WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020

IMF Raises Nigeria’s GDP Projection, Forecasts 4.3% Contraction FG not considering World Bank’s relief package, says Ahmed Francis Ndubuisi in Abuja and Nume Ekeghe in Lagos The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will contract by

4.3 per cent, which indicates an improvement compared with a negative GDP projection of 5.4 per cent it had predicted in its previous report in June.

This is coming as the federal government has stated that it

is not considering the relief package offered by the World Bank for low-income countries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in order not to worsen the nation's crippling debt situation.

IMF’s Chief Economist and Director of Research Department, Ms. Gita Gopinath, disclosed the country’s new GDP projection during a virtual media briefing to unveil the fund’s World

Economic Outlook (WEO) at the ongoing Annual Meetings of the IMF/World Bank in Washington DC. The report titled: ‘A long and difficult ascent, 2020 October,’ however, predicted

that the economy would grow by 1.7 per cent in 2021.

Also, during a separate media briefing to unveil the Global Financial Stability Continued on page 8

Buhari, Okowa, Obaseki Mourn as Renowned Poet, JP Clark, Dies... Page 6 Wednesday 14 October, 2020 Vol 25. No 9319. Price: N250

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TODAY'S WEATHER

ABUJA 25°C-33°C

MAIDUGURI 31°C-31°C

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ENUGU 25°C-28°C

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KANO 27°C-33°C

LAGOS 24C-27°C

PORT HARCOURT 20°C-30°C

Presidential Panel Accepts Five-point Demand of #EndSARS Protesters Protests spread to Port Harcourt, Owerri, Akure, Ibadan, Yola, Enugu, others Soldiers assault ARISE TV crew, brutalise protesters in Abuja IG creates new unit to replace SARS Sanwo-Olu sets up N200m fund for victims Our Correspondents The Presidential Panel on Police Reforms has agreed to the five-point demand of protesters against police brutality, which included halting use of force against protesters and unconditional release of arrested citizens.

Other demands include justice for the victims of police

brutality, including payment of compensation, and the psychological evaluation of policemen, including increasing their salaries.

Despite these concessions, including the dissolution of the rogue police squad, SARS, the protests yesterday spread to Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Continued on page 8

Outrage as President Nominates Partisan Aide as Electoral Umpire Deji Elumoye and Chuks Okocha in Abuja A sense of outrage yesterday greeted President Muhammadu Buhari’s nomination of one his media aides, Ms. Lauretta Onochie, as a national commissioner representing the South-south in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

with social critics saying it was a provocative assault on the 1999 Constitution as altered.

In the fray were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, Senate minority caucus, and former Senator Dino Melaye.

Continued on page 9

MESSAGE FOR THE PRESIDENT...

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu (left), and President Muhammadu Buhari during the presentation of #EndSARS protesters’ demands to the president in Abuja…yesterday

Eight New S’Court Justices Get Senate Confirmation...Page 5

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WEDNESDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

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

Eight New S’Court Justices Get Senate Confirmation

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Senate yesterday confirmed eight new Supreme Court justices, bringing to 20 the number of justices at the apex court.

The confirmation of the nominees was a sequel to the consideration of a report by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who stated that the appointment of the nominees satisfied the requirement of Sections 230(2) and 232(1) and (2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

According to him, “Upon confirmation of the appointment of the nominees by the Senate, all the six geo-political zones will be represented by three or four justices, as the case may be, except the North-Central Zone, which will maintain its current two justices on the Bench of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

Bamidele, however, explained: “The reason why

the North-central zone has two justices unlike other zones, can be attributed to the fact that during the selection process, the nomination from the zone was stood down by the selection committee for a further review of the nomination by the Federal Judicial Service Commission.”

He added that while necessary steps were being taken to meet the full complement of the maximum number of justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the appointment of the eight justices of the Supreme Court was a bold step taken by the president to strengthen the judiciary to meet with the challenges of the 21st century.

A geo-political breakdown of the 20 Supreme Court justices upon confirmation of the eight new justices, according to Bamidele, include North-east (four including the Chief Justice of Nigeria); North-west (four); North-central (two); South-east (three); South-west (four) and South-south (three).

The upper chamber in a Committee of the Whole,

thereafter, confirmed the nomination of the eight appointees as justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

The confirmed justices are: Justice Lawal Garba, North-west; Justice Helen Ogunwumiju, South-west;

Justice Addu Aboki, Northwest; Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, North-west; Justice Adamu Jauro, North-east; Justice

Samuel Oseji, South-south; Justice Tijjani Abubakar, Northeast; and Justice Emmanuel Agim, South-south.

TIME FOR REFORM...

L-R: Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari; and DirectorGeneral, Department of State Services, Mr. Yusuf Bichi, after a meeting on police reforms in Abuja…yesterday

Akeredolu Receives Certificate of Return Urges deputy gov to resign James Sowole in Akure The Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), and the Deputy Governor-elect, Mr. Lucky Ayedatiwa, have received Certificates of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Akeredolu also yesterday told his estranged deputy, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, to resign from his position if he has any honour.

The Ondo State governor received the certificate yesterday from the Ondo State INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Ambassador Rufus Akeju, at the headquarters of the commission in Akure, the state capital.

The governor commended the INEC for the successful conduct of the election on Saturday.

The governor, who commended the efforts of the

security agents for ensuring that the election went smoothly, dedicated his victory and the certificates to God and the people of the state.

In a related development, Akeredolu yesterday told his estranged deputy, Ajayi, to resign from his position if he has any honour.

The deputy governor had dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contested

the just-concluded September 10 governorship elections in the state on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) against Akeredolu, who was the APC standard-bearer.

Speaking to State House correspondents after being presented to President Muhammadu Buhari by the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni in

Abuja, Akeredolu called on the deputy governor to vacate the post.

He said even if Ajayi does not resign, his days were numbered as a new administration will soon be sworn-in.

Akeredolu also said that if Ajayi decides to show contrite, he was ready to receive him with open arms.

The Ondo governor also described his declaration

of some prominent Ondo indigenes as his enemies for life as a political statement, saying that having won the election, he has no need to keep enemies.

“We (APC) went to battle united and it is clear that when we are united, no force can stop us. We went (to the election) and fought a good battle.” He, however, said, “Ondo no be Edo.”

FG to Ban Milk Importation by 2022, Says Nanono Insists Nigeria now Africa's largest producer of rice James Emejo in Abuja The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Muhammad Sabo Nanono, yesterday said the federal government planned to ban the importation of milk within the next two years.

He also said the country has become Africa’s largest producer of rice and the largest producer of cassava in the world, pointing out that a range of policies and initiatives had been put in place to strengthen the rice and cassava value chains going forward.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a press briefing to commemorate the 2020 World Food Day celebration, he said the livestock industry had an asset base of nearly N33 trillion that must not be allowed to waste.

"We are planning in this ministry and watch my words, in the next two years we will ban the importation of milk

into this country. And ask me why: we have 25 million cows in this country to produce five million litres per day. “The issue is now logistics, which we have started by setting up milk processing plants across the country. I see no reason why we should import milk in the next two years. W should stop the importation of milk”.

He also said fish importation will also be considered for an outright ban.

Also commenting on concerns about the increasing prices of food commodities in the country, Nanono said, "In the next two, three months, most of the prices will level off to a more comfortable level adding that the price of Milled rice is expected to reduce to between N14,000 and N15,000.

He said: "We anticipated the reduction in the price of rice."

The minister said since the beginning of the 2020 farming season, the ministry had distributed inputs in all

the states of the federation to boost food production.

The minister said last year, the country recorded a boost in the production of major staple crops, pointing out that maize and rice production rose from 12.8 million metric tonnes (MMT) and 12.3MMT to 13.94MMT and 14.28 MMT respectively.

He added that cassava production also increase from 58.47 MMT in 2018 to 73.91MMT– and further projected to rise to 93.6MMT by 2023.

He said growth had also been recorded for groundnut, tomatoes, and sorghum production adding that cattle beef, milk and fish production also rose by 166 per cent, 146 per cent and 11 per cent respectively between 2018 and 2019.

Nanono maintained that significant progress had also been made to improve agricultural productivity since

the inception of the present administration.

He said through various policy initiatives, the ministry had been able to raise the country's national food reserve stock to 109,657 metric tonnes, adding that the figure is expected further increased to 219,900 MT by the end of 2020.

The minister also said that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is not resting on its oars in addressing challenges of the country’s agricultural sector.

He said the federal government through the Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support Project (APPEALS) had set aside N600 billion as loan support to farmers across the country.

As a result, he said no fewer than 2.4 million farmers are expected to benefit from the loan at zero interest rate.

According to him: "The gesture will support farmers

in the country to improve their productivity aimed at boosting the country’s agricultural sector.

"The support was to complement the federal government policy on agriculture, which includes promoting food security, improving farmers production and also increasing exportation."

The minister further called for massive investment in the sector, if the agriculture must be made more productive and sustainable.

He said such investment will help the country to quickly rise to the call against looming food crisis as already predicted by the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Nanono also pointed out that in order to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the country's food security, he had approved the setting up of a seven-member joint technical task team on emergency

response to the pandemic.

According to him, the team, which was replicated nationwide had helped in facilitating the free and unhindered movement of farmers, food, livestock and agricultural inputs across the country during the lockdown.

He said on the orders of Buhari, his ministry had coordinated the release of over 70,000 MT of grains to vulnerable Nigerians to cushion the effects of the pandemic.

He said thousands of hectares of rice, maize, sorghum including livestock and fisheries had been affected by flood devastation this year.

The minister said a special committee had been set up by the ministry to act on the emerging flood issues and come up with strategies to minimise its effects on agricultural production in order to avert food crisis and ensure sustainable food security for the country.

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NEWS

Buhari, Okowa, Obaseki Mourn as Renowned Poet, JP Clark, Dies Sylvester Idowu in Warri President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, have paid tributes to the renowned writer, poet and emeritus Professor of Literature, John Pepper Clark, who died in the wee hours of yesterday, according to a statement by the family. He was aged 86.

Clark, popularly known as J. P. Clark, hailed from Kiagbodo, Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

The deceased was the younger brother to elder statesman and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark.

The terse statement issued by the family read: “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo town, Delta State, wishes to announce that Emeritus Professor of Literature and renowned writer, Prof. John Pepper Clark, has finally dropped his pen in the early hours of today, Tuesday, 13 October 2020.

“Prof. J. P. Clark has paddled on to the great beyond in comfort of his wife, children and sibling, around him.

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

Clark was born on December 6, 1933, in Kiagbodo, to an Ijaw father and Urhobo mother.

Clark received his early education at the Native Authority School, Okrika (Ofinibenya-Ama), in Burutu Local Government Area (then Western Ijaw) and the prestigious Government College in Ughelli, and his BA degree in English at the University of Ibadan, where he edited various magazines, including the Beacon and The Horn.

Upon graduation from Ibadan in 1960, he worked as an information officer in the Ministry of Information, in the old Western Region of Nigeria, as features editor of the Daily Express, and as a research fellow at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.

He served for several years as a Professor of English at the University of Lagos, a position from which he retired in 1980.

While at the University of Lagos he was co-editor of the literary magazine Black Orpheus.

In 1982, along with his wife

Ebun Odutola (a professor and former director of the Centre for Cultural Studies at the University of Lagos), he founded the PEC Repertory Theatre in Lagos.

A widely travelled man, Clark had, since his retirement, held visiting professorial appointments at several institutions of higher learning, including Yale and Wesleyan University in the United States.

Clark was most noted for his poetry, including Poems (Mbari, 1961), a group of 40 lyrics that treat heterogeneous themes; A Reed in the Tide (Longmans, 1965), occasional poems that focus on Clark’s indigenous African background and his travel experience in America and other places; Casualties: Poems 1966–68 (USA: Africana Publishing Corporation, 1970), which illustrate the horrendous events of the Nigeria-Biafra war and A Decade of Tongues (Longmans, Drumbeat series, 1981), a collection of 74 poems, all of which apart from “Epilogue to Casualties” (dedicated to Michael Echeruo) were previously

published in earlier volumes; Others are: State of the Union (1981), which highlights Clark’s apprehension concerning the socio-political events in Nigeria as a developing nation and Mandela and Other Poems (1988), which dealt with the perennial problem of ageing and death.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has extended deepest condolence on behalf of the federal government to the Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family on the passing of the renowned writer.

Buhari in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr. Femi Adesina, paid tribute to one of Nigeria’s finest poets, dramatist and recipient of the Nigerian National Order of Merit Award for literary excellence, whose repertoire of published works depicts the hard work of a great man, devoted to a lifetime of writing, knowledge and promotion of the indigenous culture of the Ijaw nation.

Acknowledging that Clark’s exit has, indeed, left an indelible

mark in the literary world, “President Buhari takes solace that his body of literary works, which earned him recognition and respect both at home and abroad would continue to inspire upcoming Nigerian writers to pursue literary excellence and flourish in their chosen vocation.

“The president’s thoughts and prayers are with the family of the departed patriot, the government and people of Delta State and the literary community in the country.”

Obaseki expressed a deep sense of shock and foreboding over the sad news.

Obaseki described Clark as a great academic and a celebrated poet, who contributed immensely to Nigeria’s advancement through his numerous works.

“His literary exploits brought honour and great respect to Nigeria and his contributions to literature and education, in general, will outlive many generations.

“His writings mirrored society all through our development as a nation and he raised his

pen when it mattered the most to condemn societal ills that threatened our collective existence and advancement as a nation as well as a continent,” Obaseki said.

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, sent profound condolences to the family of Clark.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, Okowa said the literary world had lost an enigma whose works would continue to dominate the contemporary Nigerian society.

Describing his passage as a great loss to the country and the literary world, the governor extolled the immense contributions of the late writer to the growth and development of literature in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

He said: "The literary works of Professor J.P. Clark promoted Delta, Nigeria and Africa, hence his demise is being celebrated by lovers of literature all over the world.

"As a serial award-winner

in poetry, the late Prof. Clark was a consummate patriot, a great literary icon and a teacher par excellence, whose literary publications inspired deep thoughts, especially on socialeconomic and political themes.

"On behalf of the government and people of Delta, I commiserate with the ClarkFuludu Bekederemo family over the passing of renowned poet, literary giant and playwright, Emeritus Professor John Pepper Clark.

"He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he affected in many ways with his literary works."

Okowa urged all who mourn the demise of the late professor to take solace in the fact that he "remains alive through his literary works."

He prayed to God to grant his immediate family, the Ijaw nation and lovers of literature, the strength to bear the irreparable loss, pointing out that his numerous achievements in the literary world would continue to be remembered.

THE MARCH CONTINUES...

Mile 12/Ikosi youths on #ENDSARS protest on Lagos Ibadan Express Way, Secretariat Bus Stop, Ikeja...yesterday

sunday adigun

NPAGenerates N1.02tn Revenue in Three Years Eromosele Abiodun

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced that it generated total revenue of N1.02 trillion in three years under the tenure of its current Managing Director, Ms. Hadiza Bala-Usman.

The authority made this know via a tweet it posted on its official Twitter handle.

Analysis of the results showed that in 2016, the authority’s revenue went up to N182.42 billion against the N173.447 billion generated in 2015.

The positive revenue surge continued in 2017 when the authority generated a total of N259.99 billion, marking about 42 per cent increase compared to 2016.

In 2018, the revenue generation hit N282.42 billion while 2019 peaked at around

N300 billion, making it the highest in the authority’s history.

The authority noted that its contribution to the Consolidated Revenue Fund Account had progressively increased since the current management took over in 2016.

In 2014, the NPA contributed N18.5 billion to the CRF, compared to 2013 when it contributed N13.1 billion.

The authority contributed N23.8 billion in 2016, compared to N18 billion it contributed to the CRF in 2015.

The above efforts manifested in the agency’s 2017 results as it declared a total revenue of N299.56 billion for the 2017 fiscal year.

The 2017 revenue, which exceeded the previous year’s by 84.65 per cent, was the highest generated by the agency in five years. The NPA had

in a statement stated that the 2017 figure was made up of revenues from traffic, harbours, administrative and other sources in the sums of N136.04 billion, N66.80 billion, N86.06 billion and N10.75 billion, respectively.

Last year, NPA announced revenue of N67.19 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2019, representing 24.8 per cent of the N270.56 billion earned in 12 months ending December 31, 2018.

The agency’s financial profile (unaudited) showing revenue and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) obtained by THISDAY revealed that the NPA raked in the amount via operating revenue while other revenue and investment income, which forms a bulk of its revenue are yet to be available for the period under review.

Also, analysis of the agency’s six years’ revenue and remittances to CRF between 2013 and 2018 showed a quantum leap in revenue and remittances despite the downturn in ship and cargo traffic as a result of certain federal government policies that are discouraging importation.

The financial results showed that the NPA recorded consistent growth in revenue and remittances in the last three years compared to what was obtainable in the past.

A breakdown of the six years’ revenue and remittances showed that the NPA recorded revenue of N157.31 billion in 2013. Of the 2013 revenue, it made N137.9 billion through operating revenue and N15.08 billion, N1.24 billion from other revenue and investment income respectively. However,

it remitted N13.17 billion.

In 2014, the agency recorded total revenue of N172.8 billion, N149.7 from operating revenue and N22.4 billion and N636.5 million from other revenue and investment income respectively.

However, its remittance for the year, improved by a little over N4 billion to N18.56 billion.

In the year 2015 the agency’s revenue improved by N4.4 billion as it recorded revenue of N177.2 billion compared to N172.8 billion the previous year.

However, its remittance for 2015 declined by N130 million as it remitted N18.43 billion as against N18.56 billion in 2014.

In 2016, the NPA’s revenue jumped by N5.1 billion as it recorded a revenue of N182.42 billion compared with N177.26 billion in 2015. The agency’s remittance for the year 2016 also jumped by N5.4 billion

as it remitted a total of N23.87 billion as against N18.43 billion the previous year.

In 2017, the authority’s revenue went up by a massive N83.2 billion as it raked in N265.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2017, as against N182.4 billion in 2016.

The NPA recorded the highest remittance in its history in 2017, remitting N30.31 billion. This showed N6.44 billion increase over the N23.87 it remitted in 2016.

The revenue growth trajectory continued in 2018 with historic revenue of N270.56 billion almost twice it 2013 revenue and N4.9 billion increase over its 2017 revenue. However, its remittance to the CRF declined

by N5.6 billion as it remitted a total of N24.65 billion compared with N30.3 billion remitted in 2017.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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PAGE EIGHT PRESIDENTIAL PANEL ACCEPTS FIVE-POINT DEMAND OF #ENDSARS PROTESTERS Ibadan in Oyo State, Akure in Ondo State, Owerri in Imo State, Ilorin in Kwara State, Enugu in Enugu State, and Yola in Adamawa State.

The protesters also sustained their campaign in Lagos and Abuja, where soldiers yesterday brutalised some of the youths, including the ARISE NEWS Channel crew.

But the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, set up a new outfit to replace the notorious SARS even as the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu set up N200 million fund to assist victims of police brutality.

The meeting with stakeholders was convened by Adamu following directives by President Muhammadu Buhari on the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and immediate response to yearnings of citizens.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement issued yesterday said the meeting, organised by the office of IG and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), was a multistakeholders’ forum attended by leaders and representatives of civil society organisations in Nigeria, activists from the entertainment industry and the #ENDSARS movement and development partners.

Adesina said a communiqué signed by Adamu and Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mr. Tony Ojukwu, said the dissolution of SARS presents an opportunity to embark on comprehensive reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigerian Police Force as a modern, responsive and citizens-centred law enforcement organisation.

The communique said the proposed reforms would be anchored under the basis of the White Paper on the Report of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of SARS, which was jointly authored by the NHRC, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Nigeria Police Force.

It affirmed that reform proposals for the Police would be based on the constitution and existing legislations, such as; the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, Nigeria Police Trust Fund Act, 2019, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and the National Human Rights Commission Act, 2010 amongst others.

The communique acknowledged and accepted the demands of the protesters: “Following the dissolution

of SARS, the Forum calls for the following immediate steps to be taken in restoring public confidence and trust in the Police: An order by the Inspector-General of Police to all state commands to halt the use of force against protesters; unconditional release of arrested protesters and citizens; open communication and outreach to citizens to establish trust and confidence and a roadmap for the implementation of the White Paper of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the SARS. “The Forum welcomed the proposal to set up an Independent Investigation Panel to look into the violations of human rights by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Nigerian Police.

“The Forum agrees to the setting up of this independent panel by the National Human Rights Commission within the next week - an open call for memoranda from members of the public whose rights have been violated by the defunct SARS and other segments of the Police will be released by the commission within one week.

“The Forum recommends the psychological evaluation, training and retraining of disbanded SARS officials prior to re-deployment.

“The Forum resolves to set up the following technical sub-committees to design an implementation roadmap and work plan for the implementation of the White Paper: Training, Capacity and Re-orientation; Logistics: Infrastructure, Communications and Technology; Arrest, Detention, and Investigations; Regulations, Oversight and Accountability and Financing and Partnerships.’’

The communiqué stated that sub-committees would be supported by the National Human Rights Commission and other civil society organisations.

Adesina said the Ministry of Police Affairs and Police Service Commission were also present at the meeting that affirmed that the five-point demands of the protesters and the #ENDSARS movement are genuine concerns and will be addressed by the government.

IG Sets up SWAT to Take over from SARS Meanwhile, the IG, Adamu, has set up a new police outfit to take over from the disbanded SARS. It is known as Special

Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and will fill the gaps arising from the dissolution of the defunct SARS. In accordance with Section 18 (10) of the Police Act 2020, the IG ordered all personnel of the defunct SARS to report at the Force Headquarters, Abuja for debriefing, psychological and medical examination.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, said: “The officers are expected to undergo this process as a prelude to further training and reorientation before being redeployed into mainstream policing duties.”

Mba added: “The medical examination will be carried out by the newly set-up Police Counseling and Support Unit (PCSU), a unit, which henceforth shall engage in psychological management, re-orientation and training of officers of the Force deployed for tactical operations and other duties.

He said the SWAT members would commence training at the different police tactical training institutions nationwide next week.

He said personnel from the Police commands in the South-east and the Southsouth would be trained at the Counter-Terrorism College, Nonwa-Tai in Rivers State, while those from the police commands from the North and the South-west will be trained at the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ende, Nasarawa State and the Police Mobile Force Training College, Ila-Orangun, Osun State, respectively.

Solders Brutalise Protesters as Protests Spread Nigeria Army yesterday brutalised and inflicted injuries on scores of EndSARS protesters at the Three Arm Zone in Abuja.

The protesters were manhandled by soldiers stationed at the Tomb of Unknown Soldiers at the Eagle Square, when they tried to march to the National Assembly to present their grouse to lawmakers, who were in a plenary session.

Tension rose when the demonstrators, who had earlier marched to the Eagle Square, crossed into the National Assembly side of the Three Arm Zone and were approaching the outer gate before they were repelled by the fierce-looking soldiers numbering about 10.

In the heat of the moment, scores of the demonstrators were beaten for challenging the order of the soldiers, who asked them to vacate the open space.

The soldiers also manhandled a cameraman of ARISE NEWS Channel for filming the protest and also seized his digital HD camera, the second camera of ARISE NEWS to be impounded by security operatives in the last 48 hours of the coverage of #EndSARS protest in the FCT. The ARISE NEWS team was led by Mr. Ferdinand Duruoha.

However, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday joined numerous voices condemning police brutality of citizens on the peaceful protest of extra judicial activities of the Nigeria Police Force and other security of security agencies.

The President of the NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata, in a press briefing in Abuja, said the body cannot be aloof in situations like this because history is taking records of the roles and activities played by individuals and groups, adding that the body is desirous of being on the good side of history.

Akpata, who condemned the clampdown on protesters of the #EndSARS and police reforms, said government at all levels must recognise protest as inalienable rights of citizens that must not only be guaranteed but respected at all times.

While warning that the body would not tolerate the use of live arms and ammunition against peaceful and lawful protesters, he urged the government and police authorities to bring to justice any officer found culpable.

Akpata said: "We call on governments at all levels to protect the rights of citizens participating in the peaceful protests across the country and direct the security agencies to cease assaulting, attacking, abusing or otherwise harassing or using force against citizens who seek to have their voices heard through peaceful protest.”

He called for an expedited auditor the various SARS detention centres across the country particularly that in Awkuzu in Anambra State, "the infamous human abattoir in Abuja and the notorious SARS detention facilities across Lagos, Port Harcourt and other parts of the country."

The Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello, also yesterday identified with the protesters, calling for an end to the uncivilised behaviours

of some bad elements within the police.

While addressing journalists at Government House in Lokoja yesterday, Bello explained that the call by the Nigerian youths was very apt at this critical time.

The protest hit Akure, the Ondo State, as some youths trooped to the streets, simultaneously in three different towns of the sunshine state.

In Yola, the Adamawa State Police dispersed a group of youths, who converged to protest against SARS brutality against youths across the country.

One of the organisers of the protest told THISDAY that the protest was meant to end police's brutalities and molestations on the youths across the country.

"We wrote the police of our intending protest today but we were just gathering for the protest when the commissioner of police sent some of his men to disperse us," he said.

In Port Harcourt, thousands of protesters defied Rivers State Government ban on all forms of protests and marched through some roads in Port Harcourt before laying siege to Government House.

The #EndSARS protesters also vowed not to leave the Government House gate until Governor Nyesom Wike comes out to address them.

The Rivers State governor later addressed the protesters and called for a total reform of the police and not just SARS. Canadian-American musician, Celine Marie Dion, joined the league of international superstars who have sent messages of comradeship to Nigeria citizens.

“My heart is melting after reading what is going on in Nigeria…#EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality,” Celine Dion posted.

The protesters also stormed the major roads in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday.

Led by some activists and youth leaders, they divided themselves into two. While the group kicked off the protest at the Iwo-road interchange and moved towards Agodi Gate to the State Secretariat, the other group converged in front of the University of Ibadan gate and walk through Bodija market to the Secretariat.

In Lagos, Governor SanwoOlu joined the protesters who had thronged the premises of Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.

Reiterating his support of their demands, he received

a signed letter where they listed out their demands to the government and police hierarchy on how to follow through about the disbandment of the SARS unit and an end to police brutality.

Asides Alausa, protesters also thronged areas like the Lekki Toll gate, FESTAC Town, Amuwo Odofin, Abule Egba and Yaba.

Other areas include in Oyingbo, Surulere, Ebute Metta, Oshodi, Mushin, Ketu, Ogba, Maryland, Ikeja, Chevron, Ajah, and Ajegunle.

However, Sanwo-Olu announced the setting up of a N200 million fund to compensate families of victims of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) killings.

Sanwo-Olu announced this while addressing the protesters.

According to him, the compensation fund will be completely supervised by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) appointed by members of the public.

Also the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, also promised that the lawmakers will make adequate provision for compensation of victims on the 2021 budget.

Jonathan Sues for Restraint In a related development, former President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sued for restraint as the protests continued to spread across the country.

The former president in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze, said: “I implore everyone to exercise restraint as we walk through these challenging times.”

The former President stressed that no Nigerian life should be lost during peaceful protests.

He stated this in a post he made through his social media accounts.

The message said: “No Nigerian blood needs to be spilled or life lost during a peaceful protest that seeks to advance our country. We may hold different views on national issues, but there is no doubt that most people desire the same thing for Nigeria: a place where we can all live out the full potential of our God-given abilities.

“I implore everyone to exercise restraint as we walk through these challenging times.”

IMF RAISES NIGERIA’S GDP PROJECTION, FORECASTS 4.3% CONTRACTION Report (GFSR), the Director of Monetary and Capital Market Departments, IMF, Mr. Tobias Adrian, said banks are in a safer position than the last global economic crisis, adding that the IMF is closely monitoring the concessionary loans given to Sub-Saharan Africa.

Speaking on the projection for Africa, Gopinath said: “Overall for the region, the numbers are close to what we had in June, -3 per cent in 2020 and 3.1 per cent in 2021. There is significant heterogeneity in the within the region. You have countries that are commodity exporters who have been negatively impacted not just by the pandemic but by the drop in oil prices.

“Nigeria is one of such case and then you have countries like South Africa where there has been a very big hit in terms of the pandemic and a collapse in activities because of the requirements of lockdowns.

There is always a difference in countries that are more diversified, that seem to have better growth prospects than other.”

She further added that the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic would cause 20 million people in the continent to fall into extreme poverty.

She added: “It is also important to note that in SubSaharan Africa, the World Bank projects that over 20 million people will enter extreme poverty this year. These are very large numbers and several of these countries are also living with very high levels of debt distress.”

Responding to a question about emerging countries going through foreign currency volatility, depleting foreign reserves and how fiscal and monetary tools could be adopted to overcome the crisis, she said there was a need for

emerging economies to closely restructure their debt to reduce and seek debt relief if allowed.

She said: “This pandemic is triggering divergence across advanced economies, emerging and developing economies.

They have been hit by the health crisis and they have been hit because they are oil exporters which had collapsed and more importantly, they just don’t have the resources that advanced economies have to deal with this crisis.

“Because we don’t have a financial crisis at this point, many emerging markets are able to borrow at record levels in foreign currency this year relative to previous years.

“But that is not going to be enough and there would be a need for continued international support for many countries in terms of concessionary financing, aide and there are going to be developing and low-income economies that

would need debt relief and, in some cases, restructuring of debt to make sure they have the space to do the spending that they need.”

On his part, the Division Chief, Research Department, IMF Mr. Malhar Nabar, said: “The oil exporters have also been hit very hard and the other commodity exporters such as South Africa has also been struggling through this crisis with deep contractions projected this year.

“But in terms of what the global outlook means for Africa, the partial recovery that we are projecting next year clearly has a beneficial impact on the outlook in terms of stronger external demand but one key element is that the external financial conditions which have been extremely tight for Sub-Saharan Africa over the past several months, a turnaround in those conditions and better access for Sub-Saharan African

issuers to access external hard currency bond markets would actually, help with improving the outlook.”

Continuing, in the GFSR, Adrian said the various interventions and loans given to SSA which amounted to $21 billion are closely monitored to ensure they are not mismanaged.

He said: “Since the start of the pandemic, the IMF has provided financing to 81 countries and the total new financing is about $100 billion. Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust (PRGT) countries, which are mostly in Sub-Saharan Africa received about $21 billion and this is concessional.

“It is extremely important for the money to get to the right people. And we are watching very carefully and we are watching very closely to make sure that all these loans go into the right hands.”

Continued on page 9

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WEDNESDAY, ͹ͼ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

9

NEWS

Election Tribunal Receives Five Petitions against Obaseki Peter Uzoho The Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Benin City, the Edo State capital, has received petitions from five political parties and their candidates, challenging the declaration of Governor Godwin Obaseki as the rightful winner of the September 19 poll.

The Secretary of the tribunal, Mr. Sunday Martins, confirmed this to the News Agency of

Nigeria (NAN) in Benin City Martins said that the 21day window period for the submission of petitions ended on Saturday.

He, however, said the bailiff had not succeeded in his efforts to personally serve Obaseki the court notice.

He said that the governor must be served personally because it is an originating process.

The political parties are the Action Peoples Party (APP),

Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Action Democratic Party (ADP).

All the petitions joined Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as defendants.

The petition by ADP and its candidate had the governor, PDP, INEC and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC)

as defendants.

Candidates of APP and AA petitions were challenging their unlawful exclusion from the ballot papers by INEC, after having been validly-nominated by their party, in line with the Electoral Act. They were praying the tribunal to nullify the election and order a fresh poll to be conducted within 90 days.

On their part, APM and NNPP were challenging the validity of Forms EC9 and

CF001, reportedly submitted

by Obaseki in respect of the 2020 and 2016 governorship polls in the state.

Also, ADP and its candidate, Mr. Iboi Emmanuel were asking the tribunal to look at the list of Vice-Chancellors of the University of Ibadan, from 1947 to date, E-newspaper publication that announced the death of Prof. Tekena Tamuno, among other documents.

Emmanuel alleged in his petition that Tamuno, who was

the VC of UI, from December 1975 to November 1979, could not have signed the certificate Obaseki allegedly presented to the APC for screening.

He also alleged that the purported university degree, which Obaseki claimed was issued by UI, had no date on it.

The ADP candidate, therefore, argued that Obaseki was not qualified to run for the poll, adding that votes credited to him were null and void and of no effect and value.

N5.84 trillion).

The minister also defended the N5. 196 trillion 2021 budget deficit, which is 3.64 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and above the three per cent threshold prescribed by the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA).

She said several loan agreements have been entered with various lenders, adding that asking for debt relief would portray Nigeria as a country that cannot repay its indebtedness in the eyes of creditors.

Ahmed said that although the 2021 budget deficit exceeded the three per cent threshold, the government has not breached the law, adding that there is a provision in that Act that allows the government to surpass the threshold during “unusual times.”

To promote fiscal transparency, accountability and comprehensiveness, the minister stated budgets of 60 GOEs are integrated in the FGN’s 2021 budget proposal.

In aggregate, 31 per cent of projected revenues is to come from oil-related sources while 69 per cent is to be earned from non-oil sources.

The minister noted that, overall, the size of the budget has been constrained by relatively low revenues.

To enhance independent revenue generation and collection, the government, she said, will aim to optimise the potential, operational and collection efficiency of GOEs with a view to generating significantly higher revenues required to fund the FGN budget from this source.

She added that the current sub-optimal revenue performance of most GOEs will be addressed through the effective implementation of the enhanced performance management framework On whether government is considering issuing Eurobond in 2021, she said it is an option that is on the table.

Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution provides that ‘The Council of State shall have power to advise the president in the exercise of his powers with respect to (iv) the Independent National Electoral Commission, including the appointment of the members of the commission.’

“Pursuant to section 154 (1) of the Constitution, the appointment of the members of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate; Paragraph 14 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution as amended by Section 30, Act No 1 of 2010, a member of the Independent National Electoral Commission shall be non-partisan.”

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room asked Buhari to withdraw the nomination of Onochie.

Convener of Situation Room, Mr. Clement Nwankwo, said in a statement yesterday that the nomination is an attempt to weaken the efforts to build a credible electoral process in Nigeria.

Quoting the 1999 Constitution, Nwankwo said paragraph 14 forbids a “partisan politician” as a member of the electoral body.

He urged the Senate to disregard her nomination if the president fails to withdraw it.

He also asked the Senate to investigate the other nominees as they might have been nominated based on “selfserving interest.”

“The Nigeria Civil Society

Situation Room is concerned about the nomination of Ms. Lauretta Onochie, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Media as National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) representing the South-south,” the statement read.

It added: “Ms. Onochie is a known partisan supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Item F, paragraph 14 of the third schedule of 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) forbids a partisan politician as a member of INEC – a body charged under the Constitution to unbiasedly conduct of free and fair elections.”

The Senate Minority Caucus also yesterday said the president flouted the nation’s constitution with the appointment of his media aide as a national commissioner of the INEC. The opposition senators in a statement in Abuja and signed by their leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, however, asked Buhari to withdraw the nomination. They noted that the president, by nominating Onochie, has willfully gone against the constitution that he swore to uphold.

A three-time member of the National Assembly, Senator Dino Melaye, joined in asking Buhari to immediately rescind the nomination of Onochie for the same reason as other critics.

IMF RAISES NIGERIA’S GDP PROJECTION, FORECASTS 4.3% CONTRACTION

FG Not Considering World Bank Relief Package, Says Ahmed Meanwhile, the federal government is not considering the relief package offered by the World Bank for low-income countries in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in order not to worsen the nation's crippling debt situation.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Ahmed, gave the indication yesterday in Abuja.

In response to a question on whether Nigeria would consider the relief package in the face of dwindling revenue generation, the minister, who spoke during the public presentation of the 2021 budget proposals, said the package would not be considered, for now.

She noted that the conditions attached to the package were not favourable for the country,

adding that Nigeria might opt for it if the conditions are relaxed later.

She said several loan agreements had been entered with various lenders, stating that seeking for debt relief would portray Nigeria as a country that cannot meet its debt obligations in the eyes of creditors.

She said: "For now, the answer is no; the reason being that we have assessed the offer and reviewed all the loans that we are committed with other countries that we borrowed from. We have to also first review all agreements we have with commercial lenders.

"It is not only Nigeria that was not able to access the loan because of the similar limitations that we have. The offer might trigger some inability of the borrowing countries to pay back."

Giving an insight into the performance of the 2020 Revised Budget, she disclosed

that a total of N1.2 trillion had been released for capital projects and N2.14 trillion to meet debt service obligations provided for in the Revised 2020 Budget, as at the end of September.

During the period under review, the sum of N2.18 trillion was also expended as personnel cost, including pensions.

She disclosed that as at the end of August 2020, the federal government's revenue available for budget funding, which excludes government-owned enterprises (GOES) was N2.52 trillion, representing 71per cent target.

Of the N9.97 trillion appropriated on the expenditure side (excluding GOEs and project-tied loans), N6.25 trillion (representing 93.9 per cent of the pro-rata N6.65 trillion) was spent.

According to her, the Federal Government of Nigeria’s (FGN) share of oil revenues during the review period was N1.105

trillion (representing 164 per cent performance over and above the prorated sum in the revised 2020 budget) while non-oil tax revenues totalled N831.41 billion (77 per cent of revised target).

Companies Income Tax(CIT) and ValueAddedTax (VAT) collections stood at N447.52 billion and N117.75 billion, representing 82 per cent and 62 per cent respectively of the pro-rata revised targets for the period.

Customs collections also stood at N266.14 billion (77 per cent of revised target) while other revenues amounted to N583.82 billion, of which independent revenues accounted for N281.81billion.

Giving a breakdown of the 2021 budget proposals, she stated that the aggregate revenue available to fund the N13, 08 trillion proposed 2021 budget is projected at N7.89 trillion (35 per cent more than the 2020 Revised Budget of

OUTRAGE AS PRESIDENT NOMINATES PARTISAN AIDE AS ELECTORAL UMPIRE Buhari had yesterday asked the Senate to confirm the appointment of Onochie, Prof.

Muhammad Kallah, Katsina State (North-west); and Prof.

Kunle Cornelius Ajayi, Ekiti State (South-west); as national commissioners.

He also requested confirmation of Mr. Saidu Ahmad, Jigawa State as a resident commissioner.

Onochie, from Delta State, is the special assistant to the president on Social Media.

The letter dated October 12, 2020, was read by the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan.

The president in a separate letter to the upper chamber requested the confirmation of the appointment of three Executive Directors of the Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency.

He said the request for confirmation was in accordance with the provision of Section 2(3) of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Act 2007.

The nominees are Mr. Ifeanyi Kammelu (Executive Director, South-east); Mr. Muhammad Bizi (Executive Director, Northeast); and Prof. Abubakar Ismail (Executive Director, North-west).

In a swift reaction to Onochie’s nomination, the PDP described the appointment of the presidential media aide, a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a highly provocative assault on the nation’s constitution and

democratic process.

Addressing a pressing conference in Abuja yesterday, the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said the president’s nomination of his personal staff as INEC national commissioner supports the position of the PDP that Buhari’s statements of leaving a legacy of credible polls were mere glib talks on electoral sanctity and clearly demonstrates that he has no plans whatsoever to leave a legacy of credible polls.

According to the PDP spokesman, "This ugly development is another shameful attempt to plant unscrupulous elements in INEC in order to corrupt and further desecrate the sanctity of the commission, undermine our electoral system and destabilise our democratic process ahead of the 2023 general election.

"We had hoped that, as Mr. President had professed in the past, he is truly running his second and final term in office.

If that were so, then Lauretta Onochie’s nomination as INEC national commissioner clearly points to a totally different direction,” he said.

Ologbondiyan said that being a card-carrying member of the APC as records shows (from Ward 5 Onicha Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta state), Onochie’s nomination is in clear violation of paragraph 14 of the 3rd schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which forbids a person involved

in partisan politics to hold office as a member of INEC. He asked the president to withdraw the nomination.

Also reacting to the appointment, a senior lawyer, Mallam Ahmed Raji (SAN), told THISDAY that any person occupying an office in INEC according to constitutional provisions must not belong to any political party.

"INEC as an institution is expected to be non-partisan in composition and performance.

The relevant provisions of the constitution attest to this.

Having regards to the position currently occupied by the highly respected lady of substance, I do not think the proposed appointment/nomination is in line with both the letters and spirit of our constitution.

"The great lady of substance is eminently qualified to be the head of NAN, VON, FRCN or NTA but not a body like INEC,” Raji explained.

Another SAN, Mr. John Baiyeshea, argued that there must first be a proof of evidence that the said nominee is a card-carrying member of a political party or the APC as in the instant case.

"There is no legal impediment that can disturb or adversely affect the nomination of that aide for the position," he argued.

Reacting to item F, paragraph 14 of the third schedule of the 1999 Constitution that forbids a card carrying member from being appointed into INEC, Baiyeshea said: "If they can

show that she is a member of APC, that may be a strong point against her. But many of such presidential aides are not necessarily card-carrying members of political parties.

"That's why I remarked in my comment above that the issue of partisanship may mar her confirmation. But it is one thing for a person to express partisan views, and it is another thing for the person to be a member of a party.

"I also remarked above that her confirmation hearing will likely be controversial."

A coalition led by human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), faulted Onochie’s nomination.

ASCAB in statement signed by the learned silk, reminded the president that going by the letters of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a card-carrying member of a registered political party or a well-known supporter of a particular political party is constitutionally disqualified from the membership of INEC. It said as an unrepentant member of the ruling party, Onochie has consistently attacked members of other political parties, making her partisan and unqualified to be a member of INEC. “In appointing the members of the INEC the president is required to consult with the Council of State pursuant to section 154 (3) of the Constitution; Paragraph B of

10

WEDNESDAY 0CT0BER 14, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Culpable Policemen will Be Prosecuted, Senate Tells #EndSARS Protesters Bill to probe past extra-judicial killings passes first reading Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday assured #EndSARS protesters across the country that all the policemen involved in the killing of protesters will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, who stated

this while commenting on the point of order raised by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari over the recent attack on the palace of the Soun of Ogbomoso in Oyo State, stated that all within the ambit of the law would be done to ensure that the identified killer policemen have their day in court.

He, however, urged the

Lemo: I Ordered Closure of Flutterwaves’ Payment System The Chairman of Flutterwaves, Mr. Tunde Lemo, has disclosed that he personally directed the suspension of the fintech firm’s payment platform.

Lemo, a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), said the decision was taken to prevent illicit flow of fund through the payment channel.

“I was the one that instructed them to shut down their system yesterday when the bad guys were moving money through them,”

Two mobile policemen have died while eight others were critically injured in a road accident as kilometre 2, Akure-Obaile Road near Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The accident, which occurred near Joe Jane Hotel, involved a Nissan blue pick-up van with registration number: NPF 9557C. The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) said the accident occurred when the tyre of the vehicle burst, which made the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

The FRSC, in its signal message, said the loss of control was sequel

to over speeding.

The signal indicated that all the occupants of the vehicle were male adults.

The commission said the remains of the dead policemen have been deposited in a morgue, while those who were injured had been taken to a police clinic in Akure.

Commenting on the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Tee-Leo Ikoro, confirmed that the police lost two of their men in the accident.

Ikoro, who described the incident as unfortunate, said the injured officers, are receiving treatment in hospital.

Delta Proposes N378bn Budget for 2021 To concession Asaba airport for 30 years Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba Delta State Government yesterday approved a budget estimate of N378 billion for the 2021 fiscal year.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, disclosed this yesterday in Asaba, the state capital, while addressing a media conference on the major decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting presided over by the state Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

Of the proposed amount, N174 billion is for recurrent estimates while N203 billion is earmarked for capital expenditure, he revealed.

Aniagwu, who explained that the exco arrived at the estimated total figure of N378 billion after reviewing upwards the sum of N372 billion presented to it by

Nigerian youths, whose lives were cut short at their prime during the recent #ENDSARS protest which started on October 8, 2020.

The Senate, thereafter, observed one minute silence in honour of late Isiaka and other Nigerian youths who lost their lives due to the ‘unprofessionalism’ of some members of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Also yesterday, a bill to empower the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate and prosecute all extra-judicial killings by officers and men of theArmed Services andNigeriaPoliceForcepassedthrough first reading at the Senate plenary

The bill entitled: ‘National Human Right Commission Act CAP N46 LFN 2004(Amendment) Bill, 2020 (SB. 526)’, seeks to curb the rampant incidence of extrajudicial killings by amending the National Human Right Act, CAP N46, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to vest power to investigate and prosecute officers of armed agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria suspected of involvement in extra-judicial killings in the NHRC. Commenting on why he is canvassing for the amendment of the bill, the sponsor, Senator Solomon Adeola, said the current

situation of handling such extra- judicial killings internally by agencies of the suspected culprits cannot achieve any justice for victims and their families as it amounts to presiding over one’s case.

“My view is that a separate agency of the government should be empowered to investigate and prosecute all reported and unreported cases of such extrajudicial killings, and a well-placed agency for such task is the National Human Right Commission as the extra-judicial murder is a matter of fundamental human right to life,” he stated.

Lemo explained.

Also, the account of Feminist Coalition, a pro-#EndSARS women group, was also frozen.

As of yesterday, a total of N16,706, 635.9 had been donated into the account, according to a post on Flutterwaves’ official Twitter handle. This includes donation in foreign currencies.

The organisers of the protest have been using the donations to fund medical supplies, food, drinks, legal aids, and others to sustain the protest.

Two Mobile Policemen Die, Eight Others Injured in Accident James Sowole in Akure

protesters to sheath their sword so that peace would reign across the country.

Lawan said: “It’s really unfortunate that the policemen went out of their way to kill the innocent citizens of Nigeria, and I can assure the protesters that the killers will not only be arrested, but will be made to face the music.”

Senator Buhari had in a motion entitled: ‘ENDSARS Protest: The death of Jimoh Isiaka and the attack on the palace of Soun of Ogbomosoland, need to put our security operatives on their toes’, noted with grief the death of Jimoh Isiaka and several other promising

the state Ministry of Economic Planning headed by the Ministry Commissioner, Dr. Barry Gbe. The budget estimates will be presented to the state House of Assembly next week by the governor, the information, the commissioner added.

Flanked by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, the information commissioner said the exco also approved the concessioning of the state government-built Asaba International Airport for a period of 30 years.

The Asaba airport concession bid was won by Mendis, a recognised international airport management company, which also manages big airports like the Heathrow Airport of London, he revealed, adding that the actual signing of the necessary documents to seal the deal would take place later.

SIXTY HEARTY CHEERS…

L-R: 2nd Deputy President, Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines And Agriculture, Mr. Dele Oye; National Vice President , Mr. Jani Ibrahim; Chairman, NACCIMA Creativity, Hospitality and Tourism Trade Group, Mr. Segun Philips; National President, Hajiya Saratu Iya Aliyu; Director General , Mr. Ayoola Olukanni ; Chairman, NACCIMA @60 Committee, Mr. Nabil Saleh; and National Vice President , Mr. Adeniyi Ogunsanya, at the NACCIMA at 60 press briefing in Abuja…yesterday

ASUP Kicks against Reopening of Polytechnics Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Minister of State for Education, Dr. Chikwuemeka Nwajiuba, and executive members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) met yesterday in Abuja in a fresh bid to avert a planned nationwide strike.

Recall that ASUP had issued a 15-day ultimatum to the federal government to meet some demands dating back few years, some of which bothered

on non-implementation of the polytechnics NEEDS assessment; shoddy implementation of the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS); nonremittance of check-off dues; delays in paying the recently assented National Minimum Wage among other grievances.

ASUP delegation was led by its President, Anderson Ezeibe, who took out time to explain to the minister their long-standing grievances existing even before

the emergence of COVID-19.

He told Nwajiuba that polytechnics in the country were not ready to resume normal academic activities as most of the protocols outlined by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 were not in place.

The ASUP boss said beyond the sentiments of announcing that all institutions should resume, the polytechnics lacked support to enforce resumption protocols, to

which Nwajiuba appealed to public-spirited individuals in communities where these schools are located to come to their aid.

According to Ezeibe, ASUP members are deeply regretting why they heeded to the enrollment for the IPPIS, noting that the policy had been characterised with omission of bonafide staff names, non-remittance of check off dues, including closing the windows to effect corrections where necessary.

House Commences Debate on 2021 Budget Adedayo Akinwale and Udora Orizu in Abuja In spite of the fact that the implementation rate of the 2020 budget still remains unknown, the House of Representatives has commenced debate on the 2021 budget.

The Appropriation Bill, which passed second reading in the House yesterday, was presented

to the joint session of the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari last week.

The president had proposed the total sum of N13.08 trillion of which N485 billion is for Statutory Transfers; N3.3 trillion for debt service; N5.7 trillion for recurrent (non-Debt) expenditure, while the sum of N3.6 trillion is for the contribution to the development fund for capital expenditure for the year end on

December 31, 2021.

The Leader of the House,Alhassan Ado Doguwa, led the debate, as he acknowledged that there was problem implementing the 2020 budget due to coronavirus, as well as the decline in oil price and other factors that militated against the implementation of the budget.

He however pleaded with his colleagues to ensure the speedy passage of the budget.

In his contribution, Hon. Stanley Olajide said there was need to use technology to solve the leakages in the budget process.

According to him, “There are ways to create jobs for our youths, if we adopt the right technology.

It could be the way for the future.

We can’t continue to depend on oil and borrowing. If we adopt the right automation, all these leakages will be sorted out.”

Nigeria Should Learn from Rotary’s Electoral System, Says SAN A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Chris Uche has asked Nigerians to learn from the electoral system of Rotary International (RI).

He said the smooth succession plan, which RI has bequeathed to the world is unique.

He also urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of giving and sharing to bridge the gaps

between the rich and the poor.

Uche, who gave this advice in an address at the Investiture of the 9th President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Maitama, Rotarian Dinah Achele Akuh, said once a nation gets its electoral system right, its political system will be crisis free.

“Nigerians need to learn from the electoral system of Rotary

International which is rancour-free without election petitions or legal battles in court. “ This is the type of succession plan we need to enhance our political development and consolidate our democracy. “ Another thing I have learned from Rotary is about charity and the love for the less privileged.

Nigerians need to cultivate the

the virtues of giving and sharing to bridge the gaps between the rich and the poor.”

On his part, the District GovernorElect for Rotary International District 9125, Rotn. Ayo Oyedokun asked the privileged in the society to assist Rotary in its service to humanity.

He said Rotary International has succeeded in spearheading End-Polio Campaign.

11

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020 • T H I S D AY

2020

1988

THIS IS INTELS - PROUDLY NIGERIAN! The history of INTELS in Nigeria is a long story which began in 1982 INTELS has enjoyed 35 years of partnership with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and has actively and substantially contributed to the increase in Government revenue; INTELS has, by itself and in conjunction with its affiliates, built and developed over 7 km of equipped docks in different Nigerian port locations (Onne, Calabar, Warri and Lagos), more than 6 million square meters of industrial facilities and over 2.000 housing units; Through its substantial investments over the years, INTELS has played an indispensable role in facilitating and enhancing the operational activities of the major oil companies in the country, providing them with invaluable services and facilities based on efficiency and productivity; INTELS has always favoured, in the development of its business making extensive use of local suppliers and manpower, thus contributing to the country’s economic well-being as well as the local economy and the social fabric in which they operate; INTELS activities have created employment for over 10,000 personnel, including direct and indirect employees of third parties, utilising less than 100 expatriate staff members; INTELS periodically allocates resources to support widespread community projects by initiating the development of new entrepreneurial initiatives, promoting sports activities aimed at young people and implementing structural assistance, including non-routine maintenance where required; INTELS has made a significant contribution to the creation of the largest FREE ZONE in the world dedicated to oil & gas related activities.

INTELS was heavily affected by the COVID-19: pandemic at global level during this period, nonetheless: • It has never interrupted its activities, thereby guaranteeing the continuity of the service provided to all OIL & GAS Companies; • INTELS and its affiliates have made a major real estate investment in the Lagos area worth over USD 1 BLN; • It has funded and built two COVID-19 clinics in the Onne area.

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AUTHORITIES: INTELS regrets the constant attacks on it perpetrated through the media which do not reflect the truth and the purpose of which is not understood; INTELS is constrained to point out that such actions create significant economic and reputational damage, creating dismay and confusion among customers, with consequent inevitable damage to the NPA itself; INTELS has invested more than USD 1 BLN in the above-mentioned initiatives in Nigerian ports which no entity could have financed and which, once the remaining debt of USD 800M has been paid off, will be at the exclusive disposal of the NPA and the Nigerian Government; INTELS has made a significant contribution to capitalising the NPA by establishing an agreed mechanism for debt repayment through part of the proceeds from pilotage. It should be remembered that a substantial part of the proceeds of the pilotage activity, managed by Intels in its role as agent, then flow into the NPA coffers, to via the accounts indicated by the NPA, according to a mutually supportive mechanism tested and hitherto working smoothly; INTELS would be happy to enter into a constructive dialogue with the NPA in order to find suitable solutions to drastically reduce the indebtedness accrued up to now, also with the support of the banking system, but it would be necessary to re-establish a climate of serenity and dialogue, which has been interrupted.

In recent months INTELS has implemented a new governance structure that has enabled it to include among its partners institutional stakeholders capable of strengthening the company's entrepreneurial profile and eliminating any political influence.

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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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14

T H I S D AY Ëž Ë&#x153; ͯͲË&#x153; 2020

COMMENT

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

ADEBOYE, BUHARI ON RESTRUCTURING Sonnie Ekwowusi argues that it is in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest to restructure

L

ast weekend the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye joined the growing teeming population of eminent Nigerians calling for the restructuring of Nigeria from her present lopsided, inequitable and oppressive structure. Waxing philosophically in his usual calm and calculated mien, the respected pastor said that although he loved Nigeria and was passionate about the Nigerian dream, he preferred to open his mouth and speak truth to power otherwise he would be betraying God and man.

After a momentary pause, he said that Nigeria must restructure or perish. Those who know Pastor Adeboye very well will readily attest that he is neither a political doomsayer nor an evangelical rabble rouser who tries to meddle in politics in order to make money or gain public relevance as some pastors hypocritically do. Pastor Adeboye is an honourable man. This is why his call for restructuring should be heeded.

In their swift response, Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s image-makers told Pastor Adeboye and others calling for restructuring to stop wasting their time because President Buhari will never accede to such demand at this time. According to Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Malam Shehu Garba, â&#x20AC;?This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are both unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the COVID-19 Health crisisâ&#x20AC;?.

With due respect, this is rude. Why warn the people for exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression?

Why this arrogance among people who wield political power in Nigeria? When will these people learn that in our presidential democracy sovereignty resides with the people and that the elected leaders ought to govern in accordance with the wishes of the people? When will they understand that the Nigerian State is not a personal fiefdom of any political office holder but the commonwealth of all Nigerians? When will they learn that no condition is permanent, and that power is ephemeral?

When will President Buhari and his people understand that the strident calls for restructuring stem from the unanimous resolution of all the ethnic nationalities across the six geo-political groups in Nigeria beginning with Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Pan-Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) to Arewa Consultative Forum? In fact, if a referendum is conducted today on whether or not Nigeria should be restructured I wager that not less than 89% of Nigerians would vote in favour of restructuring. So, why dismiss the persistent calls for restructuring as â&#x20AC;&#x153;unpatrioticâ&#x20AC;?? What is unpatriotic about clamouring for justice, equity and fairness in a country? In fact, if there is anything that would strengthen the unity of Nigeria it is restructuring of Nigeria.

Why wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Pastor Adeboye climb on the bandwagon of the people clamouring for restructuring when on June 2, 2016, a 70-year-old citizen of Imo State called Mrs. Bridget

WHAT IS UNPATRIOTIC ABOUT CLAMOURING FOR JUSTICE, EQUITY AND FAIRNESS IN A COUNTRY?

Agbahime was murdered in Kano for alleged blasphemy of the Koran? And barely 10 days thereafter, Francis Emmanuel, a 41-year- old Christian, was almost stabbed to death in Kaduna for allegedly eating meat during the Ramadan. As if that was not enough, on the 9th of July 2016, Mrs. Eunice Olawale, a mother of seven and wife of a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) pastor was murdered in cold blood in Abuja by Muslim fanatics while she was preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Between 2016 and 2020 thousands of Southern Kaduna Christians have been killed in renewed genocidal attacks carried out against the Southern Kaduna Christians. In fact, over 11,500 Christians have reportedly been murdered in Nigeria since June 2015. So far, about four to five million Christians are said to have been displaced. And it seems there is no end to continuous murder of Christians in Southern Kaduna. For example, a couple of weeks ago, some killers attached the Zango Kataf Local government Area, killed two persons and set many houses ablaze. This occurred barely 24 hours after the Southern Kaduna Peace Summit in Kafanchan. You may now fully appreciate why the fearless and irrepressible President Trump could look at President Buhari in the face at the White House in April 2018 and ask him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Why are you killing Christians in Nigeria?â&#x20AC;? The Buhari administration has gone down in the anal of Nigerian history as one administration in which Nigerian Christians have suffered the most murder and persecution for simply exercising their constitutional right to freedom of religious worship. Where is Leah Sharibu today despite the claims of this government that it is not incommunicado with her captors?

Apart from the killing and persecution of Nigerian Christians prompting Pastor Adeboye and others to start advocating for restructuring, the problems of fiscal federalism: revenue sharing, resource control and sharing formula need to be resolved to the benefit of all the six geo-geographical groups across the country. The Nigerian people have rejected the over-concentration of power at the federal government to the detriment of the federating units. Why? Because skewed power in favour of the federal government has resulted in communal injustices in Nigeria. For example, of thecurrent 14 heads of security agencies in Nigeria, 11 are from the North, two from South-West, one Chief of Naval Staff from the South-South and none from the South-East. Popular participation and multilateralism are the engines of presidential democracy. Therefore, the Office of President and other key offices in the federation should rotate between the North and the South and amongst the six geo-political zones. It is a violation of true federalism for one political block or geo-political zone to be producing the president of the country at all times. Given theincessant murder and molestation of innocent Nigerian citizens by the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti-Cultism Squad and other police tactical squads, Nigeria is overdue for State Policing. Besides, Nigeria should embrace part-time unicameralism.

RETOOLING THE THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE The remediation of the Third Mainland bridge is coming out as promised, writes Emeka Nwankwo

A

s the renowned Kenyan historian, late Professor Ali Mazrui put it in his 1980 lecture, Africa is the first continent to be inhabited by man, yet it is the last to become truly habitable.

If Mazrui should come back today, he would find that Africa has inched forward, counting Botswana, his native Kenya and even Ghana.

But he wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be convinced enough to upturn his paradox, not yet. Nigeria which is the largest habitation of man on the continent has not definitely walked the road to development. In fact, in all indices of development, the nation has regressed from where it was in the mid-1960s. Nigeria has indeed become less habitable than it was in the decade of independence.

By comparison, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Brazil and others who were on the same pedestal with this nation have since soared and joined the developed world.

They have since replaced Europe and America as the sources of goods that signpost modern living. Nigeria remains the importer and consumer of modern living while contributing next to nothing. Indeed, Nigeria remains one of the least habitable in terms of the requirements for modern living â&#x20AC;&#x201C; infrastructure and social services.

When a nation is so starved of development, while watching peers grow in leaps and bounds; when a nation is done in, not by forces of occupation, but by its own citizens; the outcome is a restlessness bordering on the irrational, if not maniacal.

Such has been the case of Nigeria which over the past 60 years of independence has been led by homegrown rulers, civilian and military, all of whom practically put development unrelentingly on the reverse gear.

Under this scenario, the populace is in a catch-up frenzy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; turbo-driven. The announcement of the intention to build a fourth Mainland Bridge in Lagos, a new airport here and there, new super-highways and the like are what generate hope in the masses.

Understandably so.

But upon some reflection, one would realize that the desired new development cannot stand and be sufficient all by themselves. A new bridge would be overwhelmed if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only one available; ditto for a new airport or a new hospital. The desired new infrastructure or social service has to rest on what is already available to deliver the expected results. The new would eventually replace the old (and in turn get replaced), but this movement has to be phased to deliver maximum benefits.

Keeping existing infrastructure requires maintenance, and perhaps that may be where Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s developmental challenge weighs most heavily. It has been chanted over decades like a nursery rhyme that Nigeria has no maintenance culture. There are hardly any laurels for projects maintained and governments, even from the same party, hanker after new projects for which they can take credit. And without extant infrastructure supporting new ones, they can hardly deliver the goods.

But this sad truth is gradually changing in the course of the present administration. This government didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait for grand disaster before fixing the problems that cropped up on the runways of the international airports at Port-Harcourt and Enugu.

This new thinking seems to find its greatest expression in the area of road infrastructure.

Practically every week, after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meetings, the federal government announces appropriation for the maintenance of some roads, often across various geo-political areas of the country.

Today, there is hardly any major road artery in the nation that is not undergoing maintenance at one point or the other, including total makeovers in parts.

From the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dominant seaport at Apapa, to the number one airport, the Murtala Muhammad Airport, huge road works are on in the Lagos area. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway which has seen much more politics than remedial action, is currently undergoing a major makeover. The same is the story of

the Enugu-Port Harcourt and Enugu- Onitsha highways which have been in the news for the wrong reasons since the late 1990s.

Interestingly, the populace is increasingly coming to appreciate this new move. Take for instance the attention that the remedial work on Lagosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Third Mainland Bridge is generating. Over the past few years, the populace had observed the deterioration of the bridge, particularly at the joints holding sections of the bridge together. Again, unlike in the past, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) promised remedial action.

Studies of the problems of the bridge which then President Ibrahim Babangida had commissioned in 1990, were undertaken, the most extensive of which necessitated a three-day closure of the bridge in August 2018. Following this, a six-month remedial work schedule was slated by the works minister, starting from July 24 this year to January 24, 2021.

This 11.8km bridge which starts from Oworonsoki, terminates at Adeniji Adele interchange on Lagos Island, links the ApapaOshodi expressway and is without doubt, the busiest bridge in Africa. Shutting down such a major artery for repairs was going to be a major challenge.

But Fashola who had governed Lagos in the recent past, knows his terrain. Rather than go for a total blockade, he opted for a partial closure, taking one side of the road at a time.

The Oworonsoki-bound lane was marked for the first leg of three months, starting from July 24.

To minimize the stress of commuters during the course of repairs, Fashola, in conjunction with the Lagos State government arranged for traffic flow on sides of the road that would help traffic during the morning and evening rush hours. In addition, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) were mobilized to put special detachments on the construction area (600 men from the latter) to help minimize traffic chokes.

Furthermore, motorists were advised to use

alternate routes like the Carter Bridge through Iddo, kicking in through Adekunle to head down to Oworonsoki. Available too is the Ijora Olopa road that leads into Western Avenue.

Keeping to schedule, work started at midnight on July 24. Speaking at the commencement of work, Fashola stated that the partial closure of the bridge was necessitated by the drive for the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s common good.

That night, the Adeniji Adele â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Adekunle inward Lagos Island route was closed down.

The minister explained that resulting from investigations, seven expansion joints on the bridge which had gone bad would be excavated and replaced.

The second week of work saw the drilling and cutting of asphalt to expose the expanded metal beams. These steel beams were cleaned of tar and granite and robot was deployed for controlled demolition to blow apart the damaged expansion joints without damaging the bridgeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother slab. The robot went to work in the third week, using water at a very high pressure of 1,400 bars for the demolition work.

At the end of the second month, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukayode Popoola, declared that the work was progressing according to schedule and that the first phase of work would be delivered in October as promised. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been able to cut all the six expansion joints, we have removed the concrete, we have pulled out four, remaining two. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully, we are still looking at October, that we will complete the work on the Oworonsoki-bound lane,â&#x20AC;? Popoola said.

One thing is clear; the remediation of the Third Mainland bridge is coming out a promise kept. It is also a demonstration of this administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s understanding that metaphorically, there must be a bridge from the past to the future, if the future must function. So, the Lagos State government can go ahead to build its proposed Fourth Mainland bridge, in the firm assurance that the Third Mainland bridge is there to lend support for the common good.

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EDITORIAL

THE AUTOGAS ALTERNATIVE It is worth a try as it is economically and environmentally prudent

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igeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population is rising, and so is the demand for fuel. Today, petrol and diesel are the chief transport fuels used in the country, but they come with economic and environmental costs. It is therefore only practical that Nigeria seeks alternatives to them, and the federal government may have found that in Autogas and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). Mostly due to its reported cost-efficiency and friendliness to the environment, autogas is said to have become the most commonly used unblended alternative vehicle fuel in the world today.

According to a recent World Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association (WLPGA) report, there is a steady swell in global adoption and consumption of autogas, reaching a peak of 26.2 million tonnes in 2018, a little decrease from the 26.7 million tonnes consumption THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD figure recorded in 2016. Today howDO MORE TO CLEAR ever, the WLPGA DOUBTS AND CONVINCE reports that across NIGERIANS ON THIS the world, 27 million autogas ALTERNATIVE WHICH WE THINK COULD BE A GAME- vehicles are in use but mostly CHANGER concentrated in five countries â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Turkey, Russia, Korea, Poland and Ukraine. Out of these five, only Russia is reasonably in the same league with Nigeria in terms of huge natural gas deposits.

We recognise that autogas is a relatively new phenomenon in Nigeria and there will be misgivings on its usefulness and potential especially in terms of cost and safety. The government should in this regard do more to clear doubts and convince Nigerians on this alternative which we think could be a game-changer. Technically, research shows that the price for autogas or CNG â&#x20AC;&#x201C; mostly for heavy duty vehicles, is relatively cheaper than petrol and diesel. According to industry experts, it is also cleaner than petrol or diesel and reduces carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 90 per cent.

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Economically, vehicles which convert to use autogas or CNG are also said to be cost-efficient as estimated savings on these alternatives are about 30 per cent less than petrol and diesel. And because CNG produces less combustion residue, it equally lessens the wear and tear on engines, making it a maintenance-friendly fuel. While it still emits greenhouse gases which troubles our environment, its emission levels are reportedly 30 per cent lower than that of petrol, making cars or vehicles that run on it environmentally friendlier. Experts likewise suggest that CNG is safer than petrol on the basis of it being lighter than air and thus dissipate into the atmosphere rapidly if there are cases of leaks. On the other hand, we know that the cost of converting cars from petrol and diesel to CNG engines could in addition to the limited number of key infrastructure constitutes issues that could derail or even delay adoption as alternative fuel sources in Nigeria.

From market analysis, the WLPGA indicates that the costs incurred in setting up or expanding an autogas distribution network basically relate to the investments made in service-station storage and dispensing facilities, with the plants and equipment that already exist to handle the importation, production, storage and bulk distribution of LPG for traditional uses being the same as for autogas.

In this regard, it means that existing LPG servicestations can become distribution outfits for autogas in Nigeria. Additionally, vehicle-conversion costs according to the WLPGA now varies considerably from country to country, depending more on the sophistication and quality of the equipment installed and local labour costs.

The decision by the federal government to promote autogas for transportation is therefore economically and environmentally prudent.

Nigeria should not be caught napping in expanding her transport fuel options to include natural gas which she has in good amount especially with demands rising amid population growth. But it is important that the N250 billion facility the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has earmarked for this idea be judiciously employed in stimulating the needed investments on infrastructure.

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.

LETâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BUILD TRUST TO STRENGTHEN TRADE WITH BRITAIN

s Nigeria celebrates the 60th anniversary of independence from Britain, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never been a better time for us to strengthen the ties between our two nations â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this time as equal trading partners. British MP Helen Grant has recently been appointed Prime Minister Boris Johnsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trade Envoy to Nigeria.

Trade envoys are personally appointed

by British Prime Ministers to engage with countries where their government has identified â&#x20AC;&#x153;substantial trade and investment opportunitiesâ&#x20AC;?. As Mrs Grant â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whose father is Nigerian â&#x20AC;&#x201C; has said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are entering a new and exciting age for British trade around the world and the opportunities for increased trade and investment are enormousâ&#x20AC;?.

The new and exciting age she refers to is Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s departure from the European Union.

For generations Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continental trading relationships have been focused on continental Europe. Having formally left the European Union, from January 2021, Britain will have the opportunity to look again towards her commonwealth colleagues for strategic partnerships with the potential to deliver mutual prosperity.

We have to make sure they like what they see when they do.

Nigerian-British relationships are already strong, with British businesses having already invested ÂŁ5bn in Nigeria. The two countries

share ÂŁ4bn of trade a year. These ties have already endured the toughest of times â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not least the last few months! â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and Brexit opens the door for even better relations and the promise of a richer, more productive and more developed Nigeria.

Sadly the World Bank ranks us 131st out of 190 countries for doing business with. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re only slightly ahead of our neighbours in Mali and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just had a coup!

Then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corruption. The British governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s official advice on doing business in Nigeria states â&#x20AC;&#x153;unfortunately fraud is prevalent in Nigeria, and UK businesses should carry out due diligence before embarking on any dealsâ&#x20AC;?.

The most recent Global Corruption Index reported that 43% of those surveyed thought corruption in Nigeria has increased in the past 12 months. A shocking 44% of public service users reported paying a bribe that year.

Perhaps the symbolic underscoring of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s corruption dealings commences with first point of entry at our airports. With begging gestures and faces railroading you into parting with subtle and brazen bribe demands, and unnecessary conundrums laid on your path of entry, combined with gun-toting police stops, the welcoming impression on visitors leave a lot to be desired. The governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ease of doing business strategy has up till now served little purpose for a paradigm shift.

How can investors feel comfortable to bring

in funding when our points of entry into the nation lack a welcoming feel-good flair?

A lot is required to achieve FDI and national branding starts from exemplary conduct, not cosmetic happenstance rhetoric.

With a shared language and history and complementary legal and business practices post-Brexit trade with Nigeria should be as obvious to Britain as an Eagle in a Firefinch nest, and there are huge opportunities to British businesses in improving our transport and energy infrastructure, urban development, creative industries, financial services, agriculture and technology.

The news is not all bad. Just this week Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top trade official in Africa told CNBC â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerian is a very exciting proposition for the UK, really helped by some of the progress we seeing being driven by the government of Nigeria, particularly in the ease of doing businessâ&#x20AC;? Next month the governor of Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will become the first Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elected leader to address the Institute of Directors, the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious business leader group, since inception in 1903.

But until we take steps to improve our international reputation for corruption too many nations will continue to think twice when it comes to trading with Nigeria.

The way I see it, you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go on your first date with someone without smartening yourself up. And the same is true if Nigeria

wants to fully realise vast potential in a globalised world. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why making the Nigerian political system look its best is the concept behind my digital democracy project.

Before our nations believe in our leaders, we have to believe in them ourselves.

We have created a free smartphone app called Rate Your Leader which gives our political leaders a vital platform to showcase their openness, responsiveness and transparency.

The app allows direct person-to-person contact with the people they serve, maximising their openness and accessibility, as well as allowing them to respond instantaneously to local issues as they emerge.

Not only does the app made leader more visible in their communities â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at a time when Covid-19 related social distancing makes this even more difficult than usual - it also allows politicians to explain the decisions they have made directly to the people they serve, free from spin or social media distortion. Voters can then rate the answers they receive, showing their peers and neighbours which politicians are the most transparent and accountable.

We all know we have a mountain the size of Chappel Waddi to climb when it comes to defeating corruption in Nigeria.

Joel Popoola is a tech entrepreneur, digital democracy campaigner and creator of the Rate Your Leader app.

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

The Stone the Kingmakers Ignored Ascends Zazzau Throne John Shiklam writes that the emergence of Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as the 19th Emir of Zazzau may have been used by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State to redress past injustice in the Emirate

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n Wednesday October 7, 2020, the Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, announced the appointment of Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, as the 19th Emir of Zazzau (Zaria).

Bamali was appointed to the throne following the demise of Alhaji Shehu Idris, the 18th emir, who reigned for 45 years; from 1975 to 2020.

Idris died at the Nigerian Army Referral Hospital, Kaduna, on September 20, 2020, following an undisclosed illness. He was 84 years.

The race for the exalted and influential Emir of Zazzau was keenly contested by princes from the four ruling houses.

The Zazzau Emirate is the largest in Kaduna state, comprising 11 Local Government Areas and has a first-class status.

In the Northern Nigeria, emirs are highly respected. They are seen as custodians of both Islamic religion and tradition.

Few days after the third day prayers for the repose of the soul of the late emir on Wednesday September 23, 2020, a process for the selection of a successor started in earnest.

Thirteen princes were said to have indicated interest in the throne. However, only three were shortlisted by the five kingmakers. The list was submitted to the Governor Nasir El-Rufai to choose from the three. The governor has the final say in the selection process.

There are four ruling houses in the Emirate. They include, the Mallawa dynasty, the Sullubawa dynasty, the Bare-Beri dynasty and the Katsinawa dynasty.

Two of the ruling houses- the BareBeri dynasty and the Katsinawa dynasty are said to have dominated the throne while the other two - the Sullubawa dynasty and the Malawa dynasties have not occupied the throne for many years.

Those on the shortlist by the kingmakers included Alhaji Bashar Aminu (Iyan Zazzau) from the Katsinawa ruling house, Alhaji Munnir Jafaru (Yariman Zazzau), from Bare-bari ruling house and Alhaji Aminu Shehu Idris (Turakin Zazzau), also from the Katsinawa ruling house.

Ironically Bamali, from Malawa dynasty, who is believed to be an ally of El-Rufai did not make the list.

However, the governor who said he was studying three books on the Zazzau Emirate, written by the colonialists, rejected the list and ordered for a fresh process.

His action gave impetus to speculations that he was craving to appoint Bamali, his “preferred candidate”. The cancellation of the process attracted mixed reactions, especially on the social media, with some people saying the governor rejected the list because Bamalli’s name was not included.

The state government however explained in a statement that the cancellation of the initial process was as a result of the exclusion of “two interested applicants” who also aspired to the throne.

In a statement, the state government said, “The Bunu Zazzau complained that he was unable to submit his application because he was told that the window for receipt of applications had closed.

“The Sarkin Dajin Zazzau also protested his exclusion from the process.

It was also noted that the kingmakers assessed two candidates on 24th September 2020 without sighting their CVs which the selectors received a day later.”

The state government also frowned at

Bamali, Emir of Zazzau

what it described as “highly irregular the leakage of the report of the selection meeting of 24th September 2020 before its receipt by the state governor.”

The second round of the selection process was said to have involved the assessment of all the 13 candidates that indicated interest from all the ruling houses, including the two that were previously excluded.

Bamalli belongs to the Mallawa dynasty, which has not ascended the the throne in the past 100 years.

The Mallawa dynasty, was said to have produced only three emirs since the emirate was founded.

The last emir from the dynasty was Bamalli’s grandfather, Aliyu Dan-sidi, the 13th Emir of Zazzau who reigned between 1903 and 1920.

Similarly, the Sullubawa dynasty is

said to have ended its reign in 1857 after only three years on the throne.

Since then it has also not ascended the throne in the past 163 years.

The longest ruling dynasties are said to be the Katsinawa and the Barebari.

The Barebari is said to have produced nine emirs for a total of 83 years on the throne while the Katsinawa dynasty is said to have ruled for a total of 82 years through four emirs.

El-Rufai was said to have considered all these statistics before appointing Bamalli, as the 19th Emir and the 4th person to ascend the throne from the Mallawa ruling dynasty.

These realities must have helped in dousing off the tension that was mounting among supporters of the contenders to the throne who took to the social media to campaign for their

The governor may have noticed that the Barebari and the Katsinawa dynasties had dominated the throne over time and felt the need to ensure a sense of belonging to all the ruling houses. These imbalances may have informed his decision to amend the state’s chieftaincy law aimed at reforming the system. Speaking while presenting the 2021 budget proposal to the state House of Assembly he said, “government will propose a Chieftaincy and Traditional Councils Bill to entrench the reforms of the chieftaincy system, specify composition and classification of emirate and traditional councils, and update the provisions of colonial laws on the subject.”

The new emir was born in Zaria in 1966. He studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1989 after which he obtained a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the same institution in 2002

preferred candidates.

The governor may have noticed that the Barebari and the Katsinawa dynasties had dominated the throne over time and felt the need to ensure a sense of belonging to all the ruling houses.

This imbalances may have informed his decision to amend the state’s chieftaincy law aimed at reforming the system.

Speaking while presenting the 2021 budget proposal to the state House of Assembly he said, “government will propose a Chieftaincy and Traditional Councils Bill to entrench the reforms of the chieftaincy system, specify composition and classification of emirate and traditional councils, and update the provisions of colonial laws on the subject.”

The new emir was born in Zaria in 1966. He studied Law at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in 1989 after which he obtained a Master ’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the same institution in 2002.

He also bagged a Post Graduate Diploma in Management, from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 1998 and did a fellowship on Conflict Resolution at the University of York (UK) in 2009.

He holds another Diploma in Organisational Leadership from Oxford University, UK, 2015 and is a Senior Chevening Fellow with about 26 years cognate experience covering banking, public sector, telecommunications, and manufacturing.

The Emir is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where he obtained GMP in 2011.

Until his appointment, Bamalli held the title of Magajin Garin Zazzau; the second most senior princely title in the Zazzau Emirate.

He is also the immediate past Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

Speaking when the management of Alheri Radio, Zaria, led by Dr. Hakeem Baba -Ahmed paid him a visit in the palace, Bamali promised to build on the achievements of his predecessor.

He said as somebody who worked closely with the late emir, he is conversant with the problems of the emirate.

He promised to carry all the ruling houses along and ensure unity and progress in the emirate.

“I will continue from where the late emir stopped. It is challenging, but I pray that God will give me wisdom.

“The late Emir was a father to me, I am ascending the throne at a young age, there is wide gap between me and the late emir.

“I call for unity among our people.

If there is unity, there will be progress.

There cannot be development when there is no unity.

“For me, every prince has the right to seek the throne, but after one person has emerged, we should unite to work together because God has given everybody his appointed time.

“I will reach out to all the princes and the ruling houses so that we will work together. That is what we learnt from our forefathers. By the grace of God, we will not deviate from the foundation they laid for us.

“The late emir was a peaceful man, I worked with him for 20 years as Magajin Gari and I know him in and out. In addition to that I spent 20 years representing my father. The late emir carried everybody along. That is why he succeeded.

“There is nothing that is new to me.

We are all together as a family. My desire is to bring people together and unite them,” he said.

19

T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020

POLITICS

Gombe Governor Heads APC’s Charge for Bayelsa Senatorial By-elections Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that the All Progressives Congress is going all out to win the Bayelsa West and Bayelsa Central Senatorial elections, for which it has assigned an 11-person formidable team with Governor Inuwa Yahaya as Chairman

Mala-Buni

Inuwa Yahaya

Seriake Dickson ast week, a very important activity was carried out by the All Progressives Congress (APC). Because it was not one of those suposedly important elections, it passed without much cacophony. Winning the Bayelsa West and Bayelsa Central senatorial district by-election is a major task for the APC whose victory in the Bayelsa governorship was snatched from it on the eve of the swearing-in. A victory for APC will stand in good stead for the next governorship contest in the state and also reassure its teeming supporters that it has what it takes to maintain a winning streak.

Although, the the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has chosen seemingly popular candidates in the immediate past Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson and for the former Bayelsa State Chairman of the party, Mr. Moses Cleopas to underscore their willingness to put their best foot forward and gove the APC a run for its money, it can be said that the two parties are equally matched and either of them could carry the day.

For Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State who has been given the very challenging assignment as Chairman of the Reconciliation and Election committee for the Bayelsa West and Central Senatorial Districts, the attempt of the APC to take back a slice of Bayelsa State and the South-south region, by extension rests on him. This is the first time, Yahaya is being called upon to perform such a crucial task for the ruling party.

Inauguration of the Yahaya committee was carried out by the Chairman of the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Committee and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja recently.

Represented by the National Secretary of the Caretaker committee, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, the Chairman charged the committee members to bring to bear their wealth of experience and influence to provide genuine reconciliation to give every member a sense of belonging as well as mobilize, strategise and deliver Bayelsa Central and West senatorial districts to APC in order to have more supportive hands in

Douye Diri

L

the National Assembly for the President.

In his response, Governor Inuwa Yahaya assured the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress that his committee will do everything necessary to deliver on its mandate.

He noted that the problems APC went through resulted into various electoral losses, including in Zamfara, Bayelsa and most recently Edo states.

The Governor described the losses the party incured over time as unfortunate

development, expressing the belief that the APC has learnt its lessons, a lesson that encourages staying together and creating platforms for reconciliation and ‘give and take’ spirit.

He said APC as a party shares common interest which has propelled the successes the party has recorded so far since coming into power in 2015, adding that “Politics is about managing relationships with a group of people that have common interest.”

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said while the

A victory for APC will stand in good stead for the next governorship contest in the state and also reassure its teeming supporters that it has what it takes to maintain a winning streak. Although, the the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has chosen seemingly popular candidates in the immediate past Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson and for the former Bayelsa State Chairman of the party, Mr. Moses Cleopas to underscore their willingness to put their best foot forward and gove the APC a run for its money, it can be said that the two parties are equally matched and either of them could carry the day. For Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State who has been given the very challenging assignment as Chairman of the Reconciliation and Election committee for the Bayelsa West and Central Senatorial Districts, the attempt of the APC to take back a slice of Bayelsa State and the South-south region, by extension rests on him. This is the first time, Yahaya is being called upon to perform such a crucial task for the ruling party

party is striving to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, more still needs to be done to consolidate on the gains both at the national and sub national levels.

“I will like to urge members of the National Working Committee and the State Executives of the party to come up with burning issues affecting the party so that we can go ahead and address them.”

He observed that several states have reconciled their grieving members which has seen top notches of the party who earlier left the APC now returning to its fold.

Other members of the Inuwa Yahayaled Reconciliation/Election Committee for the October 31 concurrent legislative by-elections for Bayelsa Central and West Senatorial Districts are Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who will serve as Vice Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Sahabi, Senator Ali Ndume, Senator Uba Sani and Ambassador Fatima Goni. The committee also has in its fold Senator Chris Adegije, Alh. Yusuf O. Ocholi, Chief Enyi o. Enyi, Pearl Ekebong Inwang, while Bar. Ekemini Cletus Udoh will serve as Secretary.

The Gombe State Governor thanked the National Working Committee of the APC for finding them worthy to serve in the committee, assuring the party that they will not disappoint.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to Governor Yahaya, Mallam Ismaila Uba Misilli reassured in his,boss’s commitment to deliver well on the assignment. According to him the Gombe Governor was equal to the task.

“Not minding the enormity of the task ahead, each of the committee member is well aware of the problems the APC is going through which resulted in the formation of the interim committee that is managing the affairs of the party, so we shall leave no stone unturned until the assignment is successfully delivered”.

At a meeting with journalists after the inauguration, the Gombe Governor underscored the importance of building a strong and united party, commending the Buni-led caretaker/ extraordinary national convention committee for its tireless efforts in that regard.

T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 14, 2020

20

FEATURES

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

An Unwavering Fundamental Responsibility to the Needy Kasim Sumaina writes that the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq is bent on living up to her fundamental responsibility to the needy

T

ypical of a country where vagaries of the economy rob the vulnerable groups of any capacity to fend for themselves, the onerous task of providing succour for the needy thus becomes a daunting task.

Charged with taking care of the vulnerable in the society, the Ministry for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, headed by Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, is one step at a time addressing the fundamental responsibility of her public office despite constant vilification from naysayers.

Sadiya is a believer in herself and despite the never sufficient funds juxtaposed with the monstrous needs, Farouq is unwavering in her commitment to deliver on President Muhammadu Buhari's desire to address the challenges posed by vagaries in the economy, especially owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is a role very much misunderstood and has earned the minister much flack from the public and especially members of the National Assembly. However, she has shrugged off the misgivings and is on the high road confronting her task diligently.

Recently in the North-east states of Gombe Adamawa and Yobe, Farouq made an impressive delivery of palliatives. It was a bold effort to cushion the impact of the lockdown, and the subsequent downturn in the economy.

To Gombe State, the food items delivered to the state government were Maize 840. 04 Metric tonnes (28 trailer loads), Millet 105.

86 Metric tonnes (four trailer loads) and Sorghum 877. 94 Metric tonnes (29 trailer loads). A projected 36, 477 households are targeted.

To Adamawa State, the food items delivered were: Maize 1,366.52 Metric tonnes (46 trailer loads), Millet 172.19 Metric tonnes (six trailer loads) and Sorghum 1,428.17 Metric tonnes (48 trailer loads).

In Yobe State, the food items brought to the state were Maize 957.24 Metric tonnes (32 trailer loads), Millet 120.62 Metric tonnes (four trailer loads) and Sorghum 1,000.43 Metric tonnes (33 trailer loads).

More important than the topical palliatives is the fact that Farouq dissected for each state the environmental challenges before them, offering options for mitigation. For Gombe, she noted that this year, the highly probable flood risk areas in Gombe State are Balanga and Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas; while the probable flood risk areas are Gombe, Nafada, Kwami, Dukku, Billiri and Funakaye Local Government Areas.

In view of these, the minister urged the state government to take proactive and necessary mitigative measures in addressing these issues, namely; directing the State Emergency Management Agency, frontline local government authorities and other response agencies to put in place preparedness actions; carrying out public enlightenment campaigns, targeting vulnerable communities to undertake mitigation actions and prepare for evacuation to safe ground; Identifying high grounds for possible Internally Displaced Persons camps, to shelter evacuated communities; desilting river channels and canals; removing all refuse and weeds from water channels, drainages, and all avenues for river run offs so as to allow free flow of flood waters; organising state humanitarian coordination forum meeting to prepare all stakeholders for mitigation and response and prepositioning relief materials for prompt response after the flood.

In Yobe State she noted that this year, the highly probable flood risk areas are in Geidam Local Government Area; while the probable flood risk areas are Bade, Busari, Karasuwa and Yunusari Local Government Areas.

To this end, the minister urged the state government to take proactive and neces-

Minister of Humanitarian AďŹ&#x20AC;airs and Disaster Management, Hajia Sadiya Farouk presenting palliative to Gombe State Governor, Senator Baba Tela for onward distribution to the end users

Deputy Governor, Gombe State, Muhammed Inuwa Yahaya with the minister sary mitigative measures in addressing these issues, namely - directing the State Emergency Management Agency, frontline local government authorities and other response agencies to put in place preparedness actions; carrying out public enlightenment campaigns, targeting vulnerable communities to undertake mitigation actions and prepare for evacuation to safe ground; Identifying high grounds for possible Internally Displaced Persons camps, to shelter evacuated communities; desilting river channels and canals; Removing all refuse and weeds from water channels, drainages, and all avenues for river run offs so as to allow free flow of flood waters; Organising State Humanitarian Coordination Forum meeting to prepare all stakeholders for mitigation and response. Prepositioning relief materials for prompt response after the flood.

In Adamawa State, she drew the attention

of the state government to the fact that this year, the highly probable flood risk areas are Yola North, Yola South and Lamurde Local Government Areas; while the probable flood risk areas are Numan, Guyuk and Demsa Local Government Areas.

She thus requested the state government to also take proactive and necessary mitigative measures in addressing these issues like the aforementioned.

For stakeholders, the minister should be applauded for a task well carried out and the timely intervention for the current situation with staple foods like rice, maize, and sorghum, clearly out of the common manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reach owing to inflation.

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development was created on August 21, 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari as a special intervention ministry for humanitarian affairs, management

of disasters and social interventions.

It was given the mandate to develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of national and international humanitarian interventions while ensuring strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response, as well as managing the formulation and implementation of equity focused social inclusion and protection programmes in Nigeria.

Government harvested many agencies and social intervention programmes to form the ministry and they include the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

With time, Farouq has nudged herself perfectly into the role and is delivering remarkably on her mandate.

21

T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 14, 2020

FEATURES

Succor for the Less Privileged Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the Odita Sunday Charity Foundation has sustained the tempo of its corporate social responsibility in the past couple of years by giving succor to the less privileged

The elated beneďŹ ciaries of the annual Back-to-School Project

Director General of Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency, Hon. Mrs. Joan Mrakpor, with one of the beneďŹ ciaries

L-R: Comrade Christopher Oji; Convener, Odita Sunday Charity Foundation, Odita SundayUdemaguna and Publisher, Crime World Magazine, Prince Albert Akpor with one of the widows that received N25,000 seed money

Some of the beneďŹ ciaries

F

or five editions, the Odita Sunday Charity Foundation has championed its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Back to Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project, for the less privileged in Anioma Local Government Area and even beyond. Borne out of the need to touch lives, the convener, Mr. Odita Sunday-Udemaguna, has structured his giving to reach those that truly needs it.

Although he has been a welfarist for years, in recent times, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Back to Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project, has been targeted at sending hundreds of less privileged and orphaned kids back to school with all necessary materials ranging from bags to books and other educational materials.

Past Endeavour In the first year of its launch, the non-governmental organisation (NGO), operating from Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State, decided to reduce the financial burden on parents during the resumption period by backing 120 less privileged children and orphans in the community.

Following the buzz it generated, Sunday-Udemaguna decided to expand his philanthropic gesture to seven other communities in 2018 and they feted 111 less privileged and orphaned kids.

Last year, he made an even bigger commitment by including welfare for widows. On August 31, another edition of the Back to School Programme took place once again at Onicha Ugbo and beyond and no fewer than 100 students and pupils from Onicha Ugbo, IsseleUku, Ubulu-Uku, Obior, Asaba, Igbodo communities shared in the school

materials made available courtesy of the foundation.

The 2020 Project This year was not different. Despite the misgivings of the harsh economy occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Odita Sunday Charity Foundation (TOSCF) did not dash the hopes of teeming school children. He kept faith with them and hosted the fifth edition of the Back to School Project.

Sunday-Udemaguna was supported

by Comrade Christopher Oji of the Sun Newspaper and Publisher Crime World Magazine, Prince Albert Akpor to put smiles on the faces of the crowd. While the school children were equipped with school books, bags, dictionaries and even bibles, the widows were not left out as they got a seed cash of N25,000 each to help boost their respective small scale businesses.

According to the convener, the project was devoid of any political colouration, adding that his quest was borne out of his passion for charity and the stark reality he passed through whilee growing up even though he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t an orphan.

Charging well meaning Deltans to freely give to the needy since it is more blessed to give than to receive, he noted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many of us had gathered to witness the four previous editions here in Onicha-Ugbo in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. We are therefore, deeply appreciative and appreciative to the Almighty God for making it possible for us to keep faith with this laudable project which is aimed at helping the less privileged ones in our communities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like I said in my previous speeches

in the past years, I am personally not driven by any political intentions or monetary gains but rather by the passion to be my brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; keepers through this onerous task of trying to give a helping hand to our less privileged ones. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let me put it on record that the bible we are sharing was donated by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, a Yoruba man and a Senior Pastor with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Lagos State, ACP Olasoji Olasunkanmi Akinbayo. Please assist me to pray for him for Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s protection and rapid promotions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As we mark this fifth edition of the back to school project, may I once use the opportunity to appeal to our people to wake up from their comfort zones amd join this task of helping others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like the TOSCF slogan aptly says: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give to get, give to inspireâ&#x20AC;?. I am therefore, appealing to every one of us to make a paradigm shift by adopting a selfless approach in our giving attitude. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Let the culture of giving cheerfully to the less privileged ones with no string attached be our hallmark. We must not wait till we have excess before we give, the little we give today may be the miracle somebody is expecting to launch him or her to greatness. Therefore, we should learn to give even from the little God has blessed us with.â&#x20AC;?

Also speaking, the Director General of Asaba Capital Territory Development Agency, Hon. Mrs. Joan Mrakpor, while being presented with a Holy Bible as part of the school items donated to hundreds of orphans and the less privileged pupils by the foundation in his Anioma Back to School Project

at Onicha-Ugbo community in Delta State, commended the convener for the laudable gesture.

She said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lord says that what He appreciates most is to take care of the orphans and the widows. So for doing this or for starting this, by giving to the orphans and widows even in the face of not too comfortable, one thing you must know is that your pocket will never run dry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is for taking. I am into all these things; and what is it that your pocket will never run dry because God has so many persons He wants to send to you, so in wanting to send them to you, He first makes provision before He sends them to you. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He sets the tap to continually flow so you can fetch from it to give those that are thirsty. That is what you are doing; and the Lord will continually reward and keep you. This is a very wonderful gift not just that it is coming from my father in Lord, Pastor DK Olukoya, but because here, we have the truth about the word of God. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because you honour Him annually, the Lord will honour you beyond measures in the name of Jesus Christ. Please strive to be continually different in what you do, there is a lot of temptation on your job especially, when people come to you, 2023 is around the corner, when people come to destroy others, be very careful.â&#x20AC;?

Although the occasion might have come and gone, this laudable philanthropic gesture has not just buoyed the hopes of the orphans and widows, it has also lit up a light in them that can never be quenched.

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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢T H I S D AY

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Quick Takes Leadway Unveils 50th Anniversary Logo

MEDIA BRIEFING

L-R: Chairperson, Marketing Committee, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)Trade Promotion Board, Mrs. Bunmi Obadina; Director General, Dr. Muda Yusuf; Vice President, Mr. Gabriel Idahosa; and Head of Corporate Communications, Dr. Segun Alabi, during a press conference to announce the 2020EditionoftheLagosInternationalTradeFair,heldinLagos...recently

Covid-19: Aig-Imoukhuede Calls for Debt Relief for Nigeria, Others Obinna Chima The Founder/Chairman, Africa Initiative for Governance (AIG) and Co-founder, Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede has appealed for more funding from international financial institutions as well as debt relief for Nigeria and other countries in Africa.

In addition, he stressed the need for the international private sector and Africans in the diaspora to extend support to countries in the continent.

The former Access Bank chief executive officer made this call when he spoke at a forum on the sidelines of the ongoing 2020 International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group (WBG) virtual annual meetings in Washington DC, titled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mobilising with Africa II.â&#x20AC;?

The forum brought together

ECONOMY African policymakers, international institutions and bilateral development partners. It was co-hosted by IMF Managing Director, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President, Mr. David Malpass and featured opening statements by U.N. Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres and AU Commission Chair, H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat.

According to AigImoukhuede, evidence points to the fact that health pandemics do more damage over the medium and long-term in Africa than in other regions of the world.

For instance, he noted that from HIV/AIDs to malaria and Ebola, other regions of the world may have put each pandemic to bed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but 10 to 20 years thereafter, Africa still

carries an unacceptable disease burden.â&#x20AC;?

He explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some think that global health pandemics do as much damage to African economies as do global financial crises.

I pray that Covid-19 becomes a distant memory for the world but I also pray that for Africa it does not remain a lingering burden. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The medical, economic and social challenges that are described in the background note to this event are not new to Africa, they existed pre COVID-19.â&#x20AC;?

The founder of the AIG pointed out that the pandemic has simply exacerbated and brought more attention to the existing problems in the continent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, the estimated number of people to die from HIV exacerbated by the CO-

VID-19 challenges runs into hundreds of thousands.

Africa did well in fast-tracking emergency responses to the medical challenges, which has bought us time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This time will be wasted, if we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t roll out sustainable measures to fill the financing gap and our long-term needs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sub-Saharan Africa governments simply do not have the firepower required to throw a blanket over the virus that other regions have,â&#x20AC;? he said.

According to him, while the world is spending over $2,000 per capita to combat COVID-19, Nigeria for instance is spending $35 per capita (as at July 2020).

However, the private sector accounts for five per cent of total funding mobilised in the West African country, versus less than one per cent in other Continued on page 24

Wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Bank Predicts 0.3% GDP Growth for Nigeria in 2021 Dike Onwuamaeze The World Bank has projected a subdued growth of 0.3 per cent for Nigeria in 2021.

It also anticipated that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will contract by 4.1 per cent in 2020.

The World Bank stated this in its latest â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Africa Pulseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; obtained on Monday. It stated that Nigeria would be a drag on the rebound of the West and Central Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economies from the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic disease.

It said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In West and Central Africa, slower growth among oil exporters, notably Nigeria, will partially offset a rebound in the rest of the sub-region.

Excluding Nigeria, growth in West and Central Africa is projected to rise to three per cent in 2021, reflecting a more robust rebound among metals exporters and non-resource-

ECONOMY intensive countries, including CĂ´te dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire and Niger, as policy uncertainty declines. In the two sub-regions, growth is expected to remain weak among fragile countries.â&#x20AC;?

The Bank further stated that Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic outlook in the near term would be subjected, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to considerable uncertainty as the economy continues to grapple with the effects of the pandemic.

Activity data suggest that the rebound in activity that started in 2020Q3 may have stalled.

Investment remains weak amid high uncertainty.â&#x20AC;?

The Africa Pulse also stated that Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three largest economies, namely Nigeria, South Africa and Angola, would experience weaker growth and slow economic recovery in the Sub Saharan African region

It added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Growth in West and Central Africa will rise from -2.8 percent in 2020 to just 0.5 percent in 2021, compared with 1.4 per cent in the baseline scenario, as the rebound among metals exporters and non-resource intensive countries is offset by a contraction in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In East and Sothern Africa, growth will rise from -3.9 per cent in 2020 to 1.9 per cent in 2021, compared with 2.7 per cent in the baseline scenario, reflecting a weaker recovery in Angola and South Africa.â&#x20AC;?

The World Bank warned the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s government and other governments in the region to be wary of inflaming social discontent and political instability with economic policies they would introduce. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Social tensions could erupt due to dissatisfaction with the policy response to the pandemic and the economic fallout, includ-

ing massive unemployment, higher incidence of poverty, and shortages of essential goods. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The resulting political instability could complicate adjustment following the COVID-19 pandemic. Intensified geopolitical tensions and security risks could cause socioeconomic and political disruption, disorderly migration, and lower confidence,â&#x20AC;? it said, adding that â&#x20AC;&#x153;if the pandemic continues unabated into 2021, deepening the recession in some economies, food insecurity could lead to a worsening in socioeconomic conditions in countries in the region, which could potentially lead to protests and political instability.â&#x20AC;?

The Bank said Nigeria is among the countries that have shown transparency in the management of the resources deployed for the Continued on page 24

Leadway Assurance Company Limited has unveiled a new logo to commemorate its 50 years of providing insurance service to Nigerians. The ceremony held in Lagos recently was to ďŹ&#x201A;ag-oďŹ&#x20AC; series of commemorative events to acknowledge stakeholders who had contributed to the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success.

TheeventwhichtookplaceinLagosrecently,wasledbytheManaging Director, Mr. Tunde Hassan-Odukale; Executive Director, General Insurance, Ms. Adetola Adegbayi; erstwhile Managing Director, Mr. Oye Hassan-Odukale and other company executives.

In his message to stakeholders titled: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;50 and Fluid, a Time for Gratitude,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hassan-Odukale thanked stakeholders in the Nigerian insurance environment including clients, brokers, partners, staďŹ&#x20AC;, well-wishers and the regulator for their contribution towards Leadwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s success story. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The occasion of our 50th anniversary is a time for reďŹ&#x201A;ection and gratitude. ReďŹ&#x201A;ection on the strides, successes, and challenges past; gratitude for the journey so far and the opportunities of the future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ours started with the dream of a man who wanted to serve. He knew that to give life to this vision, he would need to work with other people of like minds. â&#x20AC;ŚEver the community man and humanist, our founder, my father, Sir Hassan Olusola Odukale, believed and ďŹ rmly practiced the saying â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;if you want to go fast, go it alone; but, if you want to go far, go with others.â&#x20AC;?

Mikano Partners Geely Automotive

Mikano International Limited has signed a partnership deal with Geely Automobile International Corporation as their strategic and exclusive partner of geely automotive in Nigeria.

Mikano, in a statement, said the partnership has validated local assembly structure, assuring clients on the vast availability of spare parts.

The statement further explained that Mikano has allocated to Geely, twomodernwarehouseswithanapproximateareaof7,500sqmeach located in Karameh Industrial city facility along Ibadan expressway, Isheri-lfo Local Government. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For more than 27 years, Mikano has been providing premium quality products to the Nigeria market, by building global strategic alliances with the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest manufacturers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;ItsPartnershipwithGeely,isyetanimportantsteptowardsextending this role of delivering premium quality products and services to the automotive sector,â&#x20AC;? it added.

It disclosed that Geely is currently the owner ofVolvo Car Group, and the biggest shareholder of Daimler AG (group to which Mercedes Benz belongs), which allowed it to acquire the highest global and future technologies in the automotive industry. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Its sales exceeded 2.1 million cars, placing it among the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top car manufacturers.â&#x20AC;?

Mobihealth Boss Wins Award

TheChiefExecutiveOďŹ&#x192;cerofMobihealthInternational,atelemedicine and digital healthcare platform, Funmi Adewara, has been named the winner of the 2020 edition of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the 75th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York recently.

The recognition, according to Mobihealth International, was an acknowledgmentofheroutstandingworkattheďŹ rm.Thecompetition endowedbytheWorldBankGroupanditspartners,theUnitedNations Development Program (UNDP), UNWomen and theWharton School Zicklin Centre, showcases women entrepreneurs who support the global SDGs through their business operations, according to the Director, Partnerships and Practice Groups (External and Corporate Relations) of the World Bank, Jill Wilkins.

Wilkins was quoted in a statement to have said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The competition providesanopportunitytoshowcasewomen-ledbusinessesthatare not only supporting goals in health, food security, education, climate change,genderequalityandindustry,butalsodemonstratingresilience as they respond to the challenges of COVID-19.â&#x20AC;?

Receiving the award, Adewara expressed her joy at the recognition and thanked the organisers of the competition for ďŹ nding her worthy of the coveted prize.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Given that financial institutions are at the epicenter of financial development that is required for growth to be inclusiveâ&#x20AC;?

MD, FirstBank,

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan

24

T H I S D AY Ëž ͯͲË&#x153; 2020

BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

COVID-19: AIGIMOUKHUEDE CALLS FOR DEBT RELIEF FOR NIGERIA, OTHERS areas of the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So, our private sector is not doing badly but we need to do more,â&#x20AC;? Aig-Imoukhuede emphasised.

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need more funding from the international financial institutions starting with debt relief, we also need the international private sector and Africans in the diaspora to come to the table. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need Innovative financial platforms such as the Nigeria Solidarity Support Fund (NSSF), which is established for Nigeria by Nigerians in partnership with the Global Citizen organisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is an all-digital crowd sourcing philanthropic platform that is sustainable transparent that support the vulnerable citizens of Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We targeted $50 million in under a month we are 10 per cent of the way.â&#x20AC;?

Wâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BANK PREDICTS 0.3% GDP GROWTH FOR NIGERIA IN 2021

COVID-19 response and advised fiscal authorities to spend their resources efficiently by cutting nonessential outlays and reprioritising spending while maximising the impact of such expenditure on economic activity by terminating ghost workers and avoiding permanent increases in public salaries. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Financial, compliance, and performance audits of the use of COVID-19 funds will be audited (Nigeria). More broadly speaking, reprioritizing expenditure could pave the road to recovery by also protecting productive spendingâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;in health, education, and infrastructure, among others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A faster recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic also requires boosting the efficiency of public investment. Maximising the returns from investment requires ensuring a pipeline of projects that are well-defined technically and contribute to growth and social cohesion,â&#x20AC;? it said.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Africa Must Think Continental, Focus on Wealth Creationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Oluchi Chibuzor The Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Ade Ayeyemi has reiterated the need for African countries to adopt a continent-wide approach to business and also focus on wealth creation.

This, he said would make businesses in the continent to be relevant in the global value chain.

According to Ayeyemi, for the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) to become a reality, there must be commitment and readiness for trade facilitation by the individual nations.

Ayeyemi, who spoke at the Ecobank virtual Regional Trade Conference 2020 held recently, said the bank was fully committed to Africa as a pan-African financial institution.

He said African governments must unequivocal commit to the continental agreement.

He stressed that Ecobank would unequivocally support the implementation of AfCFTA, expressing readiness to use the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pan-african platform to facilitate trade, payment and business and deployment of its strong Africa knowledge to support governments and

Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C; Senior Correspondent

Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2019;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2014; Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x; (Advertising) Correspondents

Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; (Maritime) Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2122; (Finance) Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? ĂĄĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x201C; (Insurance) Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Reporters

Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă? Ă&#x2022;Ă?Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x2019;Ă? (Money Market) Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă&#x2022;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă? (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

people and combined GDP of $3 trillion, there was huge potential for Nigeria to increase its export to Africa.

According to him, most of exports had been informal exports, but with platforms like Ecobank, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is going to be formal and add real value to the economy.â&#x20AC;?

He disclosed that in 2018, the export value of Nigeria to Africa totaled around $6.99 billon, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but

its export to the rest of the world totaled $45.92 billion. However, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export is majorly crude oil and natural gas which constitute 91 per cent.â&#x20AC;?

Awolowo, revealed that using the international trade center exportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tool, NEPC has identified areas of untapped potential for Nigeria in Africa such as fertilizer, ginger and sesame, as these are what other African countries are buying.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria must, and can, live in a world where it no longer sells oil. Nigeria is working on key game changers in infrastructure in order to achieve this, especially in the area of ease of transportation and also in the area of incentives, export expansion grant like preshipment incentives and export development fund, which serve to prepare, facilitate and support exporters to the global market,â&#x20AC;? he added.

COURTESYVISIT

L-R: Board Member, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Aliyu Saidu; Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management, Adeleke Adewolu; BoardChairman,AdeoluAkande;GovernorofImoState,HopeUzodinma;BoardMember,SalmanMuhammed;ExecutiveCommissioner,TechnicalServices, UbaleMaska;BoardMembers,ClemBaiyeand UcheOnwudeduringacourtesyvisitoftheBoardofNCCtoImoStateGovernorinOwerri...recently

Erisco Foods Doles out N100m, Others as Palliative Nume Ekeghe The President and Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods Limited, Mr. Eric Umeofia, in a bid to uplift members of his community in Anambra state, has given out a total of N100 million in addition to an array of Erisco food products.

The monies and gifts items were presented to lucky families at the Amichi Development Union Lagos Branchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thanksgiving/ meeting, held in Lagos recently.

The event saw ten people

becoming millionaires in an open process.

A widow who was present at the meeting won N1 million as well as nine men from the four quarters of Amichi, which included Okpala, Eze Udene, Afube and Ebenasa, who also went home with one million naira each.

In addition, nine women who were runners up in the draw won N100, 000 each while four men won N100, 000 each.

Another batch of fifty women from Amichi Development Union

women wing went home with N50, 000 each while another batch of 50 men from Amichi Development Union, Lagos Branch were given N50, 000 each.

He also said N40 million was reserved for 40 deserving men/ women in his immediate kindred.

Commenting on what prompted the act, Umeofia said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The motive behind the benevolence was basically to lift as many people from my community out of poverty in view of the post COVID-19 challenges in line with his original vision of

creating jobs, alleviating poverty and youth empowerment.â&#x20AC;?

Also, at the end of the meeting, all the women present at the meeting went home with different forms of Erisco Foods products, including a bag of Erisco Rice, a bag of Erisco Wheat flour, rolls of Erisco Tomato paste, a carton of Erisco Garri mix and seasoning cubes. In his comment, the Chairman Interim government of Amichi Development Union Lagos Branch, Chief Mike Umeh commended Umeofia, saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been proven without any

iota of doubt that the best secret of living an excellent life is by giving in terms of contributing to the wellbeing of others in our community and the country at large. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This best describes the life of the tomato king as he has consistently used his resources to improve the life of people around him irrespective of ethnic or religious connotation.â&#x20AC;?

He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the money in order for them to be a blessing to others.

Businessman Commends FG on Onitsha Port Sylvester Idowu in Warri

Group Business Editor

businesses.

The Ecobank CEO emphasised that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;no country is so poor that it has nothing to give and no country is so rich that it has nothing to receive. All of us must come together to become better.â&#x20AC;?

Also speaking, the Executive Director/ Chief Executive, Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo, said with a market of 1.2 billion

The Chairman and Managing Director of DAS Energy Services, Effurun, Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has commended the federal government for inaugurating the Onitsha seaport, describing the act as inspiring and heart-warming.

The Onitsha seaport became functional last week and has started moving containers from Lagos and Onne Ports to Onitsha by barges.

Onuesoke, in a statement issued in Warri said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is

totally inspiring and heartwarming. With this singular act of kindness to Eastern Nigeria, posterity will surely remember this present government for good. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This will obviously put an end to the exploitation and frustration experienced to move goods from Lagos to the East.

It will equally decongest Lagos portsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; traffic which has always been the bane of smooth business transaction.â&#x20AC;?

The Gas businessman, who visited Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) premises in Warri, Delta State, however, appealed to the federal government to extend the

same gesture to ports in Delta State for even socio-economic development of the country.

The former PDP governorship aspirant, who made case for Burutu, Warri, Forcados and Koko Ports in Delta State to be rehabilitated and opened for business operations, pointed out that the ports have enormous potential because of their strategic location in the heart of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil and gas mineral deposits and their proximity to the Atlantic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As such, they are adjudged as the port of the future, which would fit snugly into the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s agenda of oil and

gas industry deregulation as they would serve as the hub of modular oil refineries and marine transportation of petroleum products to neighbouring countries and beyond. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Besides this, the ports are strategically located to serve as logistics bases for the export of gas by the Escravos Gas-To-Liquid (EGTL) facilities that are about to commence production with a capacity next to non in subSaharan Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; converting more than 325 million cubic feet of natural gas per day to GTL (gas-to-liquid) diesel and

GTL-naphtha,â&#x20AC;? he disclosed.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153; In terms of hinterland accessibility, Delta Ports provide about the shortest routes for cargo haulage to catchment states of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Edo, Kogi, Ondo, and Benue, when compared with other operational ports. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The portâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proximity to these states is an aid to freight logistics and distribution planning. The east-west roadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arterial connection through primary and secondary lateral roads to the named states engenders quick turn-around time for trucks to and from the ports.â&#x20AC;?

Stanbic IBTC Supports Educational Institutions with School Loans Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc has introduced a school loan product for private primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, to enable them meet their short-term financial requirements.

After several months of physical and economic disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, schools have resumed to con-

tribute meaningfully towards national development continually.

One of the apparent effects of the pandemic on the educational sector is the inadequacy of funds.

According to a statement, the Stanbic IBTC school loan is available to privately owned schools for the establishment, expansion or upgrade of primary and

specialised facilities. It can also be used for short term working capital requirements.

The Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Remy Osuagwu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The school loan product is designed to support institutions which have been in operation for at

least five years. We understand the current financial situation of the country, especially the effect of the pandemic, which has disrupted plans and processes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stanbic IBTC will continue to provide solutions aimed at mitigating the effect of the pandemic on both individuals

and organisations.â&#x20AC;?

Osuagwu further reiterated that the school loan product is not restricted to the pandemic period as institutions can always apply for it.

The tenor of the loan ranges from 90 days to 48 months, and the minimum applicable loan is N1 million.

25

T H I S D AY Ëž ͯͲË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Crown Interactive Launches New Campaign Segun James A software firm, Crown Interactive has announced its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;automate and collaborateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign.

The initiative aims at presenting the company as a partner that helps organisations achieve their business goals by adopting software to automate and achieve greater insight into their business operations.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Crown Interactive, Mr. Omamofe Boyo, â&#x20AC;&#x153;in an increasingly connected world, SaaS technology is enabling manufacturers and other businesses gain greater insight into their value chain and supply chain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is providing insight about the activities of key distributors, sub-distributors and retailers, as well as the opportunity to automate the engagement of these crucial business partners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The campaign is a call to action for industry operators to use software as a service to gain a greater understanding of their operations, improve operational efficiency and the

customer experience.â&#x20AC;?

He said manufacturers and other firms require 360-degree insight into their operations, key distributors, wholesalers and retailers, adding that they also need to seek greater efficiency in their business operations.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Crown Interactive, Mr. Wumi Oghoetuoma said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;software as a service is a software licensing and delivery model that provides solutions to these common challenges in an efficient manner. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We like to think of software as a service as getting CAPEX value from OPEX. The cost savings that our CICOD suite of services offer to organisations present a compelling case for the adoption of SaaS for organizations seeking greater automation and the advantages of traditional ERP software. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, CICOD offers even more value by delivering greater visibility of operations along the supply chain, leading to greater collaboration with partners. We look forward to telling this story.â&#x20AC;?

Brains and Hammers Kano City Project Excites Ganduje Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Governor of Kano state, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje has expressed delight over the progress so far made on the Kano Economic City project being built by Brains and Hammers, a property and building company in the country.

Speaking when Brains and Hammersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Executive Director, Kano Economic City, Mallam Ibrahim Bako briefed the State Executive Council (SEC) on the status of the project, the governor said he was delighted with the work done on the economic city by the team. A statement by the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head, Strategic Communications, Mr. Onome Okwah, quoted Ganduje as saying that efforts to fast-track the project was in tandem with his administrationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolve to lift the state in terms of infrastructure.

He lauded the commitment shown in the timely delivery of the almost completed phase one of the pharmaceutical and information technology hub section of the economic city, stressing that it attests to the focused leadership of the organisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just as we are all aware, that Brains and Hammers is at the forefront of this one-of-a-kind economic city project currently being developed in Kano state.

This project is a testament to the state governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolve to harness the economic potential of the state for the good of all residents and visitors to the state. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are also proud to have Jaiz Bank as our financial partner on this project. My governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s resolve to make Kano state an African regional economic hub is supported by the development expertise of indigenous organisations like Brains and Hammers.

When completed, this project would cover all spectrums of our economic life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From pharmaceutical distribution units to information technology hub, trailer parks for trucks and luxury buses, low-cost hotels for transit commuters and visitors, regional fruit market complete with refrigeration facilities, banks, and office complex. It would be a one-stop shop for your economic activities,â&#x20AC;? he stated.

In his remarks, Bako said the Kano state governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s support was a major motivating factor driving the team towards the finish line on the project.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are working tirelessly to complete phase one of the project in the next two months. This phase would include about 1000 shops in the pharmaceutical shops and about 3000 shops dedicated to information technology activities in the

tech hub of the economic city. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are determined to make these facilities ready for commissioning before the end of the year.

As an organisation, we would not be here today without the support of Jaiz Bank. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our partnership with Jaiz Bank would enable potential shop owners who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t afford the capital investment needed for the outright purchase of a shop to secure one with an initial 10 percent capital deposit through Jaiz Bank. â&#x20AC;&#x153; The bank would then work with the potential shop owner to pay the remaining 90 per cent investment in instalments.â&#x20AC;?

Brains and Hammersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hospitality, residential, commercial, and infrastructural portfolio covers thousands of acres of land in urban, suburban, and satellite communities in Abuja, Kano, and Lagos in Nigeria.

Chivita Celebrates World Juice Day In commemoration of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Chivita World Juice Day celebration, Chivita is rallying stakeholders and consumers for support.

Celebrated on October 17, every year, the aim of the event is to foster a juice drinking culture among Nigerians with a view to adopting healthier lifestyles thereby building a healthy nation.

According to a statement, experts and nutritionist are focused on how everyone ought to pay close attention to their health and their nutrition and get the right vitamins and minerals to ensure an effective immune system, since the outbreak of the pandemic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Health-focused brands such as Chivita have been front and centre in these times with its pure fruit juice offerings that are rich in vitamins and minerals,â&#x20AC;? it stated.

It pointed out that a recently published World Health Organisation (WHO) report emphasises that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Adequate fruit and vegetable intake are required to help reduce nutritional deficiencies and increase resistance to infectious disease.â&#x20AC;?

Furthermore, research has shown that consumers who take a glass of fruit juice a day enjoy essential benefits such as an effective immune system, improved skin care, lower blood pressure, improved eye function, as fruit juices contain antioxidants

which supply the body with much-needed vitamins, it added.

According to the Compass 2019 report, Nigeria is one of the countries with the lowest per capita fruit juice consumption in the world, consuming two litres per year as compared to eight litres average for Africa and 20 litres average globally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a cause for concern because fruit juice consumption is one of the affordable ways of accessing the right doses of nutrients and minerals necessary for building stronger immunity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is in view of this allimportant benefit of fruit juice consumption to health that Chivita celebrates the second edition of its Chivita World Juice Day â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a follow up to the maiden edition that was launched last year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The theme for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event is: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fruit Juice: the Smart Secret of Boosting Your Immunity.â&#x20AC;? This theme has become more pertinent especially now when hygiene and a strong immune system is key to keeping healthy,â&#x20AC;? it explained.

According to the statement, this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chivita World Juice Day was designed as a virtual event and would feature health experts and nutritionists as they provide insights and share their perspectives on how fruit juice consumption can strengthen the body.

Group to Organise Chocolate, Coffee Exhibition Ugo Aliogo Determined to promote trade and help businesses in the beverage sector to grow, organisers of the Zenith Exhibitions will hold the Chocolate, Coffee, and Tea (CCT) West Africa Exhibition and Conference between October 6th and 7th, 2021, in Lagos.

The event would include a conference and business-tobusiness meetings (B2B).

In addition, the event would focus on the beverage sector which makes up a very large part of the food manufacturing industry in Nigeria, and chocolate, coffee and the tea markets one of the biggest in Africa.

A statement made available

to THISDAY by the organisers said the CCT West Africa is the only exclusive trade show in Nigeria that is totally devoted to the professional sales, import, export, processing, packaging, and distribution of chocolate, coffee, tea, and cocoa beverages across the entire food and beverage spectrum.

In his remarks, the Project Manager, Uche Agu, said the Zenith Exhibitions is aimed at contributing to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quest to diversify from oil dependency by boosting businesses, export, and tourism, as the event would welcome attendees from other countries of the world.

Agu further explained that the organisation desires to

make the latest technologies, brands, equipment, products, and services in the industry known to manufacturers, buyers, distributors, suppliers and consumers.

Commenting on the impact the event was expected to have on the economy, Agu said the CCT expo would create a conducive atmosphere for businesses and individuals in the industry to meet and connect, adding that it serves as a meeting point in bridging the demand and supply gap. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The eventâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ultimate aim is to promote trade and give a platform for the latest products and technology to be showcased, while giving the power of choice to consumers by making various

brands available to them and also bringing together all stakeholders in the industry to contribute to the sustainability of the entire chain,â&#x20AC;? Agu said.

Her assessment of the beverage industry highlighted the significant rise in the purchasing rate for coffee in the past 10 years, and the chocolate confectionery, tea, and other hot and cold beverages witnessing a return to strong growth in both retail volume and current value terms.

This budding sector needs support, focus, and attention to meet up with the improvement of the economy and the growing consumer population with their desire for a quality range of products and also availability for all, she asserted.

Akwa Ibom Appoints Managers for Ibom Hotels Oluchi Chibuzor The Akwa Ibom State government has announced the appointment of Icon Hotels and Resorts Nigeria, the Nigerian subsidiary of one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading hospitality management companies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Icon Hotel Group Africa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as managers of its Uyo based Ibom Hotels and Golf Resort.

The move was in a bid to further grow the tourism and hospitality potential of the

state as economic activities resume nationwide, according to a statement. Performing the handover ceremony on behalf of the state government, the Chief of staff to the Governor, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen who charged the Icon Hotels & Resorts management team to bring their globally rated, authentic African hospitality-infused expertise to bear in managing the hotel.

While congratulating Icon Hotels & Resorts on the appoint-

ment, the governor stressed the need to onboard innovative ideas in attracting patronage for the hotel and the overall tourism development of the state.

He also reiterated the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to supporting the new managers in the discharge of their duties as both parties collectively ensure that Ibom Hotel becomes one of the leading hotel brands in Africa. Emmanuel said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We expect that in the next 12 months the hotel should manifest

a new culture and environment to attract patronage,â&#x20AC;? urging the new management to shun victimisation of workers and stressed the need for them to use those already working there, especially those who are good at their jobs.

In his response, the Group CEO of Icon Hotel Group Africa, Fred Maina, thanked the government of the state for trusting his organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competence and expertise in turning around the fortunes of the hotel for the better.

According to him, the next 12 months would see the hotel recording tuned up customer experiences in services, refreshed ambience and world class trained personnel. It would also see the hotel significantly contributing to the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revenue with increased inflow of tourists and businesses.

On his part, the CEO of Icon Hotels and Resorts Nigeria, Mr. Adetope Kayode, thanked the state government for the

privilege given to the company to take over the management of Ibom Hotel. Kayode expressed happiness over the confidence reposed in their management team and their ability to attract the best African hospitality talent to ensure the success of the hotel.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Orman Esin had thanked the governor for his resolve in ensuring that Akwa Ibom State remains a destination of choice for tourism and investment.

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Taking Advantage of Stock Market Rally Goddy Egene writes on the need for discerning investors looking for high returns to take advantage of the unprecedented rally in the stock market

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he stock market is seen as a risky terrain by some investors given its volatility.

Although in investments it is assumed that the higher the risk the higher the returns and the stock market is expected to provide high returns, some investors do not want get close to it.

The fears of such risk-averse investors were heightened after the 2008 global stock market crash that also affected the Nigerian market. Many investors are yet to recover from the shock and losses from the experience. Hence, many of them prefer where they are certain of getting fixed returns on their investments however, low such returns may be.

However, some investors who hitherto had phobia for the stock market are having a rethink following the rally the market has witnessed in the last three weeks.

The market capitalisation has jumped from N13.365 trillion to N14.852 trillion, translating to a gain of N1.487 trillion for investors. Similarly the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index, appreciated from 25,654.90 to the highest it last attained in 2015, closing at 28, 415.31 last Friday.

The uptick in the equities market has been attributed to the negative real returns in the fixed income market and increased system liquidity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We anticipate lingering bullish sentiments to fuel market performance this week. Although we do not rule out profit taking activities which kicked in last week, we expect that the bulls would have the upper hand. In making a case for buying interest in the equities market, we identify elevated system liquidity supported by incoming Open Market Operations (OMO) maturities, depressed fixed income yields and a dearth of attractive alternative investment options to dictate market direction this week.

Ultimately, we expect that the market would close positive this week,â&#x20AC;? analysts at Meristem Research said on Monday.

With this positive outlook as this, more investors are definitely preparing for ride the bull market.

However, in keying into the market, it is advisable to consider some factors as a guide.

For instance, you have to ensure you buy shares of companies that have strong performance history.

Look at industries that are very likely to benefit whenever the economy rebounds.

You must also evaluate your personal goals before you invest because no matter how good the market and the prospects, ensure that you are investing to meet your unique needs.

You have to consider your age and how many years away is your retirement to determine the rights stocks. For instance, a 34-year-old should focus more on growth stocks, while a 65-yearold requires dividend paying large-cap market bellwethers with stable performance record.

NSE trading ďŹ&#x201A;oor

In fact, the current market rally appears to be driving investors more to the companies that are paying dividends because the NSE â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Afrinvest High Dividend Yield Index(NSE-Afri DYI) has outperformance all other indices in the market, closing with a year-to-date (YTD) growth of 22.3 per cent last week.

This compares favourably with the NSE AllShare Index with YTD growth of 5.8 per cent.

The NSE Premium Index, which also boasts of companies are high and regular dividend payers, has recorded a YTD appreciation of 21.2 per cent.

Analysing the sector performance, analysts at InvestDate Consulting Limited, said Telecoms and Banking have been the hottest sectors in the past 14 days, even though it is 10 per cent off from the September-end highs.

They are followed by Agrobusiness, Insurance, Industrial Goods and Healthcare which are sectors equally looking up over the same period.

They noted that despite the positive performance of the market, the NSE Oil/Gas and Consumer Goods sectors have remained weak in the past nine months. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Volatility, which is almost twice as high as historic levels, will continue to be an issue, going forward. So, it is smart to properly allocate capital to avoid risk. The NSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s V shaped recovery is likely to persist as smart money hits the market with more funds emanating from maturing bills, InvestData said.

The analysts added that there is also the expected September inflation data which is likely to go the way of other negative economic data, because of the impact of the federal governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hike in electricity tariff and fuel price hike expected to reflect on the NBS report. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Market players at this point should not forget to play defensive, despite the strong market momentum and rally,â&#x20AC;? they said.

InvesData said the general market outlook in recent times looks positive in the short-term, noting that investors should take short-term and medium-term positions and diversify their portfolio along long-term trades to protect capital. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This they can do by considering sectors with high upside potential and strength as earnings start hitting market any moment from now,â&#x20AC;? they said.

According to them, they expect a rebound on expected inflow of funds and corporate earnings in the midst of pullbacks and profit taking as all eyes are on Q3 numbers that kick off with early filer Infinity Trust Mortgage Bank. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Profit taking is as old as the stock market. Any price correction at this phase of market recovery will support the upside potential, especially with many fundamentally sound stocks remaining underpriced, and the dividend yield of major blue-chips continuing to look attractive despite the recent weeks rally. We expect speculative trading to shape the marketâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direction,â&#x20AC;? the

analysts added.

InvestData advised that to position for the short to long-term, investors should target fundamentally sound, dividend-paying stocks, for possible capital appreciation in the coming months. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Also, traders and investors need to change their strategies, because of the NSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pricing methodology, the CBN directives, and their impact on the economy in the nearest future,â&#x20AC;? the firm stated.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NSE, Mr. Oscar Onyema, recently linked the stock market rally to CBNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s restriction of domestic investors from participating in its open market operations (OMO) as well as the interest rate cut.

According to Onyema, investors are always in search of higher returns on investments, noting that central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s policies have made the stock market attractive to investors.

Onyema explained that the Nigerian economy as well as its financial market, like every other economy in the world, had been greatly impacted

by COVID -19 and the associated economic challenges. Owing to this, the market has recorded a lot of volatility, similar to other markets, since March when COVID-19 actually hit Nigeria.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since then, a number of policy changes have occurred. And as the world is now in a recovery mood and economies are opening up, we are seeing investors react to these policy changes.

As you know, the markets are indicators of what would happen in the economy. So, the equities market is just reflecting that. I must say that some of the policy changes I made reference to include the CBN policy that domestic institutional investors should stop participating in the OMO market. That has driven significant funds into the Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTB) market and some of those funds have found their way into the equities market. We have also seen a cut in interest rate. That was a significant move in support of equities as an asset class. What investors tend to do is to look for yield.â&#x20AC;?

NSE CEO said since the Nigerian economy has shifted into a negative real interest rate environment, investors are now in search of investments that would give them higher yields and returns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Given the record dividend yield available in the Nigerian market and given the strong fundamentals of a number of companies that are listed on the Exchange, it makes sense that as investors try to rebalance their portfolio, they would look at equities. There have also been a number of fiscal policies that have been very supportive of the market. So, I commend the CBN and the CBN Governor for their thought leadership and generally their leadership in attacking the Covid-19 and in taking measures like cutting interest.â&#x20AC;?

PEEF Set to Hold Free Virtual Confab Oluchi Chibuzor

T

he People Expertise and Excellence Foundation (PEEF), one of Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading non-proďŹ t organisation that seeks to provide solutions to management and leadership challenges in Nigeria and the entire continent, is set to hold its fourth annual confab (PAC) on Thursday, 22nd October 2020.

The group in a statement stressed that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that for organisations and countries to thrive economically and socially, there is an urgent need for strategic leaders who can inspire their organisation amid the crisis and prepare for the uncertain future driven by fast-paced-digital realities.

This, it stressed, necessitated the confab.

PEEF stated that in compliance with health protocols due to the pandemic, the one-day programme would be entirely free via Zoom.

The theme for the confab is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Strategic Leadership for Economic Rejuvenation,â&#x20AC;? and it is expected to address many of the contemporary challenges facing organisations.

Key topics to be covered during the virtual programme include planning for the economic environment post-COVID 19; inclusive growth for sustainable national development; leading and managing the virtual workplace; and nurturing and

harnessing diaspora talent for national development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being a leading foundation in Africa, and with an impressive track record of providing pragmatic solutions, PEEF urges interested delegates to take the limited remaining slots faster. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the past, the foundation successfully organised confabs that inspired many. If you attended one, you probably would not want to miss the forthcoming one,â&#x20AC;? it stated.

It further listed the themes of past PEEF confabs to include: Framing Strategic Skills Management Issues for Accelerated Development in Transportation Sector, which took place on March 28, 2017; Education versus Reality: Bridging the Gap between the Education Systems and the Real World, held on October 18, 2018; and the third PEEF confab theme which was - Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria: Challenges and Expectations, that took place on October 31, 2019. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Due to the current situation in Nigeria and the whole world, the forthcoming 4th PEEF annual confab seeks to sensitise participants on the fundamentals of economic rejuvenation post-COVID 19. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The confab comes at a time when almost every organisation is finding ways of slowly reviving operations to ensure long term strategic goals can still be achieved effectively and efficiently amidst the devastating effects of the pandemic.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, with experts and professionals drawn from reputable organisations in Nigeria, Europe, North America, and Asia, the focus for this impactful programme is to help share valuable insights that would help individuals and organisations to recover and even succeed despite the far-reaching effects of COVID 19.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking on behalf of the board of trustees, of PEEF, Engr. Abdullah Bukar (Fellow Nigeria Society of Engineers) and the Chair of PEEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s board of trustees said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;PEEF has an impressive and unparalleled track record of contributing valuable perspectives on how to accelerate the pace of nation-building. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Importantly, at this time of doom and gloom, during which many public and private sector organisations are experiencing existential challenges, it is critical to explore practical means of surviving and winning post-COVID 19 which strategic leadership will help achieve.â&#x20AC;?

Furthermore, the foundationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Secretary, Dr Musa Rabiu said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Businesses, organisations, and other stakeholders, including the government, need robust strategies for mitigating the effects of the pandemic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thus, this confab is timely as it will offer delegates relevant and critical insights that will help public and private sector leaders during and after the COVID 19â&#x20AC;?. The keynote speaker for the event, Mark Simmonds also said:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entrepreneurial flair and strategic leadership thinking must come to the fore to deliver a successful and economically diverse future post-Covid19-the pandemic has not only created challenges but also opportunities for both the public and private sectors to advance both economically and socially -Nigeria has a duty to lead the way in Africa.â&#x20AC;?

Some of the confirmed speakers include: Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice of Nigeria and Founder of Bayo Ojo & Co., Chief Bayo Oyo; former Governor, Anambra State, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi; and Simmonds, who is a former Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister with responsibilities for Africa, The Caribbean, Overseas Territories, International Energy & Conflict Prevention, Former member of UK Parliament for 14 years.

Others are Muhammad Ali Pate, Global Director, Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP) Global Practice of the World Bank; Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo - Chairman of Board at African Heritage Institution and former Governor Central Bank of Nigeria; Mrs Elisa Salazar Chukuma Principal Talent Acquisition Consultant, Africa; Dr Aminu Gamawa - Commissioner for Budget & Economic Development, and Aliu Akoshile - A media technocrat, brand strategist, and corporate turn-around expert and many more.

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BUSINESSWORLD

ANALYSIS

Need to Unlock Pension Transfer Window Ebere Nwoji urges the National Pension Commission to commence the transfer window in the pension industry

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he pension transfer window which is an avenue for contributors into the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) who are dissatisďŹ ed with the services of their present Pension Fund Administrators (PFA) to move to another operator, is one aspects of the pension Reform Act 2004 amended in 2014 that is yet to be implemented.

Despite agitations by the contributors, the industry regulator, the National Pension Commission has not succeeded in its efforts to commence the exercise.

Yet, in it lies the hope of every contributor into the scheme.

Both the National Pension Commission (PenCom) and the Pension Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) had assured contributors into the CPS that the long awaited transfer window would take-off by June this year, but till date, the initiative is yet to take off.

Section 13 of the Pension Reform Act (2014) specifies that an employee may not more than once in a year transfer his Retirement Savings Account (RSA) from one PFA to another.

Past administrations in PenCom had given several dates for the take-off of the initiative.

Managing Director, UBA Pension Custodian, Mr. Bayo Yusuf, disclosed that PenCom and the PFAs have been engaging on the matter.

The transfer window going by the Pension Reform Act 2014 that gave birth to the CPS, supposed to have commenced the same time with the scheme but the commission and the operators kept delaying it giving reasons with biometrics collation and clearance.

PenCom had said among the issues that have continued to delay the take-off of the policy is registration and biometrics. It had said it wants to address issues such as double registration by some contributors and improper identification which may lead to transferring one personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fund to another, before it unveils the policy.

Dahiru-Umar Stakeholders have also said if the micro-pension scheme which is expected to usher in additional 250,000 contributions into the scheme yearly comes into full force, it would be difficult for the transfer window to be a reality.

The contributors had expressed their preference that the transfer window had taken off before the commencement of the micro pension scheme which is expected to bring in additional 250,000 contributors into the CPS every year, to avoid much more complications in the system.

Section 11(2) of the Pension Reform Act 2004 (amended in 2014), provides that an employee has right to migrate from one PFA to another without adducing reasons, but may not do this more than once in a year.

PenCom Head of Corporate Communications,

Mr. Peter Aghahowa, while speaking on the delayed take-off of the initiative said what the existing PFAs need to do is to diversify their clientele especially with the take-off of the micro pension. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those that have single based clientele will feel threatened but those that are diversified will have nothing to lose,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Mr Ifeanyi Anorue of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria Nsukka, noted that the agitation for the take-off of the transfer window and struggle for independent body to manage some workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pension separately as was the case with university workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pension was informed by the obvious lack of confidence in the existing PFAs. He said this stems from the fact that the survival of every pensioner depends on what happens to his pension funds.

According to him, if other stakeholders such as the military and police could have their pension specially managed by a special body to guarantee their privacy and future, why would university workers not have their pension managed by special body of their choice whom they have confidence in?

Meanwhile, while contributors await the commencement of the transfer window, a lot of marketing intrigues have been employed

by PFAs to enhance their market share in the pension industry.

Going by their operations and services to their contributors all these years, there are signs that when the exercise takes off, some PFAs may lose some contributors to firms that offer superior services and are professionally managed.

At present, the PFAs are strategising on how to grab larger shares of both the existing and emerging markets and remain on top in the areas of asset size and number of contributors.

Indeed, with the prevailing signs of both offensive and defensive marketing tactics currently unfolding in the industry via various communication channels

that include outdoor advertising, promotions, radio and television commercials, social media, sales activities, and other visibility campaign strategies employed by the operators, there are palpable fears that when the transfer window takes off, the industry may be left with few giant operators while many will fall by the way side.

Among the licenced PFAs, five big operators usually dominate the market.

Recent data showed that these five account for over half of the N11 trillion RSA assets.

While among the 21 licenced operators, top 10 PFAs manage 88.20 per cent of the total RSA assets and the last 10 PFAs accounts for 8.74 per cent of the RSA assets under management.

Among the leading five by size of assets under management and number of registered contributors are: ARM Pensions, Stanbic IBTC pensions, Premium Pension Limited and Sigma Pensions Limited, As the industry looks forward to reap bountifully from the emerging micro pension market which the regulator kicked off barely two years back, PFAs are positioning themselves to enhance their visibility in the emerging market.

Referring to competition in the industry, Price Waterhouse Coopers in its recent report on activities in Nigerian pension sector stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;PFAs are developing clear client value propositions and targeting specific contributor market segments as the race for leading market share intensifies,â&#x20AC;? adding that technological advancement is, â&#x20AC;&#x153;bringing in several non-traditional players who will provide platforms for pension products and services.

In the days ahead, the strengths and weaknesses of each player will be further scrutinised as the battle for the minds of the consumers continues.â&#x20AC;?

The foregoing scenario undoubtedly provides insight to an intense battle for market share.

For most PFAs, the pension transfer window will provide the ideal opportunity for both turf defense and customer acquisition.

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NESG: From High-tables to Work-tables Dotun Adekanmbi It used to be the case that the Nigerian economy stood on an intellectual tripod that comprised the academia, the civil service and the private sector.

All three legs did not, strictly speaking, work in tandem towards achieving a common goal.

Whilst the professors theorised with minimal input from the field, the civil servants formulated and implemented public policies from a weak economic knowledge base and the private sector carried the can for every flip-flop in the marketplace.

If goals aligned along the line, it was largely circumstantial, not the result of careful planning.

If not, all three parties met at conference tables to produce ad hoc solutions to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s myriad of economic challenges.

The need for more strategic planning for national economic development spurred a band of key players in the private and public sectors, the civil society and the academia to conceive the Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) in 1993.

The Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mandate to promote and champion the reform of the Nigerian economy away from a largely public sector, closed-door affair into an open, globally competitive economy. The six underlying principles of NESG emphasised a commitment to a free-market economy; the encouragement of private sector investment; the creation of an enabling environment; governance in the national interest; commitment to the rule of law and the establishment of an economic foundation for democracy.

Twenty-six years into its annual summit, the NESG has kept faith with its vision of strategically promoting inclusive growth, achieving impactful economic policy reform and ensuring stakeholder satisfaction.

Of significance is the theme of the third Summit in 1996, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Unlocking Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Potential,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the outcome of which influenced the Federal Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s institution of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Vision 2010 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A Long Term Free Market Development Plan for Nigeria.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Subsequent Summits focused on vital themes that underscored the need to expeditiously rebuild the Nigerian economy.

Much of the positive outcomes generated at NESG Summits derived from shifting emphasis from the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;talk-a-thonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; approach of conferences to a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Paying to Serveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; culture in which NESG members invest their time, resources and capabilities in advancing the public/national interest.

As the pioneer Vice-Chairman, Mr Dick Kramer, clarified it: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We substituted High-Tables for Work-Tables (because) we knew that it would take sitting in small groups with the government officials to make the policy changes we needed for Nigeria to happen.â&#x20AC;? The resultant Technical Working Groups (TWG) have continued to serve as the engine room for the operations of NESG and the core groups that engage in the follow-up commitments established at the maiden summit in 1993. If anything, the ready acceptance of the recommendations of the NESG by successive

governments point to the fact that the Group had filled yawning gaps in development planning in Nigeria. Indeed, the NESGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s qualitative interventions could be felt in its recommendation of far-reaching economic and institutional reforms that were essential for the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s return to and sustenance of democracy.

The recommendations include the creation of the Niger Delta Development Commission; the implementation of the Universal Basic Education Programme to enhance literacy in Nigeria and institutional reform to turn around years of systemic and institutional corruption, which presage the establishment of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Also notable was NESGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partnership with the Obasanjo administration, which led to the development of the medium-term economic agenda called the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;National Economic Empowerment Development Strategyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (NEEDS) and its domestication as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;State Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (SEEDS), and the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Local Government Economic Empowerment Development Strategyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (LEEDS).

The strategic idea behind the formulation of NEEDS-SEEDS-LEEDS was to activate Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s political economy by empowering private sector enterprises to become the engine of growth. It similarly redefined and re-emphasized the role of government within the context of policy formulation and the establishment of appropriate legal and regulatory framework, which underlines a core part of the NESG mandate.

NESGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Summits and contributions from its members also set the tone for the comprehensive review of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s telecommunications and broadcasting policies and the consequent deregulation of the Information and Communication Technology sector. The full liberalisation of the sector and the auction of mobile telephony licences also helped to change the face of communication in Nigeria. In the financial services sector, the 2004 banking consolidation programme, which reduced the number of banks in the country from 89 to 25, was an offshoot of Summit deliberations.

Recommendations from NESG also impacted

maritime and seaports reforms, especially in respect of accelerated ratification and domestication of all pending International Maritime and Shipping Codes and Conventions to which Nigeria was a signatory; the strategic concession, commercialisation and privatisation of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sea ports; maritime local content development through the Cabotage Act and Bareboat Charter Regulations to boost tonnage; the establishment of Unified Maritime Administration for the full implementation of all Maritime Codes, Conventions and Protocols and improving Security and Safety of Nigerian Maritime Domain, which led to the establishment of the Presidential Implementation Committee for Maritime Safety and Security (PICOMSS).

In the education sector, the NESG reached an agreement with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to collaborate on the development of solutions that strategically drive effective development of a productive university system that also guarantees quality and relevant education for national development and a globally competitive economy. That collaboration aims to bridge the gap between business and the academia.

Beyond this, the NESG has also established a working committee that comprised the NESG and the NUC to review the blueprint on the Rapid Revitalisation of University Education in Nigeria, 2019-2023. This was sequel to the discovery that the current strategy did not align with the future of work and needed to be coordinated with critical stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

Also worthy of commendation is NESGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s strategic alliance with the European Business Policy Council to provide international investors in Nigeria with a dedicated platform to engage government on conducive environment and policies for foreign investments in Nigeria.

One must also recognize the smooth collaboration of NESG with the National Assembly and the legal profession which gave rise to the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtables (NASSBER), a wholly private-sector funded body made up of working groups that hold regular meetings and review selected legislations. NASSBER collaborates with some other stakeholders to

facilitate the speedy passage of critical bills to improve Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy Whilst stakeholders are agreed that the NESG has reasonably demonstrated the capabilities to sustain its mandate, there still are misgivings that the body has yet to maximise its ability to secure sufficient legislative powers to back its initiatives.

Even at this, the body cannot take the bulk of the blames. In 2019, NESG did point out that the non-passage of some priority bills has contributed to the persisting regulatory environment that has contributed to low investor confidence and slowed Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic growth.

Let us look at the records. According to NESG, NASSBER had identified 31 priority Acts and Bills as crucial for economic development and enabling business environment. Of the Acts and Bills, 16 were passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, with four pending at both chambers. Thirteen of these bills were transmitted to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent.

However, he assented to only two, that is, the Secured Transactions in Moveable Assets Act and Credit Reporting Act. The President later withheld assent to four of the bills.

Till date, the NESG can be said to have succeeded in playing its self-assigned role as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost economic think-tank and a bridge between the government and private sector stakeholders. As the NESG converges on Abuja between October 26 and 27 for its 26th Summit, much is expected from the body as participants reflect on the state of the Nigerian economy, rethink the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic fundamentals and deliberate on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the socio-economy.

Perhaps, it is fitting that the opening plenary topic of the Summit is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Turning Point.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; At 60, Nigeria truly needs to adopt a different approach from its current hit or miss policy of economic management to a sustained policy planning regime aimed at achieving economic growth and development. That approach, the NESG maintains, will be anchored on a robust partnership between sub-national governments and the private sector to capitalize on sub-national factor endowments to achieve global competitiveness.

In the age of economic and physical lockdown brought on by the global coronavirus pandemic, it is also critical, as the Summit is set to do, to consider â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Counting the Costs: The Economic Impact of COVID-19â&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the Summitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plenary session.

As has been the success story of the NESG since its inception, robust contributions and recommendations are expected from the 26th edition that will assist the government in no small way in the management of the economy. This fact can almost be taken for granted. What remains to be seen is the willingness of government to support NESG with the political will to ensure that Nigeria meets the United Nations-approved Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Adekanmbi, a consultant wrote from Lagos

As CBN, EFInA Unveil Framework for Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Financial Inclusion Dapo Akintoye With the growing global focus and debate over gender-based discrimination across almost all levels of human interaction, forward-thinking leaders are clamoring for the needed change to close the gender gap.

According to UN Women, over the past decade, 131 countries have passed laws to support gender equality. However following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, some of these gains may have been lost, particularly with regards to the financial inclusion and economic empowerment of women.

Several studies confirm the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women, pushing them out of both formal and informal employment, businesses and in some cases entirely from the financial system.

These are some of the thoughts that led to the development and launch of the Framework for Advancing Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Financial Inclusion in Nigeria by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in partnership with the Financial Inclusion Special Interventions Working Group (FISIWG), Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) and Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s World Banking (WWB).

At the e-Launch of the Framework, which held recently, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability, CBN, Mrs. Aishah N. Ahmad, presented a clearer

picture on financial inclusion of women in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;According to EFINA, the female financial exclusion rate was 40.9 per cent in 2018 compared with 32.5 per cent for men. This gap may have widened as a result of the coronavirus pandemic given womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary responsibility for caregiving, likelihood to be frontline health workers and their predominance in the informal sector which has been severely affected by the coronavirus induced-lock downâ&#x20AC;?

She further stated that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the negative effects of the pandemic on womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial inclusion have manifested in the context of existing structural challenges which have kept women out of the financial system such as cultural norms, lower education and financial literacy levels, poverty, high cost of financial services, concentration of women in rural, subsistence farming and limited knowledge of financial institutions in serving the womensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These challenges call for bold, concerted and collaborative action on the part of regulators, policymakers and other stakeholders in the financial sector to implement strategies that will help change social attitudes, reduce structural barriers and economically empower women to advance their financial and economic inclusion over the long term.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Speaking further on why the CBN supported the development of the framework, Ahmad clarified

that it was intended to complement existing CBN initiatives designed to expand access to finance for women which include the micro, small and medium size enterprise development Fund (MSMEDF) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 60 per cent of which was dedicated to women and women controlled businesses, - (thus far over 62% of the fund to had been granted to about 134,000 women), National Collateral Registry which expanded the types of collateral acceptable for loans to mention a few. The Minister for Women Affairs, represented by Joan Junmai Idonijie, in her keynote address also echoed the thoughts that gender disparity in Nigeria is on the rise, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Challenges that widen the gender-inclusion gap include; vulnerable state of women-owned businesses, the digital divide, limited awareness of government intervention programs, and pressures of domestic responsibilities.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Following the keynote was the formal launch of the framework, highlights of which included a categorisation of the barriers to female financial inclusion related to demand, supply, financial & technical infrastructure and legal and regulatory factors. It further proposed eight strategic imperatives for closing the gap such as measures to support account opening, financial and digital literacy, delivery of channels to serve women, gender disaggregated data, etc.

Following the formal launch were two technical sessions. The first was facilitated by Ashley

Immanuel, Ag. CEO of EFINA. Spotlighting some of the typical characteristics of financially excluded women in Nigeria, she stated that a Nigerian woman was more likely to be financially excluded if she lived in northern Nigeria, did not own a mobile phone, was unmarried or in the youngest or oldest age group.

The second technical session was a panel discussion moderated by Ade Ashaye, Executive Vice President, WWB and the panelists included Mrs. Ambah Hamda, MD/CEO FSDH Merchant Bank/ Chairperson, Bankers Committee subcommittee on Economic Development sustainability and Gender; Mrs. Ronke Kuye, MD/CEO, Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility (SANEF); Mrs. Oladoyin Olawaiye Component lead, SEDIN Programme, GIZ and Dr. Ijeoma Nwagwu, Faculty Member/ SIDFS gender lead, Lagos Business School. Several themes were discussed including strategies for entrenching gender disaggregated reporting at banks and other financial institutions, how to improve financial and digital literacy in rural areas, amongst others.

Akintoye a marketing consultant writes in from Lagos NOTE: Interested readers should continue in the online edition on www.thisdaylive.com

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T H I S D AY ˞ ͯͲ, 2020

Photo Editor Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039; Email Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ë&#x203A;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;

L-R: National Publicity Secretary, Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN ), Bosode Oyekunle; President, APWEN, Funmilola Ojelade; the Celebrant/Former President, APWEN, Nkechinyere Isigwe and National Financial Secretary, APWEN, Laolu Adedapo-Aisida, at the 3rd edition of Nkechi Isigwe annual lecture on Capacity Building Organized by APWEN held in Lagos...recently PHOTO: ETOP UKUTT

Director-General, National Center for Women Development (NCWD), Mrs Mary Ekpere- Eta(right), distributing face mask to female participants at Mabuchi village, to commemorate the 2020 International Day of the Girl Child in Abuja..recently

L-R: Group Executive Director, Commercials ipNX, Bimpe Olaleye, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Oyo State, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Chief of StaďŹ&#x20AC; to the Governor of Oyo State, Chief Bisi Ilaka, Group Executive Director, HR & Corporate Services, ipNX, Folashade EďŹ ong-Bassey, and Special Assistant to the Governor of Oyo State On ICT & E-governance, Bayo Akande at the handover ceremony of free high-speed broadband internet connectivity to public secondary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State...recently

L-R: The Chief Administrator GAGE Awards, Mr Johnson Anorh; Member, Communications team GAGE Awards, Nicole Adehi; Former Minister of Education/ BBOG, Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili and Head of Strategy and Communications GAGE Awards, Yomi Olaniwun, during the presentation, of GAGE Awards to Oby Ezekwesil for the Social Movement of the year 2020 with Bring Back Our Girls in Lagos...recently

L-R: President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, during the Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the President, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja...recently

L-R: President, Divine Sisters Association, Mrs. Zainab Haruna; Wife of the General OďŹ&#x192;cers Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigeria Army, Eunice Danmadami presenting foods palliatives to a widow during the distribution to some widows by the Divine Sisters Association in Jos...recently

L-R: Obi Elochkwu, IE customer from Olumayowa Street Irawo, Ketu, Folake Soetan, Chief Executive OďŹ&#x192;cer, Ikeja Electric, Jonathan Oyewo, IE customer from Unity Estate Egbeda and Emmanuel Hanna from Irawo, Ketu, Lagos during the celebration of customer service week in Ikeja, Lagos... recently

L-R: President, Queens School Old Girls Association Enugu branch, Mrs Margaret Nwagbo; Executive Chairman, Enugu State Post Primary Schools Management Board, Mr Nestor Ezeme; Principal, Queens School, Enugu, Mrs Ada Nweke; Member, National Alumni Association of Queens School Enugu (NAAQSE) USA branch, Mrs Stella Agada-Ujah and Representative of president NAASQE USA, Dr. Emily Onyekwelu during the handover of modern dormitory block to the school by NAAQSE USA in Enugu...recently

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T H I S D AY ˞ ͯͲ, 2020

EDUCATION Nigeria Will Develop if Budget Meets UNESCO Recommendation, Say Varsity Dons Following President Muhammadu Buhariâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent presentation of the N13 trillion 2021 budget to the National Assembly, with only a fraction of it allocated to education, university dons explained to Funmi Ogundare why it is imperative for the sector to meet the UNESCO recommendation of 26 per cent so as to boost the economy

President Muhammadu Buhari

L

ast week, President Muhammadu Buhari, presented a record N13 trillion-budget for 2021 to a joint session of the National Assembly, tagged â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Budget of Economic Recovery and Resilienceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The spending plan is about 21 per cent rise from the revised 2020 spending plan of N10.8 trillion. Out of the total budget, N545.10 billion was allocated to the Ministry of Education.

In his presentation speech, the president said the ministry of educationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital allocation has been increased by 65 per cent to improve the education of children, adding that funds had been provided for the provision of scholarships to Nigerian students at home and abroad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have provided funds for the upgrade of security and other infrastructural facilities in our unity colleges nationwide. To improve access to education, we have made provision for the establishment of five new federal science and technical colleges. We have also provided for the payment of allowances to 5,000 teachers under the Federal Teachers Scheme (FTS). â&#x20AC;&#x153;The 2021 Budget was prepared amidst a challenging global and domestic environment due to the persistent headwinds from the Coronavirus pandemic.â&#x20AC;?

He said the resulting global economic recession, low oil prices and heightened global economic uncertainty have had important implications for the economy, adding that the Nigerian economy is currently facing serious challenges with the macro-economic environment being significantly disrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Real Gross Domestic Product (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;GDPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) growth declined by 6.1 per cent in the second quarter of 2020. This ended the three-year trend of positive, but modest, real GDP growth recorded since the second quarter of 2017. I am glad to note that through our collective efforts, our economy performed relatively better than that of many other developed and emerging economies. â&#x20AC;&#x153;GDP growth is projected to be negative in the third quarter of this year. As such, our economy may lapse into the second recession in four years, with significant adverse consequences. However, we are working assiduously to ensure a rapid recovery in 2021. We remain committed to implementing programmes to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next 10 years.â&#x20AC;?

As skills deficits limit employment opportunities in the formal economy, President Buhari said various skills development programmes

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu are being implemented simultaneously to address this problem frontally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For instance, the government is implementing the special public works programme to provide employment opportunities for 774,000 youths across the 774 local government areas of Nigeria. We have also recently introduced the N75 billion Nigeria Youth Investment Fund, of which N25 billion have been provided in 2021 budget.â&#x20AC;?

With the 65 per cent increase in the allocation to education, university dons who have been monitoring the development, argued that such increase is grossly inadequate, as it will further bring affliction to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development.

In his submission, the Vice-Chancellor of Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University), Professor Idowu Babatunde, described such trifling increase as much ado about nothing.

According to him, â&#x20AC;&#x153;this kind of allocation will never take Nigerian education sector to anywhere. The governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stand on IPPIS is even an indication that education sector is in trouble. I have listened carefully to some commentaries about the 2021 budget proposal presented to the National Assembly by the president. Expectedly, allocation to the education sector got my interest. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of these commentaries were suggestive of the fact that allocation to education sector was increased by 65 per cent as mentioned by the president during his presentation. For me, this trifling increase is grossly inadequate and deserves no commendation. In fact, the so called 65 per cent increase is shockingly misleading.â&#x20AC;?

He explained that the touted 65 per cent increase is for capital expenditure in the education sector, compared only to the 2020 reversed budget that was terribly inadequate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that in the revised 2020 budget, the sector secured only N50.95 billion for

capital projects. To further appreciate the analysis, the increase is less than 35 per cent of what other small African countries like Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, Benin Republic, etc dedicate to capital projects in their education sector. In fact, a country like Benin Republic allocates more than three times the percentage of the funds we spend on capital projects in the sector. This is embarrassing, to say the least.â&#x20AC;?

Babatunde expressed concern that other ministries got more allocations for capital projects compared to that of education, saying that this does not show that the country takes education seriously. â&#x20AC;&#x153;While we appreciate that the security situation in the country may have forced the government to maintain higher budget for security, it is embarrassing to see Ministry of Water Resources getting almost the same amount as Ministry of Education. Ministry of Works and Housing got even more than twice the amount allocated to education. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget that health secured 157 per cent increase in the current budget, ahead of education.

This is not the markings of a country that takes education seriously. â&#x20AC;&#x153; Since the return to democracy in 1999, the VC said the country has never met UNESCO minimum benchmark of allocation to the education sector, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the entire allocation to education in 2021 budget proposal is less than 9 per cent. You will recall that this has been the pattern. For example, 10.7 per cent was allocated in 2016, six per cent in 2017, 7.1 per cent in 2018 and 5.9 per cent in 2019. Undoubtedly these allocations to the education sector can only bring affliction to the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development. However, in other African countries, allocation to the sector is between 20 per cent to 25 per cent.â&#x20AC;?

In his submission, a Professor of Political Science and Chairman of the Board, Achievers University Flexible Academic Programmes,

We still have a long way to go because the UNESCO recommendation is 26 per cent for any serious economy to grow, but we are still far below 10 per cent which means we still have a long way to go. That is a positive response to the yearnings of the people. The government is beginning to recognise the importance of the education sector

Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Ibiyinka Solarin, said though the country has often failed to meet the percentage benchmark of UNESCO on education, but such significant increase should be welcomed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even need the UNESCO or any extraterritorial organisation to set any benchmark for us in this country because Nigeria is a sovereign independent state that ought to know her priorities for national development and education is fundamental to that.â&#x20AC;?

He said any budgetary allocation is only as good as its implementation, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerians are cautiously optimistic while we await the faithful and diligent implementation of the 65 per cent increase in the budget of the education sector.â&#x20AC;?

The Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Management Services, Babacock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Professor Sunday Ajao Owolabi described the move as a positive signal to the development of the education sector in Nigeria, while commending the efforts of the president to increase the new budget by 65 per cent compered with last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s budget. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, we still have a long way to go because the UNESCO recommendation is 26 per cent for any serious economy to grow, but we are still far below 10 per cent which means we still have a long way to go.

That is a positive response to the yearnings of the people. The government is beginning to recognise the importance of the education sector. If you look at the budget, you will see that security carries a lot of money and I cannot blame it because with all the crisis in the country, that will not go into it, so it is a positive signal, we are moving forward.â&#x20AC;?

He said there is need to jumpstart the education sector if the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy is to develop, noting that many of the issues the country has on security matters, education will solve them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If young people are constructively engaged, you will discover that many of them will not find any joy in vices or going into crimes, but because many of them are not constructively engaged in education, that is giving us a lot of challenge in Nigeria. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the last Big Brother Naija show, the young man that won, you will see the quality of education in him in his discussion. So Nigerians know what is good and that is why many people voted for him, he graduated from the University of Lagos (UNILAG). There is nothing you can compere education with.â&#x20AC;?

He appealed to the federal government to ensure that by next year, the allocation to education should not have anything to do below 10 or 15 per cent of the budget.

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T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 14, 2020

EDUCATION

UNIUYO Splits into Camps over Selection of New VC

T

he announcement of Professor Nnyaudo Ndaeyo as the incoming Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo (UNIUYO) has continued to generate controversy, dividing the univeristy community into two with the Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Austin Awujoh heading to Abuja to explain situations.

The Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mr. Aniediabasi Udofia, in a recent statement, announced Prof. Ndaeyo as in-coming Vice-Chancellor, claiming that the decision was reached at the meeting of the institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Governing Council, but the chairman of the council is insisting that the result of the interview panel, which Prof. Edet Udoh scored the highest, remains the only official, reliable and acceptable result for the position which will become vacant on December 1, 2020.

The incumbent ViceChancellor, Professor Enefiok Essien (SAN) is expected to vacate the office on December 1, but the politics of succession, which has become a festering sore in Nigerian universities in recent times, has divided the university community into two major camps; a development which has attracted the attention of the authorities in Abuja.

The camps in the university are formed behind Professor Udoh, who seems to have the backing of the governing council and Professor Ndaeyo, who seems to have the backing of the outgoing vice-chancellor and some members of the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senate. Both camps are quoting the law governing the process of appointing and removing a VC and other principal officers of federal universities, the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1993 as amended.

It states: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The council shall select and appoint as the vicechancellor one candidate from

among the three candidates recommended to it under subsection (3) of this section and thereafter inform the visitor.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Although the controversy is said to stem largely from the unwillingness of the chairman of council to follow the said law, insiders say the action of the vicechancellor and some members of the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senate is to block Prof. Udoh from coming in as the Vice-Chancellor because they are not comfortable with his strict nature. He will be difficult to influence or manipulate, they fear.

Professor Udoh is also said to be a young intellectual, who obtained his professorship at a relatively young age, a situation those who did so at a much older age are not comfortable with, as he would thus end up with exceptional credentials. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some of these professors see professorship as a cult which ranking should be guarded jealously and not be diminished by young initiates. It is a gang-up by the old people,â&#x20AC;? one of the lecturers apparently behind Udoh said.

A five-member Joint Selection Board on October 5, 2020 was said to have conducted an interview where Udoh got the highest score. Three of the selection board members were from the governing council which included the chairman, as well as two members appointed by the vice-chancellor, excluding himself. The university had advertised for the position to fill a vacancy that would be created when the incumbent concludes his tenure on December 1, 2020.

The selection board presented the three candidates with the highest score - Prof. Udoh (90), Prof. Ndaeyo (86) and Prof.

Gabriel Sunday Umoh (70), to the council. All three are from the Faculty of Agriculture.

The Governing Council, comprising the Chairman and 12 other members met and in a secret ballot, reportedly chose Prof. Ndaeyo as the

new Vice-Chancellor. Ndaeyo was said to have scored nine votes and Prof. Udoh four votes.

Prof. Umoh did not have any vote. Disagreement started at this point as the chairman of council washed his hands off the process and refused to sign the minutes.

He insisted he never announced the purported winner as claimed by Prof. Ndaeyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp because the voting was not necessary in the first place since a clear winner had emerged from the interview. According to him, such a ballot could only have been necessary where there was a tie during the interview, which was not the case. The announcement of Ndaeyo as the Vice-Chancellor-in-waiting by the registrar was therefore without his consent, he claimed.

In an interview in Uyo, Prof. Awujo explained that the interview process was fairly and democratically conducted for the best candidate to emerge.

He was therefore surprised that the outcome of the contest was

rejected by the management of the institution led by the outgoing VC, Prof. Essien.

His words: â&#x20AC;&#x153;After the interview for the 10 candidates who were cleared for the final round of the contest, three candidates were outstanding. Prof. Edet Udoh, of the Department of Agricultural Economics scored a total of 90 per cent; Prof.

Nnyaudoh Ndaeyo, the current Deputy Vice- Chancellor, polled 86 per cent, while Prof. Gabriel Umoh, also of the Department of Agric Economics, scored 70 per cent.â&#x20AC;?

The outcome, according to him, was rejected by the outgoing vice-chancellor and his supporters, leading to the voting that is now in dispute, a development he said was not recognised by the extant laws governing the institution.

Following the decision of the outgoing VC and others not to accept the outcome of the official interview in which Prof. Edet scored the highest and the controversy which the

action was bound to throw up, the chairman said he had to intimate the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof.

Abubakar Rasheed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I put the call through that I was under pressure to announce the second person, Prof. Ndaeyo, as the winner, the NUC Executive Secretary instructed that a meeting of the council should be immediately convened to announce the right person, Prof. Edet, who was objectively selected on merit, having scored the highest in the interview. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Surprisingly, the outgoing VC and others who are in support of his candidate, Prof. Ndaeyo, shunned the council meeting which was to publicly announce and declare Prof. Edet as the new UNIUYO VC. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Based on this development, the Permanent Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education also called me and I am going to present the matter before the Minister of Education,

Prof. Adamu Adamu for final ratification,â&#x20AC;? he said.

A commentator said the development has become common in the university system and is one of the monsters thrown up by the autonomy which the university system demanded and was obliged. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is the monster that the autonomy of universities has brought upon the system. The internal contradictions within a particular university now dictates the leadership and not merit.

Any successful gang-up can throw up anything within the system now under the cover of autonomy. They wanted it, they should live with it,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Before the law was amended following the agitation for autonomy for the university system, the visitor to the university was required to pick from three recommended candidates who should be appointed as vice-chancellor, but the amended version cedes such power to the governing council of the respective universities.

Participants at the recently launched special project on teaching curriculum for the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) in the Sahel and Nigeria, by the West Africa Network for Peace Building, in Bauchi

Edfin MfB, Lagos ASUP Kicks as Bida Poly Moves to Sack 3 Employment Fund to Provide N5bn for Schools Members Despite Restraining Order EdFin Microfinance Bank has partnered the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to provide a single-digit interest rate loan to over 2,000 private schools and individuals looking to fund their education in Lagos State. The N5 billion intervention fund is part of the state governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s initiative to help schools recover from the shocks and losses because of COVID-19. Depending on capacity, each school will have the opportunity to access up to N5 million payable over 30 months at 9 per cent per annum.

Speaking at a recent webinar, the Executive Secretary of LSETF, Mrs. Teju Abisoye announced the partnership with EdFin Microfinance Bank. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a matching fund loan programme to support education sector in Lagos State. The loans are targeted at schools and relevant educational institutions like vocational training centres that have been in operation for over one year. The loan will also support young people looking

for financing to fund their education. â&#x20AC;&#x153;LSETF recognises that the education sector creates jobs and from the previous programmes done by LSETF, the education sector is a promising sector that will create the kind of numbers and jobs we need in Lagos State. Quality education is an important part of human welfare and existence and LSETF is happy to be affiliated with EdFin Microfinance Bank, the first specialized Education finance bank to provide this service to affordable and flexible financing for all actors in the education ecosystem.â&#x20AC;?

Also, speaking about the partnership, the MD/CEO of EdFin MfB, Ms. Bunmi Lawson, thanked the Lagos State government for the laudable initiative, saying that this is the first dedicated education fund in Nigeria and EdFin being the first specialised education finance bank is happy to partner the state government and the state education system to support schools with the funding they need.

Uchechukwu Nnaike The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic, Bida chapter, has faulted the impending sack of three union leaders by the Rector, Dr. Abubakar Dzukogi without following due process and obeying court order.

ASUP also appealed to the minister of education to stop the planned sack of three union leaders for allegedly exposing mismanagement and maladministration in the polytechnic.

Investigations revealed that the rector, who retired recently from the polytechnic has penciled down the names of ASUP Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Assistant Secretary for sack, despite the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) order restraining the Dzukogi-led management.

The planned sack may not be unconnected with ASUPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continuous push for the probe of the five years administration of Dzukogi for alleged mismanagement of funds and

maladministration.

The union had petitioned the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu in which it alleged mismanagement and maladministration in the polytechnic in the last five years under the leadership of Dzukogi.

The union also invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate alleged corrupt practices of the current polytechnic management such as the TETFund grants and misappropriation of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The NICN, Abuja Division has declared as unconstitutional, null and void the reconstituted Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee (SSDC) of the institution conveyed via an internal memo dated August 11, 2020 as ultravires, null and void.

The NICN also stated that only a duly constituted governing council of the polytechnic is empowered under the Federal Polytechnic Act, 2019 to con-

stitute the SSDC. The court further declared as void any disciplinary action taken against the three ASUP executives and restrained the council, rector and registrar from receiving, acting on or implementing any recommendations from the committee.

The restraining order was issued on September 26, 2020.

The court observed that the rector usurped the powers of the governing council and caused the registrar to reconstitute the SSDC. In another petition to the minister of education, ASUP accused Dzukogi of disrespecting court order. The letter was dated October 6 and titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Case of Witch-hunt and Disrespect to Court Orderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The union informed the minister that the rector has concluded plans to sack ASUP Bida Poly Chairman, Abubakar Ndasabe, Vice-Chairman, Owoeye Olaniyi and Assistant Secretary, Ibrahim Abubakar, and sought his intervention to stop the illegal process.

The union informed the minister that it visited the school clinic and what it discovered was an eye sore in terms of drugs provision and availability of needed facilities, despite staff compulsorily contributing 10 per cent of their monthly salary to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

ASUP said it made a formal report on its findings to Dzukogi after the visit to the clinic and rather than address the issues, the retired rector chooses to harass, intimidate and witch-hunt union leaders, clinic medical director (Dr. Ajari), chief pharmacist of the clinic and some staff of the clinic. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;â&#x20AC;&#x2122;The formal letter challenging the competency of the SSDC for the trial and court process served on the rector. It is the unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prayer that you use your good office to urgently intervene in order to stop the now retired rector from meting unjust punishment on the leadership and members of the union for they never committed any offense,â&#x20AC;? ASUP stated.

36

T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 14, 2020

EDUCATION

DSN, Malezi, MasterCard Foundation Target 1m Children with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Learn at Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Project Uchechukwu Nnaike Data Science Nigeria and Malezi have partnered Mastercard Foundation to provide opportunities for continued learning while schools are still closed, and build long-term resilience in the Nigerian education system to withstand potential future disruptions to the school calendar.

According to the partners, the prolonged school closure brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has left millions of children in Nigeria without any formal learning over the last six months.

Cut off from any instruction, feedback or interaction with their teachers, they said learners are now at risk of losing important learning gains and will need to catch up on what they missed.

The initiative entitled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Learn at Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, will enable remote learning through multiple channels like radio, mobile and web, and aims to provide learning access for one million children in Nigeria within the

next 12 months. The initiative is made possible by the Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Programme.

According to the Country Head, Nigeria at the Mastercard Foundation, Chidinma Lawanson: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This pandemic continues to upend basic assumptions about where, when and how we learn and work. Right now, the priority, in terms of education, is ensuring that children learn-no matter where they are or whether they have access to the internet. Ensuring universal learning continuity is critical if we are going to mitigate not just losses in learning, but the overall inequality being perpetuated by this crisis.â&#x20AC;?

The project delivery is split into two major channels, offline and online learning. Data Science Nigeria will take charge of delivering the offline learning and has created a localised and relevant learning syllabus that can easily be accessed on radio stations close to the children and on any mobile phone by simply dialling a USSD code, a

data connection is not required.

Speaking on the five key differentiators of the project, the Executive Director of Data Science Nigeria, Toyin Adekanmbi said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our approach to tackling education for disadvantaged kids rests on our understanding of the obstacles and we have worked to overcome them head on. Learn from Home requires no internet connection to access, the curriculum is localised per locations across Nigeria and based on the NERDC curriculum, the highest quality standard of teachers have been engaged for content delivery and each student will have a unique school registration number that allows student-teacher engagement and regular opportunity to test learning using simple mobile telephony services like USSD and SMS.â&#x20AC;?

Malezi, which has experience in large-scale education across several countries in Africa, will be in charge of delivering the online learning. Malezi will provide a rich learning experience to children who have access to

internet connectivity and smart devices. This category will cover self-paced learning with numerous curriculum-aligned e-notes, videos and quizzes, as well as teacher support through live tutorials and question and answer options. Learning content will be accessed through both mobile and web platforms.

Malezi also plans to offer downloadable learning material for those students who experience intermittent data connectivity.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Learn at Homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; project will commence just in time for the back-to-school season in late September/early October 2020 and will provide critical learning for children across the country whether they have access to the internet or are offline.

Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, a return to inperson school delivery is yet to be determined by many state governments, making the intervention by Data Science Nigeria, Malezi and the Mastercard Foundation especially timely.

A cross-section of students of Onitsha High School, Anambra State, when 19 Youth Foundation donated sanitary pads to the girls to mark the International Day of the Girl Child... recently

NAPPS Awards Scholarship to 400,000 Indigent Children Funmi Ogundare and Kuni Tyessi in Abuja As part of efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the country, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has concluded plans to award scholarships to 400,000 indigent children per year for a period of three years.

The National President of the association, Chief Yomi Otubela, who disclosed this recently, during a virtual briefing to commemorate the 2020 annual NAPPS Day themed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Digital Revolution as a Tool in Revamping Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Education in Post COVID-19 Eraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; said it has already communicated its decision to partner with the Federal Ministry of Education in proffering solution to the nagging problem.

He said â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is the unanimous decision of the national executives of NAPPS that each of about 40,000 proprietors in NAPPS shall oblige to award scholarships to a target of 10

indigent children per year for a consecutive three years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It should be noted that our member schools before now had been devoted to giving different forms of scholarships to indigent students, but we want to do more. With this, the association is poised to remove a minimum of about 400,000 children from the streets each year. Within the period, our target is to reduce the rate by four per cent per annum as an addition to governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts.â&#x20AC;?

Speaking on the theme, he said it is appropriate as it gives an insight into the plethora of challenges school owners have had to confront in the past months which indeed had reshaped the way they do things due to rude interruption on every aspect of life.

Otubela commended the support of the management of School Try (an ICT company) to NAPPS member private schools throughout the federation in the bid for member schools to adopt digitalisation of school processes.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We implore member schools that are yet to digitalize their processes to adopt School Try for their online learning processes at no cost. As the world is getting fully digitalised, it is imperative that private schools and by extension, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education system fully embrace remote learning and automated administrative processes in their operations. It is only through this that our education system can begin the process of providing services in line with best practices.â&#x20AC;?

In his remarks, the founder and Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, who emphasised on the theme, said the virtual meeting was timely, as it allows people to share information and data in real time without being physically located together. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This meeting is to educate your audience which in itself has brought a revolution about the way we were doing things way back in the analogue days. But

all of those have since changed.

We can now communicate with the world right where you are seated through the instrumentalities of your hand set and computers. You can do all your bank transactions from your living rooms.

He advised teachers to harness digital revolution to make education better.

The executives of NAPPS and the Association of Private School Owners of Nigeria (APSON) had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu in Abuja, where they expressed their readiness to reduce the rate of out-of-school children to complement governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts.

Otubela commended the federal government for the recent approval of a special salary scale and new retirement age for teachers, while appealing for the establishment of a special grant and palliative fund for teachers in private schools.

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

WRAPPING UP â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;BIDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Two Wednesdays ago, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Break it downâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was my suggestion for bringing order and a sense of accountability to bear on processes in your workplace or home-front. Drawing up â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;A Procedureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the task was the solution I proďŹ&#x20AC;ered. To date several acknowledgements of this writing has come to me. Thanks to those that let me know it helped.

To wrap that article up, I would like not just to list the beneďŹ ts this methodology (if you like) brings. It is important to stress that all relevant staďŹ&#x20AC; should know the procedure. But ďŹ rstly let me share an instance where I witnessed a procedural document acting as the bailout to what would have cost someone her hard-to-ďŹ nd job and possibly a strike oďŹ&#x20AC; her professional register. Jane was new on the unit, never mind that she had only recently just cleared both her mandatory induction and probation period. Having read and understood the unitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recently updated version of Procedure for Checking Controlled Medication, at the end of her shift on this fateful day, she locked away the seemingly loitering medicines key in the designated safe, and left the unit. Unfortunately Anna who was by nature a bit on the lackadaisical side had taken the handover but wandered oďŹ&#x20AC; without picking up the medicines keys Jane had indicated. Anna has gone oďŹ&#x20AC; to have a quick chat with a member of staďŹ&#x20AC; who was going oďŹ&#x20AC; shift. Anna was aware of an update but had kept on procrastinating her reading of this updated medication document. The entire morning shift staďŹ&#x20AC; also had no clue about the whereabouts of the keys having not read the new protocol. On top of this, Jane was now unreachable on her phone.The maintenance oďŹ&#x192;cer who could have unlocked the room was two hours away. Things were beginning to look pretty grime indeed. Due to be completed were: blood-glucose checks, urinalysis, bladder washouts, pre-breakfast medications including anti-coagulant schedules, as well as AM topical emollients and analgesics. Everyone wrongly assumed that Jane had mistakenly left with the keys.They did not realise that recent updates on the procedure directed that the medication keys should be locked away in the designated safe in situations where the staďŹ&#x20AC; member taking over was running late or inadvertently engaged on the ďŹ&#x201A;oor.

By the time the maintenance oďŹ&#x192;cer arrived, medication schedules had run seriously late, tempers were ďŹ&#x201A;ying, patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; anxiety levels were raised, complaints had been made to the head-oďŹ&#x192;ce by some patientsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; families, Safeguarding petitions were in the process of being completed and forwarded to pertinent vulnerable- persons protection services. A huge Cause-for Concern and Safeguarding alert was raised, a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Disciplinaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; procedure followed for Anna, Jane was exonerated from the blames. Do in conclusion, beneďŹ ts Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2039; ĂĄĂ?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x;Ă&#x17D;Ă? Ă&#x152;Ă?Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018;Ë? Ëž Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁ Ě&#x2122;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ě&#x161; Ă?âĂ&#x161;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ë&#x203A; Ă&#x17E; Ëž Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă? a clear identiďŹ cation of speciďŹ c people to complete a given task. Ëž Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17D;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122; Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ë&#x153; ĂĄĂ&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2019; Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă?Ă&#x;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁË&#x203A; Ëž Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x201C;Ă? Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC; Ă&#x2122;Ă? ĂŁĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153; Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;ĂŁËšĂ?Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă?Ă?ËŞ processes such as: company staďŹ&#x20AC; structure, strength, equipment, space, technology, ethics and values. Ëž Ă&#x161;Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă?Ă&#x2013;ĂŁ Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă Ă?Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă? Ă&#x2122;Ă? Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ě&#x2039;Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2018;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2018; activities. Ëž Ă&#x17E; Ă?Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x2013;Ă?Ă? Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x153; Ă&#x161;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17D; Ă&#x2039;Ă?Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x2DC;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;ĂŁ.

Omoru is a freelance writer, education, health and social care advocate

School Reopening: Expert Advocates Mental Health Counselling for Special Needs Children The Head of School at Anthos House, Dr. Kimberley Scollard, has called for mental health counselling for special needs children as schools reopen across the country.

She said this in a recent interview after the Lagos State government announced that schools can reopen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It has been a very difficult time for everyone. We have all gone through what we have never experienced in our lifetime. Thea six-month schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lockdown has taken a mental toll on everyone in the academic environment; so, there is a general need for schools to organise mental health counselling for their students. This counselling would make it easy for them to transit back to school and reduce the anxieties related to returning back to school after

the prolonged stay at home,â&#x20AC;? she said.

According to her, apart from following the COVID-19 preventive guidelines issued by the government, Anthos House will prioritise mental health counselling for its students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have done the things that the government asked schools to do, such as staff training on COVID-19 prevention and installation of handwashing and hand sanitizer stations. Besides that, our counsellors, psychologists and emotional therapy teachers will work with our students and their parents to reduce the fear associated with resumption.â&#x20AC;?

Scollard added that because some parents are not comfortable with allowing their children to go back to school now, the school provides students with an online or on-site learning option.

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T H I S D AY ˞ ͯͲ, 2020

Mental Wellness Day: Experts Canvass Implementation of Mental Health Policy Funmi Ogundare Stakeholders weekend converged on Zoom for the third Olashore International School (OIS) mental wellness summit with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mental Wellness: A Central Pillar of Adolescent Wellbeingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, where they called for the implementation of the framework of the mental health policy in Nigeria.

The programme was part of efforts to commemorate the World Mental Health Day, usually held on October 10 every year.

Such framework they said would help parents, caregivers, school administrators and other stakeholders to develop a better understanding of, and better address the mental health issues that negatively affect young people.

In her keynote address, the Executive Director, The Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health, World Health Organisation (WHO), Ms. Helga Fogstad, said supporting the mental health of adolescents is crucial, as it helps to improve the quality of life, strengthens

human capital, prevents the condition of harm and enhances their skills development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The adolescent period is a very challenging period and supporting them in the area of mental health is key. They need a supportive environment to help them claim their rights.â&#x20AC;?

She expressed concern that many young people do not have access to information that would prevent them from sexual based violence and exploitation; and are most times neglected and left to fend for themselves.

Fogstad stressed the importance of a meaningful engagement with adolescents, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic when they have experienced a disruption in their academics, adding that if they are not able to find care and support from their parents and teachers, their problems will remain undiagnosed.

The MD/CEO Federal Neuro-psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Dr. Oluwayemi Ogun stressed the need to help young people and adolescents progress, develop empathy

and respond to feelings appropriately, adding that teachers could talk to parents and health professionals who have the knowledge of mental health to help students with such challenges.

The Chairperson, OISA Foundation, Mrs. Olapeju Sofowora highlighted its vision for the future, saying that it plans to collaborate with schools and mental health experts to develop a curriculum that would enable them build competence to manage crisis; develop toolkits to monitor the students in their care and identify symptoms that can easily be addressed.

Other efforts, she said include holding an annual conference on mental health to share knowledge, embarking on advocacy as well as a partnership drive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need the cooperation of states, government and all our independent schools to enable us have a new generation of resilient adults.â&#x20AC;?

The Head of Department, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr. Tolulope Bella-Awusah, in her paper titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;School Mental Health in Nigeria: Charting a Course for the Futureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, emphasised the importance of

training to be able to support adolescents, adding that young people can learn well when they are mentally balanced.

She also stressed the importance of the school health policy guide for Nigeria, saying that it would help to support adolescents in schools. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is so much we can do in terms of penetration and promotion to help them improve their mental health. We need to engage the stakeholders and involve the whole school.

Parents should also begin to change their perspective towards mental health so that their children can do well in life.â&#x20AC;?

In her remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo said the state has trained its teachers on how to counsel children who are traumatised as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many parents are in denial because they have lost their jobs and as a result, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t support their children. Some students in SS3 came back pregnant, but we had to allow them sit for their exams.â&#x20AC;?

She appealed to parents to be their childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most trusted friends, rather than allowing them to go to their friends for advise.

Commissioner Tasks Bayelsa Medical Varsity on Efficiency The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Gentle Emelah has charged the management and staff of Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) on the need to be alive to their statutory roles and responsibilities so as to deliver on the purpose for which the tertiary institution was established by the state government.

Emelah, who gave the charge recently when he paid an unscheduled visit to the university situated along Imgbi Road, Yenagoa, enjoined them to remain steadfast in their good work.

Giving an insight into why he paid the unscheduled visit to the tertiary institution, Emelah, who was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ebitimitula Nicholas Etebu, said he was in the school to inspect and have what he called â&#x20AC;&#x153;first-hand knowledgeâ&#x20AC;? of the preparedness of the university to reopen.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by his technical assistant and some key staff in his ministry, added that he was in the school to assess the working and learning conditions of the students, the state of the BMU Teaching Hospital and modalities in place for the accreditation of some of its programmes.

A statement signed by BMU Director of Public Relations, Dr, Marie Teibowei, quoted Etebu as saying in his welcome remarks that the school was pleased with Emelahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show of seriousness and eagerness to change the face of tertiary institutions in the state.

The vice-chancellor added that the school was created to serve a dual purpose of training manpower in the health

sector and providing healthcare services to humanity through its teaching hospital.

Etebu said BMU has stateof-the-art facilities such as the biggest incinerator in the state, a world class diagnostic centre, a mother and child hospital, a 35-bed teaching hospital, a COVID-19 testing centre among others.

The vice-chancellor also revealed plans to establish an infection/disease control institution to mitigate any outbreak of infectious disease in the oil and gas rich state.

While on the assessment tour of the campus, the commissioner expressed delight at the level of work put in place, the serenity of the learning environment for students and the dedication of management to lead the university to enviable heights.

His words: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The visit is a part of unscheduled visits I have been paying to all institutions of learning since my appointment as Commissioner for Education in Bayelsa State. These are part of the measures put in place by the prosperity government of Senator Douye Diri to revamp the education sector. I am elated at what I have seen here today and wish to congratulate the pioneering team for the great sacrifice.â&#x20AC;?

Emelahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival in the school premises turned out to be a moment of appreciation for the visibly prepared BMU as the visit coincided with students undergoing a COVID-19 protocol orientation programme.

Some of the areas visited include the diagnostic centre, the biology laboratory, science laboratory, the teaching hospital male and female wards, the x-ray unit, as well as the emergency unit.

L-R: Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Gentle Emelah looks with interest as the Vice-Chancellor, Bayelsa Medical University, Professor Ebitimitula Etebu, points out something of interest to him when he paid an unscheduled visit to the university in Yenagoa... recently

Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Principal Tasks Stakeholders on Girl-child Education The Principal, Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Lagos, Dr. Tokunbo Yakubu- Oyinloye has called on stakeholders to complement efforts of the federal government at enhancing girl-child education so as to attain the much needed accelerated national development.

Yakubu-Oyinloye, who stated this during the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 97th Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day celebration recently, said educating the girl-child remains one of the critical ways of attaining national development and transformation, adding that when you educate the girl-child, you educate the nation.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I want to state that the federal government has done a lot in this respect, as it has championed this cause through constant sensitisation and establishment of more schools to cater for the girlchild education. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are gradually getting there, but I feel a lot of sensitisation still needs to be done in a bid to encourage more girls into school. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That is why we are calling on other stakeholders to join hands with the federal government in enhancing this sensitisation for more girls to get into school, in a bid to fully unleash their potential.â&#x20AC;?

The principal added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the major challenges in the education of girl-child is that of cultural influence, in some parts of the country, women are hardly recognised or reckoned with. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They look down on women in some places and as a result, are not motivated to allow these girls to attend school,â&#x20AC;? she added.

The principal stated that it is a thing of great joy to witness the 97th anniversary of the college, which has championed the course of girl-child education in the country.

She said over the years, the college has produced great

women who have held their own in their various fields of endeavor, within the country and in the diaspora. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Since its establishment in 1927, it has remained a school that has been sustaining excellence in girl-child education, a school, where we pass on the torch of good character, good morals, brilliant ideas and all-round development. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We indeed appreciate the Federal Ministry of Education for posting some new teaching and non-teaching staff to the college, we also appreciate it for the various projects in the school which has helped to make life easier for staff and students.â&#x20AC;?

Obaseki Commends Edo Varsity, as Manuhwa Calls for More Youths in Engineering The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has commended Edo University Iyamho for leading in technological initiatives in Nigeria and the world.

Obaseki said this at the institutionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third public lecture, delivered by the President, Federation of African Engineering Organisations, Martin Manuhwa recently.

Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Jimoh Ijiegba, applauded the institution for not shutting down academic activities, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the closing down of most academic institutions in the world this year.

In his lecture titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Digitalization of African Continent: The Role of African Universitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Manuhwa said Africa needs a new paradigm that focuses on building capacity, inspiring youths through diversity and inclusion to join the engineering profession.

He highlighted the challenges facing engineering in Africa and the role of engineering and technology in development, with emphasis on IR4.0 and construction 4.0 models to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to the guest speaker, for Africa to achieve its SDGs target, human capital development, engineering

institutional capacity building and international cooperation are major keys to development, prosperity and capacity building.

In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Emmanuel Aluyor informed the participants that the institution is keying into the digitalization of its academic programmes through the deployment of digital teaching tools which enabled it to complete the 2019/2020 academic session on the CANVAS Learning Management System.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the event and President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria

(COREN), Ali Rabiu, noted that technology is the imperative to the driving of development in Africa.

The Immediate past ProChancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Emeritus Professor T.O.K Audu, in his goodwill message, reiterated that Edo University is a trail blazer in technological innovation and expressed hope that the university sustains the success, especially as the world looks forward to the university for solutions to world challenges.

One of the participants at the event, Hon Pascal Ugbome connended the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high standard.

38

T H I S D AY ˞ ͯͲ, 2020

CITYSTRINGS

Ă&#x153;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x161; Ă?Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x153;Ë? Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă? äĂ?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C; Ă&#x2014;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x201C;Ă&#x2013; Ă?Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x2014;Ă?Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?äĂ?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x201C;ĚśĂ&#x17E;Ă&#x2019;Ă&#x201C;Ă?Ă&#x17D;Ă&#x2039;ĂŁĂ&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă Ă?Ë&#x203A;Ă?Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2014;Ë&#x153; Í&#x2018;Í&#x2122;Í&#x2019;Í&#x2013;Í&#x201C;Í&#x201C;Í&#x2013;Í&#x201C;Í&#x201D;Í&#x201C;Í&#x2013;

NAF Boosts Personnel Welfare in Lagos

NAF personnel at the inauguration of the transit studio apartments at Communications Depot, Shasha, Lagos

Chiemelie Ezeobi

T

he Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has once again boosted the welfare of its personnel with the provision of a 30 by one airmen and airwomen transit studio apartments at Communications Depot, Shasha, Lagos.

At the inauguration, the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, said it is a testimony of the pledge he made upon assumption of office in July 2015.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Then, I resolved to improve on the welfare needs of NAF personnel, as that is a major requirement in the development of human capacity for enhanced operational performance. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You would bear me witness that while the service is being restructured for efficient service delivery in the last five years, there have also been series of infrastructural developments aimed at improving both the working and living conditions of our personnel.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;These infrastructural developments range from the construction of new office and living accommodation in all the NAF Bases across the country. I am happy we have kept faith and we still intend to do more to ensure that Nigerian Air Force personnel work in a conducive atmosphere and they and their families live in befitting accommodation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I however urge beneficiaries of this gesture to use the facilities with utmost responsibility and appropriate maintenance culture. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is imperative to remind our personnel across the service that to whom much is given, much more is expected". Much resource is being expended to improve personnel welfare, motivation and professionalism. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, we must do our best to justify this enormous defence expenditure in the face of dwindling resources in the economy.

In particular, you have a responsibility to ensure adequate and sustained maintenance of the infrastructure at your disposal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a service, we must also strive

L-R: The Chief of Policy and Planning, Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao and Commander 041 Communication Depot, Shasha, Air Commodore Nkem Aguiyi at the inauguration to continuously meet and even exceed expectations of the nation by protecting the citizenry and our critical assets as well as bringing succor to the despaired as we discharge our constitutional responsibilities to the nation.â&#x20AC;?

Afterwards in an interview, the CAS, who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Planning, Air Vice Marshall Isiaka Oladayo Amao, also charged the base to ensure maintenance of the accommodation.

He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;That's what I mentioned in my speech earlier on that it's the duty of the commandant to ensure that these things are maintained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The resources are provided for maintenance of this accommodation at all times by the headquarters Nigeria Air Force so the commander has the responsibility to ensure that these facilities are well maintained at all times.â&#x20AC;?

On the need to phase out old structures from the base he said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an ongoing process that would soon stretch to all bases. â&#x20AC;?I'm sure if you had been here before, those are the kind of structures that were

here before they were transformed to these bigger structures. So it's a gradual and continuous process.â&#x20AC;&#x153; Earlier in his welcome address, the Commander 041 Communication Depot, Shasha, Air Commodore Nkem Aguiyi, commended the CAS for his deliberate actions in infrastructural development across all commands.

He said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the past five years of this current leadership, the Nigeria Air Force has witnessed unprecedented infrastructural development in NAF establishments in different parts of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There has been phenomenal improvement in operational stability along with corresponding action but necessary support structures. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Like many other units and bases across the country, 041 Communications Depot, Shasha has benefitted immensely.â&#x20AC;?

Going down memory lane, he said the CAS has commissioned several projects in Shasha, which is a proof of his determination to rapidly develop infrastructure in the force with a view to improving personnel welfare towards enhanced service delivery.

LAGFERRY Hosts Passengers, Assures Lagosians of Safety on Waterways

The Lagferry 60th Cruise Rebecca Ejifoma

I

n its continuous celebration of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 60th independence anniversary, the MD/ CEO, LAGFERRY, Abodoulbaq Balogun, has assured Lagosians of safety on the waterways.

While hosting 60 boat passengers to a cruise at the 60th Lagferry Cruise at the Five Cowries Terminal Falomo, Ikoyi, the MD said this exercise was to give Lagos the possibility of what can happen on the waterways. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is a Great Lagos Independence Cruise

and we are coming on water to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Nigeria the Lagos way. No state in Nigeria can be like Lagos. We have the water. We have the people,â&#x20AC;? he expressed.

Part of their aim was to showcase the hospitality, the tourism and the potential of what water can do for the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want people to come onboard and enjoy themselves, have fun, eat good food and dance to a lot of music then network. Unfortunately, this edition is limited by COVID-19,â&#x20AC;? he added.

For the 60 lucky winners of the raffle draw tickets, Lagferry gave them a treat from Five

Cowries Terminal to Mekwem, Lekki, River Omu Epe then returned to the Five Cowries Terminal at Falomo.

Balogun enthused: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We just want Lagosians to feel the 60th independence the Lagos way, the Lagferry way. We are doing this to enable our tourism and tell the people some of the activities that can be done onboard and on our waterways. Social events, wedding reception, meetings, parties and more.â&#x20AC;?

On the safety of Lagos waterways, the MD noted that they are doing things according to world-class standard established for the maritime

industry.

He emphasised that the waterway transportation had never been this before. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the appreciation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu we have seen a lot of transformation in the sectorâ&#x20AC;?.

Speaking also, the Head of Admin and HR Lagos Ferry Service (Lagferry), Akinyemi Olajuwon said â&#x20AC;&#x153;we have come this far but regardless of the challenges, we just look back and say we are better than some countries, notable countries that we can mention. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are going to do a cruise with our batch that can sit about 250 persons but because of the COVID-19 protocol we reduced it as much as possible so as to adhere to NCDC and Lagos State protocols of COVID-19. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is basically for people to keep fit with us, for people to enjoy and believe that the waterways is secure and is safe. It is the next phase of transportation in Lagos state that's all.â&#x20AC;?

On the appropriate time for Lagosians to use the waterways, Olajunwo highlighted, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Basically we open our waterways 6am and close at 6pm in the evening. That is the regulation. That is the standard regulation for security.â&#x20AC;?

From Thursday October 1, Lagferry slashed fare by 60 per cent for passengers that have been riding with us. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Independence cruise and fare discount is all in an effort to encourage Lagosians to patronise water transportation to their respective places in the state,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Participants had a swell time. There was everything a gathering needed to be fun-eating, drinking, dancing, and games with the national flag.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 14, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

39

40

T H I S D AY Ëž ͯͲË&#x153; 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Group Seeks Adoption of Participatory Budgetary System Ugo Aliogo The Country Director, Actionaid Nigeria (AAN), Mrs. Ene Obi, has expressed the need for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt a bottom-up approach to budget creation.

She also advised states and local governments to pursue developmental impact in the rural communities, stating that the budgetary process should be participatory and encompassing.

In a statement made available to THISDAY, Actionaid Nigeria noted that an Appropriation Bill of N13.08 trillion with an aggregate revenue projection of N7.886 trillion was very ambitious. She also noted that the downward spiral trend of the economy compelled the federal

government to review the 2020 budget, in which total government expenditure was revised downwards from N10.594 trillion to N10.523 trillion. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A budget deficit of N5.19 trillion is expected to be funded through loans from both the international and domestic institutions. This constitutes about 24 per cent of the total Appropriation Bill. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With the dwindling revenue occasioned by falling oil prices, non-remittances, leakages and others, the tendency that borrowing will continue in 2020 to fund the budget is likely. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a major concern as the debt profile keeps pilling and to substantiate this, the Debt Management Office (DMO) showcases the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s total debt stock at N31.009 ($85.897b) as of

June 30, 2021,â&#x20AC;? she noted.

Continuing, she said a coordinated framework should be established to ensure that funds allocated to health, education and agriculture are properly administered, ensuring value for money and an integrated approach.

She argued that the allocation in the 2021 proposed budget to health, education and agriculture sectors should be reviewed upwards, given that they are already falling below the international benchmarks.

According to her, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The international recommended benchmark is 10 per cent according to the AU 2003 Maputo Declaration.

Unfortunately for Nigeria, agricultural allocation is mere 1.73 per cent, health - 4.16 per cent and education - 7.54 per cent.

Buhari

LCCI Unfolds Plan forLagos2020TradeFair Dike Onwuamaeze The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has announced that the 2020 edition of the Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF) will be held between November 6th and 15th, 2020.

It would hold in both physical and virtual formats due to the COVID-19 pandemic environment.

This was announced yesterday by the Vice President of the LCCI and the Chairman of Trade Promotion Board (TPB), Mr. Gabriel Idahosa during a media briefing in Lagos.

Idahosa said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are glad to confirm to you that the TPB has approved the hosting of a virtual trade fair as part of the 2020 Lagos International Trade Fair. To this end, plans are at an advanced stage for the customisation of a virtual portal that would host

the virtual trade fair. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The virtual portal will be customised and peculiar to the nature and operations of the LITF. The portal will provide you with all the benefits you enjoy from the physical trade fair.â&#x20AC;?

He assured the Lagos State Government all stakeholders that elaborate plans have been put in place to ensure a hitch free 2020 trade fair, adding that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we shall strictly adhere with the safety guideline of the Executive Governor of Lagos State in order to curtail further spread of Covid-19. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have partners and sponsors who are supporting the fair with lots of safety logistics and equipment to ensure we comply with all the Covid-19 safety protocols. We are also working in cooperation with the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC) towards a safe and hygienic trade fair this year.â&#x20AC;?

The LCCI said it has activated its online booking portal to afford participants the opportunity of booking spaces early and enjoying some discounts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;With a virtual component coming on board, the LITF will offer endless possibilities for our exhibitors, sponsors and partners. These possibilities would all be anchored on the brand promise of the LITF Connecting Businesses, Creating Value,â&#x20AC;? the chamber said.

Idahosa said the LCCI would tap from the experience it gained from the virtual hosting of its ICF Fair in June this year to make the virtual component of the LITF a success.

He also said the fair would provide manufacturers and firms in distributive trade the opportunity to sell off their products that have been stored in warehouses for a long time.

Stanbic IBTC Retains Fitchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;AAAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rating Fitch Ratings, has reaffirmed that Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc and its subsidiary, Stanbic IBTC Bank have retained their National Long-Termâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; AAA (nga)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and National Short-Termâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; F1+(nga)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; ratings.

Fitch Ratings is a leading provider of credit ratings, commentary and research for global markets. The National Long-Termâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; AAA (nga)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and National Short-Termâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; F1+(nga)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ratings are the highest possible ratings on Fitchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rating scale.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings and Stanbic IBTC Bank were rated high based on the potential support from their parent company, Standard Bank Group, which is based in South Africa.

According to Fitch Ratings, both organisations retained their ratings as a result of the vital role they play in Standard Bank Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary operations in West Africa as well as its size and high operational integration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The National Long-Term Ratings on Stanbic IBTC Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s N30 billion senior unsecured notes and the National Long- and ShortTerm Ratings on the N150 billion structured note programme for senior unsecured debt are in line with the Bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s issuer ratings,â&#x20AC;?

Fitch said. Stanbic IBTC Holdings is a subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group. Its principal operating entity is Stanbic IBTC Bank, a mid-tier commercial bank, which represented 96 per cent of the

holding companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s consolidated assets at the end of 2019.

Both entities are highly integrated with Standard Bank Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s risk-management framework with access to Standard Bank Groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competitive advantages relative to peers. This also includes connectivity to its network and the ability to serve large domestic and multinational companies. The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;AAA (nga)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; is given to issuers with the lowest expectation of default risk when compared with their competitors.

The National Short-Term Rating of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;F1+(nga)â&#x20AC;&#x2122; is assigned to issuers that have the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments in comparison to other issuers in Nigeria.

Software Company Secures $100,000 Investment AirSmat, a Pan-African software company, has received $100,000 from Zetogon, a United Kingdombased company. The pre-seed investment is expected to help the organisation deliver world-class service in Africa. The Nigerianbased firm would use the funds to get its product, SmatCrows, to customers in Nigeria and support the product launch.

A statement quoted the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chief Technology Officer, Adeoluwa Ibikunle to have said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The new investment

will enable AirSmat to further build on its position as a startup that helps customers to proactively take business decision backed by intelligence obtained from AirSmat AI-based platform. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are starting out with food security for the continent; our solution allows smart farmers to gain control of their crop yield and general farming activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our innovative and creative approach will use world-class AI-powered software aimed at improving the efficiency of African

farmers in terms of yields and productivity using the power of AirSmat Artificial Intelligent (AAI)-driven software. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The software will provide timely information about the state of their crops and general operations on their farmlands. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigeria comes first with an official launch of our flagship product called Smatcrows in October and a similar launch would be carried out in other African countries by Q2 2021,â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ibikunle said.

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

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x;Ă&#x153;Ă?Ă? Ě&#x2039;

Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

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

14.00

Treasury Bill Rate

11.84

Savings Deposit Rate

4.07

1 Month Deposit Rate

8.82

3 Months Deposit Rate

9.72

6 Months Deposit Rate

10.93

12 Months Deposit Rate

10.21

Prime Lending rate

17.35

Maximum Lending Rate

31.55

Ëž Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2DC;Ă?Ă&#x17E;Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x153;ĂŁ Ă&#x2122;Ă&#x2013;Ă&#x201C;Ă?ĂŁ Ă&#x2039;Ă&#x17E;Ă? Ě&#x2039; ͯ͹Ϲ

OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE Ë&#x153; ÍŻÍ° Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $40.57 a barrel on Monday, compared with $41.61 the previous Friday, 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

41

T H I S D AY Ëž ͯͲË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Stockbrokers to Set Blueprint for Economic Revival Goddy Egene Stockbrokers in Nigeria are warming up to prepare a roadmap on how the federal government can leverage the capital market to put Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dwindling economy on sound footing.

The brokers, who are doing this in pursuit of their roles as agents of wealth creation, will converge on November 5, for the 2020 annual general confer-

ence under the aegis of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS).

The conference has as its theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Navigating through the storms-re-energizing the economy through the capital market.â&#x20AC;?

Coming at a period when the Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vice-president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has said that government is seeking alternative avenues for money, the conference will attract indigenous and foreign finance and investment

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

experts, top level government functionaries, capital market regulators, investors and other members of the capital market ecosystem.

Commenting, the President of CIS, Olatunde Amolegbe, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The significance of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme, is better appreciated against the backdrop of the current situation whereby the federal government is in dire needof fund to finance the economy. The key messages to the government and

S E C U R I T I E S

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

companies in Nigeria are that of hope and renewal by taking advantage of opportunities to source long term fund through the capital market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The federal government should access medium and long term fund from the market to finance budget deficit and build infrastructure among others.

Companies should also explore the market to shore up working capital, invest in Information and Communication Technology

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

(ICT) grow business, enhance profitability and boost return on investment (ROI).â&#x20AC;?

Also speaking, the Registrar and Chief Executive of CIS, Mr. Adedeji Ajadi, noted that Covid-19 pandemic had necessitated the need for comprehensive turnaround of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are sending a poser to the government: With the challenges of Covid, a looming recession and other economic issues in Nigeria, how do we turn our economy

O F

around?We are suggesting that, if well- explored, the capital market can be a major catalyst to drive the desired growth, and take us through the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;storm,â&#x20AC;? Ajadi said.

Federal and state governments had several times raised capital through the market to fund development projects. Recently, the federal government raised N200 billion through its Sukuk 1 and 11 to fund over 26 roads across the six geopolitical zones in the country.

1 3 / 1 0 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020

42

Wednesday, October 14, 2020 Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index Sheds 18bps The Thisday Afrinvest 40 Index dropped 18bps in yesterday͛s trading

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 INDEX

session to print at 1,287.05 points following sell pressures in GUARANTY (-2.5%), UBA (-2.9%) and FIDELITY ;–1.0%). These stocks ĐƵŵƵůĂƟǀĞůLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚ ĨŽƌ ϭϯ͘Ϯй ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚĞdž͘

Fundamental Performance Metrics for THISDAY AFRINVEST 40 Index

Ticker

Current Price

THISDAY AFRINVEST 40

Local Bourse Edges Higher... ASI up 2bps dŚĞ ƐƚŽĐŬ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ƌĞĐŽƌĚĞĚ ŝƚƐ ĮƌƐƚ ŐĂŝŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ǁĞĞŬ as price appreciĂƟŽŶ ŝŶ NIGERIAN BREWERIES (+1.0%), STANBIC ;нϯ͘ϱйͿ ĂŶĚ INTBREW (+9.6%) drove a 2bps increase in the benchmark index to Ϯϴ͕ϯϰϰ͘Ϭϰ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͘ Ɛ Ă ƌĞƐƵůƚ͕ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐĂƉŝƚĂůŝƐĂƟŽŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ to േ14.8tn as investors gained േϯ͘ϰďŶ ǁŚŝůĞ zd ƌĞƚƵƌŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ ϱ͘ϲй͘ ĐƟǀŝƚLJ ůĞǀĞů ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂƐ ǀŽůƵŵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ƌŽƐĞ ϰϱ͘ϭй ƚŽ ϱϯϱ͘ϴŵ ƵŶŝƚƐ ǁŚŝůĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ƚƌĂĚĞĚ ĨĞůů Ϭ͘ϴй ƚŽ േ5.0bn. The most traded stocks by volume were REGALINS (245.8m units), GUARANTY ;ϭϬϬ͘ϯŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ĂŶĚ UBA ;ϯϮ͘ϵŵ ƵŶŝƚƐͿ ǁŚŝůĞ GUARANTY (േϯ͘ϬďŶͿ͕ STANBIC (േ526.8m) and ZENITH (േϮϵϱ͘ϯŵͿ ůĞĚ ďLJ ǀĂůƵĞ͘

Mixed Sector Performance

Price Previous Current Change Price Weightin YTD Change g

Price Change Index to Date

ROE

ROA

P/E

P/BV

Divindend Earnings Yield Yield

1,287.05

-0.18%

-12.3%

28.7%

16.7%

3.7%

4.3x

0.5x

6.2%

15.5%

1 MTN Nigeria Communications PLC

140.00

0.0%

33.0%

33.3%

28.4%

163.8%

12.2%

14.5x

20.5x

5.0%

6.9%

2 Airtel Africa PLC

410.20

0.0%

17.9%

37.2%

37.2%

9.4%

3.1%

ot Applicable

2.8%

3 Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

29.55

-2.5%

10.1%

-0.5%

1.2%

29.4%

4.7%

4 Zenith Bank PLC

20.00

0.3%

6.4%

7.5%

7.0%

5 Nestle Nigeria PLC

4.3x

1.2x

9.3%

23.0%

2.8x

0.6x

14.0%

35.6%

1,175.00

0.0%

3.7%

-20.1%

-20.1%

106.4%

23.1%

22.6x

29.4x

5.4%

4.4%

150.00

0.0%

4.4%

5.6%

5.6%

26.9%

12.0%

12.3x

3.5x

10.7%

8.2%

6 Dangote Cement PLC 7 Access Bank PLC

7.90

0.0%

3.1%

-21.0%

-21.8%

15.3%

1.3%

2.8x

0.4x

8.2%

35.4%

8 United Bank for Africa PLC

6.60

-2.9%

2.4%

-7.7%

-8.3%

13.0%

1.2%

3.1x

0.4x

14.5%

32.5% 33.2%

9 FBN Holdings Plc

6.25

0.8%

2.5%

1.6%

-3.8%

14.2%

1.4%

3.0x

0.3x

6.1%

10 Nigerian Brew eries PLC

49.10

1.0%

2.1%

-16.8%

-16.8%

7.8%

3.3%

46.8x

2.3x

4.0%

2.1%

11 Lafarge Africa PLC

17.00

0.0%

2.9%

11.1%

23.2%

44.7%

24.1%

11.9x

0.8x

5.9%

8.4%

420.00

0.0%

1.4%

-36.2%

-29.1%

2.5%

1.5%

19.9x

0.4x

8.9%

5.0%

13 Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC

12 SEPLAT Petroleum Development C

44.00

3.5%

2.0%

7.3%

10.0%

27.7%

3.5%

5.7x

1.4x

5.4%

17.6%

14 Flour Mills of Nigeria PLC

0.6x

6.7%

21.00

0.0%

1.0%

6.6%

6.6%

15 International Brew eries PLC

4.70

9.6%

0.5%

-50.5%

-50.5%

-30.1%

-8.6%

16 Ecobank Transnational Inc

4.30

0.0%

0.6%

-33.8%

-34.4%

11.0%

0.7%

1.7x

0.2x

17 Fidelity Bank PLC

2.03

-1.0%

0.7%

-1.0%

0.5%

10.9%

1.2%

2.3x

0.2x

9.9%

42.8%

186.90

0.0%

0.8%

26.4%

26.4%

18.7%

8.5%

9.4x

1.6x

4.6%

10.7%

18 11 PLC

0.8x

-57.5% 59.2%

WĞƌĨŽƌŵĂŶĐĞ ĂĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƚŽƌƐ ǁĂƐ ŵŝdžĞĚ ĂůďĞŝƚ ƉŽƐŝƟǀĞůLJ ƐŬĞǁĞĚ ĂƐ ϯ

19 Okomu Oil Palm PLC

80.00

0.0%

0.8%

43.9%

43.9%

23.5%

15.8%

10.9x

2.4x

2.5%

9.2%

of 6 indices under our coverage closed in the green. The Consumer

20 Dangote Sugar Refinery PLC

13.50

0.0%

0.5%

-0.7%

-3.6%

21.2%

11.5%

7.1x

1.3x

8.1%

14.1%

0.4x

1.6%

Goods index led the gainers, up 0.9% on the back of gains in NIGERIAN BREWERIES (+1.0%), INTBREW (+9.6%) and CADBURY (+1.4%). In ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ ǀĞŝŶ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶƐƵƌĂŶĐĞ ĂŶĚ Kŝů Θ 'ĂƐ ŝŶĚŝĐĞƐ ĂƉƉƌĞĐŝĂƚĞĚ Ϭ͘ϯй ĂŶĚ

Ϭ͘ϭй

ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ͕

ĚƵĞ

ƚŽ

ƉƌŝĐĞ

ƵƉƟĐŬ

ŝŶ

AII-

CO ;нϯ͘ϳйͿ and ETERNA ;нϵ͘ϲйͿ͘ KŶ ƚŚĞ ŇŝƉ ƐŝĚĞ͕ the Banking and

21 Transnational Corp of Nigeria

0.63

-3.1%

0.3%

-36.4%

-41.1%

22 Unilever Nigeria PLC

13.50

0.0%

0.3%

-38.6%

-34.8%

-11.5%

-7.2%

23 Guinness Nigeria PLC

15.00

0.0%

0.2%

-50.1%

-50.1%

-15.5%

-8.3%

2.35

1.7%

0.5%

27.0%

29.1%

9.8%

1.1%

2.3x

0.2x

6.0%

25 Sterling Bank PLC

1.39

-0.7%

0.2%

-30.2%

-26.8%

8.7%

0.8%

3.9x

0.3x

2.2%

25.7%

26 UAC of Nigeria PLC

6.90

0.0%

0.2%

-19.8%

-22.5%

-11.2%

-5.5%

2.8x

0.4x

1.5%

35.8% 21.0%

27 Custodian and Allied Insurance

0.4x

-38.3% 42.6%

5.00

-4.8%

0.2%

-16.7%

-16.7%

13.9%

4.9%

4.8x

0.6x

9.0%

60.50

0.0%

0.3%

27.4%

27.4%

17.6%

7.6%

11.6x

1.9x

3.3%

8.7%

5.00

0.0%

0.2%

-16.7%

-17.4%

7.7%

1.0%

6.3x

0.6x

5.0%

16.0%

102.00

0.0%

0.2%

-8.0%

-8.0%

5.7%

1.1%

23.4x

1.4x

6.5%

2.28

1.3%

0.1%

-42.9%

-42.9%

14.5%

2.6%

1.0x

0.1x

32 NASCON Allied Industries PLC

12.10

0.0%

0.1%

-6.6%

-6.6%

16.7%

5.2%

8.4x

2.5x

3.3%

12.0%

33 Julius Berger Nigeria PLC

16.80

0.0%

0.1%

1.3%

-15.6%

10.8%

1.2%

6.7x

0.7x

9.9%

15.0%

0.58

-1.7%

-21.6%

-14.7%

8.3%

0.6%

3.1x

0.4x

6.9%

32.7%

12.45

0.0%

0.1% 0.1%

-31.2%

-30.8%

-3.0%

-1.0%

28 Presco PLC 29 Union Bank of Nigeria PLC

losses in GUARANTY (-2.5%), UBA (-2.9%) ETRANZACT (-9.8%). Last-

30 Total Nigeria PLC 31 Oando PLC

34 Wema Bank PLC

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ^ĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ^ƚƌĞŶŐƚŚĞŶƐ

-10.7%

24 FCMB Group Plc

AFR-ICT indices declined 1.2% and 6bps ƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůLJ ŽŶ ƚŚĞ ďĂĐŬ ŽĨ

ůLJ͕ ƚŚĞ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĂů 'ŽŽĚƐ ŝŶĚĞdž ĐůŽƐĞĚ ŇĂƚ͘

-5.2%

1.2x

35 Ardova PLC

4.3% 101.9%

1.0x

-3.3%

36 Continental Reinsurance PLC

/ŶǀĞƐƚŽƌ ƐĞŶƟŵĞŶƚ ĂƐ ŵĞĂƐƵƌĞĚ ďLJ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ďƌĞĂĚƚŚ ;ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞͬ

37 Beta Glass PLC

55.40

0.0%

0.1%

3.0%

3.0%

13.5%

9.1%

ĚĞĐůŝŶĞ ƌĂƟŽͿ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚ ƚŽ ϭ͘Ϯdž from the 0.6x recorded previously as

38 Notore Chemical Industries Ltd

62.50

0.0%

0.1%

0.0%

0.0%

-13.1%

-3.6%

39 AXA Mansard Insurance PLC

1.83

0.0%

0.0%

-7.6%

-7.6%

17.6%

5.0%

40 Transcorp Hotels Plc

4.00

0.0%

0.0%

-18.4%

-18.4%

-6.4%

-3.2%

18 stocks gained against the 15 that declined. ETERNA (+9.8%),

6.1x

4.1x

0.8x

0.0x

16.5%

1.6x

-6.7%

0.6x

24.6%

0.6x

0.0x

-11.7%

INTBREW (+9.6%) and REGALINS (+9.1%) were top gainers while ETRANZACT (-9.8%), ROYALEX (-7.4%) and PORTPAINT (-7.0%) led

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V o l u m e

T o p 10 G a i n e r s

ƚŚĞ ƵŶĚĞƌƉĞƌĨŽƌŵĞƌƐ͘ tĞ ĞdžƉĞĐƚ ďĂƌŐĂŝŶ ŚƵŶƟŶŐ ƚŽ ĚƌŝǀĞ ŐĂŝŶƐ ŝŶ

T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

the next trading session.

ET ER N A

4.38

9.8%

R EGA LIN S

245.8

9.1%

IN T B R EW

4.70

9.6%

GUA R A N T Y

100.3

-2.5%

R EGA LIN S

0.24

9.1%

UB A

33.0

-2.9%

C OUR T VILLE

0.21

5.0%

FB NH

15.4

0.8%

15.4

-3.1%

T ic k er

P ric e C hg %

CHA M S

0.21

5.0%

T R A N SC OR P

H ON YF LOUR

0.96

4.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

14.8

0.3%

A IIC O

0.84

3.7%

ST A N B IC

12.0

3.5%

ST A N B IC

44.00

3.5%

F ID ELIT YB K

11.5

-1.0%

N EIM ET H

1.87

2.7%

FCM B

11.2

1.7%

FCM B

2.35

1.7%

A C C ESS

7.9

0.0%

T o p 10 L o s e r s T ic k er

T o p 10 T r a d e s b y V a l u e

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

ET R A N Z A C T

2.12

-9.8%

GUA R A N T Y

R OYA LEX

0.25

-7.4%

ST A N B IC

526.8

3.5%

P OR T P A IN T

2.00

-7.0%

Z EN IT H B A N K

295.3

0.3% -2.9%

T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

3004.6

-2.5%

C UST OD IA N

5.00

-4.8%

UB A

220.0

A F R IP R UD

5.39

-3.7%

NB

158.2

1.0%

T R A N SC OR P

0.63

-3.1%

M TNN

151.3

0.0%

UB A

6.60

-2.9%

FB NH

95.0

0.8%

WA P IC

0.37

-2.6%

WA P C O

82.9

0.0%

29.55

-2.5%

D A N GC EM

67.0

0.0%

0.58

-1.7%

A C C ESS

62.0

0.0%

GUA R A N T Y WEM A B A N K

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

Vo lum e

Brokerage

Asset Management

Investment Research

Ayodeji Ebo | aebo@afrinvest.com

Ola Belgore | obelgore@afrinvest.com

Abiodun Keripe | AKeripe@afrinvest.com

Adedoyin Allen | aallen@afrinvest.com

Florence Warikam | fwarikam@afrinvest.com

Adedayo Bakare | abakare@afrinvest.com

43

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Afromedia Plc Changes Financial Year to December Goddy Egene Shareholders of the Afromedia Plc

has approved a change in the financial year of the company from September 30 to December 31. The approval

A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager.

Investors with similar objectives buy units of the Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities that willl generate their desired return.

An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the

was given by the shareholders at the annual general meeting (AGM) held on October 5, 2020.

floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an investment vehicle that allows both small and large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg.

Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their investments. The assets are divided into shares that are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

GUIDE TO DATA: Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 09Oct-2020, unless otherwise stated.

Also at the AGM, the Audited Financial Statements of the company for the year ended September 30,

2016, September 30, 2017, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2019 together with the reports of the

directors, auditors and the Audit Committee were approved by the shareholders.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or ETF are bought by investors.

Bid Price: The price at which Investors redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total return an investor would have earned on his investment. Money Market Funds report Yield while others report Year- to-date Total Return.

NAV: Is value per share of the real estate assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

DAILY PRICE LIST FOR MUTUAL FUNDS, REITS and ETFS MUTUAL FUNDS / UNIT TRUSTS AFRINVEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD aaml@afrinvest.com Web: www.afrinvest.com; Tel: +234 818 885 6757 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Afrinvest Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Afrinvest Plutus Fund N/A N/A N/A Nigeria International Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A ALTERNATIVE CAPITAL PARTNERS LTD info@acapng.com Web: www.acapng.com, Tel: +234 1 291 2406, +234 1 291 2868 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ACAP Canary Growth Fund N/A N/A N/A ACAP Income Funds N/A N/A N/A AIICO CAPITAL LTD ammf@aiicocapital.com Web: www.aiicocapital.com, Tel: +234-1-2792974 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AIICO Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.86% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.31 3.42 35.13% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 1.32% Anchoria Equity Fund 112.24 112.64 9.26% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.37 1.37 16.79% 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 15.91 16.39 3.86% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 364.67 375.67 5.57% ARM Ethical Fund 31.77 32.73 9.26% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.16 1.17 16.33% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.10 1.11 10.33% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.34% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund N/A N/A N/A AXA Mansard Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.23 2.23 20.56% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.00 2.04 28.89% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Paramount Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Women's Investment Fund N/A N/A N/A CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 N/A N/A Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 N/A N/A Cordros Dollar Fund ($) N/A N/A 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 3.05% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.05 1.07 13.35% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.65 1.65 24.35% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A 100.00 100.00 3.39% EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B 1,000,000.00 1,000,000.00 2.42% EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund 1,181.39 1,195.87 6.59% FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,470.75 1,472.44 20.19% FBN Balanced Fund 162.35 163.57 10.58% FBN Halal Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.15% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 120.58 121.01 4.33% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.60 121.03 3.83% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 126.67 128.64 -2.66% 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 2.77% Legacy Debt Fund 3.83 3.83 4.93% Legacy Equity Fund 1.28 1.30 12.90% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.12 1.12 3.91% 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 3,345.25 3,386.31 10.05% Coral Income Fund 3,207.94 3,207.94 4.29% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 4.16% 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 3.88% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 122.59 123.12 14.16%

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 2.47 2.52 12.91% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 7.30% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.24 153.04 6.23% 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 1.25 1.27 11.33% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,146.80 1,146.80 8.24% 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 1.45 1.48 18.64% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.73 11.81 4.39% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 2.80% PACAM Equity Fund 1.18 1.19 PACAM EuroBond Fund 108.57 111.20 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 121.66 123.82 -0.28% SFS CAPITAL NIGERIA LTD investments@sfsnigeria.com Web: www.sfsnigeria.com, Tel: +234 (01) 2801400 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn SFS Fixed Income Fund 1.02 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 13.49% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 5.57% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 10.56% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 6.43% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 14.00% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.02% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 5.85% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.21 1.21 4.33% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 109.91 109.91 5.47% 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 1.24 1.27 4.11% United Capital Bond Fund 1.86 1.86 7.68% United Capital Equity Fund 0.72 0.74 2.27% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 4.29% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.21 115.21 5.43% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.02 1.03 -2.39% 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 11.09 11.22 7.88% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.30 12.41 5.80% Zenith Income Fund 24.52 24.52 7.92% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.46%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

117.93

5.15%

53.40

2.59%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.50 97.66 74.38

9.60 99.77 75.74

13.59% 3.39% -1.00%

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

3.52 4.56 13.32 1.00 12.15 202.44

3.56 4.64 13.42 1.00 12.35 204.44

3.03% -22.65% 9.54% 2.98% 16.80% 6.88%

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.

44

WEDNESDAY 0CT0BER 14,, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

PERSPECTIVE

Raising Girls’ Ambition through Education, a Better Future for Nigeria Catriona Laing and Peter Hawkins Renowned author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie knows the power of ambition. In We Should All Be Feminists, she writes “We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller.

We say to girls: You can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful but not too successful, otherwise you will threaten the man”. She goes on to ask why we have such disparate goals for our girls and boys – “why do we teach girls to aspire to marriage and we don’t teach boys the same?”

Inspired by International Day of the Girl on 11th October, we ask the same question. We know, like Adichie, that there is more to the future of these young girls than marriage. We know that educating girls is one of the most important ways we can empower them, by helping develop their ambition and learn new skills to achieve the futures they choose.

Education is a human right, and also fundamental to lasting poverty reduction, building prosperous, resilient economies and peaceful, stable societies. Research has shown the pivotal role of girls’ education, with significant health, social and economic outcomes, not just for herself, but the community and nation.

Supporting education for girls and women gives them a greater voice to advocate for changes in their own lives and the lives of other girls and women.

There is a clear positive effect of education on intergenerational health outcomes: a child whose mother can read is 50% more likely to live past the age of five, 50% more likely to be immunised, and twice as likely to attend school.Enabling women and girls to choose for themselves when they have children allows them to complete their education and to take up better economic opportunities.

Girls’ education leads to an increase in individual earnings– global figures suggest that one additional school year can increase a women’s earnings by 20%. Former World Bank Chief Economist, Lawrence Summers, concluded that girls’ education “may well be the highest-return of investment available in the developing world due to the benefits women, their families and societies reap. And because women make up a large share of the world’s farmers, improvements in girls’ education will also lead to increased agricultural output and productivity”.

In 2019 – globally – gender parity in education had been achieved, yet around 258 million children worldwide remain out of school and gender inequality still persists within and between countries. In Nigeria, girls constitute a tremendous under-tapped potential. Various factors, including economic barriers and socio-cultural norms and practices that discourage attendance in formal education, like early marriage, limit girls’ opportunities and impact their completion of school.

One in five of the world’s out-of-school children is in Nigeria, of which more than half are girls. The average national literacy rate for Nigeria is 61%, and nearly half of women and nearly one-quarter of men cannot read or write. While thehighest proportion of children out of school in Nigeria are in the northern states, only 4% of poor young women in the North West zone can read, compared with 99% of rich young women in the South East.

At the start of 2020, 935 schools in the North East were closed as a result of attacks and conflict, for example.

As a fundamental priority for the United Kingdom and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), we believe that every girl, irrespective of where she is born, should get at least 12 years of quality education. That is why in March this year, the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, appointed Baroness Liz Sugg, as Special Envoy specifically for Girls’ Education, to help accelerate

Rural children

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progress towards this goal.

Speaking during the virtual 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) just last month, Baroness Sugg reiterated the UK’s commitment to Education. She highlighted the pressures COVID-19 is having on economies but argued that the pandemic is no reason for inaction on education, imploringthat investing “in education for communities ravaged by conflict and crisis is even more important if we are to build back better.”

Children across the world have had their access to schooling severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, creating the largest disruption of education systems in history. This has affected nearly 1.6 billion learners in more than 190 countries and all continents. With schools closed, girls face a higher risk of violence and harmful practices like sexual and gender-based violence, early pregnancies, unsafe abortions and child marriages.

Girls facing these experiences are less likely to return to schools once they reopen.

Building back better from COVID-19, now really is our opportunity to reset education: to make it more inclusive and to support children, particularly girls.Supporting girls’ education is a key lever to enable Nigeria to harness its demographic dividend and meet the Sustainable Development Goals. That is why, the UK and UNICEF have been working together in Nigeria to develop new ways of remote learning to make sure children’s education continues.

We have flexed our funding to support the continuation of home-based schooling and remote learning during COVID-19, for example by supporting children to engage in learning through low-tech channels like radio. However, remote learning is a supplement, not a replacement, for schools. So, we are also supporting efforts to get children back to school when it is

safe to do so.

Since 2005, The UK and the UNICEF have also been working together to implement the Girls’ Education Project which is now in its third phase. Over one million girls have been supported to access schooling in six states through this phase. During the last year of the programme, the Girls for Girls (G4G) intervention worked to ensure better retention of girls in education by empowering them with the skills to resist pressure to withdraw from school.

Enhanced social and life skills for over 18,000 girls and over 17,000 boys participating in the G4G and HeForShe activities help them be empowered to use their platforms to increase solidarity and create demand for education in their communities. Through the HeForShe programme, work on positive masculinity and male champions working as advocates generated peer support for girls education. The G4G intervention also established reading hubs in 100 schools, which has enabled and motivated girls to lead reading lessons in their classes and speak with confidence, as well as take leadership positions in their schools as school prefects.

Girls can be leaders, accelerating social change. If we educate girls today, we will transform the world of tomorrow and ensure all future generations thrive. This International Day of the Girl let’s seize the opportunity to be inspired by what girls see as the change they want. We look forward to a world where every girl, whether born in Abuja or Aberdeen, Lagos or London, Maiduguri or Manchester, receives a decent, quality education and can achieve their highest ambitions.

Catriona is the British High Commissioner in Nigeria while Peter is the UNICEF Representative in Nigeria

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430,000 People Died from AIDS Due to COVID-19 Lockdown, Says NACA Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has said 430,000 persons in sub-Saharan African may have lost their lives due to the six months interruption in treatment caused by COVID-19 lockdown.

Quoting statistics from United Nations AIDS Control programme (UNAIDS), NACA said the rise in the death toll came against a significant drop in Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) within the period of the COVID-19 lockdown.

In a bid to scale up intervention efforts, NACA added that it would require an additional investment of $2.4 billion to be able reach the United Nations’ epidemic control target in the next three years.

The body, which is the lead agency driving the federal government’s efforts to tackle HIV-AIDS epidemic, said the amount would be needed to identify and treat additional

540,000 persons living with HIV by testing 50 million persons to know their status.

While presenting the 2020 quarterly performance factsheet at a press conference in Abuja, the Director-General of NACA, Dr. Gambo Gumel Aliyu, said a total of $6.2 billion was spent to identify and treat 1,080,000 of the estimated persons living with HIV from 2005 to 2018.

Of the $6.2 billion investment, NACA said $5 billion (about N1.2 trillion) were sourced from the international donors.

The NACA DG, whose presentation centred on the impact of COVID-19 on HIV response, status of the epidemic, investment over the last decade and HIV infrastructural support for COVID-19, said about 25 to 30 percent of COVID-19 tests were conducted using HIV mega laboratories in the country.

He also said HIV sample transfer mechanism was adopted

for COVID-19 response in four a states.

“Over 15,000 HIV community volunteers from HIV stakeholders are supporting contact tracing, social mobilisation and the fight against stigma and discrimination,” he said.

The NACA DG statesd that currently, the prevalence rate of HIV in Nigeria is 1.3 percent, that is, 1.8 million people are living with HIV/AIDS in the country.

He noted that between 2005 and 2018, a total of $6.2billion was spent to identify and treat 60 percent (1,080,000) of the estimated person living with HIV in the country.

Aliyu further stated that over $5billion (N2.1 trillion) of the above sum came from international donorsUnited States Government, PEPFAR programme, or Global Funds.

CAN Hails FG on SARS Dissolution Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, “for being sensitive and responsive to the call for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).”

In a statement issued yesterday by the CAN President, Dr. Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, the Christian body said: “We are aware of the circumstances that led to the agitation which included but not limited to alleged extra-judicial killings, unlawful arrests and detentions, extortion, tortures, and disappearances of detainees.”

Ayokunle said CAN acknowledged the spontaneous nature of the protest nationwide, but regretted the loss of lives and the destruction of some properties in the cause of the mass actions.

“We ask God to console and comfort all bereaved persons as He heals those who are recuperating in the hospitals.

“Equally, CAN appreciates the prompt and positive responses of the federal government in disbanding SARS. It is unprecedented in recent history of our country, and it is praiseworthy.

This is what democracy is all about.

“However, CAN is not happy with the automatic redevelopment of the officers and men of the disbanded unit to other units without sanctioning

the bad eggs among them. We call for an administrative or judicial investigation into the disbanded SARS operatives with a view to bringing the culprits to book so that such bad eggs might not be allowed to corrupt other units or continue with their old habit of lawlessness.

“Finally, we call on all our security agencies to be reformed and transformed into a modern security structure that befits the contemporary challenges such as terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and herdsmen attacks. Uniformed men and women should cherish the rare opportunity the country gave them to serve and the trust of handling the security of the country by b e h a v i n g r e s p o n s i b l y.

They should make us p r o u d , ” h e said.

WEDNESDAY 0CT0BER 14, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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Senators Clash over 2021 Budget Proposals Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday commenced the general debate on the 2021 N13.08 trillion Appropriation Bill with Senators holding divergent views over the viability of the budget proposals.

While most of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators who contributed to the debate faulted the budgetary estimates, their colleagues in the All Progressives Congress (APC) were of the opinion that the budgetary proposals can still bring about required recoveries in various sectors of the nation’s economy as anticipated by President Muhammadu Buhari in the budget of “Recovery and Resilience”.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, tore the budget estimates into shreds

describing it as unrealistic and unimplementable.

He said the budget was dead on arrival as it is nothing but old news.

“This budget is nothing but what Fela called old news everytime, the same old news, nothing new”.

According to him, “The 2021 Appropriation Bill proposes to spend N13.082 trillion, with expected revenue of N7.886 trillion and a deficit of N5.196 trillion. As with the other budgets over the last few years, it looks impractical and unimplementable”.

“The major challenge, as with previous budgets, is with revenue and an overly optimistic revenue target. The 2021 budget hopes that the federal government will be able to generate almost N8trillion.

If history is anything to go by, this projection looks impossible.

“ In 2016, Nigeria had an approved budget with a revenue of N3.855 trillion. By the end of the year, the total retained revenue was only N2.621 trillion. “ This performance was a 32 per cent shortfall according to the budget implementation reports. In 2017, instead of trying to readjust to the reality of a difficult revenue situation, Government of Nigeria repeated the same overly optimistic

exercise. The approved budget had a revenue of N5 trillion while actual revenue that year was only N2.37 trillion.

“This performance was a whopping 53 per cent shortfall.

In 2018, Federal Government of Nigeria repeated the same thing by submitted a budget that expected revenue to jump from N2.37 trillion to N7.165 trillion. By the end of the year,

actual revenue was only N3.48 trillion; a 51 percent shortfall. The story was the same in 2019 and 2020. In 2019 the revenue shortfall was 41 percent and so far in 2020 the shortfall is 38 percent.

“Here we are in 2021 and the submitted budget expects revenue to be N7.886 trillion. Based on the half year numbers, Nigeria would be lucky to realise N3.3 trillion in revenue in 2020 by the

end of the year. Yet the Executive expects revenue to increase by over 200 percent in 2021.

“When the Executive announces a N13 trillion budget, the ministries and agencies take it as a signal that the largess can continue. A casual look at the Appropriation Bill contains items like SUVs for chief executives and fancy office buildings for agencies who really do not need them.

Again, Buhari Preaches Unity in APC President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja called for a stronger sense of commitment to the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC), that will translate into electoral victories in polls, admonishing that “unless we work together, we will suffer for nothing.’’

The president gave the advice to APC party leaders and members when he received the re-elected Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu at the Presidential Villa.

Akeredolu was accompanied by the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State; Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State; Chairman of the Ondo APC Campaign Council, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, and Governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State.

President Buhari said there was a need for party members at ward, local council, state and national levels to take ownership of the party structure and operations, with a larger goal of serving the country, and working together to deliver on its mandate to the people.

“Nothing succeeds like success,’’ the president said.

“We are here to celebrate and congratulate Governor Akeredolu for his re-election, which was as a result of collaboration.’’

President Buhari noted that victory at the polls in Ondo was an indication of strong collaboration among party members, urging more harmony as the party prepares for the Anambra State election, and general elections in 2023.

“This is an evidence that when we come together and collaborate we can achieve a lot. I received the governors in the State House on their way to Ondo State for the final campaigns.

AishaYesufu Seeks Absolute Reform of Police Force A civil rights leader and Coconvener of the Bring Back our Girls campaign, Mrs. Aisha Yesufu has called for absolute reform of the whole police system in the country.

Yesufu, who led #EndSARS protest at the Police Headquarters in Abuja last Saturday, said the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) should not just be disbanded and redeployed because they will continue their brutality if they are deployed to other units.

Yesufu, who was a guest on the Morning Show on ARISE NEWS yesterday, expressed dismay as to how morally depraved some of the officials had become, as they not only shot and fired tear gas as protesters, but went ahead to destroy their property.

She regretted that though the president and Inspector General of Police had announced the disbandment of SARS, the men

are still attacking protesters, saying “that means they are not listening to the president and the IG, who then are they listening to?”

According to her, the protests started because Nigerian youths are angry and they should be listened to. “We failed them; we didn’t give them a country where they can thrive; where they can compete favourably with their counterparts from other parts of the world and yet, all they are saying is that they want to live and they are still being killed while they are demanding that they want to live.”

Part of the police reform, she said will be the recruitment of educated people, who possess at least a bachelor’s degree into the police force and other security agencies; the introduction of state and community police so that state governors will be responsible for the safety of their citizens; as well as improved welfare of the police.

LET THERE BE LIGHT…

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Paul Harriman; Director, Sustainability, Sahara Group, Mrs. Pearle Uzokwe; Chairman, Egbin Power Plc, Mr. Tope Saonubi; and Director, Egbin and Ikeja Disco, Mr. Ade Odunsi, at the official launch of Egbin Electric Buggies and Bicycles in Ijede, Lagos… yesterday ETOP UKUTT

Bandits Kill Six NigerVigilantes as MobVandalises Police Station No fewer than six vigilantes have been allegedly killed in a renewed bandit attack in Kagara community of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State The bandits were said to have launched the attack around 7a.m yesterday, blocking the Pandogari road.

Unconfirmed sources said some drivers and passengers were killed and injured during the attack.

A source said various calls to the police for security went unanswered, leaving the vigilantes

to face the bandits, leading to the death of their colleagues.

It was also learnt that the vigilantes took the corpses of their colleagues to the Police Divisional Office in Kagara during a protest.

Not satisfied with the response of the police to their plight, the vigilantes mobbed the police station, destroying the armoury and going away with ammunition.

The source said: “The vigilantes took the corpses of their slain colleagues to Kagara police divisional office, and protested

and mobbed the police station, burgled the armoury and went away with their ammunitions.

“They were angry that the police did not do anything about the attack or respond to call for help as they left only the vigilantes to battle the bandits which led to the death of some of their colleagues.”

The Chairman of Rafi local government area, Samaila DanModibo has imposed a 24- hour curfew due following the incident.

A statement by Niger Police

Command said four vigilantes died during the clash with the bandits.

It said contrary to the vigilantes’ report, the police arrived at the scene of the bandit attack promptly.

The statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abiodun Wasiu, explained the command dispatched a reinforcement team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, adding normalcy was restored upon their arrival.

OPC Backs Anti-SARS Protest, Demands Compensation for Slain Members Peter Uzoho The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has thrown its weight behind the ongoing nationwide protest by Nigerian youths, codenamed #ENDSARS, to end acts of brutality, extra-judicial killings and human rights violations carried out by the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit in the Nigerian Police.

While calling for the erring

officers of the squad to be brought to justice, OPC as well demanded that the federal government should pay compensation to the families of the victims of the squad’s illegality.

In a statement issued yesterday, which was signed by the Deputy President of OPC, Wasiu Afolabi, the Yoruba cultural group, however lamented that the Police under President Muhammadu Buhari had failed to shed the

brutal character it exhibited under the repressive regime of the late General Sani Abacha.

It said it had compiled the “victims list” of OPC members killed and maimed by police and other security agents in the last 26 years.

According to the statement which was the outcome of its emergency meeting held same yesterday in Lagos, OPC declared that “Enough is enough to police brutality. We

are joining our voices to those of the teeming number of Nigerians who can no longer stomach a situation where their protectors have turned into their predators.”

It said the era of police impunity and brutality must stop and that this would only happen when erring officers felt the full wrath of the law for their crimes.

“In the past 26 years, OPC members have been tragic victims in the frontline of police brutality.

Buhari Sends Proceeds of Crime Bill to Senate President Muhammadu Buhari has sent an executive bill that would among others, ensure the management of the funds an property confiscated from criminals.

The bill is titled, ‘Proceeds of Crime Bill’.

The proposed legislation also sought to address the problem of lack of transparency and accountability associated with the management of recovered

funds by anti-corruption agencies in the country.

Buhari in a letter to the upper chamber yesterday explained that the decision to transmit the bill to the National Assembly for consideration was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

The letter, dated October 6, 2020, and read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, stated that the bill was critical in sustaining the fight against

corruption, money laundering and illicit movement of stolen funds through the banking system and across Nigerian borders.

The letter read in part, “I am pleased to inform the Distinguished Senators that the above mention bill was presented to the Federal Executive Council, in council memo EC (2020)159 on 16th September 2020 and was subsequently approved for transmission to the National Assembly.

“Please recall that this bill was passed by the National Assembly in 2019 but was not granted assent due to some issues that were identified during the review.

“The Proceeds of Crime Bill is essential and critical in building and enduring and sustainable foundation for the fight against corruption, money laundering and illicit movement of stolen funds through the banking system and across the Nigerian borders.

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WEDNESDAY 0CT0BER 14, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Ngige Foresees End of Strike as ASUU, FG Team Meet Senate House, union leadership to meet today

Deji ElumoyeinAbuja

A delegation of the federal government led by the Minister of Labour, Employment and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, met behind closed doors with the leadership of the Senate on Tuesday to appraise the University Transparency Account Systems payment platform developed by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The meeting, chaired by the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, also had in attendance, the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and the ASUU leadership led by the President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi.

Ngige had before the commencement of the meeting, said the parley was at the instance of the Senate President, as part of efforts to resolve the lingering crisis

between the Federal Government and ASUU. Addressing journalists after about a three-hour closed session on the issue on Tuesday, Ngige said, “ASUU has demonstrated to us, how the UTAS they developed could work but the demonstration will continue.

“We will involve other government agencies who would also come and assess it. Discussions on it are not foreclosed yet.

“UTAS is homegrown software.

It is what we call local content that Mr President is encouraging. It will be considered by the government,” Ngige added.

ASUU had rejected the IPPIS as it embarked on indefinite strike on February.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, told the meeting that the current impasse between ASUU and the Federal Government was an ill-wind that would not do any of the two parties any good.

774,000 Jobs: FG Shifts Recruitment to November 1 Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has rescheduled the commencement of the Public Works programme to November 1.

According to the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN), President Muhammadu Buhari, approved the rescheduling of the programme meant to engage 1, 000 persons from each of the 774 local government areas for menial jobs for three months.

Keyamo said the approval was based on his memo to the President informing him that most of the proposed project sites were still water-logged as the rains had not abated.

The programme, he noted, was

designed for execution during the dry season when most of the project sites would be ready for work.

He said that capturing of those to be engaged by the selected banks has been progressing seamlessly across the 774 local government areas.

A statement issued yesterday by the spokesman, Ministry of Labour and Employment said “the minister also pointed out that the information regarding the banks attached to the specific local government areas could be found in the project’s website: www.specificpublicworks.gov. ng.”

It noted that more information is also available with the various state selection committees.

Dangote Cement Extends Consumer Promo as 265 Millionaires Emerge Dangote Cement Plc has announced the extension of its ongoing Spell & Win “Bag of Goodies” Season 2 consumer promo by one month due to popular demand, even as 265 millionaires have emerged from the nationwide programme.

According to Director of Marketing, Dangote Cement Plc, Mrs. Funmi Sanni, the promo, which was billed to end on November 15, now closes December 15, 2020. She said the extension is due to popular demand by excited consumers who still want to participate and emerge as millionaires in the promo.

Mrs. Sanni said the promo, which is one of the company’s strategies, came at an appropriate time to cushion the effects and impact of COVID-19 on businesses and families and has proven to be very popular with consumers; hence the decision to extend the window.

Underscoring the importance of consumers to

Dangote Cement, she opined that without the consumers who are the final users of cement products, the company would not have people who are demanding for the products.

She explained that the Bag of Goodies Season 2 promo was designed to reward consumers for their faithfulness and continuous use of Dangote Cement products.

Speaking at the prize presentation ceremonies, she noted that the promotion was to encourage the customers to continue patronising the product, which according to her, is the best in the country. According to her, a customer could only win the N1 million cash prize on collection of the scratch cards that each carries letter D, A, N, G, O, T and E to make up the name D-A-N-G-O-T-E. She added that other prizes to be won include motorbikes, tricycles, TV sets, recharge cards, among other prizes in the promotion that will now end on December 15,2020.

The Senate President asked the two parties to find a middle ground to resolve their differences.

“It has to be a win-win situation,” Lawan said.

Tuesday’s meeting with the Federal Government delegation was after a similar dialogue with ASUU by the Senate leadership

on Monday.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has scheduled a meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities today over the current rift between the Federal Government and the university lecturers.

The Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, made the announcement at the plenary on Tuesday, asking Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, and members of the committee to be in attendance.

Gbajabiamila said, “This

is for the leadership and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, Committee on Tertiary Education, and any member of that committee that wants to be in attendance. There will be a meeting with ASUU in my office tomorrow at 1:30pm.”

REWARDING CUSTOMERS…

L-R: National Sales Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Adeyemi Fajobi; Dangote Cement Distributor, Lafanax; one of the winners, Mr. Macaulay Johngold; Marketing Director, Dangote Cement Plc, Funmi Sanni; and Regional Director South South, Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. George Okoro, during the cheque presentation in Asaba, Delta State…recently

Oshiomhole’s Lawyer Pleads for Out-of-court Settlement in Ortom’s N10bn Suit

George Okoh in Makurdi

The lawyer to the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomole, yesterday sought for an out-of – court settlement in the N10billion libel suit instituted against Oshiomhole by the Benue State Governor, Mr. Samuel Ortom.

Ortom had filed the suit against the former APC chairman over his comments against him at a press conference on July 27, 2018,

where Oshiomhole accused the governor of having a hand in the death of two Catholic priests and other parishioners at Mbalom Community, Gwer East Local Government Area of the state on the grounds that one of the priests had preached a “very critical sermon” against him (the governor).

Earlier on the suit, Oshiomhole had filed six preliminary objections which the Benue State High Court

sitting in Makurdi, resolved all in Ortom’s favour.

However, at the resumption of the case yesterday, counsel for Ortom, Mr. Samuel Irabor, submitted that he was ready to call his witnesses, but said that Oshiomhole’s counsel, Festus Jumbo had informed him that they have considered putting up a retraction of the publication and it would be ready within a week.

He said he was applying for

another date to take a look at the terms of settlement canvassed

by Oshiomhole.

Titus Akhuwa who held the brief of Oshiomhole’s counsel, Festus Jumbo confirmed the submission of Governor Ortom’s lawyer.

The Presiding judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman, after listening to both parties, adjourned the case to October 29, for a report on the out-of-court settlement.

Suspected Cultists Set Police Station Ablaze in Akwa Ibom Okon Bassey in Uyo Suspected cultists last Monday night burnt down a police post in Akwa Ibom State.

The police post situated at Inen Junction in Inen community of Oruk Anam Local Government Area was reportedly razed down at about 7p.m. last Monday.

THISDAY gathered that Dbam and Iceland confraternities are engaging each other in bloody clashes as well as terrorising the community.

Following sporadic gunshot that engulfed the village, the residents were said to have fled their home for fear of their lives.

It was gathered that policemen posted to the station known as ‘Inen Ekeffe police post’ absconded from their duty post in the wake of the cult related violence in the area.

Efforts by security operatives to contend the situation are not yielding any positive result as maiming of members of rival gang and innocent people in

the community continues in the cult war.

An eyewitness, Mfonobong Okorie, said the cultists numbering over 30 on arrival in the community, barricaded the community road between Faith Tabernacle Church, Inen Ikot Etim, and the gate of Al Madal construction company.

In the process of arranging themselves before unleashing terror on the community, the hoodlums reportedly snatched two motorcycles belonging to one Udeme Atanong and Ndifreke

otu respectively.

“Residents, who wanted to visit their houses to obtain food items and rush back to their camps in the neighbouring villages, were trapped in the bush while the hoodlums molested and maimed anyone passing on the road,” he stated.

Okorie said hours later, the cultists chanting war songs, regrouped and moved towards Inen Junction where they burnt down the police sub-station at about 7p.m. last Monday.

Sports Minister Demands Immediate Release of All #EndSARS Protesters The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, has asked the Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, to order the immediate release of #EndSARS protesters who were arrested in different locations across the country.

In a letter addressed to the IG, Dare described the disbanding of the SARS unit as the right step following the nationwide outcry of “high-handedness, human rights violation and harassment of the youth and other Nigerians” by some of the officers of the unit.

He said the arrested protesters should not be punished for exercising their civic rights.

He said while some of the protesters have been arrested, others are still suffering harassment and threats to life for their involvement in the campaign against the police force.

He also asked the police chief to accelerate the reforms promised by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It is our collective hope that the successor tactical unit to FSARS will be a Special Force that will be more disciplined, ethical and professional

with a new code of conduct that will guide their civil engagement. I also thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the positive steps he has taken on this matter,” he said.

“In the light of the above, I want to plead with the Inspector General of Police to go a step further by using your very good office to order immediate release of all youth who were arrested or apprehended for participating in peaceful protests. They should not be punished for exercising their democratic right.

“Reports reaching me personally

and out there in the media reveal that a number of our youth are under arrests, while some continue to suffer harassments and threats to life for participating in the #EndSARS protest.

“In the new spirit of change, rapprochement and expected reforms that are sweeping through the entire Police Force, kindly use your good office to authorize a signal to be sent to all police formations and stations to free these youth and to stop the intimidation of those who participated in the protests in any form.”

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WEDNESDAYSPORTS Tunisia Fight Back to Hold Nigeria 1-1 in Austria Friendly

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Duro Ikhazuagbe Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Super Eagles were forced to a one-all draw last night by Tunisia in the second FIFA friendly window played in Austria. The game was an improvement over the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 0-1 loss to African champions Algeria last Friday.

Leicester Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forward, Kelechi Iheanacho fired Nigeria into the lead with his well-drilled shot inside the box after two misdirected shots by Samuel Chukwueze and Zaidu Sanusi earlier in the game.

After collecting a pass with three Carthage Eagles defenders crowding him, Iheanacho turned around Dylane Brown and fired with his left foot past goalkeeper Ben Mustapha Farouk for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only goal of the clash in the 21st minute.

It was the Leicester manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ninth goal for the senior national team since graduating from the Under-17 rank.

The Tunisians responded well to the Nigerian advantage with Captain Youssef Msakni, Wabil Khazri, Issama Haddadi and Mohamed Drajer all posing all sorts of problems for the Super Eagles defence with their pace, trickery and telepathic passes.

But the changes made by Coach Gernot Rohr appeared to have worked as Kenneth Omeruo was at the heart of the central defence along with Leon Balogun while with new boy Kevin Akpoguma who made his

debut against Algeria last Friday was soaking up the heat in the right back.

He started in place of Tyronne Ebuehi while another new boy Zaidu Sanusi kept the watch from the left back.

However, in the 29th minute, Iheanacho wasted the chance to put Nigeria up by two goals when his timid penalty kick flew into the hands of the Tunisian goalkeeper.

Farouk had upended Ahmed Musa as he controlled a through ball by Alex Iwobi in the box to earn Nigeria the well deserved penalty kick.

As the clock closed in on the first half, Drajer saw his shot from a corner fly away, a sweet move

by Moses Simon and Iheanacho was decoded by an alert rearguard of the Carthage Eagles While Maduka Okoye in Goal for Nigeria saved from Khazri.

But there was still time for a twist, as the effervescent Hamza Rafia ghosted past Omeruo on the line and gifted Drajer to hammer into the net for Tunisiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s equalizer.

The second half was no less interesting. Iheanacho rose to meet the ball from a corner but headed narrowly over, and at the other end, Drajer side-netted. Musa, on his 93rd senior cap for Nigeria, looked good to put Nigeria ahead in the 67th minute but he lacked the pace to meet up with a good pass from Iheanacho.

Both teams showed grit and intention, with some eye-catching touches, good marking, adroit use of space and some individual

U E FA N AT I O N S L E A G U E

Ronaldo Tests Positive for Covid-19, Out of Portugal, Sweden Clash Portugal and Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has tested positive for coronavirus, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has announced.

The 35-year-old is â&#x20AC;&#x153;doing well, without symptoms, and in isolationâ&#x20AC;?, the FPF said in a statement.

Portugal face Sweden in a Nations League group game on Wednesday.

The remainder of Fernando Santosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Portugal squad have tested negative for Covid-19 and are available for selection.

Portugal played out a 0-0 draw with France in Paris on Sunday and are top of the group, level on points

with the world champions.

The Portugal captain became the first European to score 100 international goalsin menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football when his side beat Sweden in the reverse Nations League fixture in September.

As a result of his period of quarantine, Ronaldo is also set to miss Juventusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Serie A fixture at Crotone on 17 October and his sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening Champions League group game against Dynamo Kiev on 20 October.

The Italian champions then face Verona on 25 October.

On Monday, Ronaldo posted a selfie with the Portugal squad on social media on Monday night with the caption â&#x20AC;&#x153;United on and off the field!â&#x20AC;?

Bordeaux Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Know How Long Kalu Will be Sidelined French Ligue 1 club, Bordeaux have said they cannot confirm how long Samuel Kalu will be sidelined after he suffered a hamstring injury on duty with the Super Eagles last Friday.

Kalu has returned to France after he tore the hamstrings of his left thigh during a 1-0 loss to Algeria Friday night in an international friendly in Austria.

The Nigerian international winger was injured in the Friday

game of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Super Eagles. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our player suffered a tear in the hamstrings of the left thigh,â&#x20AC;? announced Bordeaux. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His recovery will depend on the progress of the injury,â&#x20AC;? a club source told Scorenigeria. com.ng yesterday.

It has been a tough season for Kalu after he tested positive for Coronavirus early in the new season amid speculations about his future at the Ligue 1 club.

brilliance.

On the dot of time, the Carthage Eagles came quite close to nicking it, but Okoye, winning only his third cap for Nigeria, was alert enough to tip over the bar a tricky lob by Naim Sliti.

Although strange as the tactical formation of Rohrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team of the night looked, two more new players (Cyril Dessers and Chidera Ejuke) had their debut to make a total of six additional qualities to the Super Eagles.

Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Kevin Akpoguma and Samson Tijani took theirs against Algeria earlier on Friday night.

Super Eagles vs Tunisia: Maduka Okoye â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Zaidu Sanusi (Jamilu Collins 66), Kevin

Akpoguma, Kenneth Omeruo, Leon Balogun (Chidozie Awaziem 57) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Semi Ajayi â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze (Chidera Ejuke 78), Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ahmed Musa (Cyriel Dessers 72)

Super Eagles celebrating Kelechi Iheanachoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal in the 1-1 draw with Tunisia...last night

AFCON 2022 QUALIFIER

Eagles to Play Sierra Leone at Refurbished Ogbemudia Stadium Duro Ikhazuagbe Super Eagles 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone scheduled for next month, THISDAY has scooped, is to be played at the refurbished Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

The encounter against fellow West Africans, is the first competitive game to be played by the three-time African champions after Covid-19 pandemic caused football and other sports to be in lockdown for close to one year.

THISDAY learnt yesterday that the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the technical crew

of the Eagles have reached a consensus on using the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;brand newâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ogbemudia Stadium for the game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The NFF officials have confirmed to us that Super Eagles are going to play their AFCON 2022 qualifier against Sierra Leone at our Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium here in Benin City. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are really excited by the news, most especially as it will be the very first sporting event to take place at the stadium since it was refurbished to host the 20th National Sports Festival in March but had to be postponed because of the outbreak of the Coronavirus worldwide,â&#x20AC;? a top football personality told THISDAY from Benin City yesterday.

The Super Eagles have become nomadic since both the National Stadiums in Lagos and Abuja became unplayable due to their terrible conditions for years.

Stadiums in Uyo, Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Asaba have played hosts with none that can really be called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for the Eagles the way the Sport-city in Lagos was dreaded by African teams.

The newly refurbished Ogbemudia Stadium has a sitting capacity of 19,500 and is perhaps, the best of its kind in the country at the moment. It boast of electronic scoreboard and has capacity for a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) playback.

The administration of

Mr. Godwin Obaseki, went the extra mile to build new facilities as well as refurbish most of the sports infrastructures built by the late Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia era that threw up the old Bendel State as the sporting destination of choice in the country.

Although it is not yet certain if fans are going to be allowed into the main-bowl arena to witness the first game of the year live, plans are however afoot to transmit the AFCON qualifier live.

The stadium last hosted the senior national team in 2011 when Boswana came visiting with late Stephen Keshi in charge as Super Eagles Head Coach.

Milik Wants to Leave Napoli after Osimhenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arrival NapoliFC striker, Arkadiusz Milik, has said that he has not been treated well by the Neapolitan outfit after they failed to sanction his move to another club despite several offers from clubs.

He feels neglected leaving him out of Napoliâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s squads for both the Serie A and the Europa League.

The arrival of Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen, seems to have pushed the striker further down in the pecking order.

Milikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s want a away move from the Italian side fell flat before the close of transfer window.

Unfortunately for Milik, clubs like Juventus, AS Roma and Tottenham showed interest in the Polish player but the club decided to retain him as a super

sub forward which the player seems not to like.

The 26-year-old, however, would end up staying at Napoli despite admitting he had accepted offers from other teams.

Milik has revealed he turned down the chance to stay with Napoli long term, with his current contract set to expire at seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s end. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Napoli wanted to extend my contract for five years and gave me two choices: to sign or leave,â&#x20AC;? Milik told SportoweFakty. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I decided that I would like to try something else.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;The life of an athlete is beautiful but short. I am 26 years old, I want to grow, to be a better player,â&#x20AC;? the striker continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think this is the right time

to try a new challenge. There has never been hostility on my part towards Napoli. I wanted to solve everything professionally.

I have great respect for the club, I spent four wonderful years in Naples. I respect Napoli, the fans.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what I decided. Right or wrong, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my decision. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to name the teams that have contacted me, but the truth is that I had accepted some of the offers. But the teams in question never reached an agreement with Napoli and I had to stay.â&#x20AC;?

After his proposed move fell through, Napoli responded by leaving Milik out of their Serie A and Europa League squad. The striker was especially dismayed to find out that news from media reports rather than the club itself.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I heard it from the press,â&#x20AC;? Milik said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I expected this decision but the lack of communication from the club is not professional. I believe I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been treated well.â&#x20AC;?

Milik has now been forced to train separately from Napoli with his only likely game action to come on international duty with Poland. All the striker can do now is wait until the transfer window opens again in January and find a new club then. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m waiting for the next transfer window,â&#x20AC;? Milik said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope the clubs reach an agreement at that point. I feel good physically, I have trained individually. I will play other matches with the national team.

In three months my form will not suffer a lot. Where will I go? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see.

Wednesday October 14, 2020

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Price: N250

MISSILE

Situation Room to Buhari

“Onochie is a known partisan supporter of President Buhari and his ruling All Progressives Congress. Item F, paragraph 14 of the third schedule of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) forbids a partisan politician as a member of INEC – a body charged under the Constitution to unbiasedly conduct of free and fair elections” – Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room asking President Buhari to withdraw the nomination of Lauretta Onochie, as a commissioner of INEC.

KAYODEKOMOLAFE THE HORIZON

kayode.komolafe@thisdaylive.com

0805 500 1974

Anger in the Land T

he current protests of the youths spreading across the country, under the bold banners of #ENDSARS, were provoked by serial assaults on freedom and human dignity.

So, the issue at stake is that of justice, which Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka says “is the first condition of humanity.”

Backed unambiguously by the constitution and immensely supported by the public, the citizens on the streets calling for a definitive end to police brutality and extra-judicial killings are on a legal and moral terra firma.

What’s on display is the power of legitimately angry youthful citizens. At least, in this instance, the young people have constituted themselves into a social force which those in power can no more ignore.

So, it is significant in many respects that it is the issue of social justice and human rights that has triggered these protests that are gaining momentum by the day. The notoriety of some of the elements of the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force was only a sectoral manifestation of the pervading climate of social injustice in an inhumane society.

According to the Amnesty International, 10 persons have been killed since the protests began a few days ago. Some of the protesters have been brutalised, arrested and illegally detained. Journalists covering the protests including those reporting for Arise TV have been beaten up with their equipment destroyed or seized. The footage of a lady being assaulted by the police in Lagos and another protester being dragged on ground were particularly horrifying.

The participants in the protest are doubtless

Adamu making enormous sacrifice and taking a huge risk on behalf of the whole society Yet, the resolve of the angry young men and women on the protest grounds is unmistakable.

Given the worsening crisis of the political economy, it was always predictable that the fury of the people would burst into the streets one day. As a matter of fact, the groundswell of discontents of the youths has been on the rise in the cyberspace for years.

This virtual expression of massive anger in the social media is now being transmuted into physical forms as marches, sit-ins and waving of placards on the streets and at the offices of those in power. On this occasion,

the campaign is against police brutality.

This transition in operational mode of the youths should be well understood by the government and larger society alike.

Pundits have long wondered why young Nigerians have not used the power of their demographic majority to change things in the polity, economy and society. For instance, some psephologists have posited that despite all the virtual wars young people wage on the internet during elections they hardly vote or participate constructively in the political process. The projection of these experts is that the dynamics of the political process would be different if there is a greater involvement of the young people.

Meanwhile, an enormous ferment is being generated by the material questions of existence – joblessness, hunger, poor access to quality education, lack of universal healthcare, hopelessness etc. The youths are the worse victims of these socio-economic inequities that define the Nigerian society.

It would, perhaps, be uncharitable to say that governments at all levels are not yet getting the real message of this extremely tragic development: the society is being put on alert to resolve its endemic crisis so that more victims are not consumed by the system.

It is a positive step that the legitimacy of peaceful protests by citizens is fully acknowledged in the official response.

Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu has dissolved SARS and a new unit, the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) is to be established. In a meeting with the civil society organisations yesterday, the inspectorgeneral reiterated the promise to investigate the alleged violations of human rights by

some members of the defunct SARS. Mental and psychological evaluation of those accused of atrocities would be done by the police authorities.

It is worthy of salute that the protesters are not only calling for an end to police brutality; they are also suggesting improvement in the welfare and working conditions of the police as the fulcrum of the police reforms that have been proposed in many quarters for years.

President Buhari himself has said that the government’s response so far would only be the “first step” to the reforms of the police.

The government should move swiftly with honesty of purpose to implement existing laws, decisions and recommendations of panels in this respect.

This is the way to earn the trust of the people.

Concrete steps being taken by the government should also assuage the anger of the protesters on the streets and many more people who are “carrying placards in their minds,” as the late governor of the old Imo State, Sam Mbakwe, would put it.

In the circumstance, the protesters should be suggestible.

All told, the expression of the anger in the land through the protests are a concrete proof that real dividends of democracy are to be located in freedom, social justice and respect for human rights. The protesters are asserting the inherent values of popular democracy. The promotion of these values should always preoccupy those in charge of governance.

Beyond this, the socio-economic crisis plaguing the land should be competently and urgently tackled so as to avoid wider protests.

Clark, the Abiku, Takes a Final Bow Nseobong Okon-Ekong

One of Africa’s best known literary giants, Professor John Pepper ClarkBekederemo, better known as J. P. Clark, has passed, further depleting the number of a generation of excellent writers who proudly brought the African story to the world stage through their Ingenious craftsmanship.

Clark whose forte in literature was Poetry and Drama was credited with a number of works that have since been elevated as classics, particularly in the poetry genre held many generations spellbound with his mastery of words.

Unarguably, one of Africa’s biggest poets and playwrights, Clark was at home whether painting a vivid picture of African mythology, for example, in ‘Abiku’, a 1965 poem that explores the Yoruba belief that one can die early and then reincarnate. Incidentally, Nigeria’s Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, his comrade in literature also wrote a poem with the same title in the same year.

Although, belief in reincarnation is a continental phenomenon, the ability

of Clark, an Ijaw man from the Niger Delta region to explore the theme from the standpoint of the Yoruba shows the latitude of his mind as a thinker. Perhaps, years of scholarship at Nigeria’s premier institution of higher learning, the University of Ibadan, influenced this choice of subject.

It must be noted here that he married a Yoruba woman, Professor Ebun Clark.

Ibadan reputed as the largest city in West Africa inspired another memorable verse, explored by both Clark and Soyinka.

Perhaps, one of his last remarkable public assignments was a symbolic handover of the literary baton to a new generation of Nigerian writers represented

by Chimamanda Adichie. At a small but cosy ceremony at the offices of ARISE News Channel, Clark presented Adichie, who confessed she was a fan, with THISDAY Woman of the Decade Award, last February.

Clark was a master of flowery language and graphic imagery. In crafting the announcement of his passage, his family, Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo, relayed it the way he would have loved it. Clark, they said, had finally dropped his pen and paddled to the great beyond. These phrases

Clark at once convey a figurative message that speaks to his profession as a writer and his ancestry from a riverine region.

Born on April 6, 1935, in Kiagbodo,

Rivers State, Clark had his primary and secondary education at the Native Authority School, Okrika, and Government College in Ughelli respectively. He obtained a B. A. degree in English from the University of Ibadan where he had served as editor of several campus magazines.

Upon graduation, he worked for the Ministry of Information and as a research fellow at the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan. He published his first poetry collection titled Poems in 1961 and would go on to publish A Reed in the Tide (Longman 1965), the Biafran war-themed Casualties: Poems 1966-68 (USA: Africana Publishing Corporation, 1970), A Decade of Tongues (Longmans, Drumbeat series, 1981), State of the Union (1981), and Mandela and Other Poems (1988). His plays included: The Raft (1964), Ozidi (1966) and The Boat (1981).

As with many writers, Clark had a streak of dissent in him. He was in the forefront of using vigorous campaigning to bring about social and political change in the Niger Delta region. He also criticised colonialism, institutional corruption and violence in his works.

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