TUESDAY 6TH OCTOMBER 2020

European Union Backs Okonjo-Iweala for WTO DG Obinna Chima with agency report The European Union (EU) governments yesterday expressed support for Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s candidate for the position of the Director-General (DG) of

the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as the race enters the final month.

In addition, Bloomberg disclosed that the EU governments selected the South Korean candidate, Yoo Myung-hee, who is the country’s trade minister, as the

second contender for the job, the bloc would be supporting.

The WTO’s General Council is expected to meet today to reduce the five candidates still in the race for DG to two.

EU member-country envoys agreed yesterday in Brussels to endorse Okonjo-Iweala,

Nigeria’s former finance minister, and Yoo Myung-hee, South Korea’s trade chief, in their bids, to become WTO director-general, Bloomberg quoted an official familiar with the matter.

Hungary swung behind the planned recommendation after

being the only EU country to withhold support at a lower-level meeting last Friday of officials representing the 27-nation bloc, the person said on the condition of anonymity because the deliberations were confidential.

Five candidates are still in

the running to lead the WTO. It plans to announce two finalists after October 6 and name a winner by November 7.

Brazilian Roberto Azevedo had stepped down from the job Continued on page 8

Analysts Fault 2021 Budget Estimates Benchmarks... Page 6 Tuesday 6 October, 2020 Vol 25. No 9311. Price: N250

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Be Patient, Seek Reform of Legislations, Buhari Tells Aggrieved Nigerians We accept rubber stamp label for good governance, says Lawan Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to Nigerians to be patient and seek reform of some laws of the land which they have misgivings about, in line with democratic practices.

This is coming as the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, has frowned at those describing the National Assembly as a

rubber stamp, saying that if such label is the price the lawmakers will pay for working harmoniously with the executive to ensure good governance, then it is acceptable.

Buhari made the appeal yesterday in Abuja at the two-day joint executivelegislative retreat designed to promote harmonious working Continued on page 8

Ize-Iyamu Forecloses Challenging Obaseki’s Victory at Tribunal To continue pre-election cases against Edo gov Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja and Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 19 Edo State governorship election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu,

has disclosed that he would not challenge the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the election petition tribunal but would continue to pursue the two pre-election Continued on page 8

COLLABORATING FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE… L-R: Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; and President Muhammadu Buhari during the executive and legislative retreat in Abuja…yesterday godwin omoigui

Purge Yourself of Dictatorial Tendencies, Adebanjo, Others Tell Buhari...Page 5

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

Purge Yourself of Dictatorial Tendencies, Adebanjo, Others Tell Buhari

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Segun James in Lagos An elder statesman and chieftain of the apex Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo; South and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF); and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to purge himself of dictatorial tendencies.

Reacting to the presidency’s reaction to the calls on Buhari to restructure the country, the public opinion leader and groups asked the president to be more tolerant dissenting public opinion.

The SMBLF in a statement signed by Mr. Yinka Odumakin (South-west), Chief Guy Ikokwu (South-east), Senator Bassey Henshaw (South-south) and Dr. Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), stressed that its attention had been drawn "to the very uncouth and rude warning” issued by a presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, to patriotic organisations and responsible individuals like respected Pastor

Enoch Adeboye over their admonition that the government should restructure the country to avert a break-up.

It said: "Sounding like the spokesman of Pharaoh in ancient Egypt, Shehu dismissed the recurring agitations as unpatriotic outbursts.

“If Garba Shehu is not lexically challenged, he should know that those calling for restructuring are more patriotic than those running Nigeria towards implosion.

"We are perturbed that instead of giving assurances about rebuilding the country towards inclusivity, the regime is talking down on Nigeria in very intemperate language.

“We want to make it clear to the regime that it cannot cow us by using cantonment approach to national issues.

We will not accept turning us to second class citizens on our land not even with threats of arrests or assassinations.”

PANDEF described the presidency's reaction as brash, reckless, and dictatorial, adding:

"It is rather preposterous that the presidency would refer to eminent and patriotic Nigerians as enemies of the country, and also unfortunate that Messrs Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu have made themselves uncouth attack dogs.”

The group in a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Ken Robinson, further stated that: "We are in a constitutional democracy, and not dictatorship; they should watch their words.

Nigeria is in the middle of a mist, nobody can tell what comes next. The call for restructuring of the country is a patriotic call; and it is in the interest of the nation. The

stark reality is that if we don't restructure Nigeria, the country will restructure itself.

"Only beneficiaries of the present skewed and lopsided structure of the country are against the clamour for the restructuring of Nigeria.

PANDEF would warn that the country cannot continue in the way and manner the affairs of state are being conducted; whereby a section of the country is considered superior to other parts. And where a presidential fiat in the form a Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative would guarantee persons in some parts of the country to ‘mine and refine ‘their gold’,

and sell to the Central Bank of Nigeria, while natural resources in other parts of the country are for everybody, with host communities benefiting little or nothing.”

PANDEF urged Buhari to heed the voice of Nigerians, and to without any further delay, begin a constructive dialogue process on the restructuring of the country to guarantee harmonious and peaceful coexistence.

The group noted that the extant structure of Nigeria has become grossly defective and inappropriate for a heterogeneous society like Nigeria.

Adebanjo accused Buhari of implementing a ‘Fulanisation’ agenda.

"If Pastor Adeboye, Professor Wole Soyinka, Aare Afe Babalola, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Edwin Clark, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Chief John Nwodo, Dr. Pogu (Bitrus) and many other distinguished Nigerians' calls to restructure now or break up is blackmail and intimidation then President Buhari has confirmed the view of patriotic Nigerians who have accused him of not being interested in a United Nigeria but in his private agenda of Fulanisation of Nigeria," Adebanjo told THISDAY.

Abdulsalami Committee Sues for Peaceful Poll INEC promises free, fair election

Chuks Okocha and Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Peace Committee (NPC) led by a former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure free, fair, credible and peaceful governorship poll in Ondo State.

The electoral body has, however, reassured the people of Ondo State that their votes will count in Saturday’s election.

The NPC, in a statement signed by Abdulsalami, called on every stakeholder in the October 10, 2020 election to live up to the principles of impartiality, neutrality and statesmanship.

The Peace Committee particularly urged the candidates, the security agencies, the INEC, the civil societies, the traditional rulers and the citizens of Ondo State to support the peace process in the state.

The NPC recalled its role in the 2015 and 2019 elections, including the just-concluded Edo State Governorship Election, urging electoral stakeholders in the state to support the committee in ensuring a peaceful election.

“To navigate Nigeria’s political landscape is tough, and to contribute to free, fair and credible elections is even more complex. Since 2015, and in line with its mandate, the National Peace Committee (NPC), has supported and contributed immensely to peaceful elections in Nigeria.

“The period immediately preceding the 2015 general elections, Nigeria was rife with speculations that the elections would lead to the country’s ultimate disintegration. The committee worked tirelessly to support peaceful elections and facilitate a non-violent transfer of power. In the same vein, the political process leading up to the 2019 elections created severe fears and concerns. Once again, the convening power of the National Peace Committee was called upon for intervention.

The committee not only

supported peaceful elections at the national level in 2019 but extended its commitment to support peaceful governorship elections in Adamawa, Kano, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi and Plateau states.

“The efforts of the committee culminated in its contribution to the success of the governorship election in Edo State. It is for this reason that all the members of the Peace Committee are committed to supporting a free, fair, credible and peaceful election in Ondo State. The Peace Committee, therefore, calls on all stakeholders, the candidates, the security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the civil societies, the traditional rulers and the citizens of Ondo State to support the peace process in the State. Every stakeholder should live up to the principles of impartiality, neutrality and statesmanship,” the NPC explained.

The NPC further urged everyone participating in the election to abide by the COVID-19 regulations and keep the process safe during the election.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, yesterday assured stakeholders and voters in Ondo State that their voters will count in the October 10 governorship election.

According to the INEC chairman, "Our commitment is to ensure that the choice of who becomes the next Governor of Ondo State is entirely in the hands of the voters. I wish to assure all eligible voters that every vote will count and only the choice made by the people of Ondo State will determine the outcome of the election.

"I want to assure political parties and candidates that we will remain focused on our processes and procedures. Let me reiterate to all stakeholders that the commission will not take any action to the advantage or disadvantage of any political party or candidate."

EXECUTIVE-LEGISLATIVE COOPERATION… L-R: Senator Uche Ekwunife; Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; and Minister of State Federal Capital Territory, Ms. Ramatu Tijjani, during the executive and legislative retreat in Abuja…yesterday godwin omoigui

Ondo Election: IG to Deploy 33,783 Policemen Vows to sustain FSARS reforms Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Victor Ogunje in Ado-Ekiti Ahead of the October 10 governorship election in Ondo State, the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, yesterday authorised the deployment of 33, 783 personnel for the purposes of election security.

Adamu has also reaffirmed his commitment to the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force especially as it concerns the activities of the Federal Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) and other special tactical units of the force.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Akure ahead of the election, Adamu, said the deployment would comprise 30,933 conventional police personnel and 2,850 special police units.

He said the police deployment would be complemented by an additional 3,500 manpower that will be drawn from other security agencies.

The IG said the personnel would be deployed to secure the 3,009 polling units in 203 Wards spread over the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

He said the security agents would provide protection for the personnel and assets of the Independent National

Electoral Commission (INEC), the electorate, and the residents of Ondo State in general before, during and after the elections.

"In order to mitigate the identified threats, we shall be deploying, aside from our intelligence assets, a total of 33,783 police personnel on election security duty in Ondo State.

"This will comprise of 30,933 conventional police personnel and 2,850 special police units.

The Police deployment will be complemented by an additional 3,500 manpower that will be drawn from other security agencies", he said.

Adamu said the military would be engaged for the purpose of securing the interstate borders while the Nigeria Police Air Wing would provide air surveillance.

"These personnel shall be deployed to adequately secure the 3,009 Polling Units (PUs) in 203 Wards spread over the 18 local government areas of the state.

"They are to protect the personnel and assets of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the electorates, and residents of Ondo State in general before, during and after the elections", he said.

The police boss said the measures were undertaken after

security threat assessment and all the flashpoints and actors engaged in or planning to threaten the electoral process in Ondo State whom he said were identified and strategies emplaced to frustrate their criminal, unpatriotic and undemocratic intentions.

"As we are all aware, there have been pockets of violent attacks by political opponents against each other in some areas in the state particularly in Akoko and Ipele axis.

"As condemnable as these incidents are, because electioneering campaigns are avenues for the candidates to market their manifestos to the electorates and not arenas of conflicts", he said, warning that "it would appear that those bent on causing political crises in the State are clearly testing our collective will to decisively deal with such threats.

"It is on that note that I hereby warn violence mongers to immediately desist from their uncharitable deviant activities" or be prepared to face the consequences.

He maintained that "political actors and law-abiding electorate that are desirous of a peaceful election in Ondo State can rest assured of optimal security as they exercise their electoral rights".

The IG said the deployment was aimed at denying misguided political actors that might be bent on threatening the elections through acts that are inimical to the dictates of the Electoral Act, the pleasure of manifesting their ignoble traits.

"We are, by the deployment, sending a strong warning that the Nigeria Police and other security agencies are resolute to bring recalcitrant characters threatening the process to justice no matter their status in the society or political affiliation", he said.

Meanwhile, Adamu, yesterday reaffirmed his commitment to the ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force especially as it concerns the activities of the FSARS and other special tactical units of the force.

The IG spoke during a courtesy call on him by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sunday Dare, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

A police statement said the IG called on the citizens to exercise patience as the reforms in FSARS and others were in progress, noting that all the already announced measures aimed at checkmating a future occurrence of extra-judicial activities by some personnel of FSARS and other tactical units of the force would be followed to the letter.

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Analysts Fault 2021 Budget Estimates Benchmarks Obinna Chima and Nume Ekeghe As President Muhammadu Buhari prepares to lay before the National Assembly this week, the N13.09 trillion 2021 Appropriation Bill that was proposed last week by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), some analysts have faulted some of the assumptions on which the proposed spending plan was predicated upon.

Speaking in separate interviews with THISDAY, they argued that some of the assumptions did not take into consideration the present reality.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, had said the proposed budget has an N2.083 trillion capital expenditure estimate.

According to her, the budget proposal expected to be presented to the National Assembly this week

is predicated on N379/$ exchange rate, oil benchmark of $40 per barrel, oil production volume of 1.86 million per day, including 400,000 condensate, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of three per cent and 11.95 per cent inflation rate.

The minister, who said the budget, would run on N4.48 trillion deficits, put the revenue target in the fiscal year at N7.9 trillion.

But the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Mr. Bismarck Rewane, faulted the benchmark oil price, saying based on current crude oil price, a $40 barrel per day projection was too optimistic.

Brent Crude price closed at $41 per barrel yesterday.

According to Rewane, “normally, you would allow at least 20 per cent headroom between the spot price and your benchmark price. If you are to take 20 per cent headroom, which means the oil benchmark should be about

$32 per barrel.

“Then, you give room for negotiation with the National Assembly. Let’s say all things being equal the lawmakers could add $3 and you end up at about $35 per barrel. “That gives you enough headroom.

Now you are proposing $40 per barrel and crude oil price even dropped to $39 per barrel last week. So, I think it is too ambitious because in the oil market you never know what would happen.”

Furthermore, he argued that the federal government’s estimated crude oil production volume was also overtly ambitious, explaining that presently, Nigeria’s production quota is 1.4 million barrels per day.

“So, I would have preferred to see 1.6 million barrels per day as production volume and $32 per barrel as the benchmark price,” he said.

In terms of the N379/$I, which the budget was predicated upon, Rewane said: “I think we should have an exchange rate-determining mechanism. If you are going to unify the exchange rates, it is definitely not going to be around N379 to a dollar. I don’t want to give an exchange rate, but I think we need a flexible exchange rate. But generally speaking, it is a countercyclical budget, which is good. There is growth in the expenditure, both in naira and dollar terms.”

A Senior Economist/Head of Research and Strategy,

Greenwich Merchant Bank, Mr. Ayodeji Ebo, said the exchange rate benchmark does not align with current realities in the forex market and was a complete deviation from the federal government’s step to unify the exchange rates.

“The oil production seems overly optimistic, given the OPEC cut in oil output,” he added.

The Managing Director, Afrinvest Research, Mr. Abiodun Keripe, said: “The exchange rate peg is insufficient as the prospects for recovery in the value of the naira remains weak. I assume that the government is being mindful of signalling a weak outlook for the naira.”

The Head of Investment

Research at Sigma Pensions, Mr. Wale Okunrinboye, said: “Where I would have an issue is with the non-oil assumption.

That is where I suspect they might have made an overoptimistic assumption. The economy is recovering and the potential revenue you can gain from businesses is much lower than you would gain normally.

“It is a bigger budget and I don’t see our non-oil revenue growing as fast as the estimates in the proposed budget; so, there is probable room for disappointment in that front in 2021 just because of the pandemic and I am not sure the economy would have recovered strongly by next year.”

Osinbajo: 4,000 Trucks Now Run on Gas

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the plan by the federal government to convert cars of Nigerians to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) will start with commercial vehicles.

He said the plan was already being experimented in Edo State where he said Dangote firm has converted 4,000 trucks to run on gas.

According to a statement issued yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, the Vice-President disclosed this during an interview with State House correspondents on Sunday.

The statement was titled “President understands pains of Nigerians, working out further palliatives -VP Osinbajo.”

Osinbajo was quoted as describing the plan as one of the strategies the federal government is adopting to make energy cheaper for Nigerians to carry out their daily activities.

He said: “One of the ways is by using Compressed Natural Gas. Government has committed to do the conversion. First of all, we are starting with commercial vehicles.

“Most commercial transporters will have the capacity to use both gas and petrol. That is already being done experimentally in Edo State.

“Dangote, for instance, has converted all his trucks to the use of CNG, and that is 4,000 or even more of those trucks. It is not a particularly difficult thing to do for the commercial transporters, it may be expensive for the individual but that is also part of the commitment of government, to be able to do the conversion, and the price of gas comes at about almost half the price of petrol.”

The Vice President said the government is also currently involved in other ways to reduce the burden on Nigerians, saying nobody

expected a downturn in the economic fortunes of the country occasioned by the fallouts of COVID-19 pandemic.

He added, “We had 12 consecutive quarters of growth before the pandemic, we were all expecting that 2020 will be the best year, since the beginning of the administration, but here we are, faced with challenges, global challenges, we also have our own peculiar problems.

“But the important thing is that the President and the government are committed completely in ensuring that Nigerians do not suffer needlessly and in whatever way it is possible, we will reduce the burden on Nigerians.

“President Muhammadu Buhari understands the pains and burdens Nigerians are going through because of the economic aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic and that is why the federal government is considering palliatives that can offer succour to the people.

According to Osinbajo, “we fully understand that we must have a way of ensuring that the pain that people feel, the economic difficulty that people are going through, that we are able to address those as much as possible.

“Which is why even in our current discussions with Labour, one of the issues we are looking at include, what sort of palliatives are possible for the Nigerian people. In what ways can we reduce the burden and how quickly can we do so.”

He added, “We fully understand that we must have a way of ensuring that the pain that people feel, the economic difficulty that people are going through, that we are able to address those as much as possible.

“This is why, even in our current discussions with Labour, one of the issues we are looking at include, what sort of palliatives are possible for the Nigerian people. In what ways can we reduce the burden and how quickly can we do so?”

OILY PARLEY...

L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Seplat Petroleum Development Company Plc, Mr. Emeka Onwuka; Chairman, SEPLAT, Dr. ABC Orjiako; Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari; and Chief Executive Officer, SEPLAT, Mr. Roger Brown, during a courtesy visit by SEPLAT officials to the NNPC in Abuja…yesterday

A’Court Judgment: PSC to Meet on Fate of 10,000 Constables Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Police Service Commission (PSC) said yesterday that it would meet to take a decision on the controversial 2019 recruitment of 10,000 constables by the Nigerian Police Force and the on-going 2020 recruitment into the constable cadre of the force.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, affirmed the constitutional powers of the PSC to appoint persons into the Nigeria Police Force.

This is coming as the new Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the commission, Mr. Abubakar Ismaila, yesterday assumed duties with a promise to change the narrative in the public service and run an all-inclusive administration where staff welfare would be paramount.

A statement signed by the spokesman of the commission, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, said: “The commission will soon meet to take a decision on the implications of the judgment and the way forward. It will continue to ensure that its operations are

guided by established laws.

"The commission has continued to receive several calls on the fate of the 2019 and the ongoing 2020 recruitment into the constable cadre of the Nigeria Police Force already declared null and void by the judgment.

“The commission expressed satisfaction with the judgment stating that it was a victory for the rule of law.

"The commission sees the judgment as victory for the rule of law and has always believed in the supremacy of the law.

"The commission is happy with the judgment and will continue to work with the Nigeria Police Force for the collective good of the nation."

The Inspector General of Police had on Friday approached the Supreme Court urging it to upturn Wednesday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal, which nullified the recruitment of 10,000 constables conducted by the Nigeria Police Force last year.

The appellants filed the notice of appeal on three grounds with an application for stay of execution of the

Court of Appeal’s judgment.

The judgment delivered

by Justice Olabisi Ige had unanimously held that the IG and the NPF lacked the power to recruit the constables.

The three-man panel ruled that the Police Service Commission had the exclusive power to conduct the recruitment exercise and nullified the one carried out by the police.

Meanwhile, a new Permanent Secretary/ Secretary to the Police Service Commission, Ismaila, assumed duties at the commission with a promise to change the narrative in the public service and run an all-inclusive administration where staff welfare would be taking seriously.

Speaking at the hand over ceremony, Ismaila said he would work to change the narrative that the public service is an institution where anything happens, stressing that he would insist that things would be done within the boundaries of the extant laws.

He noted that public servants must be above board.

Ismaila said he was aware of the enormity of the challenges in the commission but promised to do his best to take it to the next level.

“We have to come together as a team to discharge this onerous assignment,” he said.

The new permanent secretary also called for support and cooperation from the staff of the commission promising to carry every staff along and make every staff count.

“My plan is that everyone that matter is carried along, but I need your maximum support”, he noted.

Earlier, the Director, Department of Police Discipline, Mr. Emmanuel Ibe, who held brief in the commission narrated the state of affairs in the commission and briefed the new chief accounting officer of the judgment of the Court of Appeal that affirmed the commission’s constitutional mandate to appoint persons into offices in the Nigeria Police Force.

Ibe pledged the support and cooperation of the staff and prayed for him in his new and challenging office.

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PAGE EIGHT EUROPEAN UNION BACKS OKONJO-IWEALA FOR WTO DG at the end of August - a year before his term ended. The Geneva-based trade body faces headwinds from the coronavirus pandemic, the United States-China trade battle, a hobbled arbitration system and a lack of tools to tackle growing challenges such as industrial subsidies.

Okonjo-Iweala; Saudi Arabia’s former Minister of Economy and Planning, Mohammad Al-Tuwaijri; UK’s former Secretary of State for International Trade, Liam Fox; Yoo Myung-hee; and Kenya’s former International Trade

Minister, Amina Mohammed are the aspirants still in the race.

The remaining five contenders are either current or former ministers, something that trade officials had previously said was an important characteristic for a future director-general.

Okonjo-Iweala’s high p ro f e s s i o n a l / p e r s o n a l qualities, international contacts and impeccable records as Nigeria’s former Finance minister/ Foreign Affairs minister and as former managing director of the World Bank,

stand her high above other contestants, pundits familiar with the voting preferences of WTO’s Governing Council had argued.

Okonjo-Iweala is a renowned global finance expert, an economist and international development professional with over 30 years of experience, having worked in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America.

She is presently the Chair of the Board of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. Since its creation in 2000, GAVI has immunised over 760 million

children across the globe. She also sits on the boards of Standard Chartered Plc and Twitter Inc. She was recently appointed African Union Special Envoy to mobilise international financial support in the fight against COVID-19, as well as Envoy for the World Health Organisation’s access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, recently appointed Okonjo-Iweala to serve as a member of her newlyestablished External Advisory

Group.

In addition, Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s Finance minister, from 2003-2006 and 2011-2015 and briefly as Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.

She had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the number two position of Managing Director (Operations).

As Finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala steered Nigeria through the varying degree of reforms, particularly on

macroeconomic, trade, financial and real sector issues.

As Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank, her several portfolios included oversight responsibility for the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia.

Okonjo-Iweala spearheaded several World Bank initiatives to assist low-income countries during the 2008-2009 food crises and later in the trying period of the global financial crisis

capital of Edo State by the PDP state Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, the party stated that the reality on the ground now is that the state has been reset and all hands are needed to sustain the gains of the last four years and move the state to greater heights.

According to the party, "It is not for the benevolence of the butcher that we have meat on the table, it is for his own selfish interest!

"We read a press statement credited to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, where he declared that he will not contest his defeat at the election petition tribunal but continue the cases he instituted against the PDP and Governor Godwin Obaseki.

"While we hold that Ize-Iyamu has the right to approach the courts for whatever reason, it is trite for him to allude to the cases the PDP filed against him as the reason for his actions.

This attempt to justify legal action against the PDP

and Governor Obaseki is disingenuous and destined to fail.

"As they say, hope is the currency of politicians. We are aware that the only currency left to share within the APC and EPM (Edo Peoples Movement) is the currency of hope. The futile pre-election matter is to act as oxygen for the few remaining Edo people still in APC/EPM bondage.

They are to be fed hope as a strategy so that the shackles fitted to their ankles and wrists can be maintained.

"The defeated APC candidate stated that the election, which has been adjudged as one of the best in the history of the country, was characterised by violence, manipulation, disenfranchisement amongst others, but will not challenge it. We reject and condemn his jaundiced position on the election and wish to advise him to show respect to the wishes of Edo people. He should respect their views and decisions as Edo people have been very kind to him."

Assembly is how do we work with the executive to make Nigeria better?

“If the price to pay is the names that we get, then, let it be, because, we believe that Nigerians deserve better service, better infrastructure and it is difficult if not impossible to achieve a meaningful development in this country or any democracy without understanding and harmony in the way and manner the two arms of government work.

“So far, we have been doing this for over 12 months. So, it’s time to review this partnership and see the weaknesses in the relationship and the areas we have achieved so much and say this relationship has worked and have achieved some level of improved service delivery.’’

According to him, the retreat will present opportunities to review and strengthen areas of weaknesses.

He, therefore, expressed the hope that the next two days both arms would talk to each other in “a frank and truthful manner because what we do here impact significantly on the polity, governance, and Nigerians deserve to have what we promised them.’’

Also speaking, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, said both arms needed to work symbiotically to deliver the dividends of

democracy to the people.

“This two-day engagement will do nothing but to strengthen the relationship between these two critical arms of government and enhance it so that people will be better for it.

“I believe it will be frank, truthful, we will speak truth to each other and I believe the outcome will be to the benefit of all Nigerians,’’ he said.

IZE-IYAMU FORECLOSES CHALLENGING OBASEKI’S VICTORY AT TRIBUNAL cases he had filed to challenge the eligibility of Obaseki to contest the election.

He added that his decision to continue with the cases followed the decision of the PDP and its candidate to continue to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against himself and the APC. Ize-Iyamu in a statement issued yesterday said even though the governorship election in the state was characterised by malpractices, he decided not to challenge the outcome because of the pronouncement by the leadership of the party and highly-placed individuals endorsing the election.

He, however, stressed that contrary to what he described as orchestrated media reports, the election was neither free nor fair.

He alleged that there were several episodes of violence, voter intimidation and falsification of results.

According to him, there were unlawful cancellations of results particularly from Urhonigbe South and North in Orhiomwon

Local Government Area, while results were falsified from many polling units in Ofunama in Ovia South West, and in parts of Ovia North East, Owan West, Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha, Esan North East, Esan West, Esan South East, and Uhunmwode Local Government Areas.

He stated: "These malpractices could easily form the basis to challenge the election results. We have, however, decided not to commence an election petition. This is to avoid further tension in the state.

“We are also mindful that the leadership of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and many well-placed individuals have made pronouncements endorsing the process, which we have chosen to respect."

Ize-Iyamu alleged that two persons were killed during the election, while gun-wielding thugs took over collation centres in many locations without the intervention of lawenforcement agents.

He claimed that there were also several cases of

malfunctioning card readers, which disenfranchised duly registered voters, in addition to many cases of unregistered voters voting with pre-purchased voters' cards not collected by their actual owners.

He said: "Nonetheless, we must emphasise that elections are far more than actual voting, just as democracy includes more than just elections. It is in this light that we draw attention to the fact that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its flag bearer have continued to pursue several pre-election suits in various courts against us, all totalling 13. One of such cases came up in the High Court, Benin on October 2, 2020, days after the election.

"On our part, we had filed two pre-election cases against the PDP and its flag bearer, challenging their eligibility to contest the election. These are all lawful and integral parts of the electoral process in any democracy, which we must all respect and acknowledge as genuine democrats.

"The outcome of these pending cases has a direct effect on the election.

Consequently, we have decided to continue with our pre-election cases in full exercise of our legal rights, just as our opponents have considered it their prerogative to also, continue with their pre-election cases against us."

Pre-election Matters False Hope, Says Edo PDP Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the pursuant of pre-election matters as a futile attempt by IzeIyamu to give hope to his defeat in the September 19 governorship election.

The party noted that Ize-Iyamu should know he cannot retrieve what he lost at the polls at the court, adding that the PDP and Obaseki, as well as the Edo people, are waiting for him.

In a statement issued yesterday in Benin City,

BE PATIENT, SEEK REFORM OF LEGISLATIONS, BUHARI TELLS AGGRIEVED NIGERIANS relationship between the two arms of government.

The new Company and Allied Matters Act 2020 (CAMA) signed into law by the president on August 7, had been generating negative comments from various quarters, including religious leaders.

The contentious part of the law is Section 839 (1) and (2) which empowers the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to suspend trustees of an association (including places of worship) and appoint interim managers to manage the affairs of the association for some given reasons.

Prominent church leaders have criticised some sections of CAMA 2020 and called for its urgent review.

But the president had in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, explained that CAMA 2020 would entrench transparency and corporate accountability and enhance the fight against corruption.

Apart from CAMA 2020, the controversy generated by the controversial National Water Resources Bill also forced the House of Representatives to withdraw it for representation to the lawmakers.

However, Buhari yesterday reminded the citizens that the process of law-making and governance are dynamic, promising that his administration would continue to promote and

ensure justice, peace, and progress in the country.

He said: “Let me also remind our fellow patriots, countrymen, and women that the process of law-making and governance are dynamic and ever-evolving.

“I will seek their indulgence to be patient with any legislation or law which they have certain misgivings about and engage the process for reviewing such law in line with democratic practices.

“Our interest is the sincere promotion of our collective will and aspirations to build a nation where justice, peace, and progress are the norms.’’

Speaking on the executive/ legislative partnership, Buhari stressed the need for more effective collaboration between the two arms of government to share ideas and build consensus on critical governance and policy issues.

He noted that the retreat offered an opportunity for the two arms to reflect and engage as one government, for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Buhari said: “I believe that the principle of separation of powers as enshrined in our constitution is designed to enable all arms of government to work together in a cooperative and collaborative manner, through executive and legislative engagements.

“Let me thank the leadership and members of the ninth National Assembly for the cordial and warm

relationship we have enjoyed in the last year.”

“The quick passage of the 2020 budget and its review in response to the Coronavirus pandemic and the timely confirmation of my nominees and passage of critical legislations by the National Assembly are all testament to your willingness and commitment to play your part towards delivering effective services to Nigerians “There is a compelling need to sustain and strengthen this partnership by creating platforms for regular dialogue, consultation, and interaction between the Executive and the Legislature to share ideas and build consensus on critical governance and policy issues.

“This approach will enhance coordination within government and strengthen our capacity to effectively address the challenges of governance, service delivery and development.’’

The president noted with delight that the country had since started reaping the benefits of the cordial relationship of the two arms government.

He said: “By virtue of our effective partnership and your support, this government has initiated critical reforms targeted at reforming and strengthening our economy, increasing efficiency in governance, consolidating on the repairs carried out in the last four years, and putting the country

on a steady path of growth and development.

“The accelerated of the passage of the 2020 budget and its review in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, the timely passage of my nominees and passage of critical legislation by the National Assembly are all testaments to your willingness and commitment to playing your part towards delivering effective services to Nigerians.’’

He thanked the leadership of the National Assembly for adopting a new legislative agenda and called for the inauguration of a committee to help sieve the outcome of the retreat and make appropriate recommendations to him and the National Assembly for implementation.

In his remarks, Lawan hailed the cordial relationship between the executive and legislative arms of the government.

He also commended Buhari’s commitment towards sustaining and strengthening the partnership between the two arms.

Lawan, however, berated those describing the National Assembly as the rubber stamp of the executive.

He said: “In fact, this relationship is misunderstood by many. Some out of mischief describe the National Assembly as rubber-stamp, some out of misunderstanding.

“For us, what is utmost in our minds in the ninth

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9

TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Buhari Approves Special Salary Scale for Teachers, Increases Service Years Kuni Tyessi in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a special salary scale for teachers in basic and secondary schools, including provisions of rural posting allowance science teachers allowance and peculiar allowance.

Also, the president has extended teachers retirement age to 65 years from 60 and the teaching service years to 40, from 35.

The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, made the announcement yesterday while representing Buhari at the 2020 World Teachers’ Day and with the theme “Teachers: Leading in crisis, re-imaging the future.”

Adamu said the other incentives to motivate and restore the lost glory of teachers have also been approved.

The minister said building low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas, sponsorship to at

least one refresher training per annum, as well as the expansion of the annual presidential teachers and schools awards will be prioritised to restore the lost glory of teachers in Nigeria.

“Special salary scale for teachers in basic and secondary schools, including provisions for rural posting allowance, science teachers allowance and peculiar allowance, special teacher pension scheme to enable the teaching profession retain its experienced talents as well as to extend teacher’s retirement age to 65 years and teaching service years to 40”.

He said there will be the reintroduction of bursary award to education students in universities and colleges of education with the assurance of automatic employment upon graduation.

He added that his administration has resolved that quality education of teachers in terms of engagement

Nigeria’s COVID-19 Cases Rise By 120 to 59,465 Martins Ifijeh Nigeria has recorded 120 new cases of COVID-19, bringing to 59,465 the number of confirmed cases in the country.

Announcing this yesterday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) said Rivers recorded 65 new cases; Federal Capital Territory

(FCT),12; Ogun, nine; Katsina, eight; Anambra, seven; Bauchi and Oyo, five each; Nasarawa, three; Kaduna, two; while Kwara, Taraba, Delta and Imo recorded one each.

It said: “So far. Nigeria has recorded 59,465 confirmed cases of COVID-19. 50,951 patients have been discharged, while 1,113 persons have died.”

NBA Sets up Task Force to Free Abducted Lawyer The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata, has set up a task force to secure the release of a 25-year-old lawyer, Abisola ‘Paulette’ Ajayi, who was abducted on Sunday night.

Akpata, who made the disclosure in a series of tweets on his handle, said he had also spoken to Rivers Governor Mr. Nyesom Wike; the AttorneyGeneral of Rivers State as well as the state Police Command to request their assistance for Ajayi’s safe return.

Ajayi, a Masters student of the University of Science and Technology (UST) in Rivers State, was abducted on October 4, 2020 in front of her home in Rumukurushi, Port Harcourt, by men dressed in combat fatigues and dark T-shirts.

Her mother, Ngozi Ajayi, was punched when she attempted to save her daughter.

Akpata said: “Last night, I received reports that Paulette Bisola Ajayi, a lawyer and daughter of Ngozi Ajayi (also a lawyer) was abducted by at least four gunmen dressed in combat fatigues and dark t-shirts in front of her home in Rumukurushi PH, as she was waiting for her gate to be opened.

“Her mother and others who tried to prevent her from being taken away were brutalised and shot at by these men who

eventually dragged Bisola out of her car and took her away in their own car…a white Toyota Venza.

“The increasing spate of such incidents is indeed disheartening.

I have spoken to Bisola’s mother to assure her of our support and assistance towards the rescue of her daughter.

“I have also spoken to the Governor of Rivers State, the Attorney-General of Rivers State and the Rivers State Police Command to request their assistance in ensuring the safe return of our colleague.

“I have also set up a Task Force to collaborate with the relevant authorities and do all that is possible to see to Bisola’s speedy release. She will also remain in our prayers.”

The task force is headed by NBA 1st Vice-President, John Aikpokpo-Martins.

Its other members are: Kunle Edun (Welfare Secretary); Prince Nyekwere (Chairman NBA PH); Victor Frank-Briggs; Irene Pepple; Anthonia Osademe (Vice-Chairman NBA, Port Harcourt) and Mrs. Ngozi Ajayi.

The NBA urged the public that any useful information on the matter be made available to the NBA Welfare Secretary or the Vice Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch.

of continued professional development has to be given priority.

According to him, others include: “Prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements including consideration for first line charge in annual budgets, timely promotion

of teachers to eliminate stagnation, provision of loan facilities, for instance, agriculture, housing, cars, motorcycles, to support teachers’ earnings.

“Free tuition and automatic admission for biological children of teachers in their respective schools to encourage and retain

them in the system, awards of outstanding winners to be considered for National Awards and National Productivity Order of Merit (NPOM) awards.

The minister promised an “enhanced entry point for teachers in the civil service by restricting entry into the

teaching profession to highly gifted, academically outstanding students and scholars with the right attitudinal and emotional disposition and conversion programme and ICT training to mitigate the current dearth of qualified teachers in the school system.

MENDING BILATERAL TIES...

L-R: Secretary, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi; First Secretary, Political, South African Embassy in Nigeria, Boipelo Lefatshe; South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Thami Mseleku; and the Chairman of NIDCOM, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, during a courtesy visit by the delegation of South African officials on NIDCOM in Abuja...yesterday ADEDAYO AKINWALE

Buhari to Present N13.09tn 2021 Appropriation Bill to N’Assembly Thursday Deji Elumoye in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari will on Thursday present the 2021 N13.09 trillion Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly for necessary approval.

Reliable legislative sources told THISDAY that the Executive has written formally to the legislature about the desire of the President to present the 2021 federal budget estimates approved

last Wednesday by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

A ranking Senator told THISDAY last night that all is set for the President to present the budget proposal on Thursday as letters of request to that effect from President Buhari are expected to be read at plenary today (Tuesday) at the two chambers of the Assembly.

THISDAY further learnt that the budget estimates will be formally laid by President Buhari at the

House of Representatives chamber by 11a.m with President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, who also doubles as Chairman of the National Assembly, presiding.

Lawan, had upon resumption of Senate plenary after a two-month annual vacation last Tuesday hinted that the Executive arm of government will this week present the 2021 budget estimates to the National Assembly.

He said the budget proposal

You Can’t Be Like Awolowo, PDP Tells Akeredolu The PDP campaign said Ologbondiyan, “Akeredolu’s pathetic ChuksOkochainAbuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council for Ondo Stategovernorshipelectionhasdescribed the attempt by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor RotimiAkeredolu, to compare himself to the highly revered statesman, late ObafemiAwolowo, as sacrilegious and extremely disrespectful.

Akeredolu can never and will never be remembered like Chief Awolowo, the great national leading light, but will be remembered, after his defeat at the poll next Saturday, “as that self-serving governor who failed and betrayed his people when they needed him the most.”

According to the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola

attempt to use the name of Awolowo to beguile the Ondo people is indeed the highest desecration of the name and memory of the late patriot, who represents light, progressivism, development, welfarism, unity and social uprightness, which are manifestly lacking in Akeredolu’s brand of politics.

“Of course, Akeredolu is at best the

will be subjected to scrutiny by relevant committees of the upper legislative chamber in October during which heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) will be expected to defend their estimates.

According to him, the Appropriation Bill is expected to be passed in the early week of December “so that it can be transmitted to the President for his assent before the end of 2020”.

opposite ofAwolowo.Awolowo built schools, Akeredolu ran them down; Awolowo granted free education, Akeredolu increased school fees by more than 100 percent; Awolowo empowered the people, Akeredolu deprived and impoverished them; Awolowo built infrastructure and grew the economy, Akeredolu entrenched corruption and wrecked the economy of his state.

2015 Election: I’ve No Enemies to Fight, Jonathan Tells Shagari’s Son Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he has accepted the apology of the son of former President Shehu Shagari, Aminu, who worked against him during the run-up to the 2015 presidential election.

Jonathan said this in a Facebook post while acknowledging Aminu’s public apology.

The former president said he never took offence and was not the type to harbour grudges.

He wrote: “Dear Honourable Aminu Shagari, Thank you for your apology. However, I never took offence. My firm belief is that I am a pencil in the Hand of God. “Therefore, I have no enemies

to fight, because of my confidence that people can only do to me what God permits. I urge you to continue to emulate the humility of your father, the late President Shehu Shagari, a most detribalised Nigerian. May God bless you.

GEJ.” Aminu, who is a three-term member of the House of Representatives had apologised to Jonathan for supporting the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muhammadu Buhari, who won the 2015 presidential election.

This was despite the fact that Buhari had in 1983 toppled the democratically-elected government of Shagari.

Aminu, however, apologised to Jonathan following what he described as Buhari’s inability to effectively tackle some of Nigeria’s challenges.

He said, “Let me use this opportunity to tender a public apology to former President Jonathan and seek forgiveness because I helped to divide the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP and bring down his government, but, I have found out that what we thought about his stewardship was not entirely true.

“I expect President Buhari to also ask for forgiveness having found out that most of the things he accused my dad’s and President Jonathan’s administrations of are

not true.”

Speaking on the current state of Nigeria, Aminu said “I am very disappointed.”

He noted that Nigeria’s only hope is in good governance.

“I believe if we get it right in this aspect of our national life, our story would turn from bad to good within a short time.

With emphasis, all we require is a credible and sincere leadership that will maximise our God-given talents and resources. A lot of us committed so much to bring this administration on board. As an individual, I assumed that, if nothing else, we would get the issue of security right, and every other thing would follow.”

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TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Okowa, Fayemi, Abdulrazaq, PDP Salute Nigerian Teachers on World Teachers’ Day Chuks Okocha in Abuja, Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti, OmonJulius Onabu in Asaba and Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa; Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday hailed the Nigerian teachers at all levels for their sacrifices, commitment and dedication to the course of nation building and development of the educational sector, despite the daunting challenges.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party said: “Our party values the patriotism of our teachers in nurturing future generation of leaders, professionals, administrators, captains of industry among others, without which the wheel of the nation will grind to a halt”.

The PDP therefore urged President Muhammadu Buhari as well as governments at all levels to take practical steps to ensure the welfare and better working conditions for teachers at all levels of service, including prompt payment of salaries and other remunerations.

In his message, Fayemi described teachers as respectable stakeholders in the drive towards nation building, adding that government policies in education sector cannot succeed without the unflinching support and cooperation of teachers.

Fayemi stated this at the 2020 World Teacher’s Day celebration, in Ado-Ekiti.

He urged the teachers to brace up for the tasks of rebuilding the school system, which had been under lockdown in the last six months.

Also speaking on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day 2020, Okowa commended teachers in Nigeria for their role in nation-building,

noting that teachers constitute the bedrock of national development since other professions draw from the input of teachers.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, the Delta State governor particularly thanked the teachers in the state “for their commitment to teaching and learning in all public and

private schools in the state”.

On his part, Governor AbdulRazaq yesterday joined other well-meaning Nigerians to hail the teachers for their contribution to the educational growth of the country.

AbdulRazaq in a congratulatory statement

issued in Ilorin, said their pre-eminence in human civilisation and development is not debatable.

He said, “I salute our teachers on this day of the World Teachers’ Day. Our administration is convinced that the future of our society is closely tied to the quality

and welfare of our teachers who are in charge of moulding our children and preparing them for the future.

“This explains the importance the administration attaches to the education sector, including ongoing efforts to secure brighter prospects for the teachers”.

Court Slams N20m Damages ROAD SAFETY ON THEIR MINDS... on EFCC for Detaining L-R: Representative of the Abia State Governor, Mr. Godswill Uche Nwadiogo; Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku; Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi; and representative of Ex-bank Director Illegally the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Jamiu Adelabu Abdukalreem, during the inauguration of the administrative block of the FRSC Academy built by Enugu State Government, in Udi Local Government Area of the state...yesterday.

Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday awarded N20 million damages against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for illegally and unlawfully detaining a former Director of First Bank Plc, Mr. Dauda Lawal.

Justice Hassan slammed EFCC for detaining the exbank for 44 days without any order of court of competent jurisdiction.

Lawal was arrested by the EFCC sometimes in May 2016 and he was kept in their custody for 44 days before being arraigned before Justice Hassan on charges bordering on financial crimes.

While in detention, he filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit marked FHC/L/2007/2017 against the anti-graft agency.

Through his lawyer, Ishaka Dikko (SAN), the ex-banker argued that his detention was illegal and unconstitutional.

He argued that the action was a breach of his rights as guaranteed by various sections of the 1999 Constitution.

He had consequently demanded the sum of N1billion as general damages.

But the EFCC argued that Lawal’s arrest and detention were in line with some sections of the Police Act. Delivery judgment yesterday, Justice Hassan, while dismissing EFCC defence, said: “The order sought for by the applicant succeeds, he is entitled for damages.

The sum of N20 million is hereby awarded in favour of the applicant and against the respondent, for unlawful detention of the applicant for 44 days,” the judge held.

Oil Theft: Navy Hands over 22 Suspects, Two Vessels to EFCC Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigerian Navy has handed over a vessel, MV Poseidon and 10 crew members arrested on July 20, 2020 by the Nigerian Navy Ship, Beecroft, to the Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and prosecution.

The suspects are: Umoh Samuel, Abonida Seaman, Ogidigbo Kelly, Ajemfuja Lucky, Gbatemiro Abel, Leke Christian, John Ally, Etem Anthony, Adegoke Adeoye and Arikaibi.

At the time of arrest, the vessel was laden with 130 metric tonnes of substance suspected to be Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).

The commission also took

possession of another vessel, MV Mother Comfort with its 12 crew members for investigation and prosecution after they were arrested by the Nigerian Navy Ship, Beecroft on July 24, 2020.

The suspects are Femi James Adiniyi, Ekene Okendu, Alum Julius, Napolion Dele, Awa Smart, Akorede Stephen, Stanley Neele, Odenike Rasaq, Agbanoma John, Aderemi Akinade, Okengwu Azu and Ojajuni Adebowale.

The MV Mother Comfort, at the time of arrest, was laden with 237 metric tonnes of AGO (diesel).

The vessels alongside the suspected oil thieves will soon be charged to court for alleged illegal dealing in petroleum products.

Buhari Approves N10bn for Census President Muhammadu Buhari has approved release of N10 billion to the National Population Commission (NPC) for continuation of Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) in 546 local government areas in the country.

Buhari also approved an additional N4.5 billon to be included in the 2021 budget for completion of the exercise as part of the preparations for the next census.

Acting Chairman of NPC, Dr. Eyitayo Oyetunji, disclosed these yesterday in Abuja while briefing reporters on release of the funds and the update on the EAD at the NPC headquarters.

Oyetunji said: “The President has graciously followed this up by a further approval of an additional N4.5 billion to be included in the 2021 budget for the completion of the exercise as part of preparations for the next census.

“No doubt, this milestone development, under-scores the President’s understanding of the role of data, especially demographic data as the bedrock for informed development planning and allocation of resources, facilities and services.

“The President has by this giant intervention demonstrated his desire to invest in the population, especially our

teeming youthful population and to thereby lead the country to harness the demographic dividend.”

Asked when the next census will commence, Oyetunji said: “I can tell you that we are very close to the conduct of the election.

You will recall that President Muhammadu Buhari appointed the complete membership of the NPC including a substantive chairman.

Wrong Definitions: We’ve Updated Our Dictionaries, Oxford Tells Lagos Court University of Oxford, United Kingdom, publisher of Oxford English Dictionary, has urged the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by a Nigerian lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Ofoegbu, seeking N10million damages.

The UK university said it could not be held liable for the loss of professional reputation and embarrassment, which the Nigerian lawyer claimed to have suffered after relying on the definitions of the words

“mortgagee’’ and “mortgagor” in the 1999 edition of the Oxford English Mini Dictionary to offer legal advice.

The Nigerian lawyer, in his suit, claimed that the publisher mixed up the two words, by wrongly defining “mortgagee’’ as the borrower in a mortgage transaction, and “mortgagor’’ as the lender.

Ofoegbu said the definitions of the two words were the other way round, adding that the University of Oxford, whose department, Oxford University

Press, publishes the dictionary, had admitted the error but refused to accept liability, hence the N10million lawsuit.

But in response to Ofoegbu’s suit, Head of Strategies and Commercial – Dictionaries at Oxford University Press, Hannah Turner Wright, insisted in her statement on oath that University of Oxford would not accept liability because “Oxford Mini Dictionaries are published as general reference tools and not designed or held out as dictionaries of legal terms for

use by legal practitioners.”

Wright added that as of August 2016 when Ofoegbu relied on the 1999 edition of the Oxford English Mini Dictionary, three revised editions of the dictionary had been published and the words complained of had been redefined.

Wright said, “The claimant alleges that he relied, in August 2016, on the editions of the Oxford University Press dictionaries published in 1995 and 1999.

Asthmatic Patients Were Forced to Accept to Be COVID-19 Patients, Says NHRC The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed regrets over rising cases of human rights abuses in Rivers State, noting that the rights of many asthmatic patients have been violated in Rivers State by some hospitals.

The Director of the NHRC Rivers State Office, Mrs. Chinwe Okoroji, who spoke in Port Harcourt while receiving

a report of investigation and monitoring of rights abuses by the Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) with support from Land is Life, during the COVID-19 lockdown in the country, stated that the rise was recorded from the second quarter of the year till date.

Okoroji said: “Since the COVID-19 we have had

a series of human rights violations because we also monitored the process. Like the policewoman that was killed in the Eneka area of Rivers State. This office is ranking second on reports of violations of rights received recently.

“There were also issues of hospitals rejecting patients and forcing

them to accept that they have Covid-19 when they don’t have it. This mostly happened to Asthmatic patients.”

She commended the advocacy centre for taking time to compile the rights violations report, adding that its findings would support NHRC in its operations.

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NEWS

Court: ExxonMobil Can Be Sued in Nigeria Alex EnumahinAbuja Justice O. A. Obaseki-Osaghae of the National Industrial Court in

Lagos has held that ExxonMobil Corporation can be sued in Nigeria.

Ruling in the application filed to stop joining of Exxon Mobil Corporation in a suit challenging

alleged unlawful retirement of Mr. Paul Arinze from Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Justice ObasekiOsaghae held that the corporation is a necessary party to the suit and

Igini Institutes Libel Suit against Edo APC Chairman, Campaign Spokesman Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Akwa-Ibom State, Mr. Mike Igini, has instituted a N10billion libel suit against the Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Col. David Imuse (rtd), and the party’s Media Campaign Council Chairman, Mr. John Mayaki.

Igini, in a separate writ of summons with the suit numbers: B/555/2020 and B/556/2020 filed yesterday before a Benin-city High Court by Edwin Okonedo on behalf of his counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor, demanded the sum of N5billion as aggravated damages each from the APC chairman and Mayaki respectively.

He also joined three newspaper publishing firms (THISDAY not included) as co- defendants.

The REC also demanded a full page unreserved apology to be published by the two defendants in every edition of the Punch, Tribune, Guardian and the Sun Newspapers for seven consecutive times commencing not later than seven days after the judgment of the case.

He also prayed the court for a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies and or servants, howsoever called from further publishing same or similar words defamatory against him.

Igini alleged that on August 30, 2020, during the just concluded governorship election campaigns, the state APC chairman and the APC Media Campaign Council addressed journalists at a press conference titled: ‘Press conference on Governor Godwin Obaseki’s criminal attempt to infiltrate INEC officers like Mr. Mike Igini’ in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area.

He averred that the press conference which was published in the three national newspapers with different headlines such as: ‘APC accuses Akwa Ibom REC, Igini of meeting Obaseki secretly’, and INEC REC, Igini, plotting with Obaseki to rig electionAPC’, was malicious, reckless, mischievous and with intent to destroy his hard-earned reputation.

“The publications have dented the image of the

claimant, and the people who erstwhile held the claimant in high esteem have lost confidence in him and now avoid him.

“The claimant states that the defendants’ publications have greatly injured his credit, character, reputation, electoral impartiality, and has been brought into hatred, ridicule, odium and contempt of the right thinking members of the society.

“The claimant states that in consequence of the defendants’ published words, the claimant has been subjected to continuous ridicule and his global electoral integrity as an umpire has been adversely affected and could not be considered for special assignments in Edo State for the 2020 governorship elections like his other colleagues,” he declared.

While denying all the allegations leveled against him at the press conference, he, however, added that he stopped over at Protea Hotel in Benin-city on August 24, 2020. for refreshments in company of his two other colleagues on his way to Delta State for a burial ceremony.

must be properly joined by the claimant.

Arinze, a staff of Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN) had challenged his alleged unlawful retirement from the oil company.

In a suit he filed, he joined MPN and Exxon Mobil Corporation as the first and second defendants respectively.

Exxon Mobil Corporation is an American oil giant and parent company of MPN. But Exxon Mobil sought an order of the court order to strike out the corporation’s name from the suit.

It argued that the reliefs sought by the claimant against Exxon Mobil could not be granted since the company was neither incorporated in Nigeria nor carried out its business in the country.

The claimant’s lawyer, Mr. Emeka Ozoani (SAN), objected insisting that ExxonMobil was not a stranger to the employment of his client.

The senior lawyer argued that

the claimant could sue it for any liability arising from any default or wrong done to him in the course of his employment.

He submitted that the claimant was holding the first and second defendant liable for his alleged unlawful retirement.

According to him, it is misleading for Exxon Mobil to state that the claimant’s reliefs were against MPN only.

He added that the second defendant’s presence was required for the just determination of the issues as presented in the suit.

Ozoani also argued that MPN was a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation In an 11-page ruling, Justice Obaseki-Osaghae dismissed an application by the corporation’s counsel.

He held: “It is clear from the claims and the pleadings that the case against the second defendant

falls within the jurisdiction of this court, and there is no condition precedent preventing the claimant access to the court in respect of his alleged forceful termination of employment.

“I hold that the second defendant is a necessary party and has been properly joined; this court is not deprived of jurisdiction to hear and determine the complaint against the second defendant,” the judge ruled.

He ordered that the case should proceed to substantive hearing, and awarded a cost of N30,000 in favour of the claimant.

The case was adjourned till November 9 for hearing.

Reacting to the ruling, Ozoani lauded a court, saying it erased doubts that the multinational company could be sued in Nigeria.

He said that the court decision would help to ensure that employees would not suffer injustice on technical grounds.

TwoYears after, 22 Persons Still Missing in Katsina Flood Francis Sardauna in Katsina No fewer than 22 persons are still missing in a flood incident that wreaked havoc in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State in 2018, the state Commissioner for Environment, Hamza Suleiman, has revealed.

The commissioner, who disclosed this during a ministerial briefing with journalists at the Government House in Kastina, lamented that two years after

the occurrence of the natural disaster, 22 victims were still missing despite efforts to know their whereabouts.

The flood, caused by torrential rains at the Nigeria’s border with Niger Republic, killed more than 52 persons and destroyed thousands of houses in the border town, according to the Kastina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

Suleiman said: “After the occurrence of the flood in Jibia

town two years ago, 22 persons are still missing. The flood claimed over 50 lives and destroyed houses and properties worth billions of naira. Many domestic animals were also loss in the disaster.”

He said the state government in collaboration with the World Bank has since commenced the construction of storm water drainages, culverts and water diversion channels in the town to avert future occurrence.

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TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

FG Asks BPE to Manage PPP Transactions in New Policy Settles feud between BPE, ICRC Chineme Okafor in Abuja The federal government has issued a fresh guideline on how Public Private Partnership (PPP) transactions and models for infrastructure development will be managed in Nigeria going

forward, effectively handing over the job of managing PPP transactions to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

Through the new guideline, which was issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation

Over 6,000 Cases Pending before Industrial Court, Says President The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Justice Benedict Kanyip, yesterday said in Abuja that the court disposed of 1, 486 cases in the 2019 to 2020 legal year, while over 6,000 cases are pending before the court.

Kanyip made this known at a ceremony to mark the beginning of the new 2020 to 2021 legal year.

He said the figure was understandable as 627 cases were disposed of in the fourth quarter of 2019, while in the first quarter of 2020, a total number of 619 were disposed.

Kanyip said the figure however, dropped to 240 in the second quarter of 2020, the period in which the COVID-19 lockdown was most severe, according to him.

The president, in addition, said that in all, between October 2019 and June, 2020, 1,486 cases were disposed of.

He said this earned the court the annual vacation as the court worked even during the trying times of the COVID-19 lockdown.

“As at March 13, the court had 6,596 cases in its docket across the country with Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Ibadan leading in that order.

“Today, the total number of cased that are pending are 6095.

This means that 501 cases were disposed of between March 13 and Sept. 30, 2020.

“COVID-19 did not allow for much filing of cases, but it did not stop the court from sitting and disposing of cases.

“The judges of the court, in line with the Practice Directions and Guidelines 2020, sat physically and virtually all through the COVID-19 lockdown and took the opportunity to dispose of especially cases that were at address and judgment stages,” he said.

Kanyip further said one of the things that stood out the court was in its regular and consistent uploads and updates of its judgments and rulings on its website.

“As accessed on October 3, between October 1, 2019 to October 2, 724 judgments and 215 rulings were uploaded on our website, this is a fact that has received favourable reviews from commentators.”

Speaking, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, urged the NICN to continue to uphold its sanctity and credibility in order to foster the public confidence in all judgments that emanated from it.

The AGF who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Mr. DayoApata, congratulated the court for rising above the limitation imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic by the use of the virtual platforms in conducting court proceedings.

He said these platforms had helped the court to put in place measures that had guaranteed continued access to justice.

According to him, “these measures have given expeditious disposal of cases, as well as minimize the rate of transmission of the dreaded COVID-19 during the period of the pandemic.”

Oyetola Restates Commitment to Healthcare Delivery The Governor of Osun State, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola has affirmed that his administration will continue to do more in the Healthcare system of Osun.

Oyetola stated this while reacting to the report published

by WellNewMe ranking the state as one of the states with the most efficient healthcare services in the country.

Osun ranked second behind Anambra and ahead of Ogun, Lagos and Rivers states, which also ranked among the best performers.

“I am truly elated by this independent survey that ranked Osun State second among states with the most efficient healthcare services. This ranking is particularly gratifying because it was neither commissioned by us, nor did we know that a survey of this nature was being conducted. We were just working for the good of the State and the people’s welfare, and I am happy that our efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“I see this ranking as a call for more efforts because the reward of hard work is more work. I promised the people of Osun State that the

healthcare sector will be improved upon, and work is ongoing to bring new innovations to the sector.

“I thank the researchers and management of WellNewMe, and I congratulate workers in the healthcare sector of Osun who have helped us to achieve this feat.

“We will continue to uphold the standard that earned us this rating by ensuring that our scarce resources are put to better use. We will ensure that our health workers are well equipped and motivated so that they will continue to render quality healthcare services”, Oyetola said.

Oyetola’s administration had embarked on a revitalisation of health facilities across the state, revamping nine general hospitals and 332 Primary Health Centres and nine General Hospitals in less than two years, as part of his efforts to improve health in the State. All the PHCs have also been equipped with drugs and consumables.

The Oyetola administration has also invested heavily in health insurance scheme, free medical missions, and upgrading the accreditation status of state health institutions.

(SGF), the government also put to rest the lingering conflict of responsibility between the BPE and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) on the management of PPP transactions in the country.

The BPE and ICRC have repeatedly contradicted each other on whose responsibility it is to initiate and manage PPP transactions in the country, with the situation reportedly ruining potential transactions in this regard.

A document obtained by THISDAY yesterday however showed that the SGF, Mr. Boss Mustapha through a circular issued on September 14, clearly delineated the roles which both agencies – BPE and ICRC, will henceforth play in IPPs

transactions.

The circular with a reference number: SGF.50/S.37/II/749, containing the guideline was signed by Mustapha who indicated that the new guideline is expected to henceforth guide both agencies in setting up and managing PPP models in the country.

It was also sent across to relevant government officials including the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) as well as the National Security Adviser and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In it, Mustapha condemned the conflict of responsibility between both agencies, and said that the absence of clear distinction between the functions of the ICRC

and the BPE has consequences on investors’ confidence in the Nigerian economy.

He noted that it was for this reason that the government approved the new guideline for use in the ‘National Policy on Public Private Partnership (PPP)’ with regards to the roles of the ICRC and BPE in the administration of PPP processes.

According to him, “the BPE, in line with the provisions of the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) order of 2012 as amended, shall: be responsible for the concession of public enterprises and infrastructure already listed in the first and second schedule of the Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act, and act on behalf of the federal

government, either alone or in conjunction with relevant ministry, agency, corporation of body as the counterparty on all infrastructure projects being developed on a public private partnership basis.”

He noted that the ICRC on its part will, “act as the regulatory agency for PPP transactions with powers to inspect, supervise, as well as monitor the projects and process, in order to ensure compliance with relevant laws, policies and regulations.”

In processing any PPP transaction, Mustapha stated that the BPE and other relevant government agencies shall comply with the provisions of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission EstablishmentAct of 2005, adding that circular supersedes any other previous directive on the subject.

CELEBRATING TEACHERS...

L-R: Secretary General, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr. Mike Ene; Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu; President, NUT, Dr. Nasiru Idris; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Sonny Echono, during the 2020 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Abuja ...yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

CP: Only FSARS Operatives on Guard Duty will Be Issued Firearms Chiemelie Ezeobi The Commissioner of Police (CP), Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Imohimi Edgal, has said firearms would henceforth be issued to only operatives on guard duty or those responding to violent crimes.

Edgal said this was in line with directives of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to curb the issues of human rights abuses leveled against operatives attached to FSARS and other tactical units.

As part of measures embarked on towards implementing the IG’s

directives, the CP clarified that no personnel of FSARS would be issued firearms except for guard duties, at base and to respond to violent crimes as they occur.

Also, in compliance with the IG’s directive, he stated that all FSARS teams on routine patrol have been withdrawn.

He said: “In order to improve on the efficiency and effectiveness of FSARS and ensure that they uphold fundamental human rights of the citizens, we have drawn up a training/capacity workshop which will kick off this week in Abuja.”

He said the training will be

in collaboration with civilian partners and Non-Governmental Organisations, (NGOs) aimed at emphasising the tenets of rule of law and fundamental rights of Nigerians.

He further said that no FSARS personnel will henceforth attend to any violent crimes except he was kitted in his approved jacket to guide members of the public.

He said: “Only FSARS operatives have the right to wear a jacket with the inscription ‘FSARS’. All other state Special Anti-Robbery Squads, (SARS), which are commanded by state commissioners of police are to

wear the inscription SARS without F.” Edgal therefore called on state commissioners of police and commanders of tactical units to join hands to ensure the total success of all the directives and reforms regarding FSARS and SARS operations by the IG. He reassured members of the public that the era of ‘slap on the wrist or cover up’ of any policeman caught involving himself in any matter that will tarnish the image of the force was over.

“Henceforth, maximum disciplinary penalty awaits such policemen,” he vowed.

Group Lauds Buhari, IG for Responding Swiftly against Policemen on Mufti Sunday Okobi A Nigerian socio-cultural group with global reach, Brothers Across Nigeria (BAN), has commended the presidency and the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, for their prompt response to the menace of tactical police units on mufti.

There has been a nationwide

outcry against police harassment, especially members of the police force, who do not wear the force uniforms.

This outcry has led the group to write an open letter to President Buhari on September 13, 2020.

But following the recent IG’s ban of tactical units of the police force from wearing mufti, the new President of the group, Adeyemi

Moshood, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the IG for being responsive to the cry of the people.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, Moshood also appreciated the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who publicly encouraged civil society groups that added their voices in bringing this to the attention of

the government.

The president of BAN, which recently concluded its national convention in Ughelli, Delta State, where new national officers were elected, also called for closer monitoring of the directives by the authorities to policemen, as similar instruction has been given before and it didn’t last long before the practice resurfaced again.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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14

T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ ʹ˜ 2020

COMMENT

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

CURE FOR THE SARS AFFLICTION Nigerians must push further by insisting on a purge of the entire police, writes Fredrick Nwabufo

T

he affliction called “the special anti-robbery squad (SARS)’’ has become resistant to every divined antidote. It was set up to treat the pestilence of armed robbery and other violent crimes. But the police unit became the behemoth of organised criminality. It became the canker it was commissioned to extirpate.

There have been many accounts of criminality and extrajudicial exertion by this police unit. But there is only a trickle of detail on the prosecution of these dispatchers of death by the police authorities. I must say, the police leadership is complicit in the SARS menace. The force is aiding its criminal minds in taking flight from justice.

In one year, between March 2019 and February 2020, the police, particularly the ill-reputed SARS, have caused the untimely death of 92 Nigerians – according to the Council on Foreign Relations (a non-profit US think tank). Some of the prominent reasons for the killings are “refusal to give a bribe, argument and accidental discharge’’.

Sadly, no single police officer involved in these abominable executions has been handed to the whipping post. This is where I am concerned, and why I strongly believe the police leadership is in cahoots with its men on the terrorism against citizens.

An example is the case of Ogar Jumbo, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who was mauled to eternal exit by police officers at Nyanya, Abuja while taking his children to school in March 2019.

Months after the murder, Desmond Jumbo, brother of the deceased, told TheCable, an online newspaper, that the last time his family heard from the police regarding the case was only the day after his sibling was bludgeoned to death. According to him, “no contact (by the police), nothing; even when he was buried. It was only the day after it happened that the DPO (divisional police officer) visited but many people in the area were very angry with him,� Desmond said. He (the DPO) now went back to the Abuja command and lied that they wanted to kill him. And, of course, they were hiding under the excuse that the place was not secure, and they didn’t reach out. I am his elder brother and living directly behind the Garki police command, but they didn’t do anything.�

He also revealed that the case against the policemen involved in the murder had been sputtering for some contrived reasons.

He said with note of hopelessness: “The police were not happy; they did not show up in the last hearing.’’ Another interesting instance of police hierarchy conspiracy is that of Kolade Johnson, the football enthusiast, who was felled by the guilty bullets of some SARS operatives at a viewing

OUR POLICE FORCE IS IN DIRE NEED OF VACUUMING. THE SEPTIC CHARACTERS IN THE SECURITY AGENCY ARE A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN THE UNIT UPON WHICH THEY TRAFFIC IN PERFIDY

centre in Lagos on March 31, 2019. Boluwade, Jonhnson’s elder brother, had said (as of June) the last time the family heard from the police was only two months after his death -- when they couriered a condolence letter.

He said with depressing finality: “Since then, no one has showed up. The police have never called the family since then.

There was no compensation. It is only the governor that was showing up from time to time.’’ And on the killer police officer, the brother of the deceased wryly said: “They say he is in prison but whenever he comes to court, he is looking like he is in a hotel.’’ Really, it is unimpeachable to say that the Nigerian police is the worst in the world. International Police Science Association and the Institute for Economics and Peace corroborated this fact in their latest World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI).

As a matter of fact, the police are diseased at all levels of their hierarchy.

Okechukwu Nwanguma, executive director of Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), a group advocating reforms in the force, puts a perspective to police leadership complicity in the criminality of its men in an interview with TheCable. He explained: “Police brutality is like an epidemic because of the unwillingness of the police to punish the officers involved and also because of lack of adequate legal framework. The moment these cases go to court, there is no way of monitoring and following up. “There have been cases where police officers charged to court disappear because nobody is monitoring or following up.

A DPO was involved in murder and ran away; a court issued an arrest warrant and the police said they did not know his whereabouts. Two years later, the man was located at zone nine in Umuahia where he was serving in the office of the provost, who is in charge of disciplinary measures.�

So, it is clear as we advocate the amputation of the gangrenous SARS, we must push our luck further by insisting on a purge of the entire police. Our police force is in dire need of vacuuming. The septic characters in the security agency are a bigger problem than the unit upon which they traffic in perfidy.

So, if we eliminate SARS without expelling the rotten eggs, we are only deodorising a ghastly matter. They will only regroup under another police outfit.

So, while we apply: Strategic Antidoting and Removal of the Sore (SARS) to the SARS menace, we must look deeper and not soar away on righteous emotions.

Vacuum the police! r/XBCVGP JT B XSJUFS BOE KPVSOBMJTU

INEC AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

Jubril Adamu contends the time is ripe for a change in the leadership of the electoral body

C

lassical believers in democracy hold that, its basic fundamentals rest upon three ideal pillars, equality among all people, liberty and respect for law and justice. But even contemporary democratic theorists such as Schumpeter, Riker, Przeworski and Hardin who argue that such idealism is untenable still maintain that at a minimum, democracy offers a system in which rulers are selected by competitive elections. For the sake of the latter utility, Karl Popper insisted that democracy is thus preferred over other forms of government because of its propensity as the only type in which governments can be changed without bloodshed. Unfortunately, between 1999 to 2007 and again between 2015 and 2019, the experiences of Nigerians with democracy defied such Popperian faith that it can bring about political transition and leadership turnover without violence to citizens and violence to the law. What is however most disturbing is how elections, the minimal pillar of democracy has suffered more grievous decay since 2015 and how 2023 may usher in the end of democracy in Nigeria if there is no drastic change in the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

After the electoral fiascos of 2003 and 2007, a revival of faith in democracy was growing in Nigeria after the 2011 Election, when Professor Jega, a member of the Uwais Electoral Reform Committee, was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan to head INEC. Jega took up some of the key recommendations of the reform committee and set about introducing several remarkable changes. Backed by a supportive executive leadership under the Jonathan regime, which liberally promoted an ambience supportive of democratic practices, the electoral commission under Jega introduced innovations such as an electronic biometric voter register, a smartcard enabled permanent voters card (PVC) generated from the biometric voter register, electronic smart card readers for verifying voters as they present their PVC at polling units, customized ballot papers making each ballot paper unique to specified polling units and useless for electoral fraudsters and ballot snatchers who will usually steal such ballot papers and use them in preferred locations.

Moreover, despite the supportive executive ambiance of the Jonathan regime, Prof. Jega

never held meetings with the executive arm on the eve of election like the 2016 Kogi and denied same only for Shehu Garba to confirm that such a meeting took place but for just five minutes. The electoral commission under him never accepted elections conducted under obvious voter suppression, particularly those recorded with viral videos circulated all over the World. INEC under his leadership though recorded some inchoate elections but never made inconclusive election results an art for collusion with preferred electoral competitors.

The commission under Jega stamped its regulatory authority on elections and ensured minimal deviations from International Election norms and standards, generating not only credibility for the electoral process but fidelity in the outcome on the part of many Nigerians and the image of the country improved significantly within the international community. It was therefore not surprising that the outcome of the two general elections conducted under his leadership of the commission in a single term were widely accepted as credible without seeking a second term that he deserved.

Unfortunately, since the exit of the Jega leadership, the fidelity of election outcome and the credibility of the electoral process have undergone continuous decline and decay. First, the integrity of leadership of the commission was tarnished from outset with the appointment of a relative of the leader of the executive branch, Mrs. Amina Zakari, despite forceful denials of such relationship, the subsequent appointments of her siblings and other close relatives of hers to ministerial, ambassadorial and other federal appointments confirmed rather than dispel the unethical conflicts of interest that motivated her appointment. The mistrust it created, regarding the intentions of the executive arm to disrupt vertical and horizontal accountability in the Nigerian democracy was huge. It dented the credibility of the executive arm regarding the promotion of democracy and made it clear that under the Buhari regime, the promotion of democratic practices was going to suffer significant setbacks.

Vertical and horizontal accountability of elected political actors are significant indicators of a thriving democracy or stated in another form, they are barometers of good quality in democratic practices. Vertical accountability refers to the direct control of elected governments through elections and referenda, where

the voters express their sovereignty by hiring or firing elected officers with their aggregated votes or by accepting or rejecting proposed actions, policies or issues through their aggregated votes in a referendum (unfortunately the Nigerian Constitution has no provision for referenda, making elections the only source of vertical accountability in Nigeria). Whereas horizontal accountability involves the ability or capacity of other institutional pillars of governance (Judiciary, legislature, Civil Society, Media, etc.) to hold the executive arm to account for their actions with consequences for breaching or failing in expected responsibilities.

By appointing a relative to potentially arbiter elections between his political foes, the Buhari regime sent out the clear signal that it was unwilling to brook vertical accountability, a major bastion of democracy. Under significant public outcry against this anomaly, and having seriously dented the credibility of INEC, while also foreseeing how such incongruous actions with international election norms and standards can harm any elections conducted

by INEC under such famished credibility, Mrs Zakari was replaced by Professor Mahmoud Yakubu.

Upon his appointment, many Nigerians speculated that Prof. Yakubu was a cosmetic replacement to veneer the actions of frustrating any vertical accountability of the executive arm of governance under the Buhari regime that were intended to be accomplished using Mrs. Zakari, albeit indirectly. The latter suspicion grew stronger as one election after the other revealed more evidence of democratic decay.

First, in Kogi, the commission declared the gubernatorial election of 2015 inconclusive and subsequently conducted a supplementary election by which time a new candidate was brought to replace the deceased candidate.

Then again in the gubernatorial election that followed in Edo State in 2016, INEC could not stamp its regulatory authority and control on the electoral process, besides the postponement of the election that was forced upon the commission by political actors, the election result collation was brazenly taken out of INEC’s control and manipulated over night while INEC leadership remained aloof. Again in Osun, against the overwhelming evidence of voter suppression and results manipulation, the commission’s leadership watched idly as the credibility of the electoral process degenerated before the voting public. Further,

in 2019 despite long periods of preparation, the logistics of delivering election materials for the general elections was so shambolic that INEC had to concede a late postponement. Despite the postponement, there was evidence that in several states, politicians had pre-knowledge of the design of the result sheets and went ahead to print them for their uses, while some had result sheets delivered to them before the elections.

In addition to the aforestated irregularities, the electronic smart card readers which the Prof. Jega regime had procured and used extensively to improve the fidelity of the election process, by deploying the device to prevent fake and bogus results, were not used in many places across the country. Yet INEC leadership allowed results to be returned from such places. The use of card reader to verify the fingers of a holder of a PVC (if he or she is the same person) that recorded impressive performance of 54% in the 2015 election surprisingly dropped to less than 20% in the 2019 elections and has further dipped in recent elections to 16% in Nasarawa bye election.

Statistics after the Edo election are not yet out but what is shocking is that under Prof.

Mahmoud Yakubu, polling results are accepted where card reader finger authentication were not carried out contrary to provisions in the guidelines published for the election. Moreover, the same INEC leadership distanced itself from the electronic transmission of results which it had promoted prior to the elections. Beyond promoting the use of electronic transmission of result, the commission had not only procured resources to implement the plan, but also accepted installation of central server equipment and the training of its staff to accomplish real-time electronic monitoring to record election activities, electoral incidents and election outcomes. As evidence of this fact, there are ad-hoc staff and election assisting institutions which have evidence trails of INEC’s monitoring activities using such electronic devices with transmissions from z-Pads, pictures of staff in monitoring centres, printouts of tracked activities from field officers, as well as other significant evidence trails in the public domain that will forever blemish the current INEC’s leadership as lacking in courage and as collaborators in electoral malpractices and fraud rather than neutral election umpires. r%S "EBNV XSPUF GSPN ,BEVOB

15

T H I S D AY ˞ ˜ ʹ˜ 2020

EDITORIAL

THE OBSESSION WITH ‘NEW STATES’ Creating more states in an insolvent economy would be a disaster

A

gainst the background that the current structure in Nigeria is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain amid dwindling petro-dollars, we fail to understand why the National Assembly continues to raise the sceptre of state creation. With 36 states and 774 local government areas (and countless development centres created by the governors) across the federation, the pertinent question remains: How much development have these states brought except the creation of a multiplicity of agencies that are neither accountable to the people nor serve their interests?

Unfortunately, many of our leaders cannot appreciate that challenge. “I want to plead with you to reach out to our colleagues from all of the geopolitical zones because not one state or geopolitical zone WHAT NIGERIANS DEMAND can give you a AT THIS POINT IS BETTER state. But it is about lobbying. If GOVERNANCE, NOT NEW STATES. THOSE WHO WANT you do this, there is no reason why TO HAVE FIEFDOMS FOR you should not be THEMSELVES AT PUBLIC able to pull this EXPENSE SHOULD PERISH through�. Those words emanated THE THOUGHTS recently from the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege who chairs the constitutional review committee of the federal legislature. He spoke while receiving a delegation from Katagum, Misau and Jama’are Emirates from Bauchi State. They are demanding the creation of Katagum State from the present Bauchi State.

Motivated purely by the rent from oil being shared every month, many Nigerians still delude themselves into believing the current structure is sustainable. Yet, as we have repeatedly highlighted on this page, beyond the complex (and almost impossible) demands of the constitution before a state could be created, there are questions as to whether such adventure will even serve the

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interest of the people. That otherwise respected citizens have refused to see the bigger picture of the economic implications of creating more cost centres in an environment where resources for development are ever dwindling, makes it more compelling for us to dismiss this idea.

While decentralisation of government ordinarily presupposes that the nearer such institution is to the people the better they are served, that has not been our experience. Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, once alluded to this dilemma when he said, “as long as the country maintains the existing structure of 36 states and the federal capital territory, with all the paraphernalia of the institutions for administration, we are not likely to achieve the level of reduction in the cost of administration that would enable the country develop as we ought to.�

In the Nigerian experiment, only the conspirators in favour of states creation at any given point in our history are usually the ultimate beneficiaries. In any case, if what currently obtains is any guide, it is safe to project that should some new states emerge, they will not be economically viable. The interesting thing, however, is that the proponents also know this but their cold calculation is based on the oil money which states share every month and to which they could become the custodians if they have their fiefdoms.

The tragedy of state creation based on the performance of existing ones is that it actually takes government further away from the very people it is supposed to serve. The real beneficiaries are not the people but politicians who don’t even stay in these new states as we can see from the experience of most governors. Indeed, from what has transpired in the last 13 years of democracy, the mechanism for accountability diminishes the farther away government is from the centre.

We therefore call on the National Assembly and those touting new states to get real: What Nigerians demand at this point is better governance, not new states. Those who want to have fiefdoms for themselves at public expense should perish the thoughts.

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

WORLD TEACHERS DAY: A CALL FOR RESTRUCTURING #ENDSARS BEFORE IT ENDS US

O

ctober 5 of every year marks a special day in the world and our development as the United Nations Organisation has set it aside to recognize and appreciate the unquantifiable efforts of key nationbuilders, the teachers. And thus tagging the day- World Teachers Day. The roles of the teachers in any nation of the world cannot be over emphasised as they are indisputably a major stakeholder in national development. The products of their activities after lots of sleepless nights, preparing for our future, strategizing ways which each child would live up to expectations, are what the world is looking up to. Lawyers who uphold justice, doctors who save lives, engineers who make life easy through technology and many from numerous fields of human endeavors whom humanity is benefiting immensely from their knowledge, all have gone through that individual whom, having swum through life, availed his ocean of knowledge for others.

Very disheartening that the efforts of these individuals of calibre are barely recognized not to talk of appreciated by our government and even individuals they have nurtured. Claims might come they do but it all end on the lips without adequate actions to better their activities. Their welfare, rights and privileges even though minute, are still not forthcoming as expected. A comparison between the wages and salaries of a Nigerian teacher and their counterparts in other countries is not a pride but humiliation. If the paddler of the education sector of

the country is given such poor attention, what more do we anticipate from such if not less to standard?

Growing up as a kid, we used to live in a society where teachers are preciously valued and cared for.

Basic and necessary amenities and welfare to be up to the task in delivering and abiding by the sworn oath of the noble teaching profession are provided.

Society respected them and placed them in high class.

Alas! They have been relegated to the least status.

What went wrong?

Unarguably, if this should go on without an immediate halt, all should know that our tomorrow is not guaranteed, not to talk of being bright. Imagine a society without a good teacher?

As a matter of national importance and emergency, there is need for the government across all levels and private individuals to look closely into the education sector and carry out all actions necessary to revive it to standard. In that sector lies our tomorrow and for our tomorrow, we definitely must sacrifice today.

A drastic end should be put to the incessant industrial actions embarked on by unions in this sector, frequent closure of institutions of learning, lack of adequate learning facilities and numerous other.

To our ever resilient teachers, you are celebrated and urged not to relent in doing your good work in transforming us from the state of Tabula Rasa to being an epitome of knowledge because the future looks brighter with your efforts.

God bless Our Teachers!

I

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n any ideal society, the sight of security agents would bring comfort and sense of safety for citizens. But here in Nigeria, the scenario is different, as the impunity of men in uniform constitutes grave danger to citizens. This is the sad reality that Nigerians, especially youth, are frequently exposed to in the hands of Special Anti-robbery Squad, infamously known as SARS. While SARS is a special unit in the Nigerian Police and set up to curb violent crimes, such as robbery, kidnapping and other related crimes, it has turned around to become a vicious squad that is now dreaded by Nigerians.

Whether on the road or elsewhere, the conduct of SARS is no different from the criminal elements they were supposed to checkmate. As a result of their incessant harassments, and sometimes, maiming and extrajudicial killings, many Nigerians have lost trust in them and are wary to trust their safety on those who have become their tormentor.

That is something that has been going on for sometime now and public outcry for authority to do something, has received little or no attention. Just two days ago, many Nigerians took to the social media to highlight the varying abuses of SARS and impressed on the authority to reform or disband the unit that has gone rogue.

This is because SARS has outlived its purpose, and worse, presents themselves as the same dangerous evil they are created to solve.

Few weeks ago, three young Nigerians suffered fatal car crash in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, and lost their lives as a result of a hot chase from SARS officers, when there is nothing to suggest they are criminals. That is the experience everywhere, and for sometimes now, stirred huge concern from Nigerians, who keep sounding to the ears of the authority that SARS should be disbanded. The impunity of SARS is horrendous as at any given opportunity, they inflict injuries on citizens, and in some instances, rain bullets on Nigerians without justification.

T H I S D AY ˾ ʹ˜ 2020

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Group Features Editor: Chiemelie Ezeobi Email chiemelie.ezeobi@thisdaylive.com, 08038901925

A Call against Modern Day Slave Trade in Africa Rebecca Ejifoma reports that despite the Abolition of Slave Trade Act in the 19th century, the menace has diversified through disguised forms like irregular migration, racism, servitude and discrimination. Worried by this ugly trend, experts recently called for rigorous public enlightenment among youths, stringent legal and non-legal actions to expunge the inhumane act in Africa

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t was a virtual room filled with experts and scholars like the Chairman, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) Board, Abom Tony lbana Esu; the Chairman of the day, Prof. Duro Oni, Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos; the Guest Lecturer and Dr. Adetunji Ogunyemi, Head, Department of History, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State; the panelists l, Lagos State Zonal Commandant, NAPTIP, Mr. Daniel Atokolo and the Head Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, University of Abuja, Dr. Philip Afaha among other members of CBAAC management and invited guests.

The theme that bound the course of the public lecture was, ‘Contemporary Enslavement and its Implications for Africa’s Development'. It attracted participants, who trickled in in twos and multiples to find a common ground on a soothing balm to modern day slavery.

Welcoming the participants, the Director-General, CBAAC, Oluwabunmi Amao (FITP) said the lecture sought to draw their attention to some of the teething issues bedeviling Africa, and the need to chart a new course for the development of Africa.

Ironically, while the lecture was in commemoration of the 2020 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) International day for the remembrance of Slave Trade and its Abolition, participants bemoaned the resurgence of slave trade among Africans, by Africans and to Africans.

With this knowledge, Amoa noted: “As you are aware, 23rd August of every year is set aside by the UNESCO to commemorate the anniversary of the 1791 uprising of enslaved men and women in the western part of the island of Santo Domingo, the present day Haiti.

“Undoubtedly, the revolt triggered a shockwave that has set the course of peoples’ liberation struggles and of human and civil rights movements for over 200 years. This efforts still crystallises the issues, concepts and principles with which it is essential to be familiar with in the present fight against modern day slavery and all forms racism and discrimination.”

Harping on, the DG decried that it is, indeed, a reality that slavery did not end with the abolition in the 19th century. “Instead, it changed its forms and continued to harm people in Africa and other parts of the world.

“It is instructive to note that today, slavery is less about people literally owning other people although that still exists but more about being exploited, decimated and completely controlled by someone else, without being able to leave. Hence, the need for awareness on the matter as a sure way for its eradication.”

Amao listed modern day slavery and its manifestations as forced labour, debt bondage or bonded labour, human trafficking, child slavery, girl child marriage, and racism among others.

She further said it was pertinent to draw special attention to the recent menace of irregular migration to Europe across the Sahara desert and the Mediterranean Sea in the guise seeking for “greener pastures” which is predominant among the youthful population on the African continent.

More often than not, she continued

DG, CBAAC, Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao (FITP)

that migrants see their European dreams botched and turned into nightmares long before they even get to their intended destinations.

The host, however, cited recent reports about Nigerians and other migrants in Libya and other parts of the world, which reveal that that their experiences are nothing short of a modern-day slave trade and slavery, as they are often treated as mere objects and traded as commodities.

It was for this reason that CBAAC mobilised and sought the participation of the youth in this webinar to create the much needed awareness among the young ones.

“As a Pan-African Cultural Institution, CBAAC wishes to use this platform and opportunity to condemn in the strongest terms, recent surge in racism against Blacks and People of African descent across the globe, that tends to suggest the superiority of one race over another,” she added.

In a clarion call, Amao said the global community needed to stand and work against all forms of slavery, servitude, racism, prejudice, racial discrimination and social injustice; and

to affirm the universal principles of human dignity, freedom, and equality.

Quickly on the heels of her welcome address, the guest lecturer, Ogunyemi, advocated the use of both legal and non-legal solutions like economic intervention-training and skill acquisition; political Intervention-deliberate government effort at job creation.

Others are public enlightenment on the sufferings of the enslaved abroad; education-re-orientation and value inculcation in the youth; and CBN & BoI Monetary Intervention-Agricloans for job creation supported by the CBN, support for MSMEs. He blamed poverty in many African countries, human trafficking, greed and ignorance, unemployment, unbridled migration across the Sahara and the Mediterranean Sea, war and political instability in many African states, failure of governance in the area of immigration controls violent conflict as solely guilty of modern day slavery.

The guest lecturer, who told participants that the word enslavement is derived from the word slavery, means to subjugate a person unreservedly, dominate a human being absolutely,

In modern slavery, unlike ancient slavery, the act is illegal, most often, modern slavery is surreptitiously done either by trickery, deceit or sheer ignorance or collaboration of the victim. Modern slavery can be more fundamentally depriving of the right to freedom as majority of it is done undercover or deliberately overlooked by law enforcement agents

violate a person with impunity, deprive deliberately, force to work and labour without remuneration, take away the right to liberty, and freedom of action and wellbeing of a human being.

“Enslavement is, indeed, the peak of absolute use of power without conscience and consideration for common humanity,” he hinted.

On Modern Slavery and Enslavement in Africa, since the 1980s, Ogunyemi noted that modern slavery and enslavement is the illegal subjugation of any person or country to the absolute control of a master either physically or otherwise.

“In modern slavery, unlike ancient slavery, the act is illegal, most often, modern slavery is surreptitiously done either by trickery, deceit or sheer ignorance or collaboration of the victim. Modern slavery can be more fundamentally depriving of the right to freedom as majority of it is done undercover or deliberately overlooked by law enforcement agents.”

He lamented that not less than 300,000 Africans are trafficked every year.

Africans prone to such enslavement, Ogunyemi listed, are undocumented migrants, sexual workers, the gullible and the ignorant, spendthrift and pathological borrowers, gamblers and the greedy, hard drug users and dependents, as well as heavily indebted countries.

In his presentation, the erudite lecturer highlighted destinations of modern enslavement of Africans including, Italy, as sex slaves; Lebanon as domestic and sex slaves; Dubai as factory and construction slaves; Spain, as farm slaves; Oman, as organ harvest and sex slaves.

Others are Qatar, where Africans are taken as sex slaves and organ harvest; China, factory slaves and guinea pigs for pharmaceutical tests; Saudi Arabia, as domestic slaves; Libya, as sex slaves, human shield during war; and Sudan as domestic and farm work, mining slaves.

According to Ogunyemi, the implications and evils of modern enslavement for Africa, include total loss of respect

by Africans (especially the black skin) in the comity of nations, depopulation and loss of skilled personnel to menial jobs abroad, dehumanisation, abuse and molestation of the enslaved, disease contraction and spread, forced prostitution, forced organ harvest.

Having earlier prescribed non-legal interventions to help curb modern day slavery in Africa, Ogunyemi further outlined legal intervention such as Trafficking in Persons (Enforcement & Administration) Act, 2003 (as amended, 2015) of NAPTIP, WOTCLEF, Edo State Trafficking in Person (Prohibition) Law, 2018; and on-legal solution such as economic intervention, political intervention, public enlightenment on the sufferings of the enslaved abroad, and education.

To ensure total freedom from the dehumanising act on Africans, Ogunyemi implored, “freedom, the first rule of humanity; contentment, a great gain; to be lean in resources but free of subjugation better than to be fat in provisions but bound in chains.”

He condemned enslavement of a human person as not only a crime against humanity but a sin before God. “A mind that knows is a mind that is free,” he warned.

T H I S D AY ˾ OCTOBER 6, 2020

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Preparing Military Personnel for Post-service Life Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, which is saddled with the task of integrating military retirees into civil life, recently retired 256 soldiers, while preparing 76 officers for post-service life

Some of the participants at NAFRC training with some senior officers

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ith a vision to be a world class training institution capable of repositioning not only ex servicemen but retirees of other paramilitary/ security agencies and organisations in order to cope with the challenges of post service life, the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) was established to provide military personnel with relevant vocational and entrepreneurial training, in preparation for living a productive and fulfilling life in retirement.

The centre was first established as an idea by the British Colonial Government’s as a Vocational Resettlement Centre (VRC) for the West African Frontier Force (WAFF) that fought on the side of the Allied Forces in the Second World War in 1945.

The center was mandated to impact relevant skills to meet the resettlement needs of the ex-combatants of the war in Nigeria and Ghana.

However, by the end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970, the mandate was redefined to meet the urgent need of rehabilitating the disabled soldiers of the civil war. Thus, the centre became an army establishment and was accordingly renamed the Nigerian Army Rehabilitation Centre to rehabilitate the disabled soldiers of the Nigerian Civil War. In the early 1980s, it became necessary to review the mandate of the centre when virtually all the disabled soldiers had been rehabilitated. Accordingly, with the introduction of the concept of Defence Headquarters, in the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre in 1982 with a renewed mandate.

The centre is currently headed by NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Kinglsey Lar; with other principal officers like the Director of Administration, Air Commodore T Oladega; Director of Training, Brig Gen AY Bwala; Director of Coordination, Commodore EB Duke; Director of Logistics, Commodore I Dam; Director of Finance, Brigadier General JE Osifo; and the centre's Information Officer, Lieutenant Commander CID Yohanna.

Historic Combined Graduation Just recently, after 35 years of service to the nation, 256 Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs) of the military were retired in a colourful celebration. Their retirement followed several months of courses on reintegration to civil life, entrepreneurship and other kills acquisition programmes at NAFRC. The retirees, who were drawn from the Nigerian Army (NA), Nigerian Navy (NN) and Nigerian Air Force (NAF), were hosted to a combined passing out ceremony with 26 generals and 47 mid-level officers who underwent management and entrepreneurship courses also at NAFRC. These 76 officers, it was gathered, were penciled for the courses they took to prepare them for retirement since they do not have much years in the civil service. Under the management courses, skills like general management, security and safety practice management and entrepreneurship and general

studies were taught.

Also, for the first time ever, participants were drawn from the paramilitary and they were enrolled in various entrepreneurship and vocational studies. The participants were drawn from the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Department of State Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency(NIA) and Defence Intelligence Agencies (DIA).

Special guests at the ceremony were former CDS, Gen. Alexander Ogomudia (rtd.); Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson; General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Godwin Umelo and Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Logistics Command, AVM Lawal Alao, among others.

New Vista For the 256 recent retirees, it was new vista to transition into civil life after their 35 years sojourn into the military. For 35 years, they went through series of military trainings to ensure they turned out to be professional soldiers in their various units and fields. Suffice to say that their entire process were wired in those years in a military pattern, which is often with precision, regimentation, dedication to duty and discipline.

Throughout those years, they recited the soldiers creed, and were solely dedicated to the actualisation of the Armed Forces core responsibilities whatever the cost or odds.

However, after those 35 years, it was time to reformat their thinking process back to the civilian life they were used to before their sojourn into military life.

Thus to ensure a smooth and seamless transition back to civil life, NAFRC was borne.

At the centre located at Oshodi, Lagos, the retirees undergo six months training and re-training to ease their transition. They are also equipped with relevant civilian skills that would ensure they are kept busy.

For the current graduates, they were equipped with relevant trades and vocational skills. For the fashion wing, courses like shoe making, barring, tailoring, laundry and weaving were taught, while the fine arts and printing training had courses like fine arts, ceramics making, photography and printing as its core base.

While the soap and cosmetics department had courses like soap and cosmetics making and domestic products, the agricultural section had general agric/food/cash crop, poultry, piggery, fishery, rabbitary, ruminants and snailery.

Also, the wood work sections boasts of carpentry and joinery, furniture design and construction, as well as the machine wood work, while the building and civil works section has bricklaying and concreting, plumbing and pipe lifting, painting and spraying.

For the electrical and electronics section, courses like refrigeration and air conditioning, electrical installation and maintenance practice, as well as radio and television. The auto mechanics wing boasts of mechanical engineering, battery charging, vulcanising and car wash.

Other departments like fabrication and

L-R: Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Istifanus Gyang; Mrs. Lar, NAFRC Commandant, Air Commodore Kingsley Lar; Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; former CDS, Gen. Alexander Ogomudia (rtd.) and DEPOWA member welding have the fabrication, welding, machining and fitting, as well as foundry, while the music department deals with instrument learning and entertainment, even as the food and beverages department deals with bakery and the information technology department takes care of computer appreciation, hardware maintenance, networking and internet, as well as systems development and design.

FG's Commitment While reiterating the commitment of the federal government to provide the needed support to enable this institution build capacity and optimally run these courses at the centre,the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Abayomi Olonisakin, urged the retirees to be unrelenting in their support to security agencies particularly in the area of community intelligence gathering.

Reminding them of the recently approved enhanced welfare packages for retiring members of the Armed Forces by President Muhammadu Buhari, Olonisakin charged them to stay loyal and dedicated to the nation.

He further commended NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar and other staff for ensuring that Armed Forces personnel were exposed to the latest trends in global entrepreneurship and management training.

Acknowledging the challenge of integrating into the civil life amongst others, he however, said the training received at the centre has adequately equipped them to easily adapt to post-service life.

Also speaking afterwards in an interview, the Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Istifanus Gyang, said his assessment of the centre was in a positive light, adding that the projects commissioned were the testament of effective leadership shown by AVM Lar. He further commended the commandant for judiciously using the funds provided in upgrading the facilities in the centre.

Re-engineering People, Processes, Systems In his welcome remarks, NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Kingsley Lar, said the retirees were the stream one of the second batch for this year. Lar who led dignitaries at the event round the centre for inauguration of some of the projects executed since his assumption of office in January, said he was glad to have officials of the NCS, DSS, NIA and DIA participate in the courses for the first time ever.

He said: “The Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, the home of Hope and Courage, is a centre of scenic beauty and splendour. Let me hasten to say that the beautiful ambience of the NAFRC environment is the result of the visionary thinking of our founding fathers, the resolute commitment of past leaders of our armed forces (like Gen Alexander Ogomudia who has honoured us with his distinguished presence today), as well as the commitment of the past commandants, officers and men who served in the centre. I therefore want to specially salute the vision of all our founders

and forebears for the strategic thoughts and vision behind NAFRC. “When l assumed command of this centre in January this year, my first impression was that this is a well-positioned centre with capacity to optimally deliver on its core mandate of vocational training not just for retiring personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria but also for all Nigerians as well as the West African sub region.

“Pursuant to this objective, I immediately developed my vision of command which is to harness the available human and infrastructural capital to transform NAFRC into a word class centre of excellence for international best practice in vocational training.

“The implementation of this vision was anchored on a three-pronged approach of reengineering the people, processes and systems. Towards achieving this objective, my first emphasis was to develop and improve different aspects of our human capital resource. Next step was to update the training curricula of the various workshops in line with contemporary practices. As a corollary to this, several of the workshops had to be upgraded and equipped with modern and upto date equipment for training.

“To compliment the already existing vocational workshops, l approved the introduction of new vocational workshops in paint making, communications equipment repairs and floriculture. My emphasis was also on maintaining and improving the physical and social infrastructure of the centre.

“On completion of the three anchors of my vision, l thereafter sought and obtained Defence Headquarters authorisation to admit members of para-military agencies as well as government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to carry out training in NAFRC. “Suffice to add that in line with my firm belief that NAFRC is adequately poised to train all Nigerians with vocational skills, the centre in conjunction with the Mushin Local Government Council has successfully conducted various vocational training for citizens in the local government as well as youths in different military barracks across Nigeria.

“Specifically, the centre’s Agric Wing has conducted training and cultivated several economic trees and vegetable farms in Nigerian Army Cantonment Ojo, NAF Base Ikeja while that of the Navy Town Ojo is being finalised.

This same gesture has also been extended to several other military formations in Abuja, Bauchi, Kaduna, Makurdi and Kerang in Plateau State.

“Under my watch, NAFRC remains committed to the vision of being a world class center of excellence for the training of vocational skills not only for disengaging military personnel but also to members of security and para military agencies and the entire Nigerian citizens.”

Given the important role the centre is saddled with it, it is therefore expected that consistency in providing quality training, geared towards preparing the retirees to face the challenges of re-integrating into civil life, is sacrosanct.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020

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

Abiru is Ready to Serve

Vanessa Obioha writes that Tokunbo Abiru, candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Lagos East Senatorial by-election is not a green horn, afterall, having once served as the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance

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s the Lagos East Senatorial by-election draws near, the constant name on many lips is Tokunbo Abiru, the former banker and one-time Commissioner for Finance in Lagos state. He is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.

Abiru is considered a bit of a cypher in the political landscape by his critics. Their reasons are not far-fetched.

First, his niche has always been in the banking industry. There are few people who have left the suit and tie business to join the political sphere.

Having Abiru who spent three decades in the banking sector to replace the late Senator Adebayo Osinowo expectedly raised eyebrows. Thus, they questioned his political pedigree, milestones and acumen.

As much as many would want to believe that he fell down from the sky like an alien or was imposed on the party by the acclaimed godfather of Lagos politics, Senator Bola Tinubu, Abiru is not entirely new to the game of politics. He recently cleared all doubts at a meeting with journaliss, positioning himself as the right Senator to represent his constituents in the Red Chamber.

Arguably, Abiru has been a silent observer and political player. The former Group Managing Director of Polaris Bank is the son of a politician.

His late father Mudashiru Akanbi Abiru was a two-term Senator under the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

His father established the first club in Ikorodu division, The Exclusives, in 1965. Abiru has also been a member of the foremost club in Ikorodu, Oriwu Club since 2006.

In his division, Ikorodu, he is well known. According to him, he’s been part and parcel of the community, contributing to the development of the area as a private sector person. During the lockdown period occasioned by COVID-19, it was revealed that he gave palliatives to over 8,000 people in the community.

Also, as the former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos, he initiated tax reforms, Abiru has a taste of governance. Although he only spent two years in the office before returning to the banking field, his resignation from the lofty position is one of the doubts cast on him by pundits. Will he also abandon his people if elected for another enticing offer in the banking sector?

Abiru made it clear that he already made up his mind to retire this year and go into public service.

“I have fully accomplished my mandate with Polaris Bank which was to set the bank on the right track again. The next thing for me was how to partake in the public space in terms of public conversation and public development. So when the opportunity came to serve my people, I thought it was the best environment for me to put together all the skills and discipline in terms of my career and give back to society. Public service is a life-long service so you can be assured that I’m here to serve,” he explained.

Frowning at the thought that he was anointed by party leaders, Abiru made it clear that he spent the past few months holding consultations with the party leadership.

“I’ve been having extensive consultations with the party leadership starting

Abiru

from the Governors Advisory Council (GAC). They are spread all over Lagos; from Ikorodu, Kosofe to Epe. They are everywhere. I have been able to meet with over 70 per cent of them so by the time I am meeting them formally, I was already convinced and I received encouragement from them.”

He added that he met with other opinion shapers in the party, therefore his consultation was very wide.

Regarding his relationship with the incumbent governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Abiru emphasized that he has a very cordial relationship with the governor and discarded the news making rounds that there is no love lost between him and the governor as a seed of discord sown by the opposition party.

“I have known the governor since 2000 and we have been friends all

I have fully accomplished my mandate with Polaris Bank which was to set the bank on the right track again. The next thing for me was how to partake in the public space in terms of public conversation and public development.

So when the opportunity came to serve my people, I thought it was the best environment for me to put together all the skills and discipline in terms of my career and give back to society. Public service is a life-long service so you can be assured that I’m here to serve,” he explained

along. He is my major source of inspiration and a supporter of my mission.”

From all indications, Abiru is positioned to win the senatorial seat on October 31 when he faces the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contender. Since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999, only members of the party have won the seat. But Abiru’s critics hope that the political permutations will be upended this period.

Notwithstanding, if Abiru should emerge the winner, he is poised to bring about the necessary changes that will uplift the Lagos East Zone: Somolu, Ikorodu, Kosofe, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe. Top on his priority list is to bring about the necessary infrastructural development to boost investment in the district and to continue to champion special status for Lagos State.

“I will continue to join hands with both the present and former leadership of Lagos state, the legislators to push for a special status in Lagos to become a reality. We need it. It’s not something we should shy away from.

Yes, Lagos is doing well as a state but it needs more support.”

Other plans which he is still keeping close to his chest revolve around social development and poverty alleviation.

Overall, Abiru stands for continuity, competence and discipline as he takes the next big leap in his over five decades of life.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020

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In Adamawa, Fintiri Attracts Investors Rather than take frequent trips abroad to scout for investors, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State has concentrated on tapping into the pool of wealthy Nigerian businessmen, writes Daji Sani

Fintiri

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espite the recent political cloud gathered against him and the devastations from the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy of Adamawa State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, is taking the right steps to boost economic activities as well as create more than 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities for the people of the state.

The people of the state can testify to his resilience and doggedness to grow the economy and provide the basic necessities of life to the residents of the state despite the devastation of the economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the political clouds gathering against the governor by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to wrestle power from him in 2023 general polls.

The governor has assured the new trend by personally going out to drag opportunities into the state by inviting investors.

In the past few weeks, Fintiri paid several visits to Alh. Abdul-Samad Rabiu, the Founder and Chairman of BUA Group of companies in Lagos, the son of Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu, a foremost Nigerian industrialist in the 1970s and 1980s, an erudite business mogul with interests in manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture with a revenue in excess of $2.5 billion.

Abdul-Samad also doubles as Chairman of the Nigerian Bank of Industry. Their meeting wasn’t a tea party but a direct intervention in the Governor’s desire to attract investors to the state.

Abdul-Samad is known in Nigeria and internationally as an investor per excellence who since 1988 compassionately creates business ventures that not only makes money for the but lifts the living standard of people affected by various kinds of crisis in the state.

Governor Fintiri had gone to meet the chairman of BUA to invest and establish the Guyuk cement factory long politicised by previous administrations with the aim to create employment and increase internally generated revenue.

The governor said his plan was to diversify the economy of the state from the full dependence of petroleum products and monthly location that come to the state.

Adamawa Lawmaker , Hon.Adwawa Dongolock praised the take-off of the construction of 3 million metric tonnes capacity cement factory proposed by BUA Cement at Guyuk Local Government Area (LGA ) in the state.

Dongolock, who is a member representing Guyuk (LGA) in the State House of Assembly spoke with journalists at the proposed site of the cement factory in Yola. He said only in the atmosphere of peace that development can thrive in the area..

According to him, the stakeholders were

Osinbajo

doing everything humanly possible to resolve the issues that led to the communal clashes between the two warring communities of Lunguda and Waja that had engulfed the councils “l think with the effort put in place to restore and gain complete peace in the area before the construction of the cement factory, l believed if that is achieved the construction will succeed without hitches,” he said He said the losses as a result of the recent clashes which rocked both communities is huge enough to affect the fortune of the people of the area for a long time.

He, however, said he’s confident that work on Guyuk cement plant by Bua Cement will proceed without hitches as management of the company which plans to begin cement production from the Guyuk plant by 2021 has agreed to build resettlement houses and relocate all those living on the mountains with huge limestone deposit on them.

He said, “The issue of resettlement and compensation pay-outs have been agreed upon by both parties. The take-off of the 3 million tonnes capacity cement production plant in Guyuk will go on without hitches.

We therefore want to thank Governor Ahmadu Fintiri because the company will surely open up our area and provide gainful employment to our youths.”

According to the lawmaker, who thanked Governor Ahmadu Fintiri for actualizing cement exploration from his constituency stalled for almost 30 years because of previous administrations half-hearted and non-transparent approach in engaging investor’s to harness the huge limestone deposit in the area. He said with the promise of the project providing over 3,000 direct employment and additional 5,000 indirect jobs, Governor Fintiri has shown by his transparent handling of negotiations with the management of BUA Cement that

he’s a man who has the interest of the poor masses, he said, “We must always thank Governor Fintiri.

Despite all that has happened, Fintiri is the only governor who has shown uncommon goodwill and transparency in actualizing the take-off of cement production in the state.

Many past leaders were not after the interest of the poor masses because of their own selfish interest.

Recently His Excellency also paid another important high profile visit to Sir Emeka Offor, Chairman of the Chrome group of companies. From Anambra State, Sir Offor is a Nigerian oil magnate and entrepreneur with interests in telecommunications and manufacturing. He is also the chairman of Sir Emeka Offor Foundation with enormous presence and philanthropic interventions in the education sector in order to empower people for sustainable development in the state.

When other governors are busy travelling abroad in the name of scouting for investors, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is realistic enough to remain dedicated to achieving desired results from a strategic and definite domestic approach.

“We have business leaders who are willing to invest here at home if given the level playing ground” the governor said this in one of his forum. He said he intends to utilize and capitalize upon the local investors to deliver all his promises to the people of Adamawa In September this year as if it wasn’t enough, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri met with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Sadiya Umar-Farouq, National Security Adviser Babagana Monguno, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) amongst others.

The ATM Governor as he popularly called

The people of the state can testify to his resilience and doggedness to grow the economy and provide the basic necessities of life to the residents of the state despite the devastation of the economy caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the political clouds gathering against the governor by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) to wrestle power from him in 2023 general polls

described the meeting as successful, the import of which was the security of the North-East and resettlement of IDPs in order to open the economic space and give the people opportunity to realize their potentials under prevailing peace and tranquillity.

The Organizing Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party , Alhahi Hamza Madagali. said in an interview with THISDAY, “ this is a governor that doesn’t go to Abuja to sleep, but always on his feet for the good people of Adamawa State and Nigeria in general.”

Any doubt on the sincerity of His Excellency is calculatedly being eroded in the minds of wailing drillers and hale raisers.

He said his giant strides is quieting critics and detractors alike, the moving train is trampling every insidious nag that holds on to the psych of desperate pessimists.’

Fintiri is a formidable force to reckon with, an unstoppable wind of fresh air, the dawn of a new and modern Adamawa State is here’.

Recently , Governor Fintiri, at the reception for decampees into the PDP, said the people of Adamawa State were yearning for change, therefore, his administration will not relent until the downtroddens are given a new lease of life.

He called on the new members to work with other members of the PDP and support government in its effort towards arresting criminality and bringing development to Adamawa State.

The State Chairman of the PDP, Barr. Tahir Shehu called on the people of Mubi zone, from where the decampees came to Yola, to continue to rally round politicians with good track records.

In his remark, Alhaji Abubakar Wambai who led his supporters from Mubi to Yola for the reception into the PDP, said with his defection to the ruling party, APC is completely dead in the northern part of Adamawa State.

Wambai who is a strong force in APC in Mubi , Mania LGAs said they decided to identify the governor because of his developmental strides and his concerned in the area of trying to provide the basic necessities of life to the people of the state.

While at the APC Secretariat, the state party Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Bilal, announced to party members who gathered in honour of a departed former official of the party, that ex-Governor Bala Ngillari and others had joined the party from the PDP. Bilal said, “Ngillari decamped to APC after long consultation, and he joined the progressive party with thousands of his supporters.

“He told me verbatim that his coming to APC is not to look for any position but to enjoy freedom of political aspiration.

However APC said it had resolved its differences to take power from the PDP in 2023 national elections.

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LAWYER

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WEEKLY PULLOUT

06.10.2020

‘I am a Covid-19 Survivor’

2/DASHBOARD

06.10.2020

LAWYER

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WEEKLY PULLOUT

06.10.2020

Effect of Retraction of an Accused Person’s Confessional Statement PAGE 4

Nigeria @ 60: SAN, Ex-Lawmaker Join Call for Overhaul of 1999 Constitution PAGE 5

‘I am a Covid-19 Survivor’

NBA Accepts to Lead Gender Reform in Nigeria's Judicial Sector

QUOTABLES ‘The Police is under the Exclusive Legislative List, and not the Concurrent List. The Police is not under the States. The Federal Government cannot deduct money from me (Rivers State) for the Police.....It is unconstitutional.’ - Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, Lawyer, Life Bencher, Governor of Rivers State, Federal Republic of Nigeria ‘The President is talking of job creation, when people are losing their jobs everyday because of the Neo-liberal policies of the Government, dictated by the IMF and the World Bank.’ Femi Falana, SAN, Human Rights Lawyer and Activist

PAGE 5

The 7-Steps to Successful Law Firm Modernisation PAGE 11

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06.10.2020

Constitutional Changes Nigeria Needs We are all aware that the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) (the Constitution), was originally a Schedule to the Federal Military Government's Decree No. 24 of 1999 aka Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Promulgation) Decree 1999. And, we are also aware that, there was not much equity or justice in the Nigerian Military's vocabulary and actions!

Even though the Preamble to the Constitution, specifically the fourth paragraph thereof, resolves to promote "the good government and welfare of all persons in our country on the principles of freedom, equality and justice, and for the purpose of consolidating the unity of our people", it is evident, even from some of the provisions in Chapter l of the Constitution (which we are primarily looking at today) that, ironically, this document is designed to achieve the exact opposite of what it claims it has resolved to do.

With the agitations for secession because of marginalisation, tribalism, nepotism etc, it is time that Government realises that, if we really want to stay together as “One Nigeria”, there must be some far reaching changes to our Constitution and general living conditions. The complaints of everyone, whether Christian, Muslim or Traditionalists, Northern or Southern, must be taken into serious consideration, instead of this tendency to gloss over issues as if they do not exist, or pretend that all is well. This mindset, that is, the achievement of a society where majority of the people feel included and equal, where there are workable and fair compromises, must also form the basis of any constitutional reconstruction (aside from concepts like true Federalism, Separation of Powers, Secularity of the nation and so on).

Observation No. 3: State Creation And so, I decided to continue with my observations about the changes that are required to be made, to make the Constitution more suitable.

Last week, my first two observations were in respect of provisions for Plebiscite, Referendum and Sovereign National Conference; and about the transformation from a Unitary system to true Federalism.

My third observation concerns States/State creation. Section 3(1) of the Constitution enumerates the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. These States and Abuja were divided into six geopolitical zones by the Abacha regime, possibly to be able to allocate resources more effectively; the zones are however, not recognised by the Constitution. Like I said previously, the military didn’t do many things fairly, and the zoning resulted in the North Central (including Abuja) and the North West having seven States each, the North East, South West and South South, six States each, and the South East, five States. This zoning policy seems to have added to Nigeria’s problems, as it gives the North Central and the North West zones an advantage over the other zones - so much for equality and justice - but, the truth of the matter is, this zoning system is unconstitutional.

Section 71(1)(a) divides each State of the Federation into three Senatorial districts and 360 Federal Constituencies (Section 71(1)(b) of the Constitution).

See Sections 48 and 49 of the Constitution. The Southern States have a total of 51 Senators, while the Northern States have a total of 57 Senators.

Ditto in the House of Representatives. I do not dispute the fact that the Northern States are made up different ethnic nationalities who practice different religions, and therefore, they may not usually have a consensus, but the fact is that, many in the South argue that a combination of the Constitution (which is the grundnorm) and the military zoning, give the North an undue advantage/veto power over the South, and that this is neither equitable or fair, nor does it promote unity. That in fact, it does the exact opposite - it promotes disunity and resentment.

It is time to decide whether we want to retain these zones and recognise them in the Constitution, in which case, the issue of creating more States so that the zones that do not have up to seven States can achieve equality with them, arises.

Unfortunately, Sections 8 and 9 of the Constitution make it almost impossible to create new States, in order for the deficient zones to attain equality with the seven State zones.

While I do not particularly believe that Nigeria requires any more States, in the interest of equity, equality and justice, if the zoning system is to be maintained, should Section 8 of the Constitution

be amended to include a proviso at the end of Section 8(1)(d) that all the zones must have an equal number of States, and that the convoluted process that is required for State creation, should be by-passed in the case of adding two States to the South East, and one each to the North East, South West and South South respectively, to achieve equality with the seven State zones?

Alternatively, there is the argument that we already have too many States, many of which are not viable; and therefore, the number of States should be reduced; while some others prefer that we revert to the regional system of old. This is a very serious conversation that needs to be had, and decided upon in a referendum. Funny enough, State and Local Government creation may be the only processes that the Constitution provides for referendums for, as a prelude to creating them.

The issue of creation of Local Governments must also be addressed - this must be a population/ statistics driven process - the larger the population, the more local governments are required to take effective governance to the people. It is therefore, ridiculous that Kano should have more local governments than Lagos. A proviso should be included in Section 8(3)(d) of the Constitution (in order to by-pass the complicated local government creation process), to increase the number of local governments in Lagos so that, at least, they are equal to that of Kano, since Lagos is more populated than Kano.

Baba’s Independence Day Address Last Thursday, I listened to Baba (President Muhammadu Buhari)'s October I Independence Day address to the nation. He made comparisons with Saudi Arabia, Ghana and other oil producing countries with regard to the price of fuel, and concluded that there was no justification for petrol to be cheaper in Nigeria than Saudi Arabia. While this may be true, we have seen how Saudi Arabia has utilised its oil revenue to develop their country, and what nearby Ghana is trying to do to improve their own country (mind you, the minimum wage in Saudi is about 10 times more than the minimum wage in Nigeria). What will Nigeria do with the savings from the fuel subsidy, going forward? What will be the essence of these savings if they are wasted, as opposed to achieving the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in Chapter 2 of the Constitution? None.

Observation No. 4: Non-Justiciability of Chapter 2 of the Constitution To this end, Section 6(6)(c) of the Constitution should be deleted therefrom, as ousting the jurisdiction of the courts in respect of the afore-mentioned Chapter 2, does not allow for holding government to any form of accountability. In a democratic system such as the one we claim to be operating, apart from appealing to the consciences of those who are in government, which is obviously not an effective form of ensuring performance and securing accountability, the other ways to ensure achievement of any laudable objectives apart from entrenching the doctrine of separation of powers into our system/checks and balances, is to be able to ventilate grievances concerning the non-attainment of these objectives in the courts, in order to compel performance - in a fair and effective judicial system, which operates swiftly

Senate President, Ahmed Lawan

and efficiently.

Observation No. 5: Bindingness of the Constitution Last week, there was a hue and cry about the President's nomination of Mrs Aisha Dahir Umar from the North East, as the Director General of PENCOM to replace Mrs Chinelo Anohu-Amazu from the South East. Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe raised an objection to Mrs Umar's nomination on the floor of the Senate, on the ground that it contravened some provisions of the law which provides inter alia that, replacements must be from the geo-political zone of the immediate past member that vacated office.

Should Section I(1) of the Constitution also be amended to state unequivocally that the Constitution has binding force on all authorities including government agencies, and on all persons including the President, Vice President, Governors and Deputy Governors, so that everyone is left with no doubt that the Constitution binds us all and no one is above the law, because these Government Officials seem to regularly act in blatant disregard of the Constitution, as if its not binding on them at all? For example, even though Section 171 of the Constitution gives the President the power of appointment of certain officials, it must be subject to sections like 1(2), 14(3) & (4), and 42(1) of the Constitution, which dictate the rules on appointments - that is, government must not be controlled by or concentrated in the hands of any particular group, the Federal Character provisions of the Constitution must be strictly adhered to by all, and the guarantee of freedom from discrimination of every Nigerian.

Observation No. 6: Section 10 and the Secularity of Nigeria Let me restate the fact that my late father was a staunch Muslim, my mother is a staunch Catholic, and we lived happily in our multi-religious household. I therefore, do not understand why religion should be the cause of so much disaffection in our land - but, the fact remains that, it is.

And, that is why, honestly, the only way we can peacefully co-exist as a nation, is to keep religion personal and leave it out of government and the public space completely. Why give prominence and provide a fertile ground for something that is one of the main causes of disaffection in our nation, to grow? Why breed hatred in the land, because of it? Why does Government continue to play the ostrich, and pretend that it is unaware of the problems that religion is causing in Nigeria?

Government should not be involved in issues like how pilgrims get to Jerusalem or Mecca; it sounds ridiculous. Some have argued additionally that, the fact that Sharia law has been imposed in the Northern States, breaches the fundamental rights guaranteed by Sections 38(1), 39(1), 40, 41(1) and 42(1)(a) of the Constitution.

Therefore, Section 10 of the Constitution should be amended to provide unequivocally that Nigeria is a secular nation with no official (or favoured) religion, and that neither the country nor its States, shall adopt or practice any State religion. It must include a sub-section which clearly provides that only the Magistrates Court, State High Court, Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court have criminal jurisdiction, and not the Customary

Speaker, House of Reps, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila

“....... MY LATE FATHER WAS A STAUNCH MUSLIM, MY MOTHER IS A STAUNCH CATHOLIC, AND WE LIVED HAPPILY IN OUR MULTIRELIGIOUS HOUSEHOLD. I THEREFORE, DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY RELIGION SHOULD BE THE CAUSE OF SO MUCH DISAFFECTION IN OUR LAND - BUT, THE FACT REMAINS THAT, IT IS.....KEEP RELIGION PERSONAL AND LEAVE IT OUT OF GOVERNMENT AND THE PUBLIC SPACE COMPLETELY”

and Sharia Courts.

Some have attempted to draw some type of correlation between Customary law and Sharia law.

I beg to disagree. While customary law is a source of Nigerian law - arising from our traditional/native customs, the source of Sharia law, is religion. In a secular society, religion plays little or no role in the public space. However, I do concede that we do certain things, like getting married according to native law and custom, and according to the tenets of Islam; and in the event of dissolution of such marriages, it must be done by those with special training so to do. Similarly, issues of inheritance traditionally and Islamically, must be handled by experts in the said courts who are well trained in this regard. Unlike Sections 233, 241(1) and 251 of the Constitution which expressly confer criminal jurisdiction on the State High Court and Federal High Court, Sections 262, 267, 277, and 282 do no such thing on the Customary and Sharia Courts. However, for the avoidance of doubt, I submit that the jurisdiction of Customary and Sharia Courts must be more expressly and unequivocally limited and restricted to civil matters such as this, and not criminal matters.

Conclusion The overview of the Preamble and the first chapter of the Constitution shows that, practically every section therein requires serious deliberation upon, and some form of amendment. As for me, I have decided to lead by example, by updating my CV to reflect my State of Origin as Nigeria, and my religion as Personal. My dear Colleagues, what are your views on Chapter 1 of the Constitution?

4/LAW REPORT

Effect of Retraction of an Accused Person’s Confessional Statement Facts

On 25th December, 2009, a certain Edwin Odeh (deceased) and the Appellant, allegedly had an altercation at Kajola Village, Obafemi Owode, Abeokuta, Ogun State. In the course of the quarrel, the Appellant picked up a heavy piece of wood, and struck the deceased repeatedly on the head. The deceased fell down bleeding, and was rushed to the hospital. He remained unconscious, until he died five days later.

Subsequently, the Appellant was arraigned before the High Court of Ogun State on a one count charge of murder contrary to Section 316 (1) of the Criminal Code Law of Ogun State, 2006. At the conclusion of trial, the court found the Appellant guilty, convicted and sentenced him to death by hanging. Dissatisfied with the decision of the trial court, the Appellant unsuccessfully appealed to the Court of Appeal; and this led to a further appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination Whether the Court of Appeal was right in upholding the findings of the trial court, that the Respondent proved its case against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt.

Arguments Arguing the appeal, counsel for the Appellant contended that the Prosecution failed to discharge the burden of establishing the Appellant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

He relied on the case of JOHN v THE STATE (2017) 16 NWLR (Pt. 1591) 304 at 341 E-F and submitted that, the Prosecution must establish a causal link between the act of the accused person and the death of the deceased.

Counsel submitted that in proving its case, a prosecution may rely on (i) the confessional statement of the accused person; (ii) circumstantial evidence; and/or (iii) evidence of eyewitness. He noted that the Prosecution relied on all these methods, in this case.

In respect of the Appellant’s confessional statements (Exhibits P2 and P4), it was argued on behalf of the Appellant that the statements were unreliable, and the lower courts ought not to have founded on them. Further, counsel argued that although the Appellant did not object to the admissibility of the confessional statements, the trial court ought not to have accorded weight to them, as the Appellant retracted them and gave evidence of police brutality. He relied on Section 29(3) of the Evidence Act in contending that, the court ought to have called on the Prosecution to prove that the confessional statements were made voluntarily.

He also contended that the confessional statements were not subjected to the six-way test for credibility, laid down in NWACHUKWU v THE STATE (2002) 12 NWLR (Pt. 782) 543.

Regarding the evidence of the eyewitnesses (PW1 and PW2), the Appellant’s counsel submitted that there were material inconsistencies in their testimonies, as whether it was only the Appellant and the deceased alone that were fighting.

He submitted further that, none of the other witnesses called by the Prosecution were eyewitnesses; PW4, PW5 and PW7 are Investigating Police Officers, while PW6 was a Pathologist who conducted post-mortem examination on the deceased, and testified as to the likely cause of death. Counsel for the Appellant contended that there is a yawning gap in the report prepared by PW6, as to the actual cause of death. He noted that PW6 found that the deceased had ventricular hypertrophy, and that was an indication that the deceased was hypertensive at the time.

Counsel argued further that the trial court discarded the oral testimony of the Appellant, and failed to consider the defence of self-defence raised thereby. He argued that in a trial for murder, the court must consider all defences open to an accused person whether specifically raised by him or not, irrespective of how frivolous or untenable such defences may appear. He submitted that, the Appellant had stated that he acted in self-defence, and he did not expect that the deceased would die as a result of his action. He contended that the court is not entitled to utilise a portion of the Appellant’s statement that is disadvantageous to him, and discard the aspect that is favourable to him. Counsel urged the court to resolve the sole issue for determination, in favour of the Appellant.

Counsel for the Respondent refuted the Appellant’s arguments in general terms, and proffered counter-arguments to the issues addressed by counsel for the Appellant.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale In determining the appeal, the Apex Court held that, in a charge of murder the Prosecution must prove the following ingredients beyond reasonable doubt that: (1) the deceased died; (ii) the death of the deceased resulted from the act of the accused; and (iii) the

Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC

In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja On Friday, the 24th day of April, 2020 Before Their Lordships

Olabode Rhodes-Vivour Musa Dattijo Muhammad Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Chima Centus Nweze Ejembe Eko Justices, Supreme Court SC.44/2018 Between Muyideen Afuape …

...

… …

Appellant

…

Respondent

And The State…

…

(Lead Judgement delivered by Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, JSC)

action of the accused was intentional with knowledge that it might result in death or grievous harm to the deceased. In respect of the first element of the offence, the court examined the evidence from the record and upheld the finding of the Court of Appeal, that the deceased died.

In respect of the second ingredient, the court considered the argument of the Appellant on the inconsistency of the evidence of the Prosecution witnesses and decided that for any inconsistency in the evidence of Prosecution witnesses to be fatal to the case of the Prosecu-

tion, it must be shown (a) that the inconsistency is material; (b) that the trial Judge failed to avert to the inconsistency in his judgement; and (c) that the inconsistency must be such as to amount to substantial disparagement of the witness or witnesses concerned, such that reliance on such testimony would likely result in a miscarriage of justice. The court relied on the case of AGBO v THE STATE (2006) 6 NWLR (Pt. 977) 545 and stated that the inconsistency must be fundamental to the main issue before the court, and must be such as to cast doubt on the guilt of the accused person. The witnesses in the instant case were consistent in their evidence that it was the Appellant alone who hit the deceased on the head with a stick, and there was no evidence of any intervening event between the collapse and loss of consciousness of the deceased, and when he eventually died. Also, the contention of the Appellant that the cause of the deceased’s death might have been due to hypertension is speculative and unfounded; especially, given the report of PW6.

Regarding the contention of the Appellant that the trial court ought not to have placed any weight on the confessional statement of the Appellant, having retracted same, the their Lordships held that the proper stage at which to challenge the voluntariness of a confessional statement, is at the point when the Prosecution applies to tender it in evidence - ISONG v THE STATE (2016) 14 NWLR (Pt. 1531) 96. In this case, the statements were admitted without objection and it was never contended that the statements were obtained involuntarily or under duress. It was too late in the day, to raise the objection.

Further, it is not the duty of court to call on the Prosecution to prove that the confessional statements were voluntarily made. More so, the retraction of a confessional statement, does not automatically vitiate its admission as a voluntary statement. The court is required the apply the six-way test enunciated in R v SKYES (1913) 1 Cr. App. Rep.233 to wit: (a) Is there anything outside the statement to show that it is true? (b) Is it corroborated? (c)Are the facts stated true as far as can be tested? (d) Was the accused the man who had the opportunity of committing the offence? (e) Is the confession possible? (f) Is it consistent with other facts which have been established and proved? The Supreme Court found that the lower courts properly applied the test to the confessional statements, and came to the conclusion that the retraction was an afterthought.

In respect of the third ingredient, the court found on the authority of AKINLOLU v THE STATE (2016) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1497) 503 at 528 B-D that an accused person is taken to intend the consequences of his voluntary act when he foresees that it will probably happen, whether he desires it or not. By striking the deceased on the head repeatedly with a heavy piece of wood, the Appellant knew that death or grievous bodily harm would be the likely consequence. Regarding the defence of self-defence which was put forward by the Appellant, the court held that the Appellant could not have raised a defence of self-defence, as he had maintained he was not at the scene on the fateful day and denied knowing the deceased.

Further to the above, the Supreme Court upheld the finding of the Court of Appeal, that the Respondent proved the offence of murder against the Appellant beyond reasonable doubt.

Appeal Dismissed.

Dissenting Opinion Honourable Justice Ejembi Eko, however, gave a dissenting opinion in the matter. His Lordship reasoned that there must be a synergy between the actus reus and mens rea, for the offence of murder punishable under Section 316(1) of the Criminal Code of Ogun State to be fully constituted. His Lordship held that Exhibit P2 was not a confessional statement as it raises two defences of self-defence and mistake, and same creates reasonable doubt in the case of the Prosecution.

“......THE RETRACTION OF A CONFESSIONAL STATEMENT, DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY VITIATE ITS ADMISSION AS A VOLUNTARY STATEMENT”

Representation Prof. J.N. Mbadugha with Leonard Igboke, Esq. and Oreoluwa Alabi, Esq. for the Appellant Olusegun Olaotan, Esq. DPP Ogun State, with Adekunle Sodeinde, Esq. PSC Ogun State for the Respondent Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of the Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)

06.10.2020

NEWS/5

Nigeria @ 60: SAN, Ex-Lawmaker Join Call for Overhaul of 1999 Constitution Propose Immunity for Heads of Court, Harmonisation of Judges' Retirement Age Independent Prosecutors of Electoral Offenders, Visa ban Alex Enumah in Abuja As the nation celebrates 60 years of independence, the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) and a former lawmaker, Honourable Ali Ahmad, have joined the call for a total overhaul of the 1999 Constitution, to put the nation on a sound path of peace and development.

President of the Centre, Professor Yemi AkinseyeGeorge, SAN and Honourable Ahmad, in their different presentations noted that although Nigeria has reasons to celebrate at 60, however stated that, "our achievements in the last sixty years are far too small, compared with our potentials".

Professor Akinseye-George argued that successive governments since 1999 have not lived up to expectation, because after six decades of self-rule, Nigeria is still grappling with problems of lack of basic infrastructure, disunity, nepotism, abuse of RIĂ€FH DQG JURVV PLVPDQDJHment of resources, hence, his support for the efforts of the National Assembly to introduce further alterations to the Constitution.

"We cannot stand idly by and watch with indifference, as efforts are again being made to introduce further amendments to the Constitution. While the preferred option is to overhaul the Constitution through a people-driven process of peaceful renegotiation and constitution reformation, or

outright restructuring of the socio-political system, it appears that, for now, there is no political will on the part of the ruling elite to embark on such a revolutionary but necessary path.

"Yet there is no denying the fact that the 1999 Constitution is replete with several provisions which are antithetical to good governance and proper administration of justice", he said.

Akinseye-George said as part of its contribution, the CSLS have proposed four amendments aimed strengthening administration of justice, and promoting accountability for electoral Prof. Akinseye George, SAN offences.

"Firstly, we propose amendments to reduce the Independent Prosecutor for workload of the Supreme electoral offences. The power Court. Secondly, we propose of such a Prosecutor should amendments that will im- not be subject to the powers prove the well-being and of the Attorney-General, and UHWLUHPHQW EHQHĂ€WV RI -XGJHV executive immunity will no including the removal in the longer apply to electoral dichotomy in the retirement offences", he said.

On his part, Ahmad, who DJH RI +LJK &RXUW -XGJHV was a former House of DQG $SHOODWH -XVWLFHV "It is discriminatory that Representatives Committee ZKLOH VRPH -XGJHV PXVW &KDLUPDQ RQ -XVWLFH FDOOHG retire at 65, and others can for the separation of the Ofserve till 70. This discrimina- Ă€FH RI WKH $WWRUQH\ *HQHUDO tion, which began under the of the Federation from that Abacha regime, is uncalled RI WKH 0LQLVWHU RI -XVWLFH According to him, if NigeIRU DQG XQMXVWLĂ€HG "We propose an overhaul of ria must make progress in the Code of Conduct Bureau, her war against corruption, such that the Bureau should then it needs “an Attorneybe made less susceptible to General who is not too manipulation by the execu- politically aligned as to be going to Aso Rock every tive arm of government.

"We propose the establish- week, in order to face the PHQW RI WKH RIĂ€FH RI WKH important role of upholding

An Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos heard how seven men allegedly hacked and withdrew the sum of N900 million from First City Monument Bank (FCMB), belonging to several of its customers.

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) witness, an employee of FCMB, Olayinka Olaleye, while being led in evidence by the EFCC Lawyer, Benedict Chima Benneth, narrated to the court how the seven accused men allegedly committed the offences sometime in March 2018, in Lagos. “We received a call from one of our customers, Eko Hotel, reporting an unauthorised debit of N300, 000 from their account.� “We immediately went into our system and discovered that, the sum of N900 million had been withdrawn from various customers’ accounts. It was also discovered that these

suspects’ accounts, received huge sums of money.� “When we investigated further, we discovered that these suspects viewed the accounts of top customers like MTN, Multichoice, one account of Rivers State Government and Eko Hotel.� “They gained unauthorised access into the system of FCMB, they conspired together and deleted information, and hacked into the password of some users in the bank to increase transaction limits on the corporate accounts, increase the transaction amount, and they increased the transaction frequencies and linked their ATM cards into these corporate accounts I earlier mentioned, thereby effecting online transfers from those corporate accounts into their own accounts.�

However, during crossexamination by the 1st and 2nd defence counsel, Lekan Egbereoungbe, when asked

the rule of law�.

He also called for the provision of immunity for heads of court, to prevent them from becoming tools and puppets to the executive. &KLHI -XVWLFH RI 1LJHULD President of Court of Appeal, &KLHI -XGJHV RI 6WDWH +LJK &RXUWV DQG &KLHI -XGJH RI Federal High Court, must no longer be removable under any guise.

"Although presently, you cannot remove them without approval of the legislature, this provision has been circumvented by the executive arm both at Federal and States levels, for at least about four times now.

"What one is proposing as the only way to protect preVLGLQJ MXGLFLDO RIĂ€FHUV IURP members of the Executive Branch who are bent on re-

NBA Accepts to Lead Gender Reform in Nigeria's Judicial Sector

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Bar Association, -R\FH 2GXDK KDV SOHGJHG WR ensure a sexual harassment and gender policy is put in place in the NBA, as a step to begin concrete reform in Nigeria's judicial sector, entrench dignity for and end discrimination against women in the legal profession.

She made the commitment as a guest on a special Independence Day Program on +RXVH RI -XVWLFH 5DGLR 79 Kaduna, which had the theme "Independence & Its Meaning to the Nigerian Female". how the suspects gained Other guests on the prounauthorised access, the gram which was hosted by bank staff who has been Gloria Mabeiam Ballason, working with bank for six &(2 +RXVH RI -XVWLFH DOVR years said: “The bank has its included former Dean of application called FINACLE. Law at the University of It is hosted centrally upon Nigeria, Nsukka and former which any person that wants UN Special Rapporteur on to access it, is given a right +XPDQ 7UDIĂ€FNLQJ 3URI in relation to his duty. Rights -R\ 1JR]L (]HLOR IRUPHU differ from person to person. Chairman of the National There is what we call penetra- Human Rights Commission, WLRQ WKHUH LV D ZD\ WKDW RXU 3URI &KLGL $QVHOP 2GLQNDOX ‘SO Called Software’, can be and Sidikat Bello-Adegboye of the International Federation penetratedâ€?.

Meanwhile, the Commis- of Women Lawyers, FIDA. The guests decried the sion alleged that the seven Defendants did steal by workplace discrimination, authorised transfers and sexual harassment and withdrawals from various degrading treatment which FCMB points nationwide, IHPDOH /DZ\HUV DQG -XGJHV the sum of N900 million, face, stating that freedom property of the owners of from discrimination could not be a reality, if the legal and various customers of profession was just as FCMB, from their account plagued as the rest of society. to various accounts outside The guests also condemned the bank via POS and ATM. as ugly, a practice in which -XVWLFH 2OXZDWR\LQ 7DLZR IHPDOH -XGJHV ZKR GHVHUYH adjourned the matter to to be heads of courts or apthe 21st October, 2020, for pointed to superior courts of continuation of trial. record, were often shoved

FCMB Staff Narrate how MTN, MultiChoice Bank Accounts were Hacked Peter Taiwo

Hon. Ali Ahmad

moving them, is to extend the immunity clause in Section 308(3) of the Constitution to include these seven presiding MXGLFLDO RIĂ€FHUV :LWK WKLV in place, no politician can illegally remove or ridicule D SUHVLGLQJ MXGLFLDO RIĂ€FHU without approval of the Legislature", he said.

In the area of elections, Ahmad proposed that President and Governors, who currently have immunity from criminal prosecution, should have that immunity withdrawn where the allegation is that of conspiracy, participating or sponsoring electoral violence.

According to him, making politicians personally liable works very well in preventing election violence, "as evidenced by the recent ban

by US, UK and EU countries.

I will use this opportunity to urge these countries to extend this ban to Governors who will be conducting Local Government elections, henceforth. We all know that in Nigeria, few Governors have ever lost local government and councillorship elections, since 1999".

NBA General Secretary, Mrs. Joyce Oduah

Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo

aside for their male colleagues of lower ranks or who are OHVV TXDOLĂ€HG Speaking during the program, Prof. Odinkalu said independence of the judiciary and the legal profession was nothing, except it meant respect for the agency of women and equality of dignity and opportunity for all women. He noted that this was far from being the reality of females in Nigeria, due to degrading and discriminatory acts against them.

3URI -R\ (]HLOR REVHUYHG that Nigeria was "running a relay on one foot", due to its neglect of its female population, noting that Rwanda's rebuilding effort after the genocide, was a sterling example of what is possible when women are allowed to exercise their potentials.

Contributing, Sidikat Bello-Adegboye highlighted how culture, religion and

patriarchy usurp the agency of females, stating that independence was a high threshold, and could only be attained with a lot of deconstruction of myths and perceptions.

Responding, the General Secretary of the Nigeria Bar $VVRFLDWLRQ -R\FH 2GXDK who made history as the second female General Secretary in the NBA's 60 years of existence, said her leadership of the Secretariat of the NBA will ensure a sexual harassment policy was put in place and backed up by adequate training for the Nigerian legal profession, as a step towards protecting the rights of women. She enlisted the assistance of the panelists and their networks to bring this to fruition.

It will be recalled that, the NBA inaugurated a new leadership on 29 August, 2020, led by Olumide Akpata, with Mrs. Oduah as General Secretary.

06.10.2020

6/

An Overview of Company Voluntary Arrangements in CAMA 2020 Introduction

O

ne of the notable provisions in the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 2020 (CAMA 2020) is the Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVA). The CVA is modelled after the CVA in the United Kingdom (UK) Insolvency Act. In England, CVAs have been used in the debt restructuring of notable firms including Pizza Express (2020), House of Fraser (2018), Byron Burger (2018), Mothercare (2018), Carpetright (2018), Prezzo (2018), Toys ‘R’ Us (2017), Fitness First (2012), Travelodge (2012), JJB Sports (2009, 2011), Blacks Leisure (2009), Focus DIY (2009) etc. Many English CVAs have been "landlord-only" CVAs. These involve compromising substantial long-term leasehold liabilities, without interfering with other unsecured claims.

This discourse examines primary features of CVAs. What is a CVA? A CVA is a binding agreement for debt repayment, between a company and its unsecured creditors. It provides an opportunity for the company to negotiate achievable repayment terms with its creditors, and avoid insolvent liquidation.

Who may propose a CVA? Directors of a company may propose an arrangement to the company’s creditors. Where the company is in administration or liquidation, the administrator or the liquidator respectively, may propose an arrangement.

What is the Procedure for approving CVAs? Company directors are required to prepare a proposal, embodying the debt restructuring plan. The proposal will name an insolvency practitioner, to act as a nominee. The nominee is required to submit a report to Court opining on its viability, and whether meetings of creditors and members should be convened to consider the proposal: section 435(2). Unless the Court orders otherwise, the nominee would convene the meetings. Where the company is in administration or liquidation, the administrator or liquidator (respectively) will summon the meetings: Section 436(1)(b).

A proposal would typically embody valuable information such as the company’s assets, liabilities, nominees’ fees/expenses, the supervisor, guarantees, timing, conduct of business during the CVA, further credit facilities etc. Generally, the repayment plan should be realistic and implementable to incentivise creditors’ approval.

Instructively, it is an offence for a company official to make a false representation or act fraudulently, in order to obtain approval of an arrangement: Section 441.

The meetings may approve the proposal, with or without modifications. However, the following proposals and/or modifications are impermissible: (i) a modification which results in the cessation of the CVA, (ii) a proposal/modification which affects the rights of a secured creditor without their consent, and (iii) a proposal which alters the payment priority of preferential creditors without their consent: Section 437. English Insolvency law requires an arrangement proposal to be approved by 75% of creditors (in terms of the value of debt), and over 50% of members.

Where the creditors’ meeting and the members’ meeting take similar decisions, the decisions will become effective: Section 438(2) (a). Where there are differing decisions from the meetings, a member may apply to Court within 28 days of the decisions, for the decision taken at the members’ meeting to have effect. The Court may grant such application or make any other order it deems fit: Section 438(5). Upon approval, the CVA would be implemented under the supervision of an insolvency practitioner (a supervisor). The nominee may transition to a supervisor.

What is the effect of a CVA on Creditors?

If the meeting of creditors and the meeting of members approve the proposal, it will become binding on all unsecured creditors.

It will bind every creditor entitled to vote at the meeting, as if he were party to the arrangement. This will be the case, irrespective of whether or not the creditor (i) voted at the meeting, (ii) was present at the meeting, or (iii) received notice of the meeting.

What Options are available to aggrieved Parties?

CVAs may be challenged by a creditor, member, nominee or by an administrator or liquidator, where the company is in administration or liquidation respectively. It may be challenged on the ground that it unfairly prejudices the interest of a creditor, member or contributory: Section 440(1)(a). English Courts often adopt two

approaches in ascertaining unfair prejudice. Horizontal prejudice ascertains whether a creditor is treated less favourably than other similarly situated creditors, without justification. Vertical prejudice ascertains whether a creditor is in a worse position than he would be in administration or liquidation: Mourant & Co Trustees Ltd v Sixty UK Ltd (2010) EWHC 1890.

The terms in Prudential Assurance Company Ltd v PRG Powerhouse Ltd [2007] BCC 500 was held to be unfairly prejudicial to landlords who had given up their guarantees, but were not given any additional benefit in compensation. In Discovery (Northampton) Ltd v Debenhams Retail Ltd (2019) EWHC 2441, the Court ordered the deletion of a term which required landlords to waive/release rights to forfeit leases. The Court held that landlords’ rights to forfeit were proprietary rights and not contractual rights or security interests, hence could not be compromised by a CVA. A CVA may also be challenged on the ground that there has been material irregularity at or in relation to the creditors’ or members’ meetings: Section 440(1)(b); Sisu Capital Fund Ltd v Tucker [2005] EWHC 2170.

Where the challenge is successful, the Court may revoke or suspend any decision approving the CVA or taken at the meetings.

Alternatively, the Court may order the convening of further meetings to consider revised proposals, or reconsider the original proposal.

A person who is dissatisfied with a Supervisor’s act, omission or decision in implementing the terms of a CVA, may apply to court for redress. The court may confirm, reverse or modify the Supervisor’s act or decision, or make any order it deems fit: Section 442(3).

What are the likely consequences of a default in implementing the terms of a CVA? The terms of a CVA, may be implemented like any other commercial agreement. They often specify events and consequences of default.

Where a company defaults, creditors may cease to be bound by the CVA, and would be able to take unilateral actions against the company. Further, the CVA may empower the supervisor to petition for the company’s liquidation. Instructively, Section 442(4) of CAMA 2020 provides that the supervisor is “included among the persons who may apply to the Court for the winding up of the company or for an administration order”.

What is the difference between a CVA and a Scheme of Arrangement in Chapter 27 of CAMA? Schemes under Chapter 27 of CAMA 2020 differ from CVAs, in a number of respects. In contrast to CVAs, schemes are characterised by extensive court involvement. Schemes require only creditors’ meetings/approval, whilst CVAs require creditors’ and members’ meetings. Whilst schemes bind secured and preferential creditors, CVAs may only bind secured and preferential creditors with their consent. Whilst there is no moratorium in CVAs, CAMA 2020 has introduced a moratorium for schemes: Section 717(1). Schemes require identification of, and approval by, different classes of creditors.

There is no such requirement in CVAs. Unlike CVAs, no nominees or supervisors are required in schemes.

What are the Disadvantages of CVAs? (i) Secured and preferential creditors are not bound by CVAs, and may call in administrators. (ii) The absence of a moratorium exposes CVAs to the risk of being torpedoed by creditors. Under UK law, small companies undergoing CVA may apply to court for a 28-day moratorium on creditors’ enforcement action. (iii) Unsecured creditors are bound by the terms notwithstanding that they opposed same, or had not received notice of the meeting. (iv) Directors are allowed to remain in office, and there is no investigation of conducts which may have contributed to the company’s distress.

“A CVA IS A BINDING AGREEMENT FOR DEBT REPAYMENT, BETWEEN A COMPANY AND ITS UNSECURED CREDITORS. IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMPANY TO NEGOTIATE ACHIEVABLE REPAYMENT TERMS WITH ITS CREDITORS, AND AVOID INSOLVENT LIQUIDATION”

What are the Advantages of CVAs? (i) Companies remain under control of directors/internal management, and there is no disruption of business operations.

This reduces the risk of cash flow insolvency. (ii) CVAs are private, and there is no requirement for customers or the public to be notified of the process. (iii) CVAs are flexible and allow debtors to propose diverse arrangements to creditors depending on the debtor’s financial position. (iv) CVAs are neither complicated nor expensive, when compared to other formal insolvency procedures. (v) CVAs do not interfere with, or suspend rights of secured creditors, except with their consent. (vi) Unsecured creditors stand a good chance of being paid their debts, compared to liquidation and administration. (vii) CVAs are binding on both consenting and non-consenting unsecured creditors.

Are there potential legal issues to look out for in CVAs? Guarantee-stripping: This is common in English CVAs. In Prudential Assurance Company Ltd v PRG Powerhouse Ltd (supra), the Court held that a CVA could compromise only the liabilities between the company and its creditors, and not claims between the company’s creditors and third parties.

Accordingly, where a CVA specifies that creditors shall not claim against third party guarantors, the clause may be enforced by the debtor-company, but not the third party. In Mourant & Co Trustees Ltd v Sixty UK Ltd (supra), the Court cancelled a CVA where a party was to lose the benefit of a guarantee given by the debtor-company’s parent company.

Contingent Debts: Can CVAs cover contingent debts? Contingent debts are debts which may become due in future, upon the occurrence of specified events. In Re Cancol Ltd [1996] 1 All ER 37, Knox J. held that a tenant company’s CVA covered future rents under a lease. In Re T&N Ltd [2006] 3 All ER 697 an English Court held that the holder of a contingent claim was a creditor for purposes of a CVA, and a creditor need not have an accrued cause of action.

A

06.10.2020

/7

Me Celebrate Nigeria at 60?

Sorry, No!!! (Part 2) Introduction

very sad. I am too sad that we still practice what late Professor Claude Ake and other eminent Economists, refer to as a “disarticulate economy”, an economy where we produce what we do not consume (crude oil) and consume what we do not produce (fuel and gas).

We have bred mass unemployment, untrammelled corruption, intellectual dishonesty, academic squalor, social disequilibrium, political brinkmanship, executive lawlessness, legislative rascality, judicial injustice and electoral brigandage. In the Nigeria of today, the votes are neither counted nor allowed to count. I am very sad because there is no transparency, accountability and responsibility in government or governance. I am utterly depressed and sad that the proverbial common man and woman continue to wallow in ignorance, dejection, melancholy and hopelessness. I am very sad that we practice religion vociferously, but without being religious or Godly. I am very sad that the hoi polloi continues to be repressed, oppressed, suppressed, marginalised, subjugated, denied, traumatised, ignored, rejected and dejected. The Frantz, Fanons “Wretched of the Earth” still wallow in searing pains, pangs, blood and sorrow.

I am indeed a very SAD NIGERIAN. NIGERIA WE HAIL THEE. GOD BLESS NIGERIA. AMEN.

L

ast week, I moaned about a country with squandered riches and opportunities. At 60, Nigeria still literally crawls on her knees.

She wobbles, dawdles, fumbles, tumbles, almost crumbles. So, I am not happy. I am sad. I am not celebrating at all. Let us do self-introspection. Let us undertake to do better. Now, read on.

Sadness Nigeria, talking about acute poverty and abject penury (as we saw last week), has since snatched that smelly diadem from India, as the poverty capital of the world.

I am sad that Nigeria, once a very safe country, where citizens could drive out, or walk leisurely in orchards, bush paths, dark alleys, forests and highways, is today so unsafe that hapless and hopeless citizens are mindlessly waylaid, kidnapped, robbed, raped, murdered and burnt along high ways, footpaths and even in their very homes and farms. I am very sad that Nigerians (happily before now), were once united in religion, ethnicity, marriage, sports, hope, aspirations, and common goals and objectives. This was because of the lyrical rendition of the old National Anthem that, “though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand”. I am sad that today, however, Nigeria is pathetically and haemorrhagingly polarised, divided, disunited and dislocated, along primordial fault-lines.

I am very sad that the Nigeria of today literally drips with deep mutual suspicion, aggression, hatred, animosity, antagonism, vitriol, repulsion, cronyism, nepotism, ethnocentrisms, tribalism and sectionalism. I am quite sad that Nigeria is now ravaged by provincialism, protectionism, clanishness, cliquism, regionalism, favouritism, prebendalism and neo-patrimonialism. I am indeed, sad, that mutual distrust and mistrust now reign supreme. I am sad that our children are still struggling to obtain, literally through agonising “trial by-ordeal”, a mere first degree, at ages 26-32; whereas the same Nigeria had, once-upon-a-time, in the 1950s and 1960s, produced Ministers, Military Governors and Heads of State at the same 26-32 age bracket. I am sad that there are no jobs for the teeming millions of Nigerian youths, who eventually struggle to graduate from our beleaguered tertiary institutions. They never find gainful employment; whereas in the 1950s and 1960s, local and multinational companies waited long hours ay the gates of universities on graduands' last days at the University, to recruit them immediately.

Such graduates were automatically given cars, houses, and placed on handsome living wages and mouthwatering perquisites of office. I am deeply sad that most of the well-known multinationals that once dotted the industrial and business landscapes of Nigeria, have either died, or folded up completely; or have since been downgraded; or have since relocated to small nearby neighbouring countries. Some of them however, exist only as mere museum relics and antiquities in the form of administrative office carcasses. Some of these olden days companies include UAC, Leventis, Kingsway, UTC, Standard Bank, Barclays Bank, Lever Brothers (Unilever), PZ, John Holt, CFAO, Dunlop, Michelin, Volkswagen, Peugeot Automobile, Cadbury, NTC, May and Baker, RT Briscoe. There were Airlines like Okada, Flash, Sosoliso, Triax, Nigeria Airways, ADC, Chanchangi, IRS, Afrijet, Albarka, Bellview, Capital, Dasab, Slok, EAS, Harco, Harka Oriental, Hamza Air, Wings Aviation, Spaceworld, Chrome, New Nation, etc, etc. I am sad that no one can today show me the once famous Ajaokuta Steel Mills, the Itakpe Iron Ore, Delta Steel Company, Oshogbo, Jos and Katsina Rolling Mills; the famous Northern Nigeria Kano Groundnut Pyramids, Cotton, Hides and Skins; the Western Nigeria Cocoa; the Eastern Nigeria Palm Oil Produce; the Midwestern Nigeria Rubber and Timber produce, Okpella Cement Factory, Ughelli Glass Industries, etc, etc.

I am indeed, very sad that our leaders who were in power in the 1950s and 1960s (some, over 70 years ago), are still today ingloriously clinging to power, either directly, or indirectly, through their proxies, acolytes, minions, school mates, or village kindred, kinsmen and kinswomen. So, I am a sad Nigerian. I am greatly saddened that in the 1980s, even the Naira was exchanging for one Naira to two dollars; that we did not require visa to travel; and that my first journey to London cost me less than N350 only. I was respected, as a very young Lawyer, at Heathrow Airport, and treated with kind courtesies. We have frittered away rare countless opportunities, mismanaged our economy, abused and thoroughly misused our natural, human and material resources. We have since birthed, nurtured and enthroned a dangerous regime of impunity, government’s wanton breach of citizens' fundamental rights, reckless disregard to court orders, and brazen desecration of the rule of law. We have glamouralised moral decadence, primitive acquisition and a rentier economy. We have encouraged mediocrity, nurtured ‘yahoo boys’, festered youth brigandage and criminality, and promoted female prostitution and girl-child labour and marriage. I am

“THOSE ECONOMIES HE COMPARED US WITH ARE BETTER, MORE BUOYANT, LESS PEOPLED AND MORE FOCUSED AND PRODUCTIVE THAN NIGERIA. THEY DO NOT GLAMOURISE AND CELEBRATE CORRUPTION AS A NATIONAL FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVE AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLE OF STATE POLICY, AS WE DO”

PMB’S Lame 60TH Independence Anniversary Broadcast The broadcast was lame, defensive, lacklustre, uninspiring and devoid of Presidential gravitas.

It convinces us more that the President is out of tune with the stark reality of a 208 million people he governs, when compared with some neighbouring countries.

I disagree with Mr President. Do many of them produce oil? Are we not the 7th oil producer in the world? Is Buhari aware that most of our industries have relocated to, and found solace in these countries?

Those economies he compared us with are better, more buoyant, less peopled and more focused and productive than Nigeria. They do not glamourise and celebrate corruption as a national fundamental objective and directive principle of State policy, as we do.

I recalled how President Muhammadu Buhari demonised former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s government over a minimal increase in fuel price, but he increased fuel price with reckless abandon.

It is also about credibility, integrity, honour and dignity. Did Buhari not join other Nigerians, including the major players in his government, in January, 2012, to castigate and demonstrate on the streets against Jonathan’s minimal increase, arguing that it was corruption-laden and amounted to thievery?

What has changed? Have the oil cartels he glowingly talked about vanished? Has his government not used more than three times the sum used by three successive governments, for importation of fuel? “Has he built a single refinery? Are the ones he met, no matter how minimally functional, still working at all today?

I beg, give me a break from the cluelessness, propaganda and anti-people policies of this opaque government.

THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK “There are no good and bad peoples; there are only leaderships that behave responsibly or insanely”. (Yossi Sarid) “Let me define a leader. He must have vision and passion and not be afraid of any problem. Instead, he should know how to defeat it. Most importantly, he must work with integrity.” (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam) “The true test of a leader is whether his followers will adhere to his cause from their own volition, enduring the most arduous hardships without being forced to do so, and remaining steadfast in the moments of greatest peril.” (Xenophon)

8/COVER

06.10.2020

‘I am a Covid Since December 2019 or thereabouts, when the Covid-19 pandemic reared its ugly head, the world rapidly changed in a matter of weeks; and it does not appear as if things will ever be the same again, or at least, not for some years to come. Closer home, the virus struck even in the face of doubts and scepticism, and one of the survivors of Covid-19 is the former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN. Last week, he narrated his harrowing experience to Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi in an emotionally-laden interview where he gave kudos to the medical team stationed at the Isolation Centre at Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja, where he was treated and nursed back to health. He also talked about the class action which they have filed against China, holding China responsible for the spread of the dreaded virus and the dire consequences arising therefrom, and his humble achievements after 40 years at the Bar

Y

ou recently contacted and recovered from the Covid-19 virus. Kindly, take us through your whole experience, from the symptoms you had, when you tested positive for the virus, up to your discharge from hospital. How was your hospital stay? What has been your experience since your discharge and recovery? Have you experienced any stigma from friends and professional colleagues? If so, how have you coped? What advice do you have to give generally on staying safe? Are you satisfied with the health care system in Nigeria, and the care you received?

Yes. 18th of August to be exact. It is still a mystery, how I got entangled in that ugly experience. I locked down as far back as March 19th, ever before the official lockdown. I never left my house, not even to the office or anywhere else. I seldom even went downstairs from my library upstairs. The inkling is that, it must have been from one of the domestics in the house. In my attempt to be safe, I requested my driver to proceed on temporary leave, and I started driving myself. I have accepted my experience in good faith, and I believe that God wanted me to undergo the turbulence of Covid-19 for a purpose.

My experience was harrowing, to say the least. This was worsened by my pre-existing condition of diabetes type 2. I was asymptomatic, and from onset there was no evidence of all those symptoms. That created some delay, in coming up with a proper diagnosis. My temperature spiked only for a day, and quickly normalised after I submitted to Malaria treatment and control of my sugar level.

Things took a turn for the worse when my oxygen level started dropping, and I was loosing strength. My wife, siblings and friends quickly advised that I should be subjected to a Covid test, to clear all doubts. Quickly my

Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN

“‘MY EXPERIENCE WAS HARROWING, TO SAY THE LEAST. THIS WAS WORSENED BY MY PREEXISTING CONDITION OF DIABETES TYPE 2. I WAS ASYMPTOMATIC, AND FROM ONSET THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF ALL THOSE SYMPTOMS. THAT CREATED SOME DELAY, IN COMING TO PROPER DIAGNOSIS”

wife invited them, and I had the test.

In less than 24 hours, the results came back positive.

Was I scared. Yes I was. But, what kept ringing in my brain was the advert that said that COVID-19 is not a death sentence. I knew I must be strong for my family and to achieve this, I must draw inner strength to survive the ordeal and fight for my life. I promised myself that I must survive by the grace of God. Credit to NCDC; they immediately sent Ambulance to convey me to their isolation treatment centre of the specialist hospital at Gwagwalada. I was very composed, conscious, but very weak when I arrived the centre. The team of medical personnel under Dr Tahir, were magnificent. About 10 of them moved to my room and psychologically I was enormously energised, and I knew I was destined to ride the storm. I was doubly determined to do so. They

worked on my oxygen level, sugar level and administered the best drug available for fighting the virus. I got the best attention of my life, in the hospital. For the record, I have never slept in any hospital, for over 40 years.

So, naturally this experience was doubly challenging for my family.

I am highly indebted to my wife, my children, my siblings, in laws, friends, Governor Okowa, Peter Obi, my Senator friends, my colleagues, College of Catholic Bishops, starting from Archbishop Akubueze, Monks in various locations, offering prayers constantly for my healing.

On my third day in hospital, my oxygen was as good as normalised, my sugar level was under control, my appetite was gradually getting back, and my strength creeping in. Once my oxygen pack was discontinued, I knew I was on the way out. The next would be for another test to be conducted.

That was not done till after a week, and the result came back negative.

I have survived Covid-19, and I was prepared to shout it out on the hills of Abuja, the River in Asaba and the Lagoon in Lagos!

I am thankful to my doctors, and all the supporting staff of the hospital.

The treatment was world class, and a credit to Nigerian medical facilities for COVID-19 treatment. It may not be an indication of the well-proclaimed poor medical facilities in Nigeria. I would not know whether there are ventilators available or not, because I did not have reason to ask questions.

I have been home for over a month now, and fully recovered.

Happily, no other member of my family was affected. To God be the glory. My friends and colleagues have been coming to visit me. It cannot be denied that, there are some who are cleverly distancing themselves.

It makes no difference to me. I am a Covid-19 survivor. I am not ashamed to say so. COVID-19 is real, and not an experience one wishes on one’s worst enemy. Thank God for saving my life.

COVER /9

06.10.2020

-19 Survivor’ We understand you have filed a suit against China on the Covid-19 pandemic. What informed your decision to do so? Kindly, give us an overview of the case, and what you hope to achieve from the proceedings.

Our legal team filed action against China in our class action suit at the FCT High Court, in July this year. The case was scheduled for mention, on the 14th of September. Due to official engagements involving the swearing in of new judicial officers, the court could not sit and case was adjourned to 15th of October.

Ironically, when I conceptualised the idea to bring an action against China for the Covid-19 pandemic, the catastrophic consequences of the virus for me was at the realm of conjecture. My baptism of the affliction of Covid-19, brought me closer to the reality of this terrifying and lethal virus. Perhaps, my approach and perception may never have been the same, if I had experienced the trauma before filing the action.

Observing the sequence of events from the onset, left me in no doubt that that China was not honest enough in the way they went about the Covid-19 pandemic emergence. For a virus that broke out in December 2019 in the Wuhan city in Hubei province of China, not much was done to curtail its transmission from Wuhan to the outside world. The chronological sequence of events lends credence to the complicity of China in the spread of the disease worldwide, and its eventual arrival in Nigeria at about February 2020 with catastrophic consequences.

We predicated our case on the lapses and acts of omissions and commissions

by China, in dealing with the spread of the virus. Our case seeks to address the following issues: (a) China’s attempt to conceal the existence of the virus in contravention of the WHO Guidelines, and failure to report the outbreak on time (b) China’s failure to curb and curtail the spread of the virus to other nations including Nigeria (c)China’s conduct that contravened the provisions of the draft Articles of the Responsibility of States for wrongful Acts (d) China’s Negligence and Breach of duty of case (e) China’s breach of Humanitarian rights (f) China’s breach of Environmental rights (g) China’s nuisance All these were extensively addressed, with particulars well articulated.

We are claiming a relief of general damages of $200 million. The good news is that many people, corporate bodies and business organisations, came forward to join as Plaintiffs in the action against China. Procedurally, there are hurdles to be scaled in class action matters before hearing.

We are ready to confront the hurdles.

“IRONICALLY, WHEN I CONCEPTUALISED THE IDEA TO BRING ACTION AGAINST CHINA FOR THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE VIRUS FOR ME, WAS AT THE REALM OF CONJECTURE. MY BAPTISM OF THE AFFLICTION OF COVID-19, BROUGHT ME CLOSER TO THE REALITY OF THIS TERRIFYING AND LETHAL VIRUS”

Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN

But, more importantly, we are ready to combat jurisdictional issues that many imagine will be our main obstacle. We are ready to overcome that too, and set the Law in tandem with emerging jurisprudence on actions of organs of State as attributable to the State. Hence, we have sued China and seven other organs of the Chinese government.

Once the organs are liable, China is automatically liable. The issue of jurisdiction, we posit, will be settled accordingly.

Congratulations Learned Silk on your 40 years of Law Practice.

How has your journey been so far?

What would you say have been the highlights of your career? When you assumed office as Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), you focused on achieving a set of goals, one of which was to raise NIALS to the status of a world class legal training institution. Looking back, would you say those goals were achieved?

Thank you very much. July 19th marked exactly 40 years of my call to bar. I am grateful to God, for keeping me thus far. Our Class of 1980 were planning to celebrate our anniversary with pomp and pageantry, but Covid-19 proved an obstacle.

I must confess it has been a memorable journey, since 1980. I have been engaged in a career that spanned from the Academic to public service, to legal research and advocacy, to institutional administration, then back to legal practice, consultancy to Governments

and Corporate Organisations, and then driving of my foundation, EPIPHANY AZINGE FOUNDATION which is basically a catalyst for promoting EPIPHANY AZINGE UNIVERSITY. It is difficult to pigeon–hole, or highlight special attainments of my career. Suffice it to say that, I am fulfilled with the much I have achieved so far.

I need not chronicle them, since so much is in the public domain. Even at that, it is important to state that I find special joy in the number of students I have mentored over the years. In my over 35 years as an Academic, I have mentored over 10,000 students and groomed a large number of Lawyers at the Bar. Within these years, I have been privileged to serve my country, both locally and internationally. Currently, I am a re-elected member/Judge of the Commonwealth Arbitral Tribunal in London where in the last five years, I have represented both Nigeria and Africa. At the moment, I am the longest serving member of the Tribunal, and widely tipped for the Presidency of the Tribunal.

Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, under my watch remains a study in dogged determination and undiluted enthusiasm to carve a niche, and promote the Institute as a world class centre of legal excellence. Apart from attracting world class scholars from Harvard and other Ivy League schools in U.S for sabbaticals and occasional lectures, we entered into cooperations with schools in Canada, South Africa and South Korea for exchange programs and joint research undertakings. We had the best publications (peer reviewed), in

diverse areas of law. Our law journals were highly regarded, and scholars all over the world scrambled to publish in our journals.

We invited world-class jurists not only to deliver lectures, but also to engage with our Supreme Court Justices. The visit of Hon Justice Baqwatti, former Chief Justice of India was epochal, and he treated our Justices of the Supreme Court to the harmonious construction of Chapters 2 and 4 of the Constitution, in order to confer justifiability to fundamental objectives and directive principles of State policy.

Our Centenary Law Exhibition and lectures were top of the range, so also was the festival of legal scholarship. It is not possible to chronicle all that we tried to achieve, but credit also goes to my colleagues who were very supportive, and who made my watch intellectually stimulating and turned the institute into NIGERIA’S LAW ABODE. I am gratified that my successors in office have excelled better than I did, and I have never distanced myself from the Institute. Looking back, I can say with all humility, that we elevated the status of the Institute to a world-class research institute.

Your tenure as the DG of NIALS saw the elevation of a record number of academic staff to the position of Professor? What informed your decision to do this, and how have cont'd on page 10

10/COVER

06.10.2020

‘I am a Covid-19 Survivor’ embarrassed Mr Governor, but also offended the sensibilities of his people.

We are still grappling with the fallout of what ordinarily was an avoidable controversy.

The purported amendment of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the legal profession, has undoubtedly generated a lot of controversy. The truth, which is most evident, is that no one can say categorically whether or not the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation acted ultra vires his powers, or in total disregard of the process and procedure for amending the RPC. There have been cacophony of voices with diverse views on this subject, and this gives cause for concern about the degree of documentation of processes by the NBA. Ordinarily, the stage was set for a judicial pronouncement on this matter. But, I fully endorse the idea of withdrawing the action in court and allowing for a peaceful and negotiated settlement of the issue by the NBA Leadership and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

cont'd from page 9

they fared subsequently, in the pursuit of academic excellence of the Institution?

The Faculty of any institution, is the most credible index for establishing the stature and status of that institution.

Under my watch, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, in our quest to attain world class status and become “Nigeria’s Law Abode”, placed a lot of premium in building capacity and acknowledging excellence amongst our colleagues all over the world. This prompted us to duly assess professorial applications, from within and outside the Institute. In addition to those appointed, we also attracted some professors into our Faculty. The depth and breadth of scholarships at our disposal, the research propensity of the professors, their fields of specialisation, outstanding distinction in academic leadership and their mentoring capabilities, undoubtedly put the Institute on the map of legal scholarship worldwide.

My philosophy has always been that “a candle does not diminish by lighting another candle”. So, I was favourably disposed to pushing scholars to the zenith of their careers. Not because I wanted to, but because their brilliance and excellence shined through. The good news is that, most of them have not only achieved academic excellence as Professors of Law, but also professional distinction as Senior Advocates of Nigeria. The Institute continues to benefit from their leadership qualities and mentoring capacities, for the budding scholars we pushed to all parts of the globe for intellectual exposure and pursuit of higher academic degrees.

Most of them are back with their PHDs, and some are at the threshold of taking their own professorial chairs.

I am immensely satisfied that most of those elevated to professorial chairs, have also distinguished themselves in many other spheres of human endeavour. One is now a Vice Chancellor, some served creditably in public service, and two of them served meritoriously as Deans of Law faculties. One is among the only 20 Nigerian Law Professors to have achieved the highest distinction as a Chartered Arbitrator, and the other is a leading voice in the world of intellectual property, who recently narrowly missed out becoming the Chief Executive of World Intellectual Property Organisation.

Others have steadfastly stayed back to help build capacity and promote research excellence, at the Institute.

The NBA has faced a considerable amount of controversy this year, from the recently concluded elections to the disinvitation of Governor El Rufai from the 2020 AGC, and the purported amendment of the RPC by the Attorney-General of the Federation. Kindly, comment on all these events. Do you agree with the Board of Trustees’ decision to uphold the elections, notwithstanding its flaws and the disenfranchisement of 14,000 Lawyers? Should Governor El Rufai have been disinvited or should he have been given a chance to speak at the Conference to clear the air on the allegations of breach

Professor Epiphany Azinge, SAN

of the rule of law levelled against him, especially in the matter of the Southern Kaduna crisis? Can the AGF amend the RPC in the manner he did?

It is rather unfortunate that controversy has trailed successive NBA general elections, for over a decade

“IN MY OVER 35 YEARS AS AN ACADEMIC, I HAVE MENTORED OVER 10,000 STUDENTS AND GROOMED LARGE NUMBER OF LAWYERS AT THE BAR. WITHIN THESE YEARS, I HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO SERVE MY COUNTRY, BOTH LOCALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. CURRENTLY, I AM A REELECTED MEMBER/JUDGE OF THE COMMONWEALTH ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL IN LONDON WHERE, IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, I HAVE REPRESENTED BOTH NIGERIA AND AFRICA”

now. For members of a profession that should be moulding the thoughts and values of society, it is an embarrassing scorecard, that our elections are always deemed to be flawed by opposing camps in the electoral contest.

The 2020 NBA election that enthroned Olumide Akpata as the NBA President, is unique in many ways. First is that, a non-SAN after so many years, was voted into office as President of the Bar. Secondly, that it was one of the most issue based elections in a long time. Thirdly, it was devoid of personality conflicts.

In many ways than one, I endorse and agree with the Board of Trustees decision to uphold the election.

I am not fully seised of the facts of the events, that culminated in the disinvitation of Governor El-Rufai. It happened when I was battling Covid-19, in the hospital. I have not yet been updated on the facts, since I was discharged on the 28th of August, 2020.

Truth be told, I seriously doubt if it is not an act of cowardice or extreme display of emotions, for a decision to be taken to disinvite Governor El-Rufai.

Though to invite or not invite is a decision best taken at NEC, once the invitation had been extended to the Governor by the TCCP of the AGC, it was incorrect for NEC to disinvite him, regardless of supervening circumstances after the invitation.

Lawyers by training are products of the maxim “Audi alterem Patem”-“Hear the other party”. Governor El-Rufai was not given the platform, to present his own side of the story. Experts in the art of cross-examination would have had a field day subjecting him to barrage of questions, and suffocating him with facts and evidence that would have reduced him to a rain beaten chicken.

NO, we did not avail members of the profession the opportunity to confront Mr Governor. We rather disingenuously opted for an approach that is patently disrespectful, and brazenly antagonistic and hostile. In doing this, you not only

Yours is apparently a fully Lawyered family, with your wife and yourself holding Doctorate degrees in law and both being members of the Inner Bar; with your children following in your footsteps by joining the profession; can one say this is deliberate or simply a coincidence?

To a large extent, my wife and I have tried to carve a niche for ourselves within the profession. It is not by our might, but by the special grace of God. Earning a PHD and attaining the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, does not confer any special status on us. It does not make us conceited, or feel superior to any other person. We operate from that premise.

Three out of our four children read Law, out of their own volition. We never cajoled, persuaded, compelled, dictated or directed them. One of them that equally took a PHD from Warwick University, has just been promoted as a senior Lexturer in Law at Lincoln University in England. Possibly, she is lost to the Academia. Her twin sister read Software Engineering, but comes across as one with the best legal mind amongst all of us. My first daughter is the only one that identifies with the chambers presently, but it is clear to us that she prefers a career in Public Service or Public Corporations. We have given her the freedom, to explore her best options.

My son read Law in Southampton, but curiously, he switched to take a Masters degree in Global Politics and Diplomacy from the same University.

His passion is foreign relations, roving the world and becoming a citizen of the world. Ironically, he is currently a staff at N.D.I.C, and his department is not law related at all. So, it is obvious that we do not go out of our way to impose.

The family slogan is endeavour to excel in whatever you do, and always be a good Ambassador of the family.

Wear the name with honour and dignity, and be a role model to your peers. It presupposes therefore, that their entry into law, was more of coincidence than imposition.

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06.10.2020

The 7-Steps to Successful Law Firm Modernisation

W

hy a Cloud-Based Document Management Platform is the Future for Nigerian Law Firms This article by Elsante Mnzava is a 7-step Guide to successful law firm modernisation.

He outlines how Nigerian law firms can get ahead of the competition, by adopting cloud-based DMS platforms Who doesn’t want to locate documents and files quickly, collaborate effortlessly with staff and clients, and deliver services faster? Nigeria law firms who are winning against the competition, are doing so on a cloud-based storage and management structure based on what works for them: from clients and matters, to departments and teams, or projects.

Many Nigerian law firms have tried and failed to use some sort of ‘system’ to manage documents, but by not keeping pace with evolving technology and user needs, they have encountered multiple problems. These range from risk of information leaks; loss of knowledge; and inability to work remotely or bring new offices online quickly enough.

There is hope. Successful Nigerian law firms are transforming their business by managing documents on the modern cloud-based document management (DMS) platforms, widely adopted in the United States and Western Europe.

Indeed, with the gradual and improving penetration, quality and reliability of broadband internet in Nigeria, the use of cloud-based platforms is increasingly becoming a viable option for law firms. So how are leading Nigerian law firms succeeding with cloud-based DMS platforms? Read my 7-step guide to successful law firm modernisation, which outlines how Nigerian law firms can get ahead of the competition by adopting cloud-based DMS platforms.

The 7-Steps to Successful Law Firm Modernisation Successful Law Firms Work Securely from Anywhere Remote work is quickly becoming the standard, but many wonder how to secure client data in environments outside the organisation’s physical offices. A truly secure cloud based DMS platform, makes safe, remote work possible for successful firms because the system individually encrypts each stored document in the cloud.

Cloud based DMS platforms like NetDocuments for instance let you work securely wherever you are (be that at the office, at home or abroad), by controlling matter or project and document access by creating security groups and applying customisable access rights.

Successful Law Firms Reduce

Elsante Mnzava

Workflow Disruptions Nigerian law firms are already inundated with work, and certainly do not need another system to manage.

Luckily, they don’t have to, because there are cloud-based DMS platforms that are available via the web, or mobile app, and also integrate seamlessly with Microsoft Office, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat and Reader, thereby enabling successful Lawyers to continue working in the applications they know, while realising additional security, collabora-

“SUCCESSFUL NIGERIAN LAW FIRMS ARE TRANSFORMING THEIR BUSINESS BY MANAGING DOCUMENTS ON THE MODERN CLOUD-BASED DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT (DMS) PLATFORMS, WIDELY ADOPTED IN THE UNITED STATES AND WESTERN EUROPE”

tion, and productivity benefits.

Successful Law Firms Standardise Organisation To save time, organisation is key – but being organised looks different to everyone. Whether you are a ‘browser’ (someone who looks through folders) or a ‘searcher’ (someone who prefers to filter and search for relevant information) – cloud-based document management delivers flexibility that enables each user to meet their needs.

And, through workspaces, you have a central place where everything related to a project or a matter resides. Successful law firms are already enjoying easily finding all documents, emails, real-time messages, document sets, and more, from one source of truth.

Successful Law Firms Locate Documents Quickly Who wouldn’t say no to finding documents, matters, and information relevant to what you need – instantly?

With advanced search and filtering a common feature of cloud-based document management, successful law firms only need to complete relevant information specific to their work, therefore reducing form fatigue while improving profiling and ultimate usability of work product.

Successful Law Firms Accomplish More in Less Time With built-in productivity features and powerful configurations, it’s no wonder successful legal professionals who use cloud-based document management realise higher levels of efficiency, and see higher levels of user adoption. By allowing your employees

to continue working in the applications where they are most comfortable, a cloud-based document management system results in your organisation maximising adoption and increasing productivity.

Successful Law Firms Enjoy a Lower Cost of DMS Ownership Unlike legacy systems like iManage, Worldox, OpenText etc. cloud-based platforms do not require the capital expenditure or heavy upfront cash outlays. Rather, successful law firms enjoying cloud-based document management systems, run their finances on a predictable subscription cost per user, paid monthly, annually or quarterly and without any hardware or software updates to worry about.

Successful Law Firms Enjoy Outof-the-Box Productivity Modern cloud-based document management platforms like NetDocuments, are available to all Nigerian law firms. It is now time for Nigerian law firms to take the bold step of adopting a cloud-based platform to turn the DMS function into a true knowledge management system which would enable them to be more responsive to clients, allow legal practitioners and staff true mobility, and enjoy success, by staying ahead of the competition.

Elsante Mnzava, Founder of BiasharaWorks, a subsidiary of the Mkenga Group, and the first Africa-based solutions provider for NetDocuments, a cloud-based document management platform for law-firms

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06.10.2020

Aviation Law Reports of Nigeria Book Review Title:

Aviation Law Reports of Nigeria

Author:

Adedapo Tunde-Olowu

Publisher:

Kingsway Road Publishers Limited

Hardcover:

ISSN: 2714-2728

Number of Pages: 196 Name of Reviewer: L. Chidi Ilogu, SAN Introduction

Law Reports constitute a veritable source of reliable case study and well-articulated judgements, on established principles of law and practice on various subjects. The grow-ing corpus of specialised law reports on various aspects of law, is a most welcome devel-opment in Nigeria. Law Reports not only help to hasten legal research and the ease of identifying judicial precedents, but also facilitate securing of authorities to support legal opinions, submissions and addresses in court at all levels, and scholarly publications. It is in this vein that, the Aviation Law Reports of Nigeria has been introduced into the milieu of Nigerian law reports, as a specialised publication in the niche technical area of aviation, and carriage of goods and persons by air.

This is the first edition of the Aviation Law Report of Nigeria-(2019) 1 AVLRN. It con-tains ten well-selected decisions of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and the Fed-eral High Court, which were published with the consent of the heads of these courts. The decisions cover topical issues relating principally to the law and practice of using aircrafts for the commercial international transportation of passengers, their luggage and/or cargo between Nigeria and other contracting States pursuant to the Warsaw Convention 1929 and its successor treaty, the Montreal Convention, 1999.

The reported cases are arranged in a sequence that chronicles the development of aviation law and practice in Nigeria, from the colonial era to present day Nigeria. It also captures the transition and transfer of cases from the State High Court to the Federal High Court, pursuant to the 1999 Constitution of the Republic of Nigeria.

Foreword The publication received a well-deserved endorsement by the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad CFR, GCON in the Foreword to the Report where he wrote: "Given the importance of the aviation sector to the Nigerian economy, the AVLRN will no doubt be a great addition to the growing body of law reports in Nigeria. It is the first of its kind in this practice area, and comes at a very auspicious time to fill the vacuum created by the absence of an authoritative and comprehensive law report with a special focus on aviation ------I without any hesitation, recommend this report to Judges, academicians, legal practitioners, law students and every person who is interested in the practice of aviation law".

Historical Antecedents The development of aviation law and practice in Nigeria can be traced to the pre-independence era when the British colonial administration, being a party to the Warsaw Convention, made it applicable to Nigeria by virtue of the Carriage

by Air (Colonies, Protectorates and Trusts Territories) Order, 1953. The Convention introduced uniformed Rules to regulate liability of carriers for international carriage of persons,luggage and cargo from one destination to another.

The Warsaw Convention covering carriage by air is very similar to the Hague Rule, which was implemented by many na-tions in 1924, imposing standards upon commercial carriers for the international carriage of goods by sea.

This historical background is well reflected in Joseph Ibidapo v Lufthansa Airlines (a 1989 case) where the Supreme Court

debunked the Appellant’s argument that the Warsaw Convention ceased to be applicable in Nigeria after independence in 1960, being an part of the received English Law. The Supreme Court applying the principle of devolution and State succession held, agreeing with the Court of Appeal that the 1953 Order not having been repealed upon attainment of independence, effectively became part of our laws as if it had been enacted pursuant to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1960. Another decision on this point is British Airways v Atoyebi (2010) where the Court of Appeal held that pursuant to the Colonial Order Carriage

by Air (Non-International Carriage) (Colonies Protectorate and Trust Territories) Order 1953 No, 1206, the Convention was also applicable to domestic carriage in Nigeria.

Jurisdiction over Aviation Cases The issue of jurisdiction has continued to be a bone of contention, between the State High Court and the Federal High Court. Which court has jurisdiction over an aviation related cause of action? Section 251(1)(K) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution stipulates that the Federal High Court shall exercise jurisdiction to the exclusion of any other court of first instance, in respect of matters relating to aviation and safety of aircrafts.

The Federal High Court Act of 1973 stipulates in Section 7(1) (k) that the Federal High Court shall exercise such jurisdiction. Cameroon Airlines v Otutuizu deals extensively with this issue.

In this decision, the Supreme Court unequivocally affirmed that the Federal High Court has exclusive juris-diction over aviation matters by virtue of the said Section 251 (1) (k) of the 1999 Constitution. The Supreme Court also endorsed the applicability of the Warsaw Convention as amended by Hague Protocol of 1955, stating that by Section 315 (1) of the Constitution, the protocol was only an amendment to an existing law in Nigeria, relating to the rights and liabilities of carriers by air.

The Supreme Court also emphasised the principle that Conventions provide uniform international code in the areas which they cover, and coun-tries

“.....THE AVIATION LAW REPORTS OF NIGERIA HAS BEEN INTRODUCED INTO THE MILIEU OF NIGERIAN LAW REPORTS, AS A SPECIALISED PUBLICATION IN THE NICHE TECHNICAL AREA OF AVIATION, AND CAR-RIAGE OF GOODS AND PERSONS BY AIR”

who are signatories to these Conventions, remain obliged to apply them without re-course to their respective domestic law. This principle was also endorsed in the carriage by sea decision of JFS Investments Ltd v Brawal Line Ltd SC 18 NWLR in relation to the Hague Rules, 1924 applicable also in Nigeria.

Carriers' Rights and Liabilities The decisions in the Cameroon Airline case at the trial and appellate courts, also high-lights the issue of the limits of a carriers’ liability, particularly in a situation where a carrier cannot rely on the statutory limits of liability (i.e. where damage is caused by the carrier’s wilful misconduct, or that of its agent within the scope of his employment). Article 22- 25(1) of the Convention states this cardinal principle of international carriage, which also applies to carriage by sea under the Hague Rules 1953, and other similar liability regimes.

The report contains important decisions of the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court, which expound carriage by air principles. Notable is the Court of Appeal decision in J. E. Oshevire v British Caledonian Airways Ltd, where the cause of action accrued in December 1979, but the action at the High Court was not commenced until September 1988. Regrettably, the claim in the matter could not be requited in damages, because it was time-barred, not having been commenced within two years of the accrual of the cause of action, as required by Article 29 of the Convention. The fact that parties were in prolonged “discussions" was totally irrelevant, as the limita-tion period cannot be "suspended or interrupted even by agreement of the parties".

It is trite that, special damages must be specifically pleaded and proved. On the other hand, the court, relying on the opinion of the "reasonable man" would quantify general damages, based on the circumstances of each case. This principle of damages was expati-ated upon in Kabo Air Ltd v Rickey Tarfa. The Court of Appeal, whilst awarding a re-fund of the cost of the ticket for the aborted trip to Maiduguri from Lagos (special dam-ages), reduced the quantum of general damages awarded by the lower court from N1 mil-lion to N250, 000.00, on the ground that the award was ''quite excessive in all the circum-stances considered''.

Limits of Liability It is most commendable that the Law Report extends its coverage to include five notable Federal High Court decisions, which brilliantly applied the various principles discussed above, and also gave attention to the central issue of limitation of liability of carriers under the Convention. These principles/issues are demonstrated in the following decisions:

1.Blessing Aruocha v KLM 2.Aloysius Ezeonugo v Ethiopian Airlines 3.Abone Festus Chukwuemeka v KLM 4.Okekeocha Nathan Chukwuka v KLM 5.Dr. (Most Rev.) Olapade Agoro v KLM Montreal Convention 1999 The last case in the Report is the Court of Appeal decision in Saudi Arabian Airlines and Anor v Jahlive Sadakka Nigeria Ltd (2018) based on the Montreal Convention 1999, the successor regime to the Warsaw Convention. This new regime which was do-mesticated in Nigeria by virtue of the Civil Aviation Act, 2006, seeks to grant passengers additional protection, and extends certain rights to airlines. It fundamentally changed the basis of limitation of liability from one of negligence and wilful misconduct under the Warsaw Convention, to one of intention to cause damage or recklessness with knowledge that damage would probably result under Article 22(5) of the Montreal Convention. There is the usual shifting of burden of proof where the lost cargo was hand-ed over to a carrier or its agent and evidenced, for example by a receipt. In this case, the onus shifts to the carrier to justify its action, otherwise it cannot rely on the statutory limits of liability.

The case also illustrates the new method of calculation of damages, which has changed from Gold francs/USD per kilogram under the Warsaw Convention, to Special Draw-ing Rights (SDR)/USD under the Montreal Convention. A Claimant is required to lead evidence to establish the value of one (1) SDR in USD, at the material time of loss or damage. The same principle of '' breaking the limit'' discussed earlier, applies under the new regime.

Conclusion It is highly commendable that the reported cases give illumination and guidance into the salient and technical principles of Carriage by Air, in one handy package. The quality of editorial work and the publication, are quite impressive. It is envisaged that subsequent editions will endeavour to report decisions on aviation insurance, subrogation rights, aircraft sale and purchase, wet and dry leasing of aircrafts, and other matters which fall under the constitutional purview of Section 251 (1)(k).

I must commend Mr Adedapo Tunde-Olowu and his editorial team, for producing this Report.

We expect the Report to become a permanent feature of the Nigerian legal resource landscape, in the years ahead.

L. Chidi Ilogu, SAN, FCIArb, International Transportation Law Practitioner, Senior Partner, Foundation Chambers

6.10.2020

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14

TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

INTERNATIONAL

COVID-19: Trump Leaves Hospital for White House Press secretary tests positive for virus

After just three days, President Donald Trump late last night left the Walter Reed military hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, where he was taking treatment for COVID-19 for the White House.

His discharge came as his Press Secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, announced that she had tested positive for the virus.

Before the president left the hospital, he had told his Twitter followers that he was “feeling really good” and would be discharged.

The president also offered controversial advice to the public via his tweet, saying: “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge.

I feel better than I did 20 years ago!”

The message appeared to confirm predictions of critics that, if Trump stays relatively healthy, he will attempt to use his own experience to yet again downplay the virus and claim that its severity has been exaggerated.

More than 200,000 Americans have died so far from the coronavirus, the highest total in the world.

Sean Conley, the White House physician, explained the decision for Trump leaving the hospital. “He’s met or exceeded all standard discharge criteria.

He’ll receive another dose of Remdesivir (an antiviral medication) here today and then we plan to get him home.”

Conley said the president would continue to receive “world-class, 24/7” medical care at the White House.

He added: “We send patients home with medications all

the time. In fact, yesterday afternoon he probably met most of his discharge requirements.”

A reporter asked how this would be safe, referring to Trump’s drive by supporters on Sunday and his return to the White House, where staff have reportedly been in turmoil since the president and first lady’s diagnoses with coronavirus late last week.

Conley said: “The president has been surrounded by medical and security staff for days wearing full PPE. And yesterday the US secret service agents were in that same level

of PPE for a very short period of time.”

It has been more than 72 hours since Trump’s last fever, Conley added, and his blood oxygen level is normal. “Though he may not entirely be out of the woods yet, the team and I agree that all our evaluations and, most importantly, his clinical status, support the president’s safe return home where he’ll be surrounded by world class medical care 24/7.”

Trump has been treated at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center since late on Friday afternoon. His medical

team have given upbeat assessments of his condition, but this message has been undercut by the White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, and by the decision to treat Trump with the steroid dexamethasone, usually reserved for more severe cases.

Medical experts have suggested that Trump is applying pressure to the doctors to give a positive spin so that he can get back to work and project strength a month before the presidential election.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary, Kayleigh

McEnany, announced yesterday that she had tested positive for COVID-19.

“After testing negative consistently, including every day since Thursday, I tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday morning while experiencing no symptoms,” McEnany said in a statement.

“No reporters, producers, or members of the press are listed as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit,” added Trump’s spokeswoman, who said she was going into quarantine following the diagnosis.

Paris Cafes, Bars to Be Shut as Europe Confronts Second COVID-19 Wave Paris bars and cafes will shut for two weeks as the city and its region were placed on maximum alert Monday, with Europe facing a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and the hospitalisation of President Donald Trump throwing the US election campaign into a tailspin.

France reported nearly 17,000 new coronavirus cases on Saturday alone, the highest daily number since the country began widespread testing.

The shuttering of bars and cafes — seen by many as the essence of Parisian life — were “braking measures because the epidemic is moving too fast,” Paris police chief Didier Lallemant told journalists, adding that restaurants will remain open provided they respect new safety measures.

These will include making sanitising hand gel available at all dining tables, limiting patrons to six a table with at least a metre (3.3 feet) between seats, and allowing patrons to remove their masks only for eating.

Also on Monday, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said she would self-isolate for a day after learning she had met someone infected with Covid-19 last week.

Von der Leyen, who turns 62 this week, is not the first senior EU official to be quarantined in recent weeks. Last month the president of the European Council, Charles Michel, was forced to postpone a European leaders’ summit for a week after a security guard in his team tested positive.

Europe, which has recorded 235,553 deaths, is approaching a caseload of six million out of the more than 35.2 million cases officially diagnosed across the world.

The virus has killed at least 1,037,971 people worldwide according to the latest AFP tally based on official sources.

Britain remains the worst-hit European country, passing its latest milestone of 500,000 confirmed coronavirus infections on Sunday.

Three Scientists Receive Nobel Prize in Medicine for Discovering Hepatitis C Three scientists have been awarded with the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice received the prestigious award for making key discoveries that led to the identification of the Hepatitis C virus in 1989.

Hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver tissue has plagued mankind for ages.

Hepatitis A virus which is mainly spread through contaminated food and water and Hepatitis B, mainly transmitted sexually were discovered in the 1960s.

But then, a large number of blood-transfusion patients with hepatitis different to those strains continued to emerge.

This mysterious illness – which became known as ‘non-A, non-B’ hepatitis – could not be identified and medics struggled to develop treatments until the trio’s discovery that led to the identification of Hepatitis C as the cause.

“The three scientists made a decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis, a major global health problem that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer in people around the world”, the Nobel Committee announced on Monday, the UK Mirror reported.

The trio will share the Nobel prize sum of 10 million Swedish kronor (about $1.1 million, 950,000 euros).

President International Association of World Peace Advocates, Ambassador Per Stafsen (left), decorating Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, with an award of the 2020 Most Friendly SDGs Governor of the Year in Nigeria at the Government House, Owerri…weekend

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Goes into Self-isolation after MacronVisit Lithuania’s foreign minister is self-isolating after a French embassy official he met during President Emmanuel Macron’s visit tested positive for Covid-19, officials said Monday.

Linas Linkevicius “will be in self-isolation this week because he had a close contact” with the

official, his spokeswoman Rasa Jakilaitiene told AFP. The French embassy in Vilnius said two people at the diplomatic mission had tested positive but the visiting delegation had tested negative.

“The two persons who were tested positive work at the

French embassy. The whole delegation coming from Paris was tested negative before leaving and all necessary precautions were respected during the visit,” spokesman Sami Fisek told AFP. A French presidency source told AFP that Macron himself

had not been in contact with the people who tested positive.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and his wife also took a virus test after contact with one of the French officials and it was negative.

Macron visited Lithuania on September 28-29.

WHO Believes 10% of World Has Had COVID-19, Eyes Faster Reforms The WHO estimated Monday that 10 per cent of the world has been infected by the new coronavirus — way more than has been recorded — as it mulled speeding up internal reforms.

To date, more than 35 million cases of Covid-19 have been registered worldwide, including some 1.04 million who have died, according to an AFP tally based on official sources.

But the World Health Organization now estimates that around a tenth of the planet’s 7.8 billion or so people have already been infected since the virus first surfaced in China late last year — more than 20 times the official count.

“Our current best estimate tells us that about 10 percent of the global population may have been infected by this

virus,” WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan told a special meeting of the agency’s executive board.

He stressed that infection levels varied “from urban to rural, it varies between different groups.”

“But what it does mean is that the vast majority of the world remains at risk,” he warned.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus meanwhile told

Monday’s meeting that the pandemic should serve as a “wake-up call for all of us.”

“We must all look in the mirror and ask what we can do better.” he said.

Tedros pushed back at criticism of the UN agency’s handling of the pandemic, insisting it from the start had “worked around the clock to support countries to prepare and respond to this new virus.”

COVID-19: Sierra Leone Schools Reopen Six Months After Shutdown Schools in Sierra Leone reopened after six months on Monday, as parents weighed whether it was safe for children to resume lessons.

School shuttered in the poor West African nation in March after the first coronavirus case was detected, affecting nearly three million children.

Face masks and hand washing

have been made compulsory in schools across the country, where 2,269 coronavirus cases with 72 deaths have been officially registered.

“The normal school assembly has been suspended to reduce the gathering of school children and we encourage our pupils — if they feel sick — they should stay home or visit the nearest health centre,”

Florence Koymebeh, principal of the Freetown Secondary School for Girls told AFP. Some of the schools visited by AFP in the capital Freetown were partially empty.

“I came to the school to verify their coronavirus preparedness before I allow my kid to resume school tomorrow,” Jeneba Massaquoi, a parent, said.

“We are monitoring all schools for the adherence of the coronavirus regulations in schools,” Education Minister David Moinina Sengeh said.

“We have provided buckets and soap to all schools across the country, school authorities are expected to provide water for the hand washing facilities,” he added.

15

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

PZ Cussons Records N18.7bn Revenue in First Quarter Goddy Egene

The company ended the period of N1.024 billion in 2019. However, recorded a revenue of N18.7 billion of 18.3 per cent above the N15.808 for the first quarter (Q1) ended billion in the corresponding period with an operating profit of N755.44 a rise in selling/distribution and million as against an operating loss administrative expenses made the PZ PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc has May 31, 2020, showing an increase of 2019.

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 02- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Oct-2020, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

Cussons to record N212.358 million loss, which is an improvement on the loss of N1.096 billion in 2019.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund 0.95 0.96 5.51% ACAP Income Funds 0.78 0.78 9.93% AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 5.32% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.15 3.24 28.49% 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 15.24 15.70 -0.52% ARM Discovery Fund 353.83 364.50 2.43% ARM Ethical Fund 31.18 32.12 7.21% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.13 1.14 13.34% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.09 1.10 9.44% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.00% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 102.68 103.40 6.87% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.29% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) N/A N/A N/A CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.93% Paramount Equity Fund 12.30 12.52 -1.74% Women's Investment Fund 115.75 116.86 4.87% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.45% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 112.33 112.81 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 126.21 127.14 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 103.00 103.00 CORONATION ASSEST MANAGEMENT investment@coronationam.com Web:www.coronationam.com , Tel: 012366215 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coronation Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.30% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.00 1.02 8.02% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.61 1.61 20.96% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 157.89 159.03 7.54% FBN Halal Fund 108.72 108.73 8.72% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.99% .

119.70 120.11 3.59% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 119.73 120.14 3.10% FBN Nigeria Smart Beta Equity Fund 120.09 121.96 -7.72% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.89% Legacy Debt Fund 3.83 3.83 4.83% Legacy Equity Fund 1.20 1.23 6.45% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.12 1.12 3.80% FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD coralfunds@fsdhgroup.com Web: www.fsdhaml.com; Tel: 01-270 4884-5; 01-280 9740-1 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Coral Growth Fund 3,262.58 3,303.54 7.36% Coral Income Fund 3,205.53 3,205.53 4.22% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 4.19% 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 100.00 100.00 4.11% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 121.14 121.67 12.57%

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gdl.com.ng Web: www.gdl.com.ng ; Tel: +234 9055691122 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn GDL Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A INVESTMENT ONE FUNDS MANAGEMENT LTD enquiries@investment-one.com Web: www.investment-one.com; Tel: +234 812 992 1045,+234 1 448 8888 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Abacus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.44% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.35 2.40 7.36% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 8.16% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 151.39 152.14 5.62% 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 1.23 1.25 9.63% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,143.98 1,143.98 7.99% MERISTEM WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD info@meristemwealth.com Web: http://www.meristemwealth.com/funds/ ; Tel: +234 1-4488260 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Meristem Equity Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Meristem Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A PAC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD info@pacassetmanagement.com Web: www.pacassetmanagement.com/mutualfunds; Tel: +234 1 271 8632 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn PACAM Balanced Fund 1.34 1.37 10.03% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.85 11.82 4.89% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.19% PACAM Equity Fund 1.14 1.15 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.41 111.02 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 120.67 123.32 -0.51% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 1.02 6.62% STANBIC IBTC ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD assetmanagement@stanbicibtc.com Web: www.stanbicibtcassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 280 1266; 0700 MUTUALFUNDS Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Stanbic IBTC Balanced Fund 2,521.35 2,532.80 9.77% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 5.41% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 5.00% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 6.24% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 9.04% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.26% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 1.67% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.21 1.21 4.19% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 109.74 109.74 5.31% UNITED CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD Web: www.unitedcapitalplcgroup.com; Tel: +234 803 306 2887 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn United Capital Balanced Fund 1.20 1.22 -0.37% United Capital Bond Fund 1.86 1.86 7.49% United Capital Equity Fund 0.68 0.70 -3.47% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.62% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.03 115.03 5.27% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.02 1.03 -2.59% QUANTUM ZENITH ASSET MANAGEMENT & INVESTMENTS LTD service@quantumzenithasset.com.ng Web: www.quantumzenith.com.ng; Tel: +234 1-2784219 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Zenith Equity Fund 10.70 10.83 4.14% Zenith Ethical Fund 11.84 11.95 1.90% Zenith Income Fund 24.43 24.43 7.54% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.28%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

117.93

2.59%

53.40

2.80%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.18 91.73 71.12

9.28 93.71 72.42

9.97% -2.89% -5.34%

Union Homes REIT

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS Fund Name Lotus Halal Equity Exchange Traded Fund SIAML Pension ETF 40 Stanbic IBTC ETF 30 Fund

VETIVA FUND MANAGERS LTD Web: www.vetiva.com; Tel: +234 1 453 0697 Fund Name Vetiva Banking Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Consumer Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Griffin 30 Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva Money Market Fund Vetiva Industrial Goods Exchange Traded Fund Vetiva S&P Nigeria Sovereign Bond Exchange Traded Fund

funds@vetiva.com Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

NAV Per Share

Yield / T-Rtn

108.03

15.02%

INFRASTRUCTURE FUND Fund Name Chapel Hill Denham Nigeria Infrastructure Debt Fund

The value of investments and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Past performance is a guide and not an indication of future returns. Fund prices published in this edition are also available on each fund manager’s website and FMAN’s website at www.fman.com.ng. Fund prices are supplied by the operator of the relevant fund and are published for information purposes only.

TUESDAY, ͞˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ Ëž T H I S D AY

16

PERSPECTIVE

Nigeria at 60: Through My Eyes Magnus Onyibe At 60 years old, any human being that has not become accomplished or had his/her life anchored on any established and sustainable means of livelihood, would effectively be said to be going through a post-mid-life crisis.

So when Nigeria turned 59 last year, precisely, on 3rd October 2019, l wrote and published in the mass media an article titled “Nigeria At 59: Are Our Leaders Mad?�

In the piece, l expressed frustration that our leaders have been fighting corruption and losing the battle in the manner that their forbears did since independence.

I noted that rather than win the battle against graft in the public service, the malaise has become more entrenched in Nigeria with corruption in the system growing exponentially with bribes of 10% in the 1960s now ballooning into a situation whereby the entire cost of a contract or project can be paid without the contract being executed.

With the recent unearthing of massive heist in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), NSTIF, NNPC, and even EFCC , l had obviously hit the bull’s eyes in my candid assessment of the state of affairs in the dark world of corruption in that 2019 independence anniversary article.

Clearly, against the backdrop of the current scandalous sleaze emanating from public corporations and their treasuries in Nigeria, our leaders can be said to have been overwhelmingly defeated by corruption. Hence I made a case that time that it would serve the current government in power, better if it changed the focus of its development agenda from war against corruption to war against poverty.

Happily, in what seemed like a 360 degree turnaround and a sea change of sorts, on 25 August, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari in a policy rejigging exercise, announced a relegation of anti-corruption war to the rear, while pushing to the forefront, anti-poverty war in his new 9-point development agenda.

Although the title of my 2019 piece in reference “Nigeria At 59: Are Our Leaders Mad?� appeared a bit irreverent, it was the most forceful way that l could convey the fact that our leaders have been fighting corruption in the same manner that our forbears have done since independence, without positive outcomes, yet they persist in the folly. That is what justified my rhetorical question ‘‘...

Are our leaders mad?’’ With the incumbent president’s response which is a step in the right direction, our country may be on the path to being liberated from the pandemic of corruption.

Since the issues that l raised in that article one year ago during our 59th independence anniversary have become even more poignant today, I would like to crave the indulgence of readers to allow me copiously reproduce same article to see if the conscience of our leaders may be pricked to do more to enable our country realize it’s full potentials.

Here we go: “There is a popular aphorism that goes thus: ‘A fool at 40 is a fool forever’ With Nigeria remaining in socio-economic doldrums at age 59, which is only one year shy of 20 years of exceeding the proverbial 40 years threshold for being a fool, does it mean that Africa’s most populous country is now certainly a fool forever?

By way of comparison, China also celebrated seventy years as a communist country on the same day-October first that Nigeria marked its 59th anniversary of independence from Britain. That means China is only 11 years older than Nigeria in terms of nationhood and independence.

But the East Asian country has grown from being an autarky (like North Korea trading with nobody) some 30 years ago until it joined WTO in 2001 and became a production factory to the world.

Subsequently, China assumed the position of the world’s second largest economy status with an estimated $12 trillion GDP, and it is now on track to becoming the largest economy by global ranking, in less than two decades, when it would have overtaken the USA’s economy which is currently the world’s largest.

By contrast, Nigeria has degenerated from being a peer to countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan and South Korea of which it was at par at independence in 1960, to banana republic levels, like Somalia, in terms of socioeconomic standards of living and security of lives and properties of citizens.

In my considered opinion, the unfortunate

Buhari and depressing descent of Nigerians into a vortex of misery, courtesy of reoccurring visionless leadership of our country over the years, is a much bigger malaise than the anti-corruption rhetoric of governments from the colonialists to military and democratically elected civilians that have not yielded any modicum of positive dividends since independence some 59 years ago.

There is a common saying that ‘‘it is only a mad man that does one thing consistently, the same way and expect a different and positive outcome’’. One thing that is clear to all is that successive Nigerian governments have been fighting graft in the same manner since independence, without substantial positive results.

For instance where is the humongous stolen funds said to have been recovered by the EFCC? Does the fact that it is now a subject of investigation by the Justice Ayo Salami panel not speak volumes? How about the stolen pension funds running in to several billions of naira, said to have been recovered and then reportedly re-looted by AbdulRasheed Maina, the head of the task force responsible for the recovering stolen pension funds?

So are Nigerian leaders mad? If they are not, why have they been flying the same anti-corruption kite all these years?

Could it boil down to the fact that nobody in Dodan Barracks or Aso Rock Villa seat of power, (as the case may be) has bothered to conduct a simple research into corruption antecedents in Nigeria to realise how the scourge has defeated all the previous leaders who attempted to tame the monster as evidenced by the fact that rather than be eliminated or reduced, corruption has become more entrenched, malignant and hydra headed like a virus that’s being treated with the wrong antibiotics and as such, became resistant and cancerous?

In the event that any reader thinks that the rhetorical title of this article is rather brash and uncomplimentary, come with me as I go down the memory lane into the annals of Nigerian history to see if at the end of the historical excursion they may not take away the same reality that our leaders may be afflicted by some mental malady which is responsible for their fighting corruption in the same manner while continuously expecting a different result.

For instance, the justification that the likes of Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu and co-coup plotters had for toppling the first democratically elected government in Nigeria in 1966 was that corruption had become so embedded and endemic in government and public sector that 10% of public contracts value was being demanded and paid to public officials.

After the counter coup of July, 1966 where it was alleged that the plotters of the 1966 putsch were ‘corrupt’ and ‘fraudulent’ in terms of ethnic bias by assassinating only top military officers from a particular section of the country, and officers of a religious faith while preserving the lives of those from the ethnic stock and faith of the coup leaders, the Brigadier Murtala Muhammed led coup of 1975 was also mainly driven by the crusade against government corruption.

The fiery army general is famous for the mantra: “This government cannot condone Indiscipline� which is a military euphemism for corruption.

That interregnum was followed by the coup led by General Muhammadu Buhari on December 31, 1983 which like the 1966 and 1975 coups was on a mission to dislodge the democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari in the bid to clean up the proverbial Augean stable by getting rid of corrupt politicians in our beloved country.

The Ibrahim Babangida led palace coup of 1985 that unseated Buhari’s 18 months spell in office was also launched to cleanse our country of corruption. This time the corruption was not so much of bribery, but of the hue of fraud and double standards as reflected by the scandal of 53 suit cases allegedly belonging to the Emir of Gwandu which were illegally allowed into the country during change of Nigerian currency exercise.

That is in addition to the case of an underage child of a member the ruling military council going on the Muslim religious pilgrimage to Mecca which was against the law, amongst many infractions.

The fearsome army General, Sani Abacha who took over the reins of government in 1993, after Babangida stepped aside did not have any anti-corruption agenda. Rather, successive governments have recovered billions of dollars stolen and stashed abroad by the late dictator.

Similarly, General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s short tenure as interim military head of state from 1998 to 1999 had no anti-corruption ideological inclination simply because it had no time for such luxury since it was only transitional.

But the democratically-elected government of Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999 was geared towards aping or continuing with the anticorruption play book of past Nigerian leaders.

The assertion above is underscored by the fact that, the Nuhu Ribadu led Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was basically primed to lead the charge against corruption both in the public and private sectors in the same old style in the checkered history of Nigeria.

Skepticism about the altruistic value of the

government’s persistent war on corruption was triggered at that point as cynics were convinced that the fight against graft under the EFCC was not only partisan, but weaponised by then President Obasanjo to rein in his opponents across the political aisle and also compel fellow party members to tow his line.

Thereafter President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, of blessed memory struggled with the battle against corruption until his sudden passage in 2010 after which President Goodluck Jonathan assumed the leadership of our country.

Jonathan struggled to migrate the fight against corruption from the rudimentary level of naming, shaming and jailing which had been the modus operandi of successive governments, to a preventive system via technology without success, until Muhammadu Buhari returned to Aso Rock villa as a democratically-elected president in 2015 and reinvigorated the battle against corruption by reverting to status quo ante.

If at age 59, the war against corruption, (a cankerworm that is believed to be the bane of Nigeria and the bogeyman of its socioeconomic development) started by the British colonialists in the late 1950s has remained a reoccurring decimal in the agenda of successive governments nearly 60 years after, Nigeria has certainly lost the battle.

So let us declare a national war on poverty which is the demon or curse that the vast majority of Nigeria’s poor do not want to continue to be associated with.

Records reveal that beginning from the preIndependence period, Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first president of Nigeria, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, first prime minister of Nigeria and Obafemi Awolowo, the premier of western Nigeria were all investigated and indicted at various times by the British colonialists for corruption.

Don’t take my words for it. Check the records and a google check would reveal these facts.

The scenario above is clear evidence that the war on corruption which was started by the colonialists in the late 1950s has not been won by government, rather the corruption monster that has been bedeviling our country has been having the upper hand as evidenced by the fact that the various successive regimes in Nigeria have made the need to fight against corruption their raison dete.

Before I am accused of being a corruption apologist allow me to acquaint you with the anti-corruption record of China, the world’s second largest economy. Since 2012 when the current Chinese premier Xi Jinping assumed power, an average of 50 top officials are tried and jailed annually. In some cases the death penalty was applied.

And there are nearly one million public office holders under investigation in the city of Beijing alone, according to Minxin Pei, a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College in the USA. Even high ranking military chief, Guo Boxiong recently committed suicide while being investigated for bribery. That is in addition to a Communist Party General Secretary and politburo member, Sun Zhengcai who was also tried and jailed according to a report by a Drake University don, David Skidmore.

Mark Jennings, a Forbes magazine contributor reported that although the Chinese leader is portrayed as having zero tolerance, “however, China ranks 77th on Berlin-based non-profit Transparency International’s 180-country ‘Corruption Perceptions’ scale.

If the purpose of the recent heavy crackdown on graft like the one recently carried out by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Bin Salman, MBS, is ostensibly to send the message that nobody is above the law or untouchable in Saudi Arabia, corruption in that oil rich Arabian country has not abated.

From available records, anti-corruption and its false positive outlook is not different in Nigeria.

We are all witnesses to our country’s slide in the corruption index from about 121 in 1996 to 144 out of 175 least corrupt countries according to Transparency International rating.

As if to compliment the abysmal corruption rating, our country has taken over from India as the poverty headquarters of the world, according to survey by World Poverty Clock. r0OZJCF BO FOUSFQSFOFVS QVCMJD QPMJDZ BOBMZTU BVUIPS EFWFMPQNFOU TUSBUFHJTU BMVNOVT PG 'MFUDIFS 4DIPPM PG -BX BOE %JQMPNBDZ .BTTBDIVTFUUT 64" BOE B GPSNFS DBCJOFU NFNCFS PG %FMUB 4UBUF HPWFSONFOU TFOU UIJT QJFDF GSPN -BHPT

23

T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

Group Business Editor Obinna Chima

Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

ÍŻ Íś Ëœ Í° ÍŽ Í° ÍŽ MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

REPO 3 2

CALL 1-MONTH 3-MONTH

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

2 3 4

602.60% -0.04% 2.33%

S & P INDEX 1/4 TO DATE YEAR TO DATE

7.07% 25.24%

EXCHANGE RATE ͹;͡˚ͯ ̊ ̊

Quick Takes Polaris Launches Salary Advance Product

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNUAL LECTURE

L-R: President, University of Ibadan, Alumni Association Worldwide (UIAA), Prof. Elsie Adewoye; Chief Executive Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Ltd, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan; Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka; Group Executive, Energy/Infrastructure, First Bank, Mrs. Bashirat Odunewu, and Group Executive, Commercial Banking Group, Mr. Seyi Oyefeso, at the University of Ibadan alumni association annual lecture held in Lagos...recently ETOP UKUTT

New Petroleum Reform Bill to Tackle Oil Pollution in N’Delta Stories by Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The 2020 Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) that is presently before members of the National Assembly will substantially reduce environmental pollution in the oil-producing areas of the Niger Delta when passed into law.

Aside a ban on the use of chemicals for upstream petroleum operations, there will now exist an environmental remediation fund to be established by a body to be set up by the federal government into which all oil companies doing business in the region would contribute.

Much of the restiveness in the oil-producing communities in the area has always been partly due to the degradation of the rivers and the negative impact it has had on the livelihood of the people who mostly depend on fishing and farming for survival.

However, the new proposed

ENERGY law which has already passed first reading in the National Assembly, seeks to assess the oil licence applicants to have the capacity or has provided for the capacity to rehabilitate and manage negative impacts on the environment.

It also bars oil companies from flaring gas, except with express permission of the commission and for emergency purposes and the advance payment of a financial contribution for remediation of environmental damage.

The advanced payment, a copy of the bill obtained by THISDAY, noted, would be deployed in tackling the pollution in the particular area, where the spill happens, if the company fails to clean it up for any reason. “As a condition for the grant of a licence or lease and prior to the approval of the environmental management plan by the ‘Com-

mission or Authority’, a licensee or lessee shall pay a prescribed financial contribution to an environmental remediation fund established for the rehabilitation or management of negative environmental impacts with respect to the licence or lease. “In determining the amount of the financial contribution, the commission or authority, as the case may be, shall take into consideration the size of the operations and the level of environmental risk that may exist. “The financial contribution to an environmental remediation fund under subsection (1) of this section shall be subject to audit by the licensee or lessee, in accordance with guidelines that the commission or authority may, as the case may be, issue. “Where a licensee or lessee fails to rehabilitate or manage or is unable to undertake the rehabilitation or management of any negative impact on the

environment, the commission or authority, may, upon written notice to the holder, apply the fund under subsection (1) of this section to rehabilitate or manage the negative environmental impact,� it noted.

It added that a licensee or lessee shall, pursuant to subsections (1) and (2) of the section assess its environmental liability annually and increase its financial contribution to the satisfaction of the commission.

Accordingly, where the commission, is not satisfied with the assessment and financial contribution referred to in the section, it will appoint an independent assessor to conduct the assessment and determine the financial contribution.

On gas flaring, the bill stated that a licensee, lessee or operator that flares or vents natural gas, except in the case Continued on page 24

Attah: Nigeria’s Challenge in Gas Sector is Execution The Managing Director of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Mr. Tony Attah, has said Nigeria’s challenge in the gas sector has never been the shortage of good guidelines and policies, but the will power to execute them.

Attah noted that the NLNG model remains viable because of the absence of political interference, noting that the management only reports to the board occupied by the three international oil companies and the federal government, represented by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

Speaking during a web conference organised by BusinessDay recently, Attah, stated that Nigeria has not even started scratching its potential in the sector, opining that to lay a strong framework which will form the basis of gas take-off will take about a decade.

ENERGY He lauded the Minister of State for Petroleum, Mr. Timipre Sylva, for the renewed attention to gas utilisation in the country, noting that with over 200 trillion TCF, the huge possibilities in the sector have not been tapped. “We are not short of policies or guidelines around gas. So, it comes down to execution. A lot of things will come from the commercialisation of gas. We have over 200 TCF of gas which is the largest in Africa and 600 TCF yet to be proven. It’s really about that deliberateness of government to say it’s time for gas. “Nigeria has ridden on the back of oil for more than 50 years, and now it’s time to fly on the wings of gas if we are to leapfrog to the next level. Overall, we should be looking at infrastructure. You

cannot achieve much without infrastructure. “The AKK pipeline connecting north to south, OB3, connecting east to West Delta and the one taking gas from Niger Delta to the southwest are a good way to start. We need a very robust base to be able to harness these valued resources� he stated.

Attah listed security as another factor which will encourage investment in the sector, explaining that Nigeria needs to be deliberate in terms of how it develops the domestic gas sector or it will remain a pipe dream.

According to him, with the world moving towards cleaner energy, gas has now become a bridge between the past and the future. “We need social stability in terms of the security of these assets, today we hear about vandalism of pipelines impacting

on supply. In the end, the real question is how we can attract investment into this space? “It’s the year of gas. But to be frank, in one year, you cannot achieve much. We need to declare it the decade of gas. “We will then establish a 10-year window in which the commerciality of gas will be established to enable Nigerians harness the value and galvanise domestic gas to lead to the industrialisation that we need.

Gas is food in terms of fertilisers, gas is power, gas is jobs, gas is industrialisation, gas is sustainability� he stated.

He posited that to make a headway in the sector, Nigeria would have to borrow a leaf from countries like Qatar, with the right regulatory and commercial framework to operate Continued on page 24

Polaris Bank said it has re-launched its popular Salary Advance product with added capability of enabling non-account holders to access quick funds with same speed and ease as the bank’s customers.

According to the Bank’s Group Head, Products & Markets Development, Mrs. Bimpe Ihekuna, “The phenomenal success and testimonials from beneďŹ ciaries of the initial oering, informed the need to extend the opportunity to more Nigerians to enjoy the beneďŹ ts.â€?

She explained that, “this added feature has made Polaris Salary Advance, a readily available, convenient, and accessible solution to customers’ immediate ďŹ nancial needs, as well as serving identiďŹ ed new markets,â€?

The bank in a statement described its Salary Advance as a small, short-term unsecured loan that relies on the borrower having previous payroll and employment records. “As a Salary Advance beneďŹ ciary, you repay it either out of your next paycheck or over an agreed time span. Polaris Salary Advance has enabled Nigerians across board, meet pressing needs and some unexpected expenses with less diďŹƒculty which explains the high adoption rate and patronage it has enjoyed across the country. “Scores of workers in private employment, corporate Nigeria, civil servants in state and federal employment have accessed easily and beneďŹ tted immensely from the facility extended from the Bank, long before they receive their salary.

EKEDC Celebrates Customer Service Week

EkoElectricityDistributionCompany(EKEDC)hassaiditiscelebrating with its customers in this year’s Customer ServiceWeek with an array of value-adding activities.

The year 2020 Customer Service Week started yesterday and will end on Friday.

In a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Communications, Godwin Idemudia, the power Disco stated that it was happy to celebrate its customers, describing them as the foundation of their business.

He said: “We are happy to celebrate our esteemed customers who have been absolutely supportive of our business as we use this occasion of the Customer Service Week to profusely thank them for their patronage and understanding. “This year’s theme is ‘Dream Team’ and in EKEDC, we are building a team that would rival our Industry’s equivalent of the 1996 victorious NigerianOlympicFootballteamthatmakesNigeriaproudaswepledge to continue to improve our customer satisfaction whilst delivering top-notch services.�

Idemudia announced that the company has planned a host of valueaddingactivitiesfortheweekthatmayspillovertotherestofthemonth with the aim of appreciating individual customers and communities.

AEDC Fetes Customersn

TheManagingDirectoroftheAbujaElectricityDistributionCompany (AEDC),Dr.ErnestMupwaya,hassaidthe2020customerserviceweek is a time to give back and an opportunity to appreciate its customers for their loyalty to the company.

Mupwaya, in a letter to sta said it was time to show the company’s customers how much it values them. “This is an auspicious period to demonstrate our appreciation to our esteemed customers and recognise the importance of customer service excellence within the organisation,â€? he said.

Speaking further, the managing director said the 2020 customer service week, which has as its theme – Dream Team highlights the signiďŹ cance of teamwork and collaboration in providing outstanding servicetoallcustomersdemonstratedduringtheCovid-19-19lockdown period. According to him, during this period, AEDC embraced new work arrangements, which rather than diminish the service levels to itscustomersratherenhanceditasthecompanycontinuedtostrivefor excellence while adapting to the change that was necessary following the outbreak of the pandemic.

Some of the activities listed for the customer service week include a visitation to one of the orphanage homes in Abuja where the company would donate food items.

“The NIPOST Microfinance Bank is perhaps one of the latest companies that will go into operations out of the unbundled entities. We envisage that may be before the end of the year, NIPOST Property Development Company, the first subsidiary DG, Bureau of Public Enterprises, Alex Okoh

24

T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ 2020

BUSINESSWORLD NEW PETROLEUM REFORM BILL TO TACKLE OIL POLLUTION IN N’DELTA of an emergency; pursuant to an exemption granted by the commission; or as an acceptable safety practice under established regulations, shall be liable to a fine as prescribed by the commission. “A fine due under this section shall be paid in the same manner and be subject to the same procedure for the payment of royalties to the government by companies engaged in the production of petroleum. “A fine paid pursuant to this section shall not be eligible for cost recovery or be tax deductible� it stressed.

Prior to the commencement of petroleum production, all oil companies are also to install metering equipment conforming to the specifications prescribed on every facility from which natural gas may be flared or vented as the commission or may prescribe.

The bill further proposed that a licensee or lessee who fails or refuses to install metering equipment pursuant to subsection (1) of the section commits an offence under the Act and is liable to a fine as the body to be established may deem fit under a regulation.

ATTAH: NIGERIA’S CHALLENGE IN GAS SECTOR IS EXECUTION and to stabilise the sector. “We need the government to focus on this particular resource.

With 200 tcf and 22 million tons per annum capacity at Nigeria LNG. Train 7 will help take it to about 30 million tons. 30 million tons from 200 TCM is a non-starter for Nigeria. “Australia has 128 trillion tcf, but they have 88 million tons per annum capacity LNG plant, Malaysia has only 97 TCF, they have 29 million tons, Indonesia has 103TCF, 26 million tonnes while Mozambique that is coming is talking about 120-150 TCF, but their ambition is starting point is 50 million tons per annum. “That deliberateness is very crucial. It can’t be achieved in one year. It’s crucial that the minister has declared the year of gas, but we need to be deliberate to say this is what we want to focus and harness starting with the development in the domestic space.�

NEWS

NERC Defends 14-day Suspension of Electricity Tariff Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said its recent suspension for 14 days of the newly approved electricity tariff for distribution companies (Discos) in the country was backed by the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2003 (EPSRA).

NERC in a document jointly signed by its Chairman, Prof. James Momoh and the Commissioner for Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, Mr. Dafe Akpeneye, justified its decision which followed the agreement between the federal government and members of Nigeria’s labour unions over the increase in electricity tariff for which labour amongst other things threatened an industrial action.

It explained that through the EPSRA, the Minister of Power has the legal backing to issue to it sector-related directives which are in the interest of public policy, indicating that suspending the tariff was in line with the government’s public policy. “The commission, pursuant to sections 32 and 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA), issued the MultiYear Tariff Order 2020 for the 11 successor electricity distribution companies (Discos) with effect from 1 September 2020. “One of the primary objectives of the MYTO 2020 Order is ensuring that rates charged

by Discos are fair to customers and are sufficient to allow Discos that operate efficiently to recover

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Senior Correspondent

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

Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Finance) ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? åÙÔÓ (Insurance) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ăœ (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

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

the commission on matters concerning electricity, including directions on overall system planning and coordination, which the commission shall take into consideration in discharging its functions under section 32(2), provided that such directions are not on conflict with this Act or the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria “The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, minister of power and other ministers were part of the FGN team that issued the communique which the commission duly accepts

as a general policy direction in accordance with section 33 of EPSRA,� it stated in justification of the action.

Although NERC suspended the tariff of the Discos which include Abuja, Benin, Enugu, Ibadan, Jos, Kaduna, Kano and Eko, as well as Port Harcourt, Yola and Ikeja, representatives of Nigeria’s Organised Private Sector (OPS) have kicked against the suspension.

The OPS which included the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN),

Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), had argued that the new electricity tariff and petrol price liberalisation were part government’s measures to deregulate the power and energy sectors of the country and should be allowed to go on.

The OPS had advised the labour unions to negotiate and secure palliative that would cushion the temporary effects of the deregulation policies on the masses.

PROJECTCOMMITEE REVIEWREPORT

FormerPresident,NigerianSocietyofEngineersEngr.AdekunleMokuolu(left),presentingthereportoftheContracts/ProjectsReviewCommitteesetup byOgunStateGovernmenttotheDeputyGovernor,Engr.NoimotSalako-Oyedele,attheGovernor’soffice,Abeokuta...recently

NDPHC Moves to Power Industrial Clusters in Ogun Peter Uzoho The Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), manager of the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs) is engaging Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to see how it will increase power supply to industrial clusters and residents in Ogun State through its Eligible Customer drive.

The Managing Director, NDPHC, Mr. Chiedu Ugbo, disclosed this to journalists recently after his meeting

with officials of IBEDC at the Olorunsogo Power Generation Company in Ogun State.

Ugbo, said the management of NDPHC recently met with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and his Ogun counterpart, Mr Dapo Abiodun, to solicit their support and cooperation in furtherance of the objective. He said the company which has 10 power generation plants across the country, had signed an agreement with IBEDC for reliable power supply to industrial clusters in

areas under its network. Ugbo said the Olorunsogo Power Plant has a capacity of 750MW, but had a limited off-take from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) which leads to energy losses. “We came here with IBDC that is in charge of most of the South-west states to discuss with them in terms of distribution to end users. “Our distribution essentially is how we can work together under bilateral agreement that will see us supply the electricity to them

and they will distribute to eligible customers. This will include industrial clusters and even residential clusters,� Ugbo said.

He said the assets of NDPHC were established by monies belonging to Nigerians by the government and should therefore be utilised for the benefit of the people. The NDPHC boss noted that the transmission network presently cannot allow Nigerians to take electricity directly from generation companies.

Ugbo added: “The electricity is there, however the transmission

company is unable to take all that is being generated. So we came with Ibadan Disco to see what the challenges are, what the network bottlenecks are and how we can work with them and do an end to end from the power plant to the end users.�

He said there were a lot of industries in Shagamu and Ota axis which would key into the model to solve their energy challenges, stressing that the company was ready to install infrastructure needed for its success.

Platinum Mortgage Bank Appoints Abubakar Board Chairman Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Group Business Editor

the full cost of their activities, including a reasonable return on the capital invested in the business,� the commission said.

It further explained that following a joint communique issued by the government and the labour unions, “the FGN agreed that the recent review in electricity tariffs would be suspended by the commission for a period of 14 days to further consultations and finalisation of negotiations between parties.� “Section 33 of EPSRA provides that the minister may issue general policy directions to

The Platinum Mortgage Bank Limited (PMBL) has appointed former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, as its new board chairman.

The Media Adviser of the bank, Mr. Festus Adebayo, in a recent statement, explained that Abubakar, by this appointment would be saddled with the responsibility of providing leadership to the board, taking

responsibility for the board’s composition and development, ensuring proper information for the board, planning and conducting board meetings effectively, getting all directors involved in the board’s work.

The former police boss is also saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the board focuses on its key tasks, engaging the board in assessing and improving its performance, overseeing the induction and development of

directors and supporting the Chief Executive/Managing Director.

The bank which stated that its focus was to improve the welfare of Nigerians through the provision of efficient stressfree and quality house delivery services at affordable cost, was incorporated in 1992 with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to provide savings, loans and homes ownership services, and licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and

the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) under the CBN Decree 24 of 1991 and FMBN Decree No.53 of 1989 respectively to provide Mortgage Banking Services in Nigeria.

The statement described Abubakar as a versatile and dynamic leader with a great sense of responsibility and wide range of diverse exposures, capabilities and competences spanning from his forte as an administrator, criminologist,

intelligent officer, prosecutor, investigator, an entrepreneur and savvy police officer who has held several management positions in the Nigeria Police Force and financial institutions for years.

He was the pioneer chairman of the NPF pension Board, the position he held between 2014 and 2018. Born on May 5, 1960, Abubakar began his early education at Gusau Township Primary School, Zamfara State.

VSF Donates N150m, ICT Equipment to Ministry of Health Kasim Sumaina in Abuja The Victim Support Fund (VSF) has donated Information Communication Technology (ICT) equipment as well as N150 million support to the Ministry of Health.

Presenting the items

in Abuja, the Chairperson of Victims Support Fund Covid-19 Task Force, Mrs. Toyosin Akerele- Ogunsiji, said the gesture was aimed at boosting of COVID-19 data collection. Akerele- Ogunsiji, said laptop, printers and other ICT equipment were donated

to the ministry of health to support the data collection.

She explained: “We believe that health care is not just about providing medication and drugs, but the human capital and the quality of the human capacity within the ministry, will determine to a very long

extends the successes that the ministry is going to achieve in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.�

According to her, “We supported the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), with telecom and surveillance equipment to be able to coordinate

their meetings from Abuja and across the 36 states and also we have provided a lot of institutional support to relevant government agencies to be able to wrap up the level of response that was provided at the states and local government levels.�

25

T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

Ahmad: Nigeria Setting Pace in Deployment of Off-grid Power Solutions Mr. Salihijo Ahmad, is the Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency. In this interview he speaks about how the agency is interveningintheprovisionofpowertounservedandunderservedcommunitiesinthecountry.EmmanuelAddeh presentstheexcerpts for private use, business use as well as deployment in communities.

Many government outďŹ ts and private sector companies appear to be increasingly embracing off-grid as an alternative source of energy.

How is the REA collaborating with them?

Apart from the implementing role being played by the REA, our activities and programmes also help encourage industry collaboration, knowledge exchange as well as investments. We do this in collaboration with our development partners as well as key private sector developers. These activities being driven by the REA have continued to educate and enlighten critical stakeholders in government and private sector on the reliability and sustainability of off-grid technologies. REA has continued to stimulate the renewable energy sector in Nigeria while putting developers on their toes to provide and deploy industry-standard off-grid solutions, per time.

With the franchise regulation by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), are their plans to incentivise and woo more Nigerians into the off- grid market.

That is the idea. NERC’s franchise arrangement caters to the electricity distribution sphere of influence and covers metering, billing and collection; total management of electricity distribution function in a ring-fenced area and total management of distribution feeders including billing and collection.

There’s also the loss reduction and provision of embedded generation. As a relatively novel technology, the floodgates are open to energy developers in the off-grid market. This is helpful as deliberately aids competition in the off-grid market.

With a competitive market, service delivery and quality of deployed systems automatically improves.

Remember that under the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), there are already well-set funding models such as the Output Based Fund (OBF) for the sale of solar home systems to homes and businesses across Nigeria and the Performance Based Grant (PBG) for the deployment of mini grids to unserved and underserved communities in Nigeria. All these are open to developers in the off-grid market to key in and access funding targeted at powering Nigeria.

Can you take us through your programmes and policies in the REA and how you have gone about implementing them?

The agency’s mandate is the provision of electricity in unserved and underserved communities across the country to catalyse economic growth and improve quality of life for Nigerians. REA is currently implementing the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), Energising Economies Initiative (EEI), Energising Education Programme (EEP), Rural Electrification Fund (REF), Energy Database and Capital projects as well as creating the enabling environment for private sector investment in electrification. With a broad understanding of the energy needs of different consumer groups in the country, we continue to deliberately design programmes to cater to these needs and close the energy gap. To impact local economies, we have the EEI designed to support the rapid deployment of off-grid electricity solutions to provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity to economic clusters, e.g market places, shopping centres, industrial areas). To adequately cater to the energy needs of unserved and underserved communities across the nation, the agency secured funding from the World Bank ($350m) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) ($200m). The objective of the NEP is to deploy solar hybrid mini grids to serve over 2 million Nigerians and over 10,000 SMEs as well as deploy solar home systems to 1.5 million households.

We understand how pivotal electricity access in institutions of learning and hospitals is. Under the NEP, we have the EEP, a federal government programme designed to improve educational outcomes through the deployment of clean, safe and reliable energy to 37 Federal universities and 2 affiliated teaching hospitals.

At the REA, we also implement capital projects.

These are primarily grid-extension projects the agency had been traditionally known for. It involves grid extension and injection substation projects and now increasingly, solar mini grids, deployment of solar home systems, installation of solar street lighting across all 6 geo-political zones.

There are stories about how East Africa is advancing off- grid energy solutions, are there lessons to learn from that?

Off-grid solutions is witnessing a rise in adoption in Nigeria with investments coming in from donor organisations such as the World Bank and African Development Bank. I believe Nigeria is setting the pace in the advancement and deployment of off-grid solutions in Africa. Other African countries can learn a lot from what Nigeria is doing. With our unique history of energy poverty in Nigeria, the Nigerian government have taken steps towards steering the nation on the path to improved energy access. The programmes being deployed by the REA, as mandated by the federal government are data-driven, locally developed but globally appealing programmes designed to solve our energy problems, sustainably.

Ahmad There are about 100 million Nigerians who are off the national grid. What is your agency doing to give them access to power?

Achieving REA’s vision requires a focus on bringing electricity to unserved and underserved communities through a sustainable market. This will entail both direct implementation and coordinating broader electrification effort.

For example, the Grid Extension (Capital Projects), whose core objective is to provide affordable, easily accessed, safe and efficient electricity supply to the populace especially in rural settlements across the nation. The projects are broken down into solar mini-grids, deployment of solar home systems, and deployment of solar street lighting, injection substations, and grid extension projects across all 6 geopolitical zones. Like I said, the federal government has secured funding from both the World Bank ($350m) and the African Development Bank (AfDB) ($200m) for three components. The NEP will develop solar hybrid mini grids to serve over 2 million people and over 10,000 SMEs as well as Deploy solar home systems to 1.5million households and improve educational outcomes by electrifying Federal Universities and affiliated teaching hospitals as part of the EEP. So far, we have deployed energy infrastructure to off-grid Nigerians in 3 communities: Rokota in Niger State, Akikpelai and Olobiri in Bayelsa State, with more underway. Under the first call of the Rural Electrification Fund (REF), over 19, 000 Solar Home Systems have been deployed to serve Nigerians off-grid, while 12 communities have been energised through solar hybrid mini-grids. Following the success of the first call of the REF projects, the 2nd REF call is in progress. The agency is currently engaging interested energy developers to help drive this process and deploy more interventions targeted at off-grid Nigerians. For the EEP, it aims to power 37 universities and 7 teaching hospitals by providing independent power plants, 10,400 street lights will be installed across campuses in Nigeria for illumination and security, upgrade of existing distribution networks and world class renewables training centre at every university.

Also, over 300 clusters have been identified for electrification across the country in different phases of the EEI. It is one thing to have these programmes and another to be able to see them through to success... (cuts in) As an agency that believes in the strategic use of off-grid technologies, we have deployed of off-grid solutions to economic clusters and federal universities across the country. To this end, over 12,000 shops are now receiving clean, safe, reliable and affordable electricity supply. The pilot phase of the EEI has been commissioned at the Sura Shopping Complex Independent Power Project in Lagos state powering 1,047 shops.

So also is the Ariaria Market Independent Power Project, Aba, Abia State, powering over

4,000 shops and we have launched over 6,000 energised shops at Sabon Gari market, Kano State with more connections in the pipeline.

Deployment is currently ongoing in markets under Phase 1 of the EEI. This phase is expected to provide clean, safe and reliable power to 12 markets across Lagos, Kano, Edo, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo. Two projects have also been commissioned; a 7.1 MW Solar Hybrid Mini Grid at Bayero University, Kano and 2.8MW Solar Hybrid Mini Grid at Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State (FUNAI).

In addition to that is the 1.6 Federal University of Petroleum Resources (FUPRE), Delta State, 1.12MW Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi are completed and ready for commissioning while other projects under phase 1 of the EEP are at various stages of completion. The programme will provide reliable power supply to over 580,000 students, 80,000 teaching and administrative staff, 1,400 doctors and 5,500 medical professionals. As a result, 860 harmful diesel-fired generators will be decommissioned.

Are there concerns or challenges from your experience in working with these schools and private organisations?

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the REA has deployed 4 solar mini grids to Isolation centres in Gwagwalada and Ogun State as well as the NCDC Laboratory in Lagos in its bid to support the efforts of the government in containing the Covid-19 pandemic. Following the impact of the agency’s intervention in four Covid-19 isolation centres, a series of engagement between the REA, the World Bank, Federal Ministry of Power, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) plan to scale up this intervention by energising 100 additional covid-19 centres (Phase 1) and 400 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) (Phase 2) across the nation. We intend to scale up on all these interventions to cover more universities and health facilities across the country.

Off- grid solutions are still on the high side, especially given duty paid by the dealers.

Are discussions ongoing to reduce the tariff?

Just like we have in many countries deploying mini-grids, we continue to scale barriers as the industry develops. Tariff, for example, can be seen as a barrier, but not to the extent of it crippling the growth of mini-grids. Another barrier we are working fervently to scale is on importation of renewable energy components. Players in the industry have expressed their views on the removal of VAT for solar and renewable energy companies. This is actually a policy issue that we are currently collaborating with other relevant agencies to solve because we believe that if the government continues to drive beneficial policy issues around renewable energy, it will help bring down the cost of renewable energy deployment

Given the huge investment opportunities in the off- grid electricity market, what is the REA’s message to investors who may want to switch investments to other parts of the continent?

I would say to those investors, stay in Nigeria and keep investing. The federal government is doing a lot towards simplifying ease of doing business in the country. Nigeria is attracting investment not just in the energy space but also in other sectors. The investment opportunities in the Nigeria off-grid market is big. As you are aware, aside having the largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria is one of the best locations in the world for the deployment of mini-grids and solar home systems. Currently, the energy gap in Nigeria is huge. Millions of MSMEs, industries and agencies are being powered by carbon emitting generating sets. What this means is that the investment in clean, safe and reliable energy in Nigeria creates an option for a switch to cleaner, more sustainable energy for consumers. All the agencies are deliberately striving hard to provide an enabling environment for off-grid investors as well as private developers to flourish. We also have the advantage of global attention through funding and technical support in the Nigeria off-grid space. Very few African countries currently deploy forward-leaning, investor-friendly programmes as we do in Nigeria. There is significant rise in the adoption of off-grid solutions with lots of return of investment.

Tell us how the government was able to attract this $350 million from the World Bank and another from the AfDB? The procedure is simple, we showed them the potential of investing in Nigeria and the growth of the energy sector and they agreed with us. Since the investment from these banks under the Nigeria Electrification Project, several activities have taken place to ensure the success of the programme. The World Bank and the Africa Development Bank are two important stakeholders supporting the federal government’s electrification programme. NEP is private sector-driven initiative designed to provide electricity access to households, micro, small and medium enterprises in off grid communities across the country through renewable power sources.

It is being funded by the World Bank through a $350 million loan and a $200 million loan from the African Development Bank World Bank.

The first PBG completed project under the NEP

by PowerGen Renewable Energy with 157kw capacity was commissioned on 7th December, 2019 in Rokota Community, Edati Local Government Area, Niger State. The second and third NEP PBG Mini-Grid projects with capacities of 67.32kW each were commissioned on 13th April 2020 at Oloibri and Akipelai communities, Bayelsa state by Renewvia Solar Nigeria Ltd. A total of 921 connections have been achieved so far in households, MSMEs and Public facilities and a total capacity of 198.64kW of energy deployed.

In addition, Over 68,000 solar homes systems have been installed in households, MSMEs and public facilities by the 11 companies that have signed grant agreements. The capacities of the system ranges from 6Wp to 75Wp translating to over 2,443kW of installed capacity across the 36 states in Nigeria.

26

T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

NNPC and Oil Search Peter Uzoho writes on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation aggressive search for new oil deposits to achieve its target of raising the nation’s oil reserve to 40 billion barrels by 2025

L

ast week, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its Group Managing Director, Malam Mele Kyari, for executing oil exploration in the Benue Trough and Chad Basin despite the Coronavirus pandemic.

The President of NAPE, Mr. Alex Tarka, who relayed the association’s view in his remark during a virtual workshop for oil and gas journalists, said the exploration being carried out by the NNPC was attracting the attention of the International Oil Companies (IOCs), who the corporation is considering partnership with.

He specifically noted that the NNPC was pressing ahead with the oil drilling in the Benue Trough in order to add more to the lives of Nigerians, stressing that that the government need not wait for investors before embarking on oil exploration in the land.

He added that the government’s doggedness and the enabling environment would cause the IOCs to join in the search for oil.

Tarka commended Kyari, for leading the corporation on more oil search despite the challenges in the global oil environment, adding that the gesture shows that the current NNPC was desirous of matching the nation along its 40billion barrels crude oil reserves target.

Reserves’ Depletion/Risks For many years, Nigeria, the largest oil producer in Africa, has not been able to add to the reserve, resulting in steady depletion with attendant economic risks for the country.

In one of its interventions, NAPE had, in October last year, raised the alarm that the continuous depletion of the nation’s oil reserve portended great danger for the country.

It specifically warned that the reduction in hydrocarbon exploration and steady depletion of the oil reserves would drive Nigeria into risks of long-term disruption to oil and gas supplies, power generation, collapse of industries and significant loss of revenue.

It also declared that with Nigeria being a mono-economy that is largely dependent on the proceeds of crude oil for its sustenance, such inactivity in the exploration business would have dire consequences for the country.

Also, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the regulator of all oil and gas activities in the country had, in February this year, warned that the nation’s crude oil reserves of 37 billion barrels, two per cent of which being produced annually, would be depleted in 49 years.

The reserves, which stood at 37.45 billion barrels in 2014, fell to 37.06 billion barrels in 2015 and 36.74 billion barrels in 2016. It, however, rose to 36.97 billion barrels in 2017 and 37 billion barrels in 2018, a DPR data had shown. “The nation’s depletion rate and life index are 2.04 per cent and 49.03 years respectively,� adding that the reserves depletion rate is a measure of 2018 total oil and condensate production divided by the reserves as of January 1, 2019. “This indicator gives a bird’s eye on an annual basis, what percentage proportion of the quoted reserves was produced. “The life index, on the other hand, is a measure of the reserves as of January 1, 2019, divided by the total production in 2018. This parameter highlights how long (in years) quoted reserves volumes will be available for production,� the regulator said.

The DPR said to achieve the government’s aspiration of four million barrels per day production and reserves of 40 billion barrels, “there is a need for corresponding increase in reserves as production increases,� noting that if that was not done, “the life index will fall from a sustainable long-term threshold to a less futuristic and sustainable medium to short-term range.�

The nation’s oil and gas production structure is majorly split between Joint Ventures onshore and in shallow water with foreign and local companies, and the Production Sharing Contracts in deep-water offshore, to which most of the international oil companies have shifted their

focus in recent years.

The JV operators, despite having the highest production (about 41.64 per cent) among all the contract types, recorded a low depletion rate of about 1.8 per cent and high life index of 56.34 years, according to the DPR. It said the PSC companies had the highest depletion rate of 3.10 per cent and the lowest life index of 32.15 years, while accounting for about 36.08 per cent of the nation’s total production. “Perhaps, the companies may have taken advantage of the poor government take in the deep offshore terrain to deplete the reserves therein with little regard for long-term sustainable production as amplified by the life index,� the regulator said in a report.

It said the sole risk companies had the lowest depletion rate of 1.5 per cent and the highest life index of 65.49 years.

The regulator said these companies accounted for about 20.14 per cent of the nation’s total production in 2018, adding, “This depletion rate does not reflect the fact these companies hold the second largest reserves of about 26.90 per cent.�

The marginal field operators produced about 2.14 per cent of the nation’s total production in 2018, with a depletion rate of about 2.7 per cent, life index of 36.83 years and a national reserves portfolio of 1.61 per cent.

The DPR said about nine operating companies, which it described as unhealthy, “have oil and condensate life index of less than 15 years.� “The statistics paint a very gloomy picture for these companies and urgent steps will be taken to address this observed trend.

The department is engaging the companies to review their strategic plan to guarantee future reserves growth in order for them to remain in business,� it said.

According to the regulator, as of January 1, 2019, the reserves replacement ratio, which measures the addition to reserves relative to the total production, for Nigeria’s oil and condensate reserves stood at four per cent.

It said “Though this shows a positive RRR, it is not an impressive performance as just four per cent of the 2018 annual production was replaced via net addition to reserves.�

However, the DPR announced in June this year that as at January 1, 2020, Nigeria’s crude

oil reserves dropped to 36.89 billion barrels, representing a decline of 82million barrels and 0.22 per cent of what was recorded in 2019.

Successful Exploration Having understood the urgency of the situation and the need to rise to the occasion, NNPC under Kyari moved into aggressive exploration activity to ensure that more oil finds are made. Appointed last year by President Muhammadu Buhari as the new GMD of the corporation, Kyari made it clear to his team and the nation that the charge of ramping up the nation’s crude reserves to 40billion barrels and 3million barrels daily production by 2025 was achievable.

Between 2019 and 2020, the corporation has recorded successes in its bid to find new oil deposits and add to the nation’s reserves. In October, 2019, the NNPC announced that it had discovered oil in the North-eastern part of the country after several years of oil search in that area.

Announcing the positive development in a statement at the time, NNPC said it discovered hydrocarbon deposits in the Kolmani River II Well on the Upper Benue Trough/Gongola Basin, explaining that “preliminary reports indicated that the hydrocarbon discovery consisted of gas, condensate and light sweet oil of American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity, “ranging from 38 to 41 found in stacked siliciclastic cretaceous reservoirs of Yolde, Bima Sandstone and Pre-Bima formations.�

It had explained that NNPC acquired 435.54 kilometres-square (km2) of 3D seismic data over Kolmani prospect in the upper Benue trough in the Gongola basin to evaluate Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo) Kolmani River 1 Well discovery of 33 billion standard feet (BCF) of gas and explore deeper levels.

The corporation also said it had also acquired additional 1183km2 of 3D seismic data over highly prospective areas of the Gongola basin with a view to evaluating the full hydrocarbon potential of the basin. “NNPC has deployed world class cutting-edge technologies including surface geochemistry, ground gravity/magnetic, stress field detection, full tensor gradiometry aerial surveys to de-risk exploration in the frontier basins.

“The NNPC plans to drill additional wells for full evaluation of the hydrocarbon volume in the Gongola basin,� the corporation stated.

Buhari, had during the spud-in ceremony of Kolmani River II, stated the commitment of the federal government to the exploration for oil and gas in the frontier basins in the entire length and breadth of the country.

NNPC said the basins included the Benue trough, Chad basin, Sokoto and Bida basins, adding that the president stated that attention would also be given to the Dahomey and Anambra basins, which have already witnessed oil and gas discoveries.

The corporation said the discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantity in the Gongola basin would attract foreign investment, generate employment for people to earn income and increase government revenues.

However, giving Nigerians a clearer picture of the result of the exploration activity by the NNPC, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, had revealed that Nigeria has discovered one billion barrels of crude reserves in the North-east, pointing out that a lot of oil was yet to be found in Nigeria if there were more exploration activities. “From the evaluation report we are getting, the reserves that have been discovered in the North-east is about a billion barrels.

And they (explorationists at the field) are beginning to understand the geological structure of that area,� Sylva had disclosed.

The minister had added that though the country was not yet a mature territory for oil, it was still very prolific.

Sylva said: “If there is a lot of exploration, we believe that a lot of oil still remains to be found in Nigeria. And that is the beauty about Nigeria. Nigeria is not yet a mature territory; it is still very prolific. “There has been no targeted exploration for gas and yet we have 200 TCF reserves. So, we believe that if we really go out looking for gas, we can find a lot more that will put us in the league of the most prolific in the world.�

With the pace of exploration activity being championed by the NNPC, it will not be long when the aspired 40 billion barrels crude reserve and the three million daily production mark will be reached.

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T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

On-boarding Financially Excluded Rural Women Oluchi Chibuzor in this report as part of the Civic Hive 2020 Atupa fellowship programme supported by US embassy writes on the need for the development of tailor-made products and services that captures the needs of rural excluded women for all inclusive financial society

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mproving rural women’s access to financial services has been described as a proven strategy for contributing to their social and economic empowerment, while improving overall the livelihoods of rural households and communities.

Rural financial access is important for both poverty alleviation and the non-oil growth agenda, a fact recognized by the Nigerian government and its partners and the President Muhammadu Buhari in consistently advocating for the nation to produce what it consumes.

As urban populations continue to benefit from broader access to finance than rural communities, the World Bank in its Global Findex Database report 2017 stated that Nigeria and six other countries are home to nearly half of the 1.7 billion people without accounts.

Nigeria’s 22 commercial banks, 942 microfinance banks, and numerous financial technology (fintech) and mobile money operators, the nation stills records 46.5 per cent of adult female financially excluded as against 36.8 percent of adult males, with rural financial exclusion rate at 52.2 percent as against 24.4 percent for the urban areas.

The percentage showed that adult Nigerians aged between 18 and 25 years had a financial exclusion rate of 53.5 percent relative to the national exclusion rate of 41.6 percent of about 73.2 m adults. A bulk of this unbanked population comprises rural dwellers, farmers and petty traders, widows, single mothers, teenagers.

The high exclusion rates are attributable to cultural and religious barriers, difficulties in profitability of serving excluded groups, high levels of unemployment, security challenges and continuing high levels of informality in the economy.

For the rural excluded women of the entire population, financial inclusion remains the answer to their problems in order to impact them with financial services as the weaker section of the society.

With 50 per cent of Nigerians living in extreme poverty and approximately half earning less than N700 per day, achieving the planned targets set by National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) by 2020 remains elusive without actively reducing the exclusion rate among the women.

Financial inclusion is described as delivery of banking and other financial services at reasonably priced to the vast sections of low income groups helps to improve the standard of living of citizens, especially those outside the net of banking operations.

Considering Nigeria’s vast population, geopolitical divisions and social norms that in some case constrict women’s activities, it has not seen substantial policy change initiatives that aimed specifically at financially excluded rural women located within the hard to reach regions.

Access to financial services, aside deposits and withdrawals, such as credit and insurance, pensions empowers anybody to start and expand businesses, invest in education

and health, mitigate risks, and withstands financial shocks, and ultimately improve quality of their lives.

Therefore, highlighting the important role that Financial Service Providers (FSP) and governments can play in the economic empowerment of women, especially those in remote areas with active income sources or becomes imperative for a nation that prides itself as the largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Achieving sustainable economic development for Nigeria requires rural revolution and the empowerment of its dwellers; hence, the need for major stakeholders in the financial sectors in line with the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) policy to speed up its commitment to task of alleviating poverty and aiding financial inclusion among the economically active poor.

Statistics from the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) also has it that the vast majority of 80.4 percent of those who are fully excluded from formal and informal financial services live in rural areas.

Explaining the rationale, the report attributed this to the physical distance to bank branches in most rural areas making it difficult and expensive to access financial services. Secondly it said that lower levels of economic activity in rural areas limit the profit potential of financial institutions and thirdly, education levels and financial literacy are typically lower in rural areas, making it less likely that clients will make use of financial products and services.

The trend In Nigeria rural areas, women financial exclusion are 1.7 times higher than in urban as low income by EFInA. Speaking last year, at a forum in Port Harcourt, the Head, Financial Inclusion Strategy for the CBN, Mr. Joseph Attah, had disclosed that Nigeria’s Financial Exclusion rate dropped from 46.3 percent to the current 36.8 percent, representing a 10.2 percent reduction.

Similarly, EFInA in its 2019 report on Assessment of Women’s Financial Inclusion in Nigeria, had stated that financial exclusion stands at 36 percent for women and 24 percent for men.

Going by what the Head of innovation at EFInA, Dayo Odulate-Ademola, said at a Social Media Week held earlier this year, “what we saw between the 2016 and 2018 data was that more people were becoming financially included but not at the same pace as the population growth rate which is why the 80 percent target of financial inclusion for this year or conversely the 20 percent exclusion target is unlikely to be met if we are all particularly realistic.�

Echoing their Voices Generally most women in the rural areas do not feel they have enough income to save, make investments, or take risks on loans, as stated by EFInA.

To achieve a more inclusive financial system at an affordable rate, experts advised that Nigeria would need to leverage technology to give access to its excluded population.

Samson Olatunde, a technological innovator, urged the government to start utilising simple technological innovation to reduce financial inclusion, noting that in-line with FAO, “we can use technological to design a diversified range of innovative agricultural financial services and products that respond to the specific needs of rural clients in general, and specifically those of rural women.�

Paul Onu, a 57 Mason worker in Lagos, told THISDAY that he transfers money to someone else in Owerri Imo state to give his aged mum in the village that do not have bank accounts, while Tawa Musuliu, a petty trader in Fish said she prefers to keep her money to avoids unnecessary delays in collecting money back. “I prefer to have access to my money anytime I want it and to use it to buy my markets. Also, the charge to collect money by agents of mobile money is too high,� she said.

Understanding Needs of Women Having access to financial services allows rural women to purchase inputs, labour and equipment needed for their agricultural or rural off-farm activities, take better care of their children, as research has shown that women spend most of their income and savings on their children’s education, nutrition and health.

According to CBN, financial inclusion has continued to assume increasing recognition across the globe among policy makers, researchers and development oriented agencies, its importance derives from the promise it holds as a tool for economic development, particularly in the areas of poverty reduction, employment generation, wealth creation and improving welfare and general standard of living.

CBN and EFInA indicated that women adoption of financial services is influenced mainly by their levels of income, education, and trust in FSPs, marital status, and their community.

Therefore, if the CBN’s quest in deepening financial products in the country like micro-insurance, savings credit, insurance and payment services through financial service agents and the achievement of the 20 percent exclusion rate is anything to go by, one thing that is synonymous among rural women is products and services that meets their needs. The gender gap in Nigeria represents a major issue to be resolved if the country is to achieve the targets it set in the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS).

According to FirstBank’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the banking sector in Nigeria remained the primary partner to the government with regards to economic growth and development in the country. “If we do not utilise those opportunities

and mainstream them properly, the country and the entire economy will be left behind,� he stated.

Considering the huge economic consequences of COVID-19, improving rural women’s access to finance becomes necessary for their social-economic empowerment, as well as for supporting their well-being and development of their households and communities.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report on “Women’s Access to Rural Finance: Challenges and Opportunity,� stated that rural women face several constraints that limit their access to financial services, such as socio-cultural, economic and legal and in some cases educational barriers.

Despite obstacles faced by financial institutions in extending services to rural women, it stressed that, “various good practices can be adopted in order to overcome both the demand- and supply-side challenges in order to improve the provision of financial services for rural communities and underserved groups, such as rural women.�

The UN agency added that, “Some of these practices include the design of inclusive packages of financial products and services intended for women, as well as the promotion of alternative collateral and the use of ICT. The promotion of access to information and the improvement of financial literacy for women are also key practices. “Aside from these strategies, there must be changes in the policy environment and at the institutional level to ensure the sustainability of these initiatives. These changes consist of building capacity and raising awareness for the sustainable adoption of gender-sensitive practices as well as the collection of sexdisaggregated data. “All in all, these efforts should aim to ensure that by increasing rural women’s access to finance, their empowerment and wellbeing are likewise strengthened.�

Similarly, EFInA proposed a family-oriented financial products and services, adding that a joint family accounts for household spending or savings, particularly where multiple people have a stake in household finances.

Others include structured savings solutions to help women save effectively while meeting their competing daily needs, Payment systems that formalise social giving to enable tracking of contributions and create transparency in an effort to help ensure participants get some return for their contributions, Financial products that enable widows and traders to manage business purchases and savings.

It noted also that structured group finance products that link farmers and traders to capital and markets so they can expand their businesses, increase revenue, and/or access efficiencies, informational services that build trust and rapport between women and FSPs by leveraging existing community structures to promote and deliver financial services and corresponding skills.

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T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

COVID-19 and Nigeria’s Informal Economy Toyin Adeniji

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igeria’s informal economy has grown considerably over the last decade. These are the individuals and microenterprises whose economic well-being is birthed and buoyed on the fringes of the formal economy; business activities that remain unregulated, and oftentimes, completely unknown. Initially, much of the rhetoric centered on the need to‘manage’ this ever-expanding behemoth that the informal sector was becoming. This narrative has since evolved into one that seeks to formalize these businesses, by catering to their needs and providing them with much-needed support.

This is what we have focused on through our Bank of industry capacity building initiatives, and our microcredit schemes, which are designed to provide no-interest micro-loans to microenterprises to support their growth. As a result of these initiatives, we have been able to gain a better understanding of what these micro- and small businesses in the informal sector truly need: firstly, access; secondly, skills; and thirdly, tailored service delivery and channels of access.

With the onset of the coronavirus pandemic however, the challenges we had previously begun to understand have been magnified considerably.

The sector is vast and encompasses a host of activities, ranging from agriculture and food production to mining, trade, transportation, accommodation, and even recreation services, amongst many others.

Various reports over the past few years have surmised that the sector, which accounts for over half of global employment , could be worth approximately N40 trillion in Nigeria.

In Lagos state alone, the informal economy employs about 5.5 million people - about three-quarters of the state’s 7.5 million labour force. A study released in 2016 revealed that the informal sector made 41 per cent of contributions to Nigeria’s national GDP; a few years later, in 2018, this portion had risen to 65 per cent. If one were to proffer an estimation, it could very well be posed that with steadily increasing growth and activity, the informal sector’s contributions to our 2019/20 GDP would potentially surpass 70-80 per cent.

However, this year is unlike any we could have imagined - and for those whose welfare are reliant on the daily income of the informal sector, and who cannot “work from home�, the reality is bleak. Despite the delayed onset of the virus in the Nigerian environment, compared to the West, the impact of government measures to curb the spread of the pandemic, though necessary, have affected almost all micro businesses.

Take Salewa, for example. She runs a small market stall at Mushin, selling cosmetic products; for years, this has been a reliable source of sustenance for Salewa and her growing family. With the income from her shop, Salewa contributes to funding the education of her two sons and cares for her ageing mother. As the population of Lagos has steadily increased, so has demand for her products, and ultimately, her revenue.

Identifying the benefits that business expansion could create, she acquired a small loan early this year, and invested in a second stall at another market; it wasn’t long before she began to see returns on her investment. That was in February. Today, however, despite the end of government imposed lockdown and restricted movement measures across the country, demand for her products has declined and restocking any previously

sold stock is proving difficult and more expensive. In less than two months, Salewa’s household has become a single-income household. Her husband, who runs a private taxi service, has gone from approximately twenty customers a day, to about three to four customers a week. Still, despite this harsh reality, Salewa and her family are in a better position than the millions of individual construction workers, tradesmen and women, restaurant service workers, street vendors, market salespeople, and the millions of low-income Nigerians whose livelihoods have disappeared.

The latest Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Goalkeepers report revealed that the pandemic has increased extreme poverty in Nigeria and seven other countries by seven per cent as 37 million people were pushed below the extreme poverty line of $1.90 a day. Since the informal sector remains incapacitated, we can expect more people to regress into abject poverty in the coming months, undoing much of the progress that may have been made in recent years.

The challenges are multi-tiered, and the current outlook looks bleak, but the road ahead will be determined by the responses of various stakeholder groups today. There is no doubt that for these microenterprises and entrepreneurs in the informal sector, the rebuilding process will outlast the existence of the virus. So, where do we begin?

It goes back to my earlier statements regarding the needs of the informal sector: access; skills; and tailored service delivery and channels of access. The government has rolled out important relief measures, which includes the provision of financial palliatives to over 11 million Nigerians listed on the National Social Register and a N75 billion palliative for 1.7 million MSMEs; but, considering that the estimated need potentially cuts across nearly 100 million people, there are still significant lengths left to be taken.

In South Africa, the government has

launched a Debt Relief Fund to help small businesses; this is not dissimilar to the $136 million credit relief fund set up by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is also designed to support small businesses affected by the pandemic. However, the difference is, where the approach in South Africa has adopted the input of both public and private sector stakeholders, Nigeria’s has not. Also in South Africa, the country’s National Empowerment Fund is providing support to entrepreneurs to manufacture products to support in the fight against COVID, for example, PPE, thus creating new business models that can thrive in the current climate, and furthermore, driving enhanced innovation and increased private sector participation alongside government efforts. What the border closures have resulted in is an increased need to look within our shores for the goods and services we require - from an individual and a business perspective; there are increased opportunities to create business linkages between the formal and informal sector.

Tailored support and service delivery looks different now. Taking into consideration the current state of these businesses, many financial service providers have adopted moratoriums and reduced/no interest rates for small businesses. The same approach has been adopted on the Tradermoni and Marketmoni initiatives of the Federal Government of Nigeria, being executed by the Bank of Industry. Furthermore, the bank is overseeing the FG special intervention fund which aims to provide subsidised loans with a nine per cent inclusive interest rate to MSMEs. But even beyond this the Bank of Industry is driving a series of other microcredit and intervention programmes, such as the North-East Fund as well as special funds targeted at states.

The fact is, due to the size and fragility of our informal sector there was no resilience to act as a buffer against the economic shocks that occurred following the lockdown period. So our efforts must shift quickly

and concertedly towards encouraging and enabling the safe operation of our informal sector through this pandemic - as we await the discovery of a cure and vaccine. It is imperative for actors in our informal sector to understand the measures required to protect themselves and their customer bases, and have increased access to these measures and tools - i.e. access to PPE, sanitary infrastructure for hand washing and sanitizing, and access to health kits for frequent health checks.

Beyond this, there is also the need to adopt new skills to enhance the ease of operations. One significant revelation of this pandemic is the strength and importance of leveraging digital tools across the entire value chain: from financial transactions and services to customer service and beyond.

Capacity building will need to include efforts at up skilling micro- and small businesses in the ins and outs of digital transformation, to enable them to engage directly with their clients and customers, and limit physical interactions as much as is realistically possible.

Tomorrow’s business world looks radically different from today’s. However, one thing is certain: our micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses can become a harnessed economic force if we make the concerted efforts to empower them. These efforts clearly require the collective contributions of our private sector and government stakeholders, and must be holistic and sustainable if they are to have the desired impact. This approach is one we have started to adopt- one where we seek to equip our informal sector with the necessary tools to foster their own growth, and to seek out ways to include them financially in our formal economic structures. In the wake of COVID-19, the intensity, the approach, the quantity and quality of our participation will need to be accelerated, refined, and expanded. t"EFOJKJ JT UIF &YFDVUJWF %JSFDUPS PG .JDSP &OUFSQSJTFT #BOL PG *OEVTUSZ

FirstBank Disburses N17bn Loans through FirstAdvance FirstBank Disburses N17bn Loans through FirstAdvance First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced that it has disbursed loans worth over N17 billion to individuals across the country.

The loan disbursement is carried-out through FirstAdvance, its digital lending solution. According to a statement, FirstAdvance was designed to

offer a convenient and easy access to cash for salary earners whose accounts are domiciled with FirstBank and have received regular salaries for two months, prior to the loan request. “In barely a year since the launch of FirstAdvance, over 128,000 unique customers in over 782,996 successful transactions have so far benefitted

from loans. Processing a loan with FirstAdvance is implemented in less than a minute and it is accessed in two ways, the USSD code; *894*11# or the Bank’s recently upgraded mobile banking application, FirstMobile. Customers are advised to upgrade their FirstMobile App to the latest version on android and ios for requests via the App.

“Further to its pursuit of providing options to Nigerians across all income bands, FirstBank’s also offers Personal Loan Against Salary (PLAS) to individuals in paid employment who need long term loan to meet their financial obligation more especially as the economy returns to normalcy post COVID-19 pandemic and as schools resume. FirsBank’s

Personal Loan guarantees a convenient repayment plan of up to 60 months. “Meeting the needs of our customers have always been our priority and we are delighted with the volume of loans disbursed to Nigerians as it reinforces the confidence of Nigerian workers in FirstAdvance, our digital lending solution and

also our long-term offerings through Personal Loans for people in paid employment,�

FirstBank’s Deputy Managing Director, Gbenga Shobo said.

He added: “We are excited that FirstAdvance has been added to the channels through which we deepen financial inclusion as it is no doubt an expansion of our commitment and support to every household in the country.�

T H I S D AY ˾ ʹ˜ 2020

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IMAGES

Photo Editor ÌÓÙÎßØ ÔËÖË Email ËÌÓÙÎßØ˛ËÔËÖË̶ÞÒÓÝÎËãÖÓàÏ˛ÍÙ×

L-R: Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Edward Onoja; APC Zonal Chairman Kogi East, Hon Ahmed Attah; His wife, Nadia Attah; and Chief of Staff to Kogi State Governor, Mr. Asuku Jamiu, during the wedding reception of the couple in Kogi state...recently

L-R: President, NCWS, Dr. Gloria Shoda; DG, NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe; and former DG, NOA, Alhaji Idi Farouk, during the cultural roundtable on rape and other gender-based violence organised by NCAC, held at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja...recently

L-R: Vice Chancellor, University of Benin, Prof. Lilian Salami; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie; Edo State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Jimoh Ijegbai, after a courtesy visit by the management of UNIBEN, at Government House, Benin City...recently

The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero flanked by the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (left) and Comptroller-General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede (right) and other officials during the Minister’s homage paying to the palace after the Passing-Out Parade of the first batch of 285 officers and men of the NIS to be deployed for “Special Operation in the North West’, in Kano...recently

L-R: Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva and GMD NNPC, Mele Kyari during a meeting with the Leadership of the National Assembly on the PIB in Abuja...recently PHOTO: JULIUS ATOI

L-R: House leader, Rep. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Idris Wase, Speaker House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, House of Reps. Mace bearer, Mr. Akun Jethro and other members proceeding to the Chamber for plenary sitting on resumption from annual recess at the National Assembly, Abuja...recently

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; United Nations Resident Representative, Nigeria, Dr. Muhammed Yahya; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Special Adviser to the Lagos Governor on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Investments, Mrs. Solape Hammond, during the official launch of the United Nations “One Basket Fund” Unconditional Cash Transfer Project for vulnerable communities affected by Covid-19 in Lagos State...recently

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020

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PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT The Plantation City in Warri Enters Nigeria’s Premium Real Estate Market Nigeria’s real estate hubs are listed as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Well, that was before The Plantation City, a well-coordinated community, evolved in Warri, Delta State. Bennett Oghifo writes

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igeria has many sturdy and well-thoughtout pieces of real estate that are comparable to those found in the technologically developed world, particularly in design and intelligence.

Most of these exquisite facilities are in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt. Now, a premium real estate, known as The Plantation City, has interestingly put Warri in stiff contention, head-to-head, regardless of the security situation and banks unwillingness to advance loans to real estate developers outside Lagos and Abuja.

This fact is recognised, but did not deter the developers of The Plantation City, Delta Mega Trend Nigeria Limited, a privately owned company that specialises mainly in real estate development and civil engineering works.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of Delta Mega Trend, Mr. Sam Ogrih, an Accountant, who studied in Harvard School of Design, Smart and Intelligent Housing, construction of homes in The Plantation City began in 2009 with bungalows of two and three bedrooms.

His knowledge of space management has been put to good use in rending the city.

The Plantation City is located in Otokutu off the Delta Steel Company (DSC) Expressway, Warri, Delta State. The parent company, Delta Mega Trend is riding on the success of The Plantation to begin construction at its other projects- the Southbrook Gardens, Warri Osubi Airport-Eku Road, Ugolo, Delta State; and a planned city project in Asaba, Delta State. Other projects of the company are Ivory Oak Apartments at Marshy Hill Estate, Lagos; Leawood Hotel, Lagos; See Events Centre, Lagos; and many other property developments across Nigeria.

The Plantation, as it is fondly called, is a complete city with provision for all house-types to suit the needs and wants of those who desire to live in the highly secure community.

Ogrih, who conducted a tour of the city, said it was a product of inspiration, stating that “an extraordinary dream attracted founders of The Plantation City to the expanse of land that has become home to the best residential estate in Delta State.

He said the dream city takes its inspiration from nature and provides excellent indoor and outdoor living experience for those

who truly desire it.

Besides, it has added to the economy of Delta State and provides direct employment to 650 people daily, including artisans, plumbers, bricklayers and electrician, among others with unquantifiable indirect employment and good ripple effect in family circles.

The city has an independent power project (IPP), which the CEO said was procured at great cost, but that it was worth it, because they needed to keep the sanity and prestige of the city.

All electrical cables are passed through easily accessible conduit, and feeder pillars and meters are located where they could be reached by technical staff. Treated water is also supplied to all the homes in the estate, and reticulated through underground pipes.

The plantation is strategically located on a large expanse of land, a natural and serene environment where children are free to play in a safe, secured enclosed community, ride their bicycles, where parents and residents stroll around an extremely beautiful and peaceful, fully landscaped, green, clean and brightly lit environment, Ogrih said.

As done in every good project, The Plantation has influences from some equally sturdy developments in Lagos and elsewhere, like Victoria Garden City (VGC), and Northern Foreshore, among others.

It also has its own artificial Lake, like Jabi’s in Abuja, which will be used for annual international fishing competition/festival with a winning prize of up to USD$50,000.

The Plantation City is split into commercial and residential zones, complete with a proposed hotel and a school for primary and secondary learners. It also has a shopping mall, fast food outlet, pharmacy, bank, a night club and lounge, as well as a playpen sit-out area.

The Plantation City is planned on 120 hectares of prime land with only about 40 per cent built up and more people, within and outside the country, are taking possession of various plots to build their choice homes or to build for investment.

He said about three kilometres of fence work has been done and all the blocks used in constructing the buildings and interlocking stones used in paving the city’s roads are produced in a factory behind the mall. Regardless, subscribers have an option to buy these materials

Aerial view of a part of The Plantation City, Warri, Delta State

from two or three other producers recommended by Delta Mega Trend to maintain standards.

The city is built through venture capital and loan from a financial institution, he said, adding that it was usually not easy to get loans from banks for projects outside Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

The city is covered by certificate of Occupancy (CofO) and home owners are given Deed of Assignment.

The flow of the city begins at the main entrance which opens to the commercial area, the company’s office complex and a Police Station. A gate separates the commercial from the residential zone. The city has close circuit television covering everywhere.

The entrance to the residential area can only be accessed by residents or their guests, who must be properly processed and cleared. Visitors cannot go beyond the gate unless their hosts inform the security and the gate is keenly watched through CCTV to ensure everything is done right, said the CEO. Beyond this gate, it becomes obvious that homes in The Plantation

are in different zones with various house-types that are built to specification by subscribers. Anyone that is not ready to build within the given time frame is relocated to ensure there is no gap between houses, said Agrih.

Immediately inside the residential area are a series of 2 and 3-bedroom bungalows with BQs and at the back of these are two Apartment blocks, consisting studio, one, two bedroom flats for rental purposes.

Three more blocks are being built at this location.

Spread on the opposite sides of the bungalows are the semi-detached and detached duplexes and all buildings are fenced and separated with low perimeter walls and see-through gates.

Five sturdy homes of four bedrooms on three floors are being built at the Lake-waterfront, which is designed as an exclusive zone.

A show house, which is almost complete, has a drive-in garage that links the kitchen and dining area (single flow), and on the first floor is the sitting room which has

movie room and visitor’s toilet. The next floor has two bedrooms and the upper floor also has two bedrooms.

They are all ensuite. Lighting in the home is controlled by body sensor.

On the southern part of the city is the Udu River where there would be a jetty and controlled entrance and exit points, Ogrih said. Indicating a large expanse of land being reclaimed, he said, “I’ve cleared the back, I left over 200m from the river, so that becomes my security, I don’t need to put any man there, because you can’t pass through, but because we are in Warri environment, security is my number one priority.

“Eventually, I will create a channel from that place to come in and put a jetty and a control mechanism. You must enter through that channel. So, we must have security here because we will have boat for people, who want to enjoy that leisure, to ride out of this place.”

He said some homes would be built around an artificial lake to be created in the area and that they will sell at a premium.

Adron Homes Celebrates Nigeria at 60 with 50% Discount Fadekemi Ajakaiye

Adron Homes, a real estate development company, is celebrating Nigeria’s 60th Independence anniversary with mega 60 hours sales promotion that will attract 50 per cent discount on every sale.

Through this initiative, Adron Homes will be rewarding its customers with deep discounts across its 34 estates across Nigeria, according to a statement by its officials.

In line with its commitment to empower Nigerians and provide

them with decent and affordable housing solution, the promotion, which is billed to last for 60 hours, started from 12 noon September 30th and will end 12 noon October 7.

Speaking on the initiative, the group Managing Director of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, stressed the importance of building the nation right and living in peaceful communities, just as the company guarantees in all of its estates.

“During this critical period when everyone across the nation

is striving to survive the adverse effects of the pandemic, this serves as our own way of celebrating the achievements of this great country, while concurrently empowering young and ambitious Nigerians by making the incredible affordable to Nigerians across board.

“Alongside the aforementioned offerings, Adron Homes will also be empowering customers through skill acquisition programmes, focused on Information Communication Technology, photography, food processing, fishery, catering and others,” EmmanuelKing said.

T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020

31

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

Landmark Africa Opens for Business, Upgrade Facilities Bennett Oghifo

L

andmark Africa, Nigeria’s foremost destination for business, leisure and lifestyle facilities, has said its gates are fully open to welcome fun loving and business-minded visitors and that its facilities have been upgraded.

The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Paul Onwuanibe, said this during a recent media tour of the facilities.

“We took advantage of the lockdown period to carry out facility upgrades for existing infrastructure as we prepared to welcome visitors immediately regulations allowed. We also completed new projects that expanded the wide range of leisure and lifestyle offerings within Landmark. So, as you come into Landmark now, you will find more contactless infrastructure across the ecosystem to minimise contact with surfaces.

We have fully deployed our online booking and ticketing system at Landmark Beach and Landmark Hotels to ensure that physical interactions, especially cash transactions, are drastically reduced. Our integrated internal transport system is now available to convey visitors and tenants from the Landmark Towers to

the Landmark Beach and even within the Retail Boulevard.

We have built a city within a city, and we are not stopping anytime soon.”

He said the hospitality and tourism industry was severely affected by the pandemic with a historic loss of over $270B in the United States, according to Oxford Economics. With over 33,000 businesses providing support services to the industry closing down across Europe, it has been a struggle for many organisations to keep operations ongoing.

In Nigeria, the transportation, hospitality, real estate and construction sectors accounted for the highest negative growth in Q2 2020 according to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics. For Landmark Africa, the lock down period provided an opportunity to consolidate its position as an industry leader in the real estate industry as it expanded its hospitality offerings to the education sector.

The organisation revealed that it had recently signed a deal to provide executive hostel accommodation and teaching facilities for a post graduate program to groom leaders in technology and business. Resident scholars for the year-long program will be drawn from across the African continent. With new projects, accelerated upgrades in line

with safety regulations as well as continuous engagement with the government and other stakeholders, Landmark has showed remarkable corporate leadership in a country with 27.1% unemployment rate.

The Landmark Ecosystem features an exciting mix of business, leisure and lifestyle facilities. The sprawling Landmark Event Centre with conferencing and exhibitions facilities has played host to some of the most celebrated and well attended parties in Lagos State over the last three years. With a spacious car park strategically located between the Event Centre and Landmark Towers, corporate organisations and fun loving visitors have no worries about security of their expensive cars in the densely populated Victoria Island. The Landmark Towers is a mixed use commercial facility with 10 floors and a leisure centre. The building includes a high–ceiling retail floor with terraces, world-class restaurant, 6 floors of grade A offices and the 22-room boutique Landmark Hotel. The Landmark Retail Boulevard provides 8,000sqm of prime retail space and is built around the Landmark Event Centre, the only Hard Rock Café in West Africa, Spur, Shiro Japanese Restaurants, and KFC. Visitors get a feel of the sea

breeze and nature’s comforting touch on the Landmark Beach.

With provision for corporate and individual membership plans, fun loving Lagosians and tourists have a ready-made hangout spot with exotic specialty cuisine, footwear from Brazil, traditional African art stores and a bed of the cleanest sea sand on the coastal shore of Lagos.

“We are eager to welcome our visitors back to Landmark.

Before the lockdown, we recorded as many as 70,000 visitors per week and this made us the prime location for events, exhibitions, trade

fairs and retail commerce,” said Seun Olatubi, Chief Strategy Officer for Landmark Africa.

“To further provide more experiences for people to enjoy, we have expanded our leisure and hospitality offerings around the Beach and our waterfront property. There are two new facilities that offer exotic and intercontinental cuisine, interactive advertising screens for brands that want to connect with the visitors at Landmark, a live-in technology academy, solar light powered board walks, conspicuous safety notices, and of course free wifi!” In line with

the organisation’s readiness to welcome the public, it organised the #StepOutBurnIt fitness event over the weekend to help Lagosians burn excess weight gained during the lockdown and also keep fit. The event attracted fitness enthusiasts, aerobics, dance and Zumba instructors as well as corporate sponsors like Amstel Malta and Aquafina. As Lagos State and Nigeria as a whole continues to review and relax regulations for movement and industries, the organisation believes that it is ready to provide experiences that will linger for years to come.

Landmark Africa, Lagos

‘UT Homes’ Bridgewater Apartments Designed to Reduce Housing Deficit’ Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Managing Director, UT Homes and UT Financial Services, Ade Adebanjo has urged the government to adopt and encourage the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) model in developing the nation’s housing sector.

Adebanjo stated this at the groundbreaking ceremony for the development of Bridgewater Apartments, a residential complex on Alfred Olaiya Street, Owuse Estate, Opebi, Lagos, recently.

Adebanjo said Bridgewater was conceived to increase the nation’s housing stock, stating that real estate companies could tremendously triple the growth already achieved in the industry, if the government made funds available at a cheaper cost.

He said they are engaged in various housing projects and that Bridgewater, which is built on 1705 square meters, has eight units of semi-detached

contemporary four bedroom duplexes.

“Bridgewater Apartments’ prime location, perfect title, and family-centric design make it a premium quality real estate asset. Each unit comprises a visitors’ waiting room with restroom facilities; a spacious family lounge with pre-fitted cable TV connection; en-suite bedrooms with a walk-in closet in the master bedroom; and fully fitted Kitchen,” he said.

He said over decades, Nigeria’s population has continued to be on the rise, stating that if the government does not match up property development with the population, there would be more deficits in the housing sector.

“The federal and state governments should partner companies like UT Homes in developing the sector. We have partnered with another company on this project but there is nothing wrong with the government partnering with us.

“With such partnerships,

we could actually build more expansive and large houses, especially the low-income ones, which the government workers and average teachers can afford to buy. This is one area that I am seriously encouraging the government to look into.

“We are here to serve the nation. We have the expertise and we run things. We need bigger lands and the support of the government. If they can do this, you would see that the housing deficit in Nigeria would go down a lot more.”

He said the development of the brand new eight terrace homes was a joint venture with GreenBrook Realty Limited, aimed at easing the challenges and reducing the deficit in the housing sector.

Speaking on the impact of COVID-19 on the sector, Adebanjo said although the pandemic hit Nigeria hard and might have made the government not to give palliative to companies in the sector, but that tax rebates

L-R: Business Development Consultant, UT Homes, Mr. Olawepo Ogunniyi; Lead Pastor, Lighthouse Christian Outreach Centre, Pastor Ayo Daniels; Managing Director/CEO, UT Homes, Mr. Ade Adebajo; Greenbrook Properties Limited, Mr. Gbenga Onipede; and MD/CEO, Greenbrook Properties Limited, Mr. Adebayo Ajayi, at the ground-breaking ceremony of UT Homes, at Opebi, Lagos… recently

from governments would go a long way in supporting them.

“Palliative does not mean that governments would have to give us money, but tax breaks and cuts would help alleviate the impact of the burden on businesses and help us build

more houses, as the government cannot build the economy alone.”

In his remarks on developments in the sector as Nigeria marked 60 years, Managing Director, GreenBrook Realty Limited, Adebayo Ajayi, said there was still a huge housing

deficit.

Ajayi stated this deficit as a reason for the vision to build affordable and valuable houses with topnotch quality for the masses, noting that the project was also an opportunity to give back to the nation.

NIOB Conducts Building Survey, Researches on Materials Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Nigerian Institute of Building, (NIOB) has started its survey of pre-independence buildings, some of which are heritage buildings in various parts of the country.

The building survey is being used as part of NIOB’s corporate social responsibility to the country and to draw attention of the society to the periodic need of building survey to preserve housing and building stock, according to a statement by the institute.

Speaking at a recent survey of some buildings in Lagos Island, particularly, the Da Rocha building (Water House) in the ‘Brazillian Quarters’ of the Island, the president of the NIOB, Bldr. Kunle Awobodu further briefed newsmen that another driver and motivation for the survey was the need to compare buildings whose lifespan has exceeded the theoretical sixty years lifespan of buildings and yet are sound, stable and functional. The exercise is further to probe why such buildings are still standing whereas some recent post-independence buildings have given way.

Awobodu further stated that the materials and construction processes were things that were

done right in those heritage buildings.

To commemorate the 60 years anniversary of Nigeria’s independence, the NIOB engaged in the survey in Lagos State and other states of the federation. The building surveys in Lagos State were done by NIOB teams led by the Chairman of the NIOB Lagos State Chapter, Bldr. Sunday Wusu. The facilities surveyed include the first two-storey building in Nigeria which was a church building in Badagry that was built in 1845.

On the Independence Day, Builders, led by Awobodu surveyed Shitta-Bey Mosque built in 1892 and the Da Rocha Building constructed in 1874, both located in Lagos Island.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency and the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory were also present, giving adequate support to the exercise. The General Manager of the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory, Dr. Abiodun Afolabi commended the NIOB for the initiative and led his staff on the scientific testing of some components of the surveyed buildings.

Also, the General Manager of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, Engr Abiola Kosegbe led her staff

in supporting the exercise.

The outcome of the exercise would be useful to various stakeholders including the government. The two Lagos State agencies expressed readiness to collaborate with professionals to rid the state of squalid and unsafe buildings With the team expressing delight in the quality of materials used for the surveyed buildings, the NIOB President further harped on the need for development of locally available building materials for the growth of the building industry. He explained that the vulnerability of the industry became apparent during the lockdown when some building components could not be imported.

To Awobodu, this development is a challenge that has been taken up by the NIOB which informs the theme of the NIOB fiftieth Builders Conference and Annual General Meeting holding virtually October 7th and 8th, 2020. The conference theme, ‘Building Materials: Research, Creativity and Development’ has the subthemes that will be handled by top ranking practitioners and researchers; the conference has the potentials of resetting Nigeria’s developmental history for the better.

32

T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Infrastructural Devt Vital in Driving Inclusive Growth, Says Adeduntan Ugo Aliogo The Managing Director, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan has stressed the importance of infrastructural development in driving inclusive growth, investment and poverty reduction in Nigeria.

According to him, with about 50 per cent of the country’s population living in rural areas, achieving equitable and inclusive economic growth would require a keen focus on the rural economy.

Adeduntan disclosed this

recently at the University of Ibadan Alumni Association Annual Lecture with the theme: ‘Stimulating the development of the Nigerian economy through inclusive growth.’ He noted that globally, the rural economy holds strong potential for sustainable economic growth, employment generation and the promotion of decent living standards. The First Bank CEO pointed out that significant opportunities exist to accelerate economic development and inclusive growth through

deliberate government policy interventions and private sector actions. He said the federal government needs to execute some inclusive growth initiatives that worked for other economies which have recorded significant economic development.

Adeduntan, however, said the government must be commended for taking bold and decisive actions on a number of economic issues including the liberalisation of downstream sector; adoption of cost reflective electricity tariff, among others.

FG Engages Banks for 774, 000 Jobs’ Beneficiaries Heritage Bank Plc yesterday disclosed that it has been engaged by the federal government to commence account opening for beneficiaries of the special public works (SPW) programme through-out the 774 local governments.

Also, five other financial institutions- Zenith, UBA, Access, Fidelity, FCMB are part of the banks appointed to engage in this exercise.

The Minister of State for Labour and Productivity, Festus Kenyamo announced issuance of letters of engagement to the six Nigerian banks to commence

account opening with Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) for the 774,000 participants of the SPW Programme in their branches, through-out the 774 local governments.

The information was disclosed via the verified Twitter handle of the minister.

The minister stated: ‘‘The banks assured us that even in LGAs where they don’t have branches, temporary registration centers would be opened in such LGAs so that the participants would not have to travel far to open their accounts.�

The minister further stated that the breakdown of banks taking care of each of the LGAs would soon be published.

Explaining the core areas of the SPW programme, Kenyamo said, “Special Public works department is one of the four core focus of the NDE. It seeks to identify and optimize employment opportunities that abound in the public works sector by organizing the skilled, un-skilled and semi-skilled persons that are unemployed to carry out utility, environmental, infrastructural development and sanitation works.

Nova Merchant Bank Appoints Ude Acting MD/CEO Nova Merchant Bank yesterday announced the appointment of Mr. Nath Ude as its Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer effective October 3, 2020, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The bank disclosed this in a statement.

Nath is a seasoned banker whose experience cuts across three continents in world class financial institutions. He has held several senior banking positions internationally and in Nigeria including Executive Director First

City Monument Bank (FCMB) and recently Executive Director, Union Bank, from where he joined Nova.

He started his banking career over 28 years ago with Citibank.

Ude has a BSc in Finance, Masters in Business Administration, numerous professional qualifications and attended various leadership programs at globally renowned institutions.

In the same vein, the bank also announced the appointment of Mrs Funke Okoya as its Executive Director, Business Development,

subject to approval by the CBN. Before her appointment, she worked as the bank’s Head of Corporate Bank. Her banking career, which commenced over 22 years ago with Ecobank Nigeria, cuts across customer services, banking operations, liability management, commercial banking, corporate and investment banking. She has held senior positions in United Bank for Africa Plc, Access Bank, Coronation Merchant Bank and Emerging Africa Capital Group.

Lagos State Partners Fly Africa Nume Ekeghe Fly Africa, an initiative of Outori Limited, in conjunction with the Lagos State government, recently broke a Guinness World record in celebration of Nigeria’s Diamond Jubilee Independence Anniversary.

The event which was tagged Sweet 6ixty event was monitored by officials of the Guinness Book of Records as 150 volunteers arranged 60, 000 world’s largest anniversary logo made with cupcakes.

Speaking during the landmark event, the Managing Director of Fly Africa/Outori Limited, Mr. Wole Olagundoye, noted that the Sweet 6ixty initiative was created to inspire and educate Africans, through live experiences, to rise up to their great potential by taking actions that will move the continent forward.

He said: “Only Africans can make Africa succeed, our own destiny is not in the hand of other nations but right in ours and we must seize this moment to make the necessary change.�

In her opening remark, the State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, said rather than enriching other countries through international tour, “we want to change the narrative by making our state a more beautiful city where international tourists can visit and invest their money.� “Lagos State occupies a significant position in the history of this country economically, historically, financially and numerically; that is why the state is often referred to as a mini-Nigeria.

Unity Bank Marks Customer Service Week Unity Bank Plc said it has commenced programmes for its 2020 Customer Service Week celebration to reward staff and teams that have created an exceptional customer service experience in the bank.

According to a statement from the bank, as part of activities to mark the week’s celebration, all branches of Unity Bank would engage in several activities aimed at making the celebration exciting and memorable.

There have also been several activities lined up to reward outstanding teams across all branches and units of the Bank

within the week.

Also, Unity Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Tomi Somefun, would be engaging directly with the customers within the week to personally appreciate their continuous patronage and assure them of more reliable services and customer-centric business.

Commenting on the programmes, Somefun said, “in the recent past, the bank initiated a dynamic customer services experience strategy which enabled the Bank and customers to adjust quickly to the new normal caused by the pandemic.�

She added: “With an increasing focus on digital strategy, the bank has continued to prioritise the customer over the past few years.

This, it has achieved, through introducing innovative digital products such as the USSD banking *7799# in local languages, and mobile banking solution, UniFi which have boosted customers’ access to the Bank’s services, while facilitating convenience. “These electronic banking channels are constantly updated with new and exciting features to put the customers first and make their banking experiences top-notch in the industry.�

Adeduntan

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

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Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month Inter-Bank Call Rate

March 2018 15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă™Ă˜Ă?ĂžĂ‹ĂœĂŁ ÙÖÓĂ?ĂŁ Ă‹ĂžĂ? Ě‹ ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ëœ Ͱ͡ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $41.46 a barrel on Tuesday, compared with $41.61 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

33

T H I S D AY ˞ ʹ˜ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

Stocks Market Hits New High on Sustained Bargain Hunting Goddy Egene Trading in the domestic equities market continued on bullish note as bargain hunting lifted indicators to new record highs. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index (NSE ASI) rose 2.1 per cent, the highest daily gain since May 5, to close at 27,554.49. Thus, the year-to-date performance, which entered positive territory last Friday, improved to 2.7 per cent yesterday.

Market capitalisation added N299 billion to close at N14.4 trillion, volume of trading rose 31.4 per cent to 603.95 million shares worth N7.42 billion in 5,984 deals.

After seven months in the negative territory, the market last week recovered following increased demand for stocks by investors shifting from the fixed income market where yields are getting lower.

And analysts at Greenwich

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

Research had attributed to the positive tilt of the market partly to the payment of interim dividends, which they said was making investors to position in fundamentally sound counters ahead of third quarter (Q3) earnings reports. They also cited the end of month portfolio rebalancing by fund managers. “ We expect sentiment to remain positive in the coming week, supported by cheap valuations of equities and low yields in the

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

fixed-income markets. However, we anticipate that profit-taking will puncture the current gaining streak,� they said.

At the close of the trading yesterday, 36 stocks added value, while only 10 stocks depreciated.

Bellwethers such as MTN Nigeria Plc, Airtel Africa Plc, Zenith Bank Plc, FBN Holdings Plc, GTBank Plc among others.

However, Glaxosmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc and Redstar Express Plc led the price

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

gainers with 10 per cent apiece.

NPF Microfinance Bank Plc trailed with 6.6 per cent, while African Prudential Plc and Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals Plc chalked up 9.4 per cent and 8.3 per cent in that order.

Other top price gainers included: WAPIC Insurance Plc (8.3 per cent); Fidelity Bank Plc ( 8.1 per cent); Linkage Assurance Plc (7.8 per cent); LASACO Insurance Plc (7.1 per cent) and Guinness Nigeria Plc (7.1 per cent).

O F

Conversely, Tripple Gee & Company Plc led the price losers with 10 per cent, trailed

by Oando Plc with 8.7 per cent.

UACN Property Development Company Plc shed 6.5 per cent, while Chams Plc and Union Bank of Nigeria Plc 4.7 per cent and 2.0 per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, Zenith Bank Plc was the most traded stock by volume and value at 204.69 million shares and N3.83 billion, respectively.

2 9 / 0 9 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

34

TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSEXTRA

Obaseki Commends PDP for Giving Him Ticket Says only court can decide fate of 14 lawmakers-elect Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and his Deputy, Hon. Philip Shaibu, yesterday visited the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to commend it for giving them the ticket to contest the state governorship election when his former party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), denied him the ticket to contest on its platform.

This is coming as the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, also advised Obaseki to unite the party in Edo State now that politics is over, charging him to also deliver all his electioneering promises.

The governor also described the members of the state House of Assembly who are yet to be sworn as dissidents, whose fate lies in the court to decide.

Speaking on the purpose of his visit, Obaseki said: “I am here to thank the PDP for giving me ticket when I was denied ticket

by the APC “The purpose is simple. We are here to say thank you. In our place, they say it is only the grateful person that expects more favours to be done to him. For us as a people, we do not forget where we are coming from easily.

We are a people of history and a people of culture.

“When we sit down today to savour the victory and glory which God has given us, we cannot forget how it all started; that it was in this same place that you did all you could to admit me into the party after I had been disqualified from the other party.

“You helped smoothen our entrance into PDP; you cleared us in record time so that we could participate in the primaries of the party. You help us navigate through the whole process in which the other aspirants stepped down for me to allow me contest as the standard bearer for the party.

“What is significant for Nigerians to note is that all of this happened within the 90 day-time frame. It is a record. It

shows that you have men and women who are competent, professional, experienced and who mean well and understand what party administration is all about, to be able to put all these together in a national party without the kind of rancour we would have ordinarily expected.”

The governor explained that the support given to him and his deputy when they started campaigning was great.

He stated: “Our campaigns were different because nobody in our political history had to campaign on the kind of era that we are in today. Some people will like to take this for granted.

How could you even organise a kick-off rally with COVID-19? You advised and supported us, and you showed Nigerians how to

cope politically in a pandemic era.

“Working with your advice and strategy, we under took a wardto-ward campaign, and I thank God that we did that because it was only then that we realised the spread of PDP in Edo State.

Every hamlet, every community we went to there were vestiges of PDP in which we could build in something on.

“As if that was not enough, in the election itself, the preparations and what transpired on September 19, as well as the ability to mobilise the governors, for the first time in my political career, I felt I was in a political family. All of you are witnesses to what happened, the backing, the support, the doggedness which was displayed by our great party on September 19. It is all history now, but it is

important that we do not forget what transpired.

“Our gratitude will be better expressed by staying loyal, hardworking and by rebuilding and making sure that as long as God permits, PDP will remain the party in control in Edo State and the whole of the South-south.”

When asked to comment on those members-elect that are to be sworn in, the governor said: “We have a dissident group that people elected and refused to be inaugurated, even when they were not prevented. They were listening to their godfather who kept hoping and promising that he would unconstitutionally get the state House of Assembly to reissue a proclamation even after the court had settled the matter.

In his response, the national chairman of PDP said: “Your Excellency, my advice to you is that the election is over, and the expectations are very high. You must now display the experience you came with from the private sector. In the political world, you now have ability to lead everyone together especially in this your last tenure.

“It is important to make sure that there are three arms of government-the executive which you head, even though you are the overall boss, make sure that the legislative arm, those who have offended you, who ran helter-skelter, are brought back. They are your children. You are the father of Edo State, bring them on board and work with all of them because that will be your legacy.

Governors Commend IG on FSARS Ban Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday said that it received with great relief and satisfaction the decision by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, to ban the operations of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS) and a range of other Tactical Squads of the Force, with immediate effect.

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the governors forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi, he said the governors are completely in agreement with the directive of the IG that “no personnel of the Force is authorised to embark on patrols or tactical assignments in mufti” forthwith.

According to Fayemi, “This, in our view, will significantly reduce the various infractions of the Force that the ordinary Nigerians have been complaining about and bring an end to the menace of SARS brutality on the people they are meant to protect.”

He said the IG’s instructions

could not have come at a better time when majority of Nigerians are unhappy with this cohort of police officers who have routinely engaged in unlawful killings and torture, thereby giving the Force a bad name.

He said it is helpful to recall that SARS has been cautioned in the same manner before only for it to go back to its old ways.

“Our young people should not be criminalised simply on account of how they look or their mode of dressing or the cars they drive or the type of phone they carry, among other patterns. This is an assault on their fundamental human rights,” the governor said.

Fayemi added: “We think this is a timely clinical response by the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force, and must specially commend IG Adamu for his promptness and boldness. However, it is our hope that the announcement this time will promptly be followed by action, and that there will be no reversal to the unorthodox enforcement practices being complained against.”

South African Envoy Rallies Support against Criminals Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Thami Mseleku, has called for concerted efforts between Nigeria and South Africa to isolate criminals creating bad image for the two countries.

Mseleku added that there was urgent need to activate the Early Warning System (EAS) under the Bi-National Commission signed by the two countries to stem the tide of criminality.

The envoy explained that under the system, security and intelligence network as well as people-to-people relations would be greatly achieved.

The envoy who just resumed as the country’s Ambassador to Nigeria disclosed this yesterday when he led a delegation of South

African officials to pay a courtesy call on the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Mr. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Mseleku however debunked the rumour in social media that Nigerians have been asked to vacate the country, saying Nigerians are excelling in all fields of human endeavours in South Africa contributing to its national development.

He said, “So, all these rumours labelling Nigerians as criminals are not true just as not all South Africans are xenophobic in nature”, Mseleku alleged that some politicians were behind some of the crises in South Africa using it for political gains against Nigerians.

UNVEILING THE NEW AMBASSADORS...

L-R: Managing Director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Mr. Anders Einarsson; Nigerian star actress/singer, Tiwa Savage; and son, Jamil, during their unveiling as Twisco Brand Ambassadors at the formal launch of the Chocolate Powder drink in Lagos... recently.

Three Remanded in Ekiti for Allegedly Exhuming 10 Corpses Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti Three men were yesterday arraigned before an Ado-Ekiti Chief Magistrates Court for allegedly exhuming 10 human corpses and severing their heads for rituals.

The defendants, Kola Fatoye, 40; Abimbola Fatoye, 35, and Ahmed Ojo, 56, are facing a charge of exhumation of corpses.

At yesterday’s proceeding,

the prosecutor, Inspector Monica Ikebuilo, told the court that the defendants committed the offence between March and September 2020 in Orun-Ekiti.

She alleged that the defendants dug up graves and severed heads of corpses at St. Paul Anglican Church cemetery in Orun-Ekiti in Irepodun/ Ifelodun Local Government Area of Ekiti State.

To prove her case, Ikebuilo

listed the names of the corpses and allegedly used for ritual, which she said, was found in the possession of the defendants without reasonable excuse.

According to her, “The offences contravened and are punishable under section 242(1) b, 210 (e) and 213(b) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”

The prosecutor urged the court to remand the defendants in the Ado Ekiti Correctional

Centre pending legal advice from the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

However, the plea of the defendants was not taken.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Adefumike Anoma, consequently “ordered the remand of the defendants at the correctional centre pending issuance of legal advice by the DPP,” and later adjourned the case until November 6, 2020, for mention.

Okunbo Debunks Rumour of Ill Health, Says He’s Hale, Hearty Adibe Emenyonu in Benincity Following speculation in some section of the media that Edo State-born business mogul and Chairman of the Ocean Marine Solution Limited, Captain Hosa Okunbo, has taken ill and flown abroad after the state September 19 governorship election, a close aide to the philanthropist yesterday said his principal is hale and hearty, and bubbling with life.

The aide, who craved anonymity, while describing the report as not only wicked but nonsensical from the pit of hell, added that there is no iota of truth in it, and urged the public to disregard such

report.

“The election has been fought and won, why are they still desperate to rubbish the image of Okunbo, and even wish him dead if they don’t have a hidden and vicious agenda of vendetta against him?” The source queried He noted that: “In a rare show of statesmanship Okunbo congratulated the winner of the election; something I am sure they would not have done if the pendulum swung the other way around.”

He also described the allegation that Okunbo took contracts from Edo State Government which he never executed, as another round of lies

According to the source, “The records are there for anyone to check if Okunbo participated in any so-called contract sleaze; in any case, the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has been in office for almost four years now, why has he not come out with any evidence and proof that Okunbo is a defaulting contractor to the state?”

Talking about the Benin Airport Road project that Servtek Construction Company was involved in under Adams Oshiomhole’s government, he said the records are available at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to show that Okunbo is not the owner of the company as being bandied around by

those who want to mislead the public.

“In any case, how come a contract Oshiomhole awarded for less than N7 billion is now suddenly put at over N40 billion if not that those intent on tarnishing the image of an achiever like Okunbo are blinded by lies and hate?

“He was never involved in the construction of Benin Airport Road and he has addressed the issue long ago during the tenure of Oshiomhole.

The desperation of his traducers is pushing them to be recycling valueless materials and misinformation,” the aide, who refused to be named, added.

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Lagos By-Election: Abiru to Institute N1bn Suit against PDP Media Director The senatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Lagos East by-election, Mr. Tokunbo Abiru has disclosed his plan to file N1 billion suit against the Media Director of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Campaign Council, Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse for alleged character defamation.

Abiru, who is the immediate past Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank Limited, has also asked PDP’s media director to retract all defamatory publications against his person within seven days or he might consider legal proceedings if Pearse failed to comply with the demands.

He gave these conditions in a letter of claims his legal counsel, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) wrote to the media director of the PDP Senatorial Campaign Council, faulting his statements credited to him on the points of law.

Pearse had repeatedly called for Abiru’s disqualification from the senatorial contest in Lagos East, alleging that the APC candidate was guilty of double registration without hard facts Pearse had, also in a statement he signed, alleged that Skye Bank Plc “collapsed under Abiru’s leadership” and that Polaris customers “are today accusing Abiru of fraud.”

However, in the letter of claims dated October 4 by his legal counsel, Abiru noted that Pearse’s allegations amounted to a very serious case of libel, which he said, had caused him considerable distress and embarrassment.

The letter added that all the allegations made against Abiru “are false to your knowledge and your attack on him was unjustified, malicious and callous.

“In demonstration of factual

inaccuracy in your allegations, there is no criminal charge pending against, or a conviction of, our client on the allegation of financial impropriety in the bank or voter fraud.

“If indeed Skye Bank Plc collapsed under his leadership, which is false, we wonder how come he was retained by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the Chief Executive Officer of the Polaris Bank Limited.”

Disturbed by these unfounded claims, Abiru, in his legal counsel’s letter, demanded that PDP’s media director retracted all defamatory claims against Abiru and tendered apology to be approved by his legal counsel.

The letter said: “We have also advised our client that he is entitled to substantial compensation for the injury of his reputation and feelings in respect of which we invite your proposal. Our clients also demand from your all the legal costs he has incurred so far on this matter.

“If we do not receive a satisfactory reply within seven days of receipt of this letter, our instructions are to commence legal proceedings against your persons, without further recourse to you, wherein our client shall claim against you.

“The claims are as follows damages, including exemplary damages, in the sum of N1, 000,000,000.00 for libel contained in your defamatory publication; injunction restraining further publication in any manner related to the similar words defamatory of our client and an order directing you to retract or cause to be retracted the said defamatory words in the same form adopted in your publication,” Abiru said in a letter by his counsel.

The CBN had, in 2016, appointed Abiru as the Chief

Sokoto to Reopen Schools on October 11 Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto Following a meeting held with relevant stakeholders in Sokoto State and further intensive deliberations, the state Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, yesterday directed that the 2020/2021 academic session for basic and secondary schools should reopen on October 11.

This is to be followed by the resumption of Primary 6 pupils and students on the last lap of Junior Secondary School (JSS III) two weeks later, while higher education students in final year, those returning and new students are to resume, as proposed by the state Commissioner for Higher Education, and approved by the governor on October 12, 19 and 26 respectively.

These were contained in a document made available to journalists by the state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Muhammad Bello Abubakar Guiwa.

According to the state government, it took cognizance of the COVID-19 ‘protocols and guidelines as well as the best option to be adopted by the state regarding the schools

reopening.’

Consequently, the document stated that “first and second term continuous assessment are to be used in promoting students to the next class for this session (2019/2020),” just as the BECE should be conducted for the returning JSS III students as a “precondition for their transition to Senior Secondary (SS I).”

Equally, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will “conduct placement exercise into JSS I and Primary one.”

The state government cautioned all schools in the state to compulsorily “adhere strictly to COVID-19 guidelines and protocols which include the provision of hand sanitizers, hand washing machines, thermometers and isolation rooms among others.”

It also directed that “schools with overcrowded students are to adopt shift system with a view to minimising physical contact.”

Meanwhile, the state government has directed “that all private institutions operating in the state must strictly adhere to the state academic calendar issued by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education.”

Executive Officer of Skye Bank Plc when the bank recorded about 80 per cent non-performing loans

far above the regulatory standard.

Consequently, Abiru executed a transformation plan that

brought the bank from liability to profitability, which culminated in the establishment of a bridge

bank, Polaris Bank, now a leader in the country’s financial sector.

SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED...

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left), and the Chairman of Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Contracts Award in Imo State Between 2006-2019, Justice Benjamin Iheka, during the submission of the report of the panel to the governor at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers, Owerri...yesterday

PPPRA: Nigeria Imported 62% of LPG Consumed in 2019 Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The import of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) otherwise known as cooking gas grew steadily in 2019, despite the huge proven gas reserves in the country estimated at over 200 trillion cubic feet.

Figures for the year under review released by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) indicated that while 45 per cent of the imports were from the United States of America (USA), 3.95 percent was from Argentina and 8.99 per cent was from Equatorial Guinea.

Other countries from which Nigeria got the product were Algeria, 0.88; Trinidad and Tobago, 1.67; India, 0.50; Spain, 0.74, while Nigeria could only source for 37.42 per cent of the cooking gas within the country.

The figures showed that between January and December last year, roughly 526 million metric tons of the hydrocarbon was sourced abroad, while Nigeria produced 314.5 million in-country, totaling about 840.5 million metric tons.

No reason was given for the monthly import fluctuations, but the data showed that imports grew from 32.31 per cent in February to as high as 100 per cent in August before falling to 77 per cent in December of the same year. “ The challenges of the LPG domestic market include inefficient distribution chain, pricing distortion occasioned by high LPG price, limited jetty, limited depot storage, inadequate and under-supplied LPG terminals, unsafe cylinder population among others,” the agency stated.

The agency also listed availability, affordability, acceptability as well as accessibility as some of the barriers to LPG adoption.

But the story is not markedly different this year, as over 71 per cent was brought in from outside the shores of the country in the month of August 2020 alone.

For August 2020, a total of 123.5 million metric tons were supplied, out of which 88.1 million tons were imported, while 35.3 million tons were sourced within the country.

The PPPRA listed Algasco LPG Services Limited, a subsidiary of Vitol, as the highest importer of the commodity into the country in August 2020, with 43,888 MT (VAC) of LPG, representing 48.78 per cent of the total import, and 35.52 per cent of total LPG supplied in the period under review.

According to the organisation, other importers of the commodity into the country included Matrix Energy, 19,770 MT (VAC); Prudent Energy and Services Limited, 9,568 MT (VAC) of LPG, and NIPCO, 10,893 MT (VAC).

It said of the 35.3 MT (VAC) of LPG sourced locally in August, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) supplied 3.634.401 MT (VAC); NIPCO supplied 9,383.680 MT (VAC); Algasco, 4,107.667 MT (VAC), and Stockgap Fuels Limited, 9,058.139 MT (VAC).

The products were discharged at Lister Jetty, Apapa; Matrix Jetty, Warri; Prudent Energy Jetty, Oghara; Bulk Oil Plant, Apapa; North Oil Jetty and Stockgap Jetty in Port Harcourt, according to the agency.

Armed Robbers Attack Catholic Church in Makurdi George Okoh in Makurdi A group of armed robbers yesterday attacked St. Augustine Catholic Church in Demekpe area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

The incident, according to the Director of Social Communication, Makurdi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Moses

Iorapuu, who spoke on phone to journalists, the incident took place around 2 a.m. when the robbers invaded the parish.

He said the Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Solomon Ukeyima Mfa, told him that the robbers took away several items, including, phones, ATM cards, shoes, drinks as well as huge undisclosed amount of

money.

“The ones (armed robbers) he saw did not cover their faces. They asked him for dollars but he told them he did not have any, and so they took away the money they could find among other items.

He has reported the matter to the police.

“Now, they (robbers) have

infiltrated the church and attacked a priest; I do not understand their intentions. These are criminal elements, who have come into Benue State operating freely. At every instance, whatever they took, they begged for forgiveness from the priest. They were taking the items and at the same time saying ‘forgiveness us father’,” he said.

NJC will Not Concede to Ayade, Says Ndoma-Egba Bassey InyanginCalabar Former Leader of the Senate, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), has observed that the National Judicial Council (NJC) will not concede to the demands of the Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade, to appoint a junior above his seniors as Chief Judge of the state.

Ndoma-Egba’s observation followed the absence of a substantive chief judge in the state judiciary for about 10 months now since the state government halted

the appointment of Justice Akon Ikpeme to the position on the basis that she was originally from Akwa Ibom State.

With the state House of Assembly rejecting Ikpeme’s nomination on the basis that she was a security risk to the state, despite being married to a man from Cross River State, Ayade sworn in Justice Walter Eneji, who is Ikpeme’s junior as acting chief judge of the state.

With the expiration of Eneji’s tenure on September 2, 2020, the state has remained without a

substantive or acting chief judge, a development that has grounded activities in the state judiciary.

Commenting on the controversial issue, Ndoma-Egba told journalists in an interview session in his residence yesterday that the NJC would not capitulate to the desire of the state government that a junior judge be appointed as chief judge of the state.

Ndoma-Egba, who is a Life Member of the Nigerian Body of Benchers, said: “Nobody has anything personally with the

governor, but you are the governor by virtue of the constitution; he swore to an oath to defend and protect that constitution. All we are saying is abide by the constitution and do the correct thing.

“You cannot make the people to suffer because you have a personal preference. It is not the first time it is happening, it happened in Imo State and what did they do, they just retired the person who made himself available. I told him you are endangering Maurice (Eneji) and you are not helping him.

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TUESDAY OCTOBER 6, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Alleged Fraud: Judge’s Absence Stalls Trial of Former Pension Boss, Maina Alex Enumah in Abuja The trial of a former Chairman of the Pension Reformed Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Maina, at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, was yesterday stalled for the fourth consecutive time.

However unlike three previous occasions when the trial was stalled by Maina’s absence, failure of yesterday’s proceedings to go on was due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang.

Maina is standing trial on a 12-count criminal charge bordering on fraud and money laundering, amongst others.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned him on October 25, 2019, alongside his son, Faisal, and Common Input Property and Investment Limited, a firm said to be owned by him.

Maina who pleaded not guilty to the charges was however admitted to bail in the sum of N500 million and a surety in like sum who must be a serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

At yesterday’s scheduled trial, counsel to the parties as well as Maina’s bail surety, Senator Ali Ndume were all in court at about 9am but Justice Abang and Maina were not in court.

Maina’s case was listed as number two for the day’s proceedings.

However, about an hour later, one of the court registrars

announced that the day’s sitting would not be holding.

“The court is indisposed and all criminal cases slated for today will be adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, including the case between the federal government and Abdulrasheed Maina,” the registrar said.

For sometimes now, the trial of Maina has been unable to make headway owing to his absence in court.

On October 2, Maina’s lawyer, Mr. Fancis Oronsaye, had informed the court that the 1st defendant was not in court because of an undisclosed illness and urged the court for an adjournment.

Before October 2, both Maina and Ndume, were not in court on September 29 and the matter was adjourned till September 30.

Oronsaye, had told the court that his client was at Maitama Hospital where he was receiving medical treatment.

Although, Ndume was in court on September 30, to sign the court register in line with the bail conditions, Maina was however not in court, thereby forcing another adjournment on the court.

Before the court adjourned to yesterday, Justice Abang had ordered Ndume to produce Maina in the next adjourned date or face the consequences.

The order was sequel to Ndume’s claim that he does not know the whereabouts of Maina.

The lawmaker had claimed that he made effort to track Maina down through the Commissioner of Police, FCT. He said the outcome of the police effort to track him down yielded result as they were able to discover his residence in Jabi area of Abuja.

“I do not know his residence in Abuja but I know his

residence in Kaduna,” he said.

The senator said he had not gone to his house since Maina’s wife gave him assurance that he would be in court for the day’s proceeding.

He, however, enjoined the court to give him time to produce Maina in court.

EFCC’s lawyer, Farouk Abdullah, opposed the plea

made by Oronsaye and Ndume.

Abdullah said though Oronsaye said Maina was ill and bed-ridden, the EFCC’s investigation revealed that Maina was not a patient at Maitama General Hospital.

Abdullah, who urged the court to take judicial notice of the events, said

the development showed that Maina had jumped bail.

He accordingly asked the court to revoke Maina’s bail and also order the committal of Ndume to Correctional Centre or forfeit the N500 million bail bond, which was used to secure Maina’s release.

REWARD FOR EXCELLENCE…

L-R: Winner of two-bedroom bungalow, Mr. Odeogbola Ayodele; Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun;the state’s best primary school teacher, Mrs. Mary Adeyemi; and the state’s best secondary school teacher, Mr. Adewale Abayomi, after the ceremonies marking this year’s World Teachers Day in Abeokuta, Ogun State... yesterday

FG Urges ASUU Members TechnoGas LPG Cylinder Bags SON’s MANCAP Certification and laboratory procedures. discourage sub-importation of of samples and confirmatory Peter Uzoho and Oluchi to Consider Farming as She said as company, substandard cylinders, so that test in SON laboratory to check Chibuzor Techno Oil would continue more Nigerians can patronise for compliance to standards.

Alternative Profession Techno Oil Nigeria Limited to uphold practices that would us and we can make profit.

“At the end of these rigorous Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Minister of State for Education, Mr. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba has urged members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to leave the teaching profession and consider going into farming, stressing that more farmers are needed in the country.

Also, in preparation for the reopening of schools, Nwajuiba said some of the modalities that have been put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 will include afternoon classes in order to prevent overcrowding.

Nwajuiba who was a guest on ARISE NEWS Channel in Abuja yesterday, reiterated that all schools must enforce the COVID-19 protocols.

He said: “Some people may not believe what we are doing but we must continue to enforce that. You must continue to abide by the protocol.

You must provide them. We don’t really care about how much inconvenience or how convenient you think it is for your child to wear facemask.

Obey the rules first. If we find out you’re not following those rules, we will have to deal with somebody.”

On the protracted strike by the ASUU, the minister who recalled that the union did not embark on the strike on the basis of the pandemic, said the university lecturers might

consider farming, insisting that more farmers are needed in the nation.

He said the federal government has shown commitment to their demands.

Acknowledging that the union has the right to express itself and make demands, the minister noted that up till July 2020, all academic staff had been paid salaries.

“ASUU is within its rights as a union of lecturers. We didn’t start a strike with ASUU on the basis of COVID-19.

ASUU was already on strike way before COVID-19. Just before COVID-19 will shut down schools, they gave an indefinite strike. We are not in any contention with them.

“Government is actually not holding anyone to ransom. It says this is how I want to pay and it has to be through IPPIS. You can leave the employment.

You can opt out of it and say ‘I no longer want to teach’. You can find other professions. What we need now are probably more farmers.

“You cannot keep forcing your employer and tell him, ‘I will like you to pay me my money through my pillow. Or, I will like you to pay it through this mailbox’. ASUU has a lot of complaints and dissipation around it. That is legitimate but doesn’t mean you should force yourself on the man who has the money.”

has received the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON)’s Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certification for its 12.5 kg and 6.25kg steel gas cylinders.

The MANCAP is a mandatory product certification scheme put in place by SON to ensure that all locally manufactured products in the country conform to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) before such products are presented for sale in the market or exported.

Speaking at the official certificate presentation ceremony yesterday in Lagos, the Chief Executive Officer, Techno Oil Limited, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, said upon commencement of full manufacturing activities in 2019, the company had worked closely with SON in the area of in-process production procedure, quality checks

engender the production of quality products, while making compliance to every established regulatory standards and procedure their anchor.

“The journey that culminated in today’s occasion started in 2015 when Techno Oil announced its decision to establish a state-of the-art LPG cylinder manufacturing plant. Motivated by our strong decision for quality and total compliance to regulatory procedures, Techno Oil had sought the guidance of SON on equipment and machinery specification that would guarantee the production of quality LPG cylinders capable of competing anywhere in the world,” Obi said.

On deepening the usage of the product in the country, she said: “our production capacity is five million cylinders per annum and we have overcapacity; that is why we are asking government to

These are huge investment we have made in Nigeria and we want government to support us.

“This strategic collaboration with SON became stronger year-on-year till date and the outcome is the reason why we are gathered here today to witness the presentation of TechnoGas LPG cylinders MANCAP certificate”.

In a keynote address at the presentation, the Group Head, LPG and State Coordinator, Lagos Office 1, SON, Nwaoma Olujie, said the award was given to companies that had distinguished themselves in their various manufacturing and production categories, particularly as LPG is classified as life-endangering category.

“Your facility underwent all through these procedures of series of regulatory inspections conducted by SON officials, including a production facility tour, online sampling of the LPG cylinder, on-the-spot analysis

exercises, your LPG steel cylinders were adjudged to conform to Nigerian Industrial Standards, NIS 69 and NIS 220.”

The SON official, however, warned that MANCAP certificate would be valid for three years during which the products would be monitored for consistent compliance to the relevant NIS under surveillance inspection after which the products will be re-certified.

“It is important to note that LPG cylinders are classified as life endangering products and compliance to standards is mandatory.

“Your certificate will be withdrawn if during surveillance inspections, your certified products consistently failed to meet the requirements of the standards and effective corrective actions are not taken to produce quality cylinders thereby putting the lives of Nigerian at risk,” she stressed

Bandits Kill Customs Officer, Nine Others in Katsina The Katsina State Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has been thrown into mourning following the murder of one its officers by bandits at a checkpoint in Dan Arau village along the Katsina/Jibiya Highway.

Garba Nasiru, who was an Assistant Superintendent of

Customs, was killed on Friday afternoon.

Security operatives were said to have engaged the bandits in a gun duel before his corpse could be retrieved from the attackers.

The Spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, Gambo Isah, however, confirmed the incident but did not give details.

He said, “Yes, the incident was true; bandits killed a customs officer at the Dan Arau village checkpoint but approach the customs for details.”

In a similar development, bandits also on Friday evening killed nine villagers at Tsauwa village in the Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

The bandits, who had invaded the village and stolen a motorcycle, among other items, also killed nine villagers in the attack before retreating to the forest.

Isah also confirmed the incident, while assuring the public of the command’s determination to rid the state of criminal elements.

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Ondo Guber Election: 11 Political Parties Adopt PDP’s Candidate, Jegede Janes Sowole in Akure Eleven out of 17 political parties contesting in the October 10, 2020, governorship election in Ondo State yesterday adopted the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, promising to work towards his electoral victory at the poll.

The political parties disclosed their intentions at a news conference held in Akure, the state capital.

At the ceremony which took place at the PDP state secretariat, chairmen and some candidates of the political parties adopted the PDP candidate.

The political parties that adopted as well as the merged their structures with that of the PDP are Accord Party (AP); Action Alliance (AA); Action Democratic Party (ADP); Action Alliance Congress (AAC), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Other political parties that

adopted the PDP candidate are All Progressives Movement (APM); All Peoples Party (APP); New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); National Reformation Movement (NRM), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Young Progressives Party (YPP).

Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the SDP in Ondo State and the spokesperson of the parties, Mr. Oladele Ogunbameru, said the decision to adopt the PDP candidate was reached last Sunday when it was resolved that Jegede should be supported.

He said the parties took the decision out of their desire for good governance in the state.

Ogunbameru said: “We are committed to good governance in Ondo State, which we believe can only be offered by the PDP at this austere time. There is no gain saying that the present political leadership in the state can best be described as nothing but just an antenna in the face of things.

Military Kills Two Bandits in Kaduna Troops of Operation Thunder Strike have killed two suspected bandits and injured others at the Rijana area of Kaduna State.

The bandits were moving towards the Abuja-Kaduna Highway on Sunday when the troops attacked them in an ambush.

A statement issued yesterday by the Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. John Enenche, stated, “Troops deployed at Rijana acting on credible intelligence on the movement of some suspected bandits towards Abuja-Kaduna expressway, swiftly mobilized to the

scene and laid ambush along the suspected bandits’ route.

“Contact was made and the gallant troops overwhelmed the bandits with superior firepower, thereby killing two while others escaped with gunshots wounds.”

The operatives also recovered locally made guns during the operation.

“Currently, the troops have continued to dominate the area with aggressive patrols to deny bandits freedom of action,” the statement added.

Insecurity: Coalition Asks FG to Increase Revenue Grants to North-east Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Coalition of North-eastern Patriots (CONEP) has called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency increase the revenue grants to the north eastern states considering the insecurity challenges facing the sub-region.

The Interim Chairman of CONEP, Mr. Suleiman SK Bauchi who made the call yesterday during a meeting of the coalition held at the Command Guest House, Bauchi lamented that the “entire zone is being faced with the highest rate of youth unemployment than any other zone in the country”.

He expressed worry that “despite the fact that the governors in the zone are desperate and willing to employ more youth into the public service, it became impossible due to insufficient revenue which results into considerable increase in youth recruitment into violent groups”.

He, however, noted that the North-eastern zone “is the most blessed area in terms of agricultural and mining investment resources but despite

much efforts, the state governors are trying to convince investors for patronage which could have reduced considerably the over dependent on the public service, proved abortive due to fear of insecurity affecting the zone”.

Bauchi used the occasion to “ sympathise and commiserate with the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umaru Zulum over his predicament on the recent unfortunate deadly attacks on him and his convoy in the course of discharging his leadership responsibilities to the good people of Borno State “.

He then called on all citizens of the zone to include all “ our leaders in their daily prayers for peace, for without peace, we say good bye to all forms of development in the zone “.

He urged all the governors of the north-eastern states to unite themselves irrespective of partisan politics and come up with a strong means of tackling insecurity matters locally rather than solely relying on federal government.

“The collaboration is an organised effort to save the state from political quagmire

and undesirable social economic predicament of our people.”

Ogunbameru said it is

the parties that fielded their candidates for the election, and that any candidate that

does anything contrary to the decision of the party, does not respect the party.

ONWARD TOGETHER...

L-R: Flag Officer Commanding Logistics Command, Nigerian Navy, Rear Admiral Srilenda Lassa; Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok- Ete Ibas; and Lieutenant Commander John Rimfat, during an inspection tour of the Logistics Command, Oghara, Delta State... yesterday

Group Launches Movement for 2023 Igbo Presidency David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka A group, Global Movement for Igbo President 2023 (GLOMIP 2023) has been launched in Awka, Anambra State to help people of the South-east to produce the next president of the country.

Leader of the group, Mr. Kennedy Iyere, a UK-based businessman who spoke during the inauguration of the group, said Nigeria needs the touch of an Igbo man to return to the path of greatness.

Iyere said: “We have seen the best that the north can

offer; we have seen the best the West can offer and we have seen the best the Southsouth can offer. This is the time to try the South-east.

“This movement for Nigeria President of Igbo extraction will be a global project, which will be presented to the British and European Union parliaments as well as government agencies of the world.

“It will be funded internationally, and the idea is that presidential candidate that will emerge from this platform will not spend his money to campaign, because

if he does that he will be forced to recoup thereby leaving Nigeria worse than he met it.”

Political politicians from Igboland including; Senator Ben Obi, former Anambra State governor, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former Aviation minister, Mrs Kema Chikwe, former minister of women affairs, Mrs Josephine Anennih and many others expressed optimism about the realisation of the project.

Senator Obi said “Ndigbo cannot elect President all alone, rather, they should intensify fierce and deliberate

lobbying of the North-west, North-east, North-central, South-west and South-south.

“After reaching out to other zones, the next hurdle would be the political parties that have the constitutional right to sponsor people for elections.

“For the Igbo presidency to be realised come 2023, the two major political parties, that is the ruling All Progressives Congress and the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, must zone their presidential tickets to the South-east zone to allow Nigerians choose whoever they want”.

SAN Applauds Court Ruling on ExxonMobil A Senior Advocate of Nigeria ((SAN), Mr. Emeka Ozoani, yesterday lauded a court ruling which upheld the joining of Exxon Mobil Corporation in a suit challenging the alleged unlawful retirement of an executive of Mobil Producing Nigeria (MPN).

Ozoani said the ruling had erased doubts that the multinational company could be sued in Nigeria.

He said that the court decision would help to ensure that employees would not suffer injustice on technical grounds.

The senior advocate spoke following a ruling of the National Industrial Court in Lagos, which described as proper, joining of Exxon Mobil Corporation in a suit challenging the alleged unlawful retirement of Mr. Paul Arinze from MPN. The ruling was delivered by Justice O. A. Obaseki-Osaghae.

Obaseki-Osaghae had in an 11-page ruling on an application by Exxon Mobil counsel, Mr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), held that the corporation was a necessary party to the suit and had been properly joined by the claimant – Arinze.

The judge dismissed an application by the corporation’s counsel seeking to strike out its name from the suit.

“It is clear from the claims and the pleadings that the case against the second defendant falls within the jurisdiction of this court, and there is no condition precedent preventing the claimant access to the court in respect of his alleged forceful termination of employment. ”I hold that the second defendant is a necessary party and has been properly joined; this court is not deprived of jurisdiction

to hear and determine the complaint against the second defendant,” the judge had ruled on September 29.

He ordered that the case should proceed to a substantive hearing, and awarded a cost of N30,000 in favour of the claimant Exxon Mobil Corporation is an American oil giant and parent company of MPN. In the suit, the claimant joined Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited and Exxon Mobil Corporation as the first and second defendants, respectively.

Ozoani, who is Arinze’s counsel, had argued that Exxon Mobil was not a stranger to the employment of his client and that the claimant could sue it for any liability arising from any default or wrong done to him in the course of his employment.

He submitted that the claimant was holding the first and second defendant liable for

his alleged unlawful retirement.

According to him, it is misleading for Exxon Mobil to state that the claimant’s reliefs were against MPN only.

He added that the second defendant’s presence was required for the just determination of the issues as presented in the suit.

Ozoani had also argued that MPN was a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil Corporation.

Exxon Mobil’s counsel, Ajogwu had sought an order of the court order to strike out the corporation’s name from the suit.

He had argued that the reliefs sought by the claimant against Exxon Mobil could not be granted since the company was neither incorporated in Nigeria nor carried out its business in the country.

The case was adjourned until November 9 for hearing.

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TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

ALGERIA, TUNISIA FRIENDLIES

Etebo Out as Omeruo, Simon Amongst Early Eagles in Austrian Camp Duro Ikhazuagbe Turkey-based midfielder, Oghenekaro Etebo has joined the duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Victor Osimhen as players who will be sorely missed on Friday when the Super Eagles file out against AFCON 2019 champions Algeria in an international friendly in Austria.

Etebo who switched from Spanish club Getafe to Galatasaray in the Turkish topflight last month suffered a knock in club training on Sunday and is effectively ruled out of the clash with the North Africans in the two friendlies listed for the

Austrian City.

Ndidi has been sidelined for weeks since picking up a groin injury early last month while Osimhen and his Napoli teammates are undergoing 14-day quarantine after almost the entire Genoa team they played penultimate Sunday tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

Feelers from Eagles camp in Austria hinted last night that defender Kenneth Omeruo and forward Moses Simon were among the early arrivals at the team’s Hotel die Zeit an der Glan in Austria on Monday morning.

Forwards Samuel Kalu and

NFF Picks Randy Waldrum as Super Falcons’ Head Coach The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of Mr. Randy Waldrum as the new Head Coach of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons.

Waldrum, an American who played as a midfielder, has worked largely within the American women football circle and was head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago national team between 2014 and 2016.

He will work with former Super Falcons’ goalkeeper and captain Ann Chiejine, who is the first Assistant Coach, while Wemimo Mathew Olanrewaju will serve as second Assistant Coach and Auwar Bashir

Makwalla will be goalkeepers’ trainer.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick thanked Philips Consulting, the executors of the recruitment processs, and said he has confidence that the new technical crew will take the Super Eagles to brand new heights.

“The predominance of the Super Falcons on the African continent has never been in doubt, with nine titles out of 11 editions of the Women AFCON competitions held so far. We envision a new Super Falcons squad competing favourably for laurels at the global level, and I believe the new technical crew led by Mr. Waldrum can take us to that level.”

Make or Mar D-Day for Siasia at CAS Duro Ikhazuagbe Former Super Eagles Head Coach, Samson Siasia will know today if he will start looking for another job or continue as a gaffer in the beautiful game.

Today in the Swiss capital, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) will decide in his appeal against the life ban slammed on him by FIFA for an allegation of accepting to fix a match.

Ahead of the ruling by CAS, Siasia restated his innocence in the allegation against him and believes the arbitrators in the Swiss capital will not decide without looking on the merit or otherwise of the FIFA decision on him.

“I am innocent of the crime FIFA is punishing me for. Since my days as a footballer and later coach, I have never ever get myself involved in any shady deal. I remain innocent of the allegation and pray that CAS will right the wrong done to me by FIFA,” observed Siasia to THISDAY yesterday.

In CAS case file released at the weekend, the Siasia’s appeal which is named ‘Samson Siasia v. FIFA, has case number CAS 2019/A/6439.

It is not only Siasia’s matter that is listed for hearing today. Another case involving Pafos FC of Cyprus and Portuguese footballer, v. Nuno Henrique Goncalves Nogueira will also be entertained.

Both cases are listed by CAS which will also in the following day entertain the case of former Liberian FA President and CAF member, Musa Bility who is trying to upturn a FIFA 10-year

ban imposed on him last year for allegedly misappropriating funds.

In general, CAS hearings are not open to the public. Also, due to the travel restrictions linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, some hearings may be conducted by video conference. It is most likely that the one involving Samson Siasia will also be by video conference.

Siasia is appealing against the decision of FIFA that banned him over allegations of attempting to fix an unnamed match.

The former international who is undoubtedly the most decorated coach in the Olympics having led Nigerian teams to winning the silver medal in 2008 and bronze in 2016, is claiming that he was banned without being given a fair hearing.

The case was to have been heard on 19 March, but had to be shifted owing to global lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier, the world arbitration body on disputes in sports had written Siasia on 27 December 2019 inviting him and FIFA representatives and their witnesses to appear at the hearing scheduled to hold at 9.30 hours Swiss time.

Samson Siasia...CAS to decide His fate today

Chidera Ejuke, defender Leon Balogun and goalkeeper Mathew Yakubu were also in the early birds’ corp.

Hours later, England –based defenders William Troost-Ekong, OluwasemilogoAjayi and Olaoluwa Aina, as well as forward Kelechi Iheanacho landed in Austria.

Right behind them were goalkeeper Dele Alampasu, defender Jamilu Collins, midfielder Frank Onyeka and forwards Cyril Dessers and Alex Iwobi. The other invited players were being expected in camp by last night.

Also, as he countenances imminent approval of his international switch to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, former Germany U20 captain Kevin Akpoguma has arrived at the team’s hotel in Austria to familiarise with the Nigeria set-up

and bond with the other players.

Three –time African champions Nigeria will file out against the inform Fennecs at the Jacques Lemans Arena on Friday before taking on 2004 African champions Tunisia at the same venue on Tuesday next week.

It is the first gathering of the Super Eagles this year, with the coronavirus pandemic shutting down football globally since the month of March, just before a quick-fire doubleAFCON qualifying series with Sierra Leone that will now hold in November.

Meanwhile, match organisers, Eurodata Sport have clarified that no fan will be allowed inside the stadium for any of the two matches, in conformity with extant protocols on the coronavirus pandemic.

The Nigeria Football Federation

(NFF) however called on television stations interested in bringing the matches live to the homes of Nigerians to immediately contact the Federation on the modalities to achieve this.

THE FULL LIST Goalkeepers: Dele Alampasu (FK Ventspils, Latvia); Matthew Yakubu (SKF Sered, Slovakia); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands Defenders:Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal)

Midfielders: Mikel Agu (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Samson Tijani (TSV Hartberg, Austria) Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Cyril Dessers (KRC Genk, Belgium); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia) Standby:AbdullahiShehu(Bursaspor, Turkey); Ramon Azeez (Granada CF, Spain); Joshua Maja (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Henry Onyekuru (AS Monaco, France)

L-R: Etebo...OUT, Moses Simon and Omeruo are amongst the early arrivals in Eagles camp in Austria

Barcelona Declare €97m Losses, €200m Decrease in Revenue Barcelona have announced losses of €97 million ($114m) for the 2019-20 economic year and blamed the coronavirus pandemic for a €203m ($239m) decrease in revenue.

The Catalan club finished the year with revenue of €855m ($1bn), which they said could have been a record-breaking €1 billion ($1.25bn) were it not for the Covid-19 outbreak.

Barca decreased their expenses by €74m ($87m) but still suffered significant losses, although the extension of the season beyond June 30 meant profit and loss items

from the end of the season were transferred to the 2020-21 financial year.

There would have been a profit rather than a loss of €97m had it not been for the pandemic, according to the club.

A club statement reads: “FC Barcelona has not been immune to the outbreak of Covid-19, but its consequences have had a massive effect on the entire sports industry.

“There has been widespread loss of revenue among all clubs in all the major leagues due to the restrictions that had to

be applied to curb the spread of the disease, including competitions first being suspended and then resuming but with matches being played behind closed doors.

“The ECA (the European Club Association) has estimated the overall loss at around €4bn ($4.7bn) and Barca, as one of the largest clubs in Europe and with such extensive diversification of its income, is one of the most affected.

“The club suffered financially from the consequences of games being played behind closed doors, as well as the total

cancellation of the basketball Euroleague, and hence there was a considerable loss of income.

“The lack of tourists and visitors to the city of Barcelona due to the reductions and limitations applied to international tourism also meant far fewer visitors to Barca’s premises, meaning major losses in terms of such areas as visitors to the Camp Nou Experience and the sale of products in official stores.”

According to goal.com, Barca are provisionally estimating €791m ($932m) in revenue for the 2020-21 financial year.

NFF Rubbishes Report on FIFA Covid-19 Palliative The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has described as total falsehood, a report in a noxious online publication that it has received the $1.5million promised by world football –governing body, FIFA to all its Member Associations, as palliative for the novel coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) which has ravaged the world this year.

“The FIFA Council approved the sum of $1.5million for each of its Member Associations as palliative for the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) aroun the month of July 2020. Yet, the writer said the money was paid in May 2020! The report is outright falsehood and yet another pathetic

display of ignorance on the part of the writer. The NFF has only received the $500,000 meant for the women’s game, and this fact is very easy to cross-check. A simple mail to FIFA would have cleared this issue.

“FIFA Covid-19 palliative is totally different from Operational Cost (annual grant) money and is also not the same thing as FIFA Forward money. However, in the haste to, once more, go to town with something negative, the writer failed to establish the critical difference between FIFA annual grant and FIFA Covid-19 palliative. It is a case of criminal defamation that the NFF will not take lightly,” NFF General

Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said on Monday.

Sanusi added that the NFF has over the years sustained the habit of sending details of all monies received (even sponsorship funds) to the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and that further checks can be made at that establishment.

“FIFA promised to send an initial tranche of $1million ($500,000 for the men’s game and $500,000 for the women’s game) and another payment of $500,0000 in January 2021. Of the first tranche, we have only received the $500,000 for the women’s game, while waiting for the other $500,000. I want to add that we are also yet

to receive the $500,000 palliative promised by the continental governing body, CAF. We are waiting for these monies so that we can distribute as we have set out in the template approved by the NFF Executive Committee. We will also inform the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development once the monies come.

“While the NFF will continue to appreciate the noble work of credible journalists who ask questions for the sake of probity and transparency and for the good of the game, we condemn, in the strongest terms, the deleterious and despicable activities of confabulators and mudslingers.”

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TUESDAYSPORTS

African Leadership: Self-destruction or Conspiracy?

H

is face exposed one of a desolate figure. His homogeneously coloured white hair matched his sparkling clean white kaftan which had over the years been his signature African dressing while he sat impassively in front of the chief judge Rose-Marie Hunault as she read out the verdict of his trial in court. One could literally palpate the sadness this once Trojan of World Athletics felt as his disgrace was finally sealed with one word. Guilty. The once yare Senegalese statesman was with that one word tagged a convicted criminal.

The former head of global athletics, Lamine Diack, was found guilty of corruption for covering up Russian doping cases in exchange for bribes.

The 87-year-old, who ran track and field for 16 years and was also a powerful figure at the International Olympic Committee, was sentenced to four years in prison – two of which have been suspended – and fined €500,000.

It was a damaging end to the once bright star of African international administrators. It was yet a bad example of an African being at the top in world affairs letting us down. Did

he deserve this? Or was he witch-hunted by the Western and European powers who always want to paint the continent as a dark sphere which always has to be under its watch? Some observers have shown solidarity to him, saying it was a witch-hunt.

They point to other cases of corruption especially involving non-African bosses in which offences were never taken to a criminal court.

There are lots of examples here. Fresh in the memory is Sepp Blatter, the embattled former president of FIFA. Despite reported evidence of bribes and different corruption acts, his case ended with the FIFA ethics committee which recommended a football ban for him. He even had time after the scandal to lavishly celebrate his 80th birthday is a luxury Swiss hotel in Zurich with over 100 guests.

Also his close confidant in corruption, French man Michel Platini who was the UEFA football chief and seen as an heir apparent to Blatter, also was suspended for receiving what was euphemistically described as “disloyal payments of up to 2 million USD.” He has never been branded a criminal and even attempted to return to football.

It does not end with football, in 2000 at the Paralympics,

Spanish sports administrators fielded a basketball team with ‘fake’ mentally deranged athletes just so that they can win the Gold medal…and they did. The Spanish team had

Lamine Diack…jailed former President of IAAF won the gold medal in the basketball tournament, and for a while it was deemed an honest and good victory.

Yet a Spanish journalist revealed to the managers of the tournament that most of the players on the Spanish team had not been checked for a mental disability.

In fact, after further investigation, it was revealed that many players were in fact not mentally disabled; Spain just wanted to win a gold medal. That’s right, Spain rigged a handicapped event. Ten of its 12 players

had no disability, and the coaching staff had encouraged players to act stupid. No one was prosecuted to this act of deception.

The IOC President then, Juan Antonio Samaranch, was embroiled in a corruption scandal. It was discovered that bribes and gifts were exchanged for hosting rights for the Olympics. A lot of evidence surfaced especially for the Salt Lake City winter Games of 2002. However apart from a few internal ethics investigation, no criminal charge took place.

So while those with conspiracy theories against Africans have a case, it must be noted that the Africans do not help themselves. The Melbourne bid committee for the 1996 Summer Olympics discovered the quid pro quo expectations of IOC delegates when they received requests from six African IOC delegates for new cars and sexual favors from local brothels. The requests were denied by the Australians and so it was no surprise they lost the bid. The 1996 Summer Olympics went to Atlanta.

As the Acting FIFA President, Cameroon’s Issa Hayatou was embroiled in a long-standing corruption charge.

In the United Nations,

the son of the then Secretary General from Africa, Mr Koffi Annan, Kojo, at 26 years old, using his father’s connection met with several heads of state and government ministers during the opening session of the U.N. General Assembly in September 1998. Three months later, he won a 4.8 million dollar contract.

In almost the same nepotic manner, Lamine Diack appointed his son, Papa Massata Diack as a Marketing Consultant for the IAAF. In fact it is alleged that he ran the place like a family mafia with most financial dealings passing through the son. Diack was also accused of having enabled his son to allegedly embezzle IAAF sponsorship revenue from Russia’s VTB Bank, Chinese oil firm Sinopec and broadcaster CCTV, South Korean tech giant Samsung and others. Allegations of corruption and embezzlement leveled against his son, Papa Massata Diack, runs into millions of dollars.

With these it is obvious that African leaders are not doing enough to protect themselves against attack or suspicion.

They commit brazen acts of recklessness which could be interpreted as corruption.

Having said that, it is evident that the West do not respect Africans much or take their sovereignty with the reverence it ought to. Lamine Diack was arrested on Sunday morning while holding a Senegalese diplomatic passport – and his investigator did not even wait to consult the Embassy of Senegal in Paris before triggering the preliminary police investigation. This was in violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention concerning the holders of a diplomatic passport. Little wonder his son, Papa has insisted he would not go to France for any trial or prison sentence and has said the French authorities would have to send Special Forces to Senegal if they want to arrest him.

Senegal has refused any extradition request.

Whatever the position you assume, it would always be a long and tedious route again for any African to hold leadership positions in global organizations.

* Enefiok is an author, Speaker, administrator, Life coach, businessman and Nigeria’s ONLY Male two Time Olympic Medalist

T R A N S F E R D E A D L I N E D AY S I G N I N G S

Man Utd Sign Cavani on Free Transfer for One Season Manchester United have signed former Paris St-Germain striker Edinson Cavani on a free transfer on summer deadline day.

The 33-year-old Uruguay international, who left PSG at the end of June, has signed a one-year contract.

Cavani has scored 341 goals in 556 club matches, including a record 200 in 301 appearances for the French giants. He also has 50 goals in 116 Uruguay games.

One of his first United games could come against PSG in the Champions League group match on 20 October.

Before that, United face Newcastle United in the Premier League on 17 October, the first

game after the international break.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are 16th in the table, having picked up only three points from their opening three league matches.

They were thrashed 6-1at home by Tottenham on Sunday.

“Manchester United is one of the greatest clubs in the world, so it is a real honour to be here,” said Cavani. “I’ve worked really hard during the time off and I feel eager to compete and represent this incredible club.

“I have played in front of some of the most passionate supporters in football during my career and I know that it

will be the same in Manchester.

I cannot wait to experience the Old Trafford atmosphere, when it is safe for the fans to return.

“I look forward to continuing to write my little story inside the book of football and I know that’s why my focus has to remain the same as always - work, work, work.

I have had a conversation with the manager and this has increased my desire to wear this beautiful shirt.”

It is understood that the wage package for Cavani does not go beyond the pay structure at the club.

Cavani left PSG under a cloud following a disagreement with forward Neymar and

feels he has more to give to European football.

United boss Solskjaer said the striker was an “experienced ultimate professional who always gives everything for his team”.

“His goalscoring record for club and country is fantastic and we are delighted to sign a player of his calibre,” he added.

“He’ll bring energy, power, leadership and a great mentality to the squad but, most importantly, he’ll bring goals.

“He has had a brilliant career so far, winning trophies

at almost every club he has played for, and he still has so much more to give at the highest level.

“The opportunity for our young players to learn from one of Europe’s top goalscorers over the last 10 years is fantastic and it will really benefit them going forward.”

He is not the first highprofile European striker in his 30s United have signed in the hope of extending their goalscoring prowess.

Former Sweden striker

Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved a shrewd acquisition, scoring 29 times in 53 appearances over two spells between 2016 and 2018.

Less successful was Colombian Radamel Falcao, scoring four goals in 29 games in 2014-15.

Cavani, who has the option to extend his contract by a year, will provide an experienced forward option for United and competition for younger forwards Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.

Southampton Secure Walcott on Season-long Deal Everton forward Theo Walcott had medical at Southampton before sealing a season-long loan move.

The 31-year-old is struggling to figure in Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti’s plans and his former club have made an approach about a loan deal.

Walcott, who has played for England 47 times, started his career at Southampton before moving to Arsenal in 2006.

Everton signed him from the Gunners in a £20m deal in January 2018.

Southampton are keen on adding a wide player or midfielder to their squad and at least two other Premier League clubs have enquired about Walcott, but he is believed to be keen on a return to the south coast.

The arrival of Walcott would add experience to their youthful

squad and depth to Saints’ wide options.

Southampton’s Argentine striker Guido Carrillo, 29, has moved to Spanish side Elche on a free transfer as they look to make financial room for any potential deal for Walcott.

Moroccan winger Sofiane

Boufal, 27, has joined French side Angers on a free transfer while Dutch defender Wesley Hoedt, 26, has rejoined Lazio on a season-long loan.

Saints could also allow English goalkeeper Angus Gunn, 24, to leave.

Cavani has joined Manchester United on a free transfer for one year

Cuisance Goes to Marseille on Loan from Bayern Munich

Michael Cuisance goes to Marseille on loan

Midfielder Michael Cuisance has joined Marseille on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, three days after a move to Leeds fell through.

The 21-year-old, who has represented France up to

under-20 level, was close to joining Marcelo Bielsa’s side for a fee believed to be around £20m.

But the deal collapsed,with reports suggesting the player had failed a medical.

His loan move includes an option for the deal to become permanent.

Cuisance made 10 appearances for European champions Bayern Munich during the 2019-20 season, scoring one goal.

Tuesday October 6, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE SMBLF to Garba Shehu “Sounding like the spokesman of Pharaoh in ancient Egypt, Shehu dismissed the recurring agitations as unpatriotic outbursts. If Garba Shehu is not lexically challenged, he should know that those calling for restructuring are more patriotic than those running Nigeria towards implosion” – South and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum lampooning presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, for talking down on them.

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI Trump’s COVID-19 Infection O abati1990@gmail.com

n Friday, October 2, the news channels were inundated with the Breaking News of US President Donald Trump and the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump’s COVID-19 infection. Barely three days earlier the US President taking part in the first Presidential debate between him and the candidate of the Democratic Party, Joe Biden had mockingly talked about Joe Biden’s mask: “the biggest mask I’ve ever seen.” Many members of the Trump camp at the debate, including the First family, did not bother to wear masks. Consistently, President Trump flouted COVID-19 protocols. He attended rallies and events where the same protocols were ignored. Veteran journalist Bob Woodward, in his most recent book, Rage, has disclosed that whereas the President was aware of COVID-19 as far back as February 2020, he made light of it, chose to “play it down”, because he didn’t want to spread panic and fear. More like Mr. Trump wanted to show that he is a macho man, a Superman. He encouraged denialism. He refused to listen to the scientists. At some point, he even took over the job of the scientists and began to announce prescriptions for COVID-19. His usual victim in that regard is the top US physician, Dr. Robert Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the most recent being Dr. Robert Redfield, the Director of the Centre for Disease Control.

From his promotion of Hydroxychloroquine to his dismissal of COVID-19 as a common flu, it is ironic that President Trump is now in “a mortal battle” with COVID-19. He has also put his wife at risk, in the same manner in which he put the lives of over 214, 000 persons who have died from COVID-19 related complications in the United States at risk. US COVID-19 sero-prevalence is over 7.6 million. Nine states are witnessing a second wave of the deadly disease, including the state of New York which crawled out of being the US epicentre of the disease, but has now had to impose new restrictions. President Trump’s COVID-19 infection is self-inflicted. He is paying a price for his own carelessness, and has imposed on the country that he leads uncertainty and the possibility of chaos. Trump is an old man of 74. He has underlying medical conditions. Can you imagine the President of the United States dying in an election season, less than a month to a Presidential election? Trump’s mishandling of the COVID-19 situation in the United States is a threat to US national security. It is a threat to the security of the world! Already, the Speaker of the Parliament in Taiwan, You Si-kun has expressed the view that President Trump must remain alive, and get better, so he can continue to help check-mate the excesses of China. We also want him alive, and we join others in wishing him and the First Lady of the United States, speedy recovery. Mr. Trump’s paternal grandfather, Friedrich Trump, died during the Spanish flu in 1918. We do not wish him the same fate.

But there are lessons and implications that should be stressed. President Trump is the most powerful man in the world. He is also the most protected American alive today. If he can come down with COVID-19, then the point is proven again that we are all vulnerable in the face of this contagious disease that has no cure, and respects no persons.

The question right now is: how many persons in the White House and around the President are infected? The spread of a pandemic within the highest levels of government in the United States is enough to cause panic. President Trump is not the first American President to fall ill in the White House. In 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower had a heart attack. The public was told he had a stomach upset! President John F.

Trump Kennedy struggled with chronic back pain and Addison’s disease.

The natural instinct is to cover up the truth about the President’s health. In July 1893, the then President of the United States, Grover Cleveland disappeared. He had a non-malignant tumour, diagnosed as epithelioma, and was smuggled out to sea for a secret surgery. It was too risky politically to announce any form of weakness in the White House. A newspaperman, E.J. Edwards, got wind of the story and blew the whistle. He was branded a liar, and dismissed as ‘a disgrace to journalism”. It took more than a century before the truth came out. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson came down with the Spanish Flu. The public was told the President had a cold. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt suffered polio. It was carefully managed. It should therefore not be surprising that in 2020, a certain political theatre has been built around President Trump’s COVID-19 infection. He was admitted into the Walter Reed Military Medical Centre on Friday after two sharp drops in his oxygen level, and confirmation that he had high fever.

By Sunday, the Superman Trump had recovered well enough that he even made an impromptu appearance in the form of a drive-by in the course of which he waved at his fans who had besieged the Medical Centre.

Dr. James Phillips, one of his physicians has described that political stunt as an “act of insanity”.

He says the “irresponsibility is astounding.” Dr. Phillips cannot be more correct. After a pattern, President Trump continues to play politics with COVID-19. He puts the lives of others at risk.

He misleads the country and the world. There is a collapse of protocol and standards around him. His handlers short-change the American people by dropping the ball. They have allowed themselves to be brow-beaten by a President who is both a bully and an egoist. They are all so overwhelmed by his personality they would just allow him to get away with anything, even when national security is obviously compromised.

By Monday, we were already being told that Mr. Trump will be back in the White House. I don’t envy Sean Conley, the White House Physician. He must be having a hard time. But he and his team owe Americans a duty to tell the truth about the President’s health condition, and to ensure there are no further stunts that make no sense. And if we may ask: is President Trump directing his doctors? When the President of the United States checks into the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre, is he an infectious disease patient looking for help, or the Commander-in-Chief of the hospital?

US stock futures contracted following the announcement of President Trump’s infection.

Markets in Europe and Asia posted the same response. The Democrats made heavy capital out of it. We were told the Democratic Presidential candidate Joe Biden had tested negative. In the polls he further jumped ahead of President Trump, with a double-digit lead. In another poll, 65% of Americans reportedly believe that Trump would not have been infected if he had been more careful. The only good news is that deadly as COVID-19 is, it is not actually a death sentence. Trump is not the first Head of State and Head of Government to contract it. Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil), Juan Orlando Hernandez (Honduras), Jeanine Anez (Bolivia), Prince Albert II (Monaco); Alexander Lukashenko (Belarus), Nikol Pashinyan (Armenia), Alejandro Giammattei (Guatemala), Boris Johnson (United Kingdom) all contracted COVID-19 and survived. Burundi’s former President, Pierre Nkurunziza wasn’t so lucky.

But persons older than Mr. Trump despite the established revelation that the elderly are more vulnerable, have also managed to beat the disease: Bill Lapschies, 104, US; Ada Zanusso, 104, Spain; Geneva Wood, 90 years; US; Alma Corsini, 95, Italy; William Kelly, 95, US; Joseph Zhu Baoyu, 98, China, Italica Grondona, 102, Italy…

As President of the most powerful country in the world, there is little doubt that President Trump and his wife will get the best care possible. Every effort must be made to ensure that he gets that care and he must be restrained from any kind of reckless conduct. There have been conspiracy theories about Mr. Trump’s COVID. I have heard the view that this is all a contrivance to gain sympathy for the November 2020 Presidential election. I disagree. It will be the height of insanity for any one to play that kind of politics, and to be supported in doing so by the entire American establishment. What may happen is that Mr. Trump will survive COVID-19, and he will exploit that politically to tell every one that he is indeed a Super Man who has beaten COVID and will now also beat the rival he refers to as “sleepy Joe”. Except that Joe Biden is not sleeping. He wants Americans to vote Trump, a disruptive and divisive President, out of the White House. He is fully awake. And he showed that during the first Presidential debate when he trounced President

Trump on all counts: composure, maturity, depth and decorum. Every step must be taken to restore President Trump to full health, so that he can take the sure defeat that awaits him on November 3, 2020, with his full chest, alive and well, on his feet. Another good news, though, is that when it was reported on Sunday that his health had begun to improve and that he would return to the White House on Monday, US Stock futures rose by more than 100 points. Trump Watch has become a market-moving barometer.

The year 2020 will go down in history as the year of illness and death. But the biggest test that the world has faced in every sphere is the test of character and leadership. Leaders are expected to show example, empathy, strength and support, but this has been difficult for many.

There is no leader that has received any prior training in the management of COVID-19. It is an accident of our century, even if we have no idea what the future holds. Nobody is invincible, not even the President of the most powerful country in the world. What we know however is that the countries that have done better managing COVID-19 are the countries whose leaders have shown great discipline and commitment, and by the way, those leaders are mostly women: Mette Frederiksen (Denmark), Tsai Ing-wen (Taiwan), Jacinda Arden (New Zealand), Sanna Marin (Finland) Katrin Jakobsdottir (Iceland), Erna Solberg (Norway), and Angela Merkel (Germany).

The ones who have not done well are mostly men: Donald Trump (United States), his protégé and imitator, “the Trump of the Tropics” - Jair Bolsonaro (Brazil), Narendra Modi (India), Viktor Orban (Hungary), Vladimir Putin (Russia), John Magufuli (Tanzania). The women leaders have something in common: empathy and love, and being pro-active and risk averse. The men also have something in common: they are arrogant, offensive, and divisive. They think they know it all and they have more than often in the course of the crisis and uncertainty that COVID-19 has brought along endangered the lives of the people they lead and their own lives as well. National leaders can make a difference. Mr. Trump’s COVID-19 infection should be a reminder of the importance of responsible leadership and conduct, and the fact that nobody, not even a President, is above the rules.

SARS and the Inspector General’s Directive

T

e Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu has reportedly directed that all tactical squads of the Nigeria Police should stand down, stand back and stay away from Nigerian streets and desist forthwith from carrying out routine patrols, stop and search duties, traffic checks and mounting of roadblocks.

The tactical squads include the notorious Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), the Special Tactical Squad, Intelligence Response Team, Anti-Cultism Squad and others – all ad-hoc units of the Nigeria Police created to serve one special purpose or the other.

When the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was created in 1992 under the Ibrahim Babangida Administration, it was a child of necessity, with just 15 officers, but it has since then grown into a rogue unit of the Nigeria Police with an incorrigible reputation for brutality, violence, extra-judicial killing and human rights abuses.

This has since prompted many Nigerians to call for a complete disbandment of the Squad.

Four times in the last four years, one Inspector General of Police after another has tried to

reform or restrain the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Each time directives relating to Standard Operating Procedures, and Rules of Engagement are issued, they have been ignored.

The so-called tactical squads of the Nigeria Police have not succeeded in checking the crimes of kidnapping and armed robbery, but they have consistently used the uniforms they wear to commit crime, kill and maim and terrorize Nigerians. They have not done much to improve confidence in the Nigeria Police. Nigerians who have been unfortunate to encounter them think that they are extortionists, thieves and thugs. Many of them don’t even bother to wear uniform, making it difficult to distinguish between them and hoodlums. They set up roadblocks and target young men and ladies. They seize phones and treat every one as a criminal. They harass the public. Whoever tries to insist on his or her right risks instant assassination, or a bullet in the groin. What is the guarantee that the latest directives by the Inspector General of Police will be enforced?

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