review the entire process and outcome. At the end, we decided that we would be doing a great disservice to ourselves and the nation if we shortlisted anybody for prizes, given the poor quality of essays. The abysmal lack of attention to detail, as Jega for instance pointed out, is best reflected in the fact that the entry with the highest score (the winner) wrote that Nigeria attained independence in 1690! Jega’s other concern was that the age bar of 35 was even too high as a qualification for the competition. “Some professors are in that age bracket.” But the question that informed the decision we eventually took was: How will Nigerians feel when reading a winning entry that begins with ‘according to dictionary’? The conclusion, and Gimba had earlier pointed this out to me, was that the quality of entries could be attributed to the reach of promoted calls for submission on social media and not necessarily a reflection of the standard of Nigerians within the targeted age bracket. A total of 1062 entries were received, but we felt there was not sufficient awareness about the competition. “Either the platforms targeted for publicising the campaign aren’t sold on the mouth-watering prizes for winners or interrogating Nigeria, to quote from the first line of one of the rejected entries, ‘no be moi-moi’,” Gimba wrote in his mail to

me after the preliminary task. Readers of course can now see where the headline for my column came from. For the competition, the first prize would win a million Naira, a MacBook, three-month internet subscription, branded laptop bag, journal and stationery. The second prize wins N750,000, HP Laptop, branded backpack, three-month internet subscription, journal and stationery. The third prize would take home N500,000, a Zinox laptop, three-month internet subscription, journal and stationery. Seven others would win a consolation prize of N100,000 each. However, since today marks the eve of Nigeria’s 61st anniversary, let me share some of the observations garnered from the essays, including the hundreds that did not make the cut. A majority of the entries were repetitive summaries of Nigeria’s history, with authors even citing Wikipedia as the source of their information. So rampant was intellectual theft that excerpts from a particular piece published in The Guardian of 5th October 2020 titled ‘Nigeria… yesterday, today and tomorrow’ authored by a certain Dr Cosmas Ilechukwu were serially lifted by at least a dozen participants. Two entries copied and pasted the entire article for submission! More disturbing is the absence of critical thinking and logical reasoning. In most of the entries that proffer solutions to Nigeria’s ethno-religious and regional fault-lines and our development dilemma, there was a disconnect between the content of the essays and the overall conclusions reached. For instance, some writers began with the assertion that Nigeria is ‘the best country on the planet’ or ‘the giant of Africa’ yet concluded with the usual cynicism and defeatism that nothing will change. At the end, what was intended to be an intellectual exercise to identify the best of thinking on Nigeria’s past, present and future strikes one as a series of audacious parody. Not surprisingly, the recurring thesis in the entries was the fatalistic resolve that Nigeria’s future rests not on the efforts of citizens but rather on divine intervention! In his impression of the entries, Gimba said they “fail to interrogate Nigeria’s welldocumented dysfunctions and, instead of inspiring sober reflections, they are a sad commentary on the dearth of intellectual ambition that characterises Nigeria’s education system and knowledge production today.” Despite that brutal summation which I find difficult to fault, Gimba also concedes: “It would’ve been convenient to conclude that the demonstrated lack of basic writing skills and civic education is a genuine reflection or sample of the generation’s best. But Nigerians within the declared age bracket (18 - 35) have been active in cerebral discussions and contributing to inspiring debates around people and policy in the media.” I agree with Gimba. My experience, grading such scripts in the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship (KIF) programme of the Kaduna State Government and the Aigboje AigImoukhuede-inspired African Institute for Governance (AIG)—which annually awards scholarships to six Nigerians and Ghanaians to study at the Oxford University Balvatnik School of Government—attests to the brilliance

of our nationals in the age cohort. So, the entries received for this competition do not present a fair representation of the quality of minds. It remains the responsibility of Adam and his subcommittee to decide how to proceed, but our counsel is that it would be better if the exercise was extended and some of the criteria tinkered with. There are bigger concerns though. In a country where it has become convenient to label people in order to discount their humanity and value, many of the entries are a rehash of the sabre rattling that we see on social media. On full display is the familiar bigotry and usual blame game that defines this season. Many also reflect the national mood of despondency. The dramatic opening line in one of the entries sums this up: “As I sit to write down this essay, I am tempted to sugar coat it, make it sound like what you’d wish to hear. Add a couple of lies here and there, so this article doesn’t get disqualified. However, my conscience would prick me till I bled…” Going by the last Baseline Youth Survey undertaken by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Nigerians within the age bracket of 18 to 35 represent about 35.6 percent of the population. This is a critical demographic when you look at the numbers (more than 70 million Nigerians) and their productive capacity. The downside is that in our country today, this demographic group is the most marginalised in terms of access to opportunities for self-advancement (education, employment, financial/institutional support for creative ideas etc.) and political representation. It is therefore no surprise that most of the professionals who now emigrate out of the country are within this demographic group. Using the inherent lessons in Ursula K. Le Guin’s short story, ‘The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas’ in her 1974 collection, ‘The Wind’s Twelve Quarters’, I am tempted to believe that many of our young people shunned the competition because they are not interested in engaging Nigeria. I hope for the sake of our country that I am wrong. A major theme in the Omelas’ thesis, one very popular literature in Aspen leadership classes, is how different people within a given society accept certain norms while others simply walk away. This is the road most often travelled by a majority of the elite in any decadent society. Overall, there is a way in which the essays mirror not only the frustrations of this demographic but also the reality of our existence today as a nation. The common thread in virtually all entries is that in Nigeria government does not work for the people and those at the helm do not care about the plight of the downtrodden. My take-away from the essays is that the social dynamics of our country suggest that we cannot continue in the way we manage our affairs. If there is no drastic redirection, not only will the judgement of history be harsh on our leaders at all levels and in all spheres, we stand the risk of losing our country. Happy Independence Nigeria! NOTE: Please see tribute to the late Dr Chike Akunyili on page 15

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