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1,993 Inmates Freed in Edo Jailbreak, Says FG Launches manhunt for escapees Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The federal government yesterday put the total number of inmates that were illegally released on Monday

when hoodlums attacked two correctional facilities in Edo State at 1,993.

The hoodlums, who had taken advantage of the ongoing nationwide #EndSARS

campaign against alleged police brutality had breached the security of the correctional facilities in Benin City and Oko, leading to the escape of the inmates.

Giving an update on the attacks, the federal government, in a statement yesterday by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Interior, Mr.

Mohammed Manga, said the attackers, armed with weapons, attacked the officers on guard duty and proceeded to release the inmates.

It said the situation has been

brought under control while security in and around the custodial centres nationwide has been beefed up.

Continued on page 8

Gbajabiamila Emphasises Provision for Police Brutality Victims in 2021 Budget... Page 5 Wednesday 21 October, 2020 Vol 25. No 9326. Price: N250

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Death at Dusk for Young #EndSARS Protesters Nigerians mourn

See story on pages 8&9

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NEWS Gbajabiamila Emphasises Provision for Police Brutality Victims in 2021 Budget Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Says estimates must meet ASUU's demands Udora Orizu in Abuja House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has emphasised the need to make adequate provision for compensating victims of police brutality, saying he would not sign off on the 2021 Appropriation Bill unless it includes the item.

He also said the bill must provide for reasonable demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which the government has accepted.

Gbajabiamila stated this yesterday while delivering his remarks on the nationwide #EndSARS protests and the response of the House to the calls for wholesale reforms of the Nigeria Police Force at the resumption of plenary.

The speaker lamented that the current system does a great disservice to the youth, hence they must commit to changing it so that they can free the institutions of higher learning to be citadels where innovation thrives, and excellence is a given.

According to him, a bill, to hold erring police operatives accountable for their actions is currently underway.

He said he and some members of the House will next week visit some of the families of those who have lost loved ones to police brutality.

He said: ''Let me say now for the records to reflect, and in the expectation that I would be held to account. I will not sign off

on a 2021 budget that does not include adequate provisions to compensate those who have suffered violence and brutality at the hands of the police in Nigeria in the last two decades.

“I will not sign off on a budget that does not meet the reasonable demands of the ASUU, to which government has already acceded.

“With my colleagues in the House of Representatives, I will visit over the next week, some of the families of those who have lost loved ones to police brutality and when we come back, we will work together to honour the memory of those we have lost. ''The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata, constituted a committee, led by the eminent Prof. Deji Adekunle, to work with the House of Representatives, to develop a bill for the House within the timeline we have pledged.

“The committee has resumed its assignment. Two weeks from now, the House will receive and immediately begin considerations.''

Gbajabiamila assured Nigerians that the House will pass an electoral reform bill in time for the next general election so that they may continue to improve the process of electing political representatives at all levels.

He pledged his support for the amendment of the constitution to ensure that provisions on fundamental human rights have teeth, resource control is dealt with equitably and that the next

generation of Nigerians does not inherit evident dysfunctions of the current system.

Gbajabiamila said: ''About two weeks ago, I spoke to this honourable House about the need for urgent, substantive, and wholesale reforms of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and an overhaul of our nation’s internal security and policing framework.

This honourable House debated the failures of policing that have caused our nation’s youth to take to the streets in their numbers, demanding that government live

up to our primary obligation to ensure the security and welfare of our people. ''The nationwide protests that gave impetus to our deliberations that day have not abated. They have gotten more serious, with many reported instances of violence between state actors and protesters, between protesters and armed thugs, who seek to hijack the passion and idealism of these protests for other nefarious purposes. ''The House of Representatives has committed to a programme

of reforms. We resolved to collaborate with the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in this effort and to ensure that draft legislation is ready for consideration within 30 days.”

Gbajabiamila appealed to the youth to end the protests while the government works towards meeting their demands.

He said: ''To the young people across Nigeria who have led these protests, whose call for change has brought about this

historical moment, you are the midwives of national rebirth. You have moved a nation to action, and now you must join in doing the hard work of making real the vision of a more just, more prosperous, and more resilient nation. We see your true cause. ''Please do not allow your righteous cause to be hijacked by those with base motives, who see in this moment an opportunity to pursue vendettas, to spread division, exploit the many existing fissures that exist in our society and bring our nation to its knees.”

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE...

L-R: An unnamed official; Minister of Police Affair, Mr. Mohammed Maigari-Dingyadi; and Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu during the inauguration of Nigeria Police Pension House, in Abuja…yesterday

UK, US Advise Citizens in Nigeria to Minimise Movements, Avoid Demonstrations Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja With the ongoing protests against police brutality showing no sign of abating, the United Kingdom and the United States have urged their citizens living in Nigeria to pay attention to reports on protest locations, minimise movements and avoid demonstrations.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), in a statement published on its website yesterday, said: "A 24-

hour curfew has been announced in Edo State from 4p.m, October 19. The state government has advised all citizens to remain indoors and all schools and businesses to shut.

"Reports have also emerged of a prison break in Benin City in Edo State. We would advise anyone in the state to follow local advice and monitor news and media outlets to keep up to date with these (measures/ developments).

"There are ongoing protests about police conduct in Abuja, Lagos and other locations across Nigeria. These protests can occur spontaneously and unpredictably.

"You should pay attention to media and social media reports on protest locations, minimise movements and avoid demonstrations. Disruption and delays may include roads between Abuja and Lagos and their respective international airports."

The United States government has also called on its citizens living Nigeria to avoid areas of demonstration as the ongoing protest against police brutality escalates.

The US Mission in Nigeria in the review of travel advisory posted on its website said its Consulate General in Lagos would be closed Wednesday.

It stated: "Multiple demonstrations are ongoing across Nigeria – to include areas

within the consular districts of Abuja and Lagos. Although most demonstrations are peaceful, some have become violent and have shut down major thoroughfares and bridges. Some police stations have been targeted.

Lagos State closed all schools indefinitely as of October 19 due to protests and implemented a 24-hour curfew starting at 4:00 p.m. on October 20. Consulate General Lagos is closed for the rest of today and tomorrow.

"We continue to urge all U.S. citizens to avoid areas around protests and demonstrations and to check local media for updates and traffic advisories. Continue to be vigilant and avoid areas affected by the protests.

"Avoid the areas of the demonstration(s) Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests. Keep a low profile. Be aware of your surroundings."

To Douse Tension, Senate Urges Buhari to Address Nigerians Demands probe of extra-judicial killings by police Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday urged President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently address Nigerians on the two-week-long #EndSARS protest by youths, which has spread to different parts of the country.

It also called on the federal government to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to probe extra-judicial killings of operatives of the disbanded Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

These were part of the resolutions arrived at by the Senate in the wake of a motion entitled, “EndSARS: Need for comprehensive and holistic reforms,” moved by a former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi.

The Senate stressed the need for the president to be concerned about recent developments in the country, especially the ongoing

protests by the youths, saying that part of what was going to address the issue immediately was for Buhari to address the nation on the issues.

While calling on all tiers of government to put in place and sustain policies and programmes of socio-economic reforms that raise the standard and quality of life of Nigerians, the Senate urged the federal government to implement all the five-point demand of the #EndSARS movement and protesters with necessary timelines to rekindle confidence in the government.

It also appealed to the #EndSARS movement and protesters to suspend their actions and embrace genuine dialogue in order to give the government the time and space to meet their demands.

It urged the youths and others to approach the National Assembly committees on

constitutional reforms in order to secure far-reaching and holistic amendments that are vital to reshaping the federation to make it an inclusive and viable polity.

The Senate while appealing to Nigerians to resort to use of legal and institutional channels of resolving conflicts and disputes urged the police and other security agencies to operate strictly in accordance with the rules of engagement appropriate to a democratic environment that abjures the use of aggressive and brutal force against peaceful protesters.

It also urged the InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, to ensure holistic and comprehensive reforms of the police to include improved welfare, training and medical insurance of all members of the Nigerian Police Force.

Earlier in her motion, Olujimi, who came under Order 42 and

52 of the Senate Standing Rules had traced police brutality in Nigeria to the colonial era when the force was mainly used to suppress dissent against colonial rule.

According to her, “Some of the documented police brutalities in Nigeria during the colonial era are: the killing of 21 miners and wounding of 50 workers during the Enugu Colliery strike of 1949; suppression of the women’s riot (December 1929 – January 1930) in the Eastern parts of the country, which led to the death of 55 women and serious injuries to more than 50 others; and the quelling of the Tiv riots of 1960 where 19 civilians were allegedly killed and 83 injured.”

Olujimi stated that despite the constitutional provisions establishing the police force based on Section 214(1) of the 1979 and 1999 constitutions, police brutality continued during the

post-colonial era.

“The police were used as an instrument of oppression by politicians in the first and second republics, in order to harass and keep themselves in power. During the military rule, the police were used to suppress popular protest and agitations against military dictatorship,” the lawmaker said.

She added that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) was created in 1992 as a unit of the Nigerian Police Force to deal with crimes such as robbery, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping amongst others.

She recalled that in June 2020, Amnesty International in a report; ‘Time to End Impunity’ documented that between January 2017 and May 2020, there were 82 cases of torture, ill-treatment and extra-judicial killings of Nigerian citizens by SARS.

She, however, expressed concern that “the latest #EndSARS protest, which has assumed a global dimension, began on October 3, 2020, when the video of a SARS officer who allegedly shot a young Nigerian in Ughelli, Delta State, surfaced online.”

The lawmaker added that “despite the disbandment of the SARS unit by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, and the promise of implementing the demands of the protesters towards reforming the police and ending brutality, the address by President Muhammadu Buhari on October 10, 2020 and the appeal of the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, to the protesters, the protests have increased in intensity and violence with socio-economic activities paralysed across Nigeria with some compatriots losing their lives in the ensuing melee.”

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NEWS

House Gives CBN Deadline to Unfreeze over 5,000 Accounts

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to review its decisions that led to the freezing of over 5,000 bank accounts.

It said the review should be done within 48 hours and the accounts unfreeze within one week.

The House gave the directive yesterday following the adoption of a motion over allegations of unjustified, inhuman, illegal and premeditated freezing of bank accounts of some customers moved by Hon. Mark Gbillah at the plenary.

Gbillah expressed concern about the plethora of petitions and “Save our Soul (SOS)” appeals from Nigerians over the untold hardship they are experiencing from extended freezing of their personal, corporate and other accounts by the apex bank.

He said reports of the freezing of over 5,000 bank accounts in Nigeria by the CBN violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 608 of Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2004.

Gbillah stated that the number of accounts being frozen by the CBN appears to be taking a toll on the nation’s economy and livelihood of Nigerians, stressing that it underscores the seeming flagrant abuse of power by

the CBN when compared to central banks of other nations.

He expressed worry about innumerable allegations from affected Nigerians that the CBN in its claim of exercising the CBN governor's powers to freeze bank accounts under Section 608 of BOFIA Act, 2004, incessantly violates Nigerians’ fundamental human rights to a fair hearing and presumption of innocence until proven guilty as enshrined in Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), when it freezes accounts arbitrarily for extended periods without the knowledge of the account holders, the provision of an opportunity for the account holders to provide an explanation or referral of the matter.

The House, therefore, "Ask the CBN to within 48 hours commence a review of all currently frozen accounts in Nigeria and to, after one week, remove the freeze order on accounts frozen under the following clear violations of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 608 of BOFIA 2004; accounts frozen before a valid court order was obtained; accounts frozen without obtaining a court order from the required court of competent jurisdiction; accounts frozen without providing the opportunity for a fair hearing to the account holder; accounts frozen but till date have not

been referred to the Nigeria Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) or any other appropriate regulatory authority for investigation.

"Accounts frozen that are unconnected to the account suspected for involvement in

the commission of a crime.

Accounts remaining frozen after a court authorised period of freeze has elapsed without obtaining a fresh order from a court of competent jurisdiction."

The House also directed the apex bank to unfreeze accounts

remaining frozen even after the concluded investigation has not indicted the account holder.

It also directed the CBN to unfreeze accounts frozen without documentary proof of petition or reason for suspicion of involvement in

the commission of a crime.

The House mandated the House Committee on Banking and Currency to immediately invite all stakeholders to a public investigation of circumstances surrounding the freezing of all accounts by the CBN.

WELCOME ONBOARD...

President, Imo State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Mathew Njoku (left), and Governor Hope Uzodimma during the swearing-in of Njoku in Owerri...yesterday

Buhari Reiterates Commitment to Police Officers’ Welfare Applauds police pensions fund

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari has assured police officers that the federal government is committed to improve their living conditions.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, in a statement, yesterday said the president also applauded the Nigerian Police Fund Pensions Limited for instituting a retirees’ resettlement support scheme, to provide financial support for retired police officers.

The president spoke when he virtually inaugurated the head office building of the Nigerian Police Fund Pensions Limited.

Buhari added that the government is also focused on ensuring that police officers, who served the nation meritoriously were resettled into retirement, with some financial support.

He urged the National Pension Commission (PenCom), the police authorities and Nigeria Police Force Pensions Limited to maintain their concerted efforts

toward achieving improved welfare for police personnel.

He stated: “To the Nigeria Police Fund Pensions Limited, I wish to applaud your company for instituting a retirees’ resettlement support scheme through which you provide some form of financial support to retired police officers to enable them to resettle fully in retirement after meritoriously serving the nation.

"Taking your services to the doorstep of police officers by maintaining an office in each police command and formation

is also very laudable. At this juncture, I urge you to continue your untiring efforts in collaborating with the Police authorities towards improving the welfare of both serving and retired personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.’’

The president also commended the continuous efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, not only for fighting and addressing the emerging internal security challenges, but also in enhancing the welfare of its personnel through the pension fund administration, while assuring the police of

more government support.

According to him, the ceremony is a significant milestone for the nation’s pension industry as the new head office building complex is the first to be purpose-built by a pension fund administrator.

“It is noteworthy that for a company that is just six years old to have achieved this magnificent, befitting edifice, utilising only its internally-generated revenue, and using wholly indigenous contractors, shows that our efforts in driving fiscal discipline and encouraging

patronage of local firms are yielding the desired results," he said.

Buhari commended the consultant who designed the project, as well as the contractors that erected the complex, whom he learnt are both indigenous, as they "work to promote and build our economy" through the provision of jobs to our teeming youths."

He said he was delighted to hear that during the construction of the project, over 2,000 man-labours were engaged.

Auditors Cast Doubts over NNPC'S Ability to Continue as Going Concern Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja Auditors to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have expressed doubt over the national oil company’s ability to continue as a going concern, following the figures released by the corporation in its latest Audited Financial Statement (AFS).

Making their independent remarks on the published 2019 AFS, which was made public by the corporation last week, the auditors of NNPC, comprising Pricewaterhouse Coopers, SIAO Partners, and Muhtari Dangana & Co said their position was based on the string of losses by the

company and the fact that its liabilities exceeded its assets.

“In our opinion, the consolidated and separate financial statements give a true and fair view of the NNPC and its subsidiaries as at 31 December 2019,” it started.

However, under “material uncertainty relating to going concern” they posited: “We draw attention to note 42 of the consolidated and separate financial statements which indicate that the group recorded a net loss of N1.8 billion (corporation net loss of N107.8 billion during the year ended 31, December 2019) and as that date, the group's current liabilities exceeded its current assets by N4.4 trillion.

“As stated in note 42, these events or conditions along with other matters, as set forth in note 42, indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the group and corporation's ability to continue as a going concern. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.”

The AFS showed that the NNPC had an accumulated loss of N1.9 trillion and N474 billion respectively, thereby raising serious doubts and exposing a negative capital base.

In the joint and unmodified report to stakeholders, the auditors stated that the NNPC Group and Corporation

recorded net losses of N1.8 billion and N107.8 billion respectively in 2019, compared to N803.1 billion and N254 billion in 2018 respectively.

The joint report added that the NNPC’s current liabilities exceed its current assets by N4.4 trillion and N1.1 trillion for the Group and Corporation respectively, compared to N3.3 trillion and N968.7 billion in 2018 respectively.

According to the financial statements released by the corporation, NNPC current assets stood at N5.3 trillion and N4.5 trillion in 2019, while total current liabilities stood at N9.7 trillion and N5.6 trillion respectively.

On the other hand, in

2018, NNPC Group and Corporation’s total current assets stood at N5.4 trillion and N4.8 trillion respectively, while total current liabilities stood at N8.7 trillion and N5.7 trillion respectively.

The accumulated losses according to the financial statement are approximately N1.5 trillion and N474 billion, compared to N1.6 trillion and N490.7 billion for the Group and Corporation in 2018 respectively. But the corporation said it is taking steps to ameliorate the situation.

However, the report by the directors signed by the Secretary and Legal Adviser to the NNPC, Mrs. Hadiza

Comassie, appeared to have contrasted with that of the independent opinion of the auditors.

The directors noted that they had no reason to believe that there was a threat to the corporation's ability to continue as a going concern in the nearest future.

“The directors assess the group's future performance and financial position on an ongoing basis and have no reason to believe that the group will not be a going concern in the year ahead.

"For this reason, these audited annual financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis,” the directors' report stated.

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Death at Dusk for Young #EndSARS Protesters Nigerians mourn Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Imo, Plateau impose curfew Our Correspondent Many protesters were feared dead last night as soldiers deployed by the federal government stormed Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, where thousands of demonstrators had held their ground for 13 days in protest of police brutality.

A deep sense of outrage greeted the deployment of the soldiers who came as a sequel to the imposition of a 24-hour curfew by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who said he was shocked at the turn of events as the peaceful protests became infiltrated by hoodlums that torched a divisional police headquarter and a local government secretariat in the state.

Former US Secretary of State, Mrs. Hilary Clinton; former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili; an international artist, Gabrielle Union; Socio-economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took the lead in censoring the armed deployment, saying it was overkill against peaceful protesters demanding a stoppage to police abuse of their rights.

Sanwo-Olu had by 12 pm announced a 24-hour curfew that was to begin at 4 pm but was afterwards extended to 9 pm.

Hours after the announcement, staff of Lekki Concession Company (LCC), was seen on tape removing all the CCTV mounted on the tolls.

When dusk arrived, some unknown persons turned off all the street lights, throwing the toll-gate into pitch darkness.

Soon afterwards, the military arrived and ordered protesters to go home even with some few hours before the curfew would begin.

Led by one Gen F.O. Omata, formerly of Special Task Force Operation SAFE HAVEN and currently 81 Division Training Officer, Lagos, soldiers were seen on camera ordering the protesters to leave the tollgate.

Minutes after, they said: “This is your last warning, go home. We are warning you, go home.” Then, gunshots were heard.

A viral video showed that as people ducked or scampered to safety, a bullet hit one of the protesters and she died on the scene, while two others sustained bullet wounds on their leg and buttocks.

Many others were feared dead.

When the buzz died down, the protesters began to attend

to the injured persons while waiting for the ambulance to arrive.

The incident has drawn global and local condemnation.

Clinton joined the world to condemn the attack on unarmed protesters.

She wrote on her Twitter page, “I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @ hqnigerianarmy to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment.”

Hollywood actress, Gabrielle Union wrote, “#EndSARS. We need everyone's voice to amplify what is going on as we speak!! The world is watching.”

According to SERAP, “We condemn reports that security agents are shooting at #EndSARS peaceful protesters at the Lekki gate, Lagos. This must stop immediately.

“Nigerian authorities have a duty to protect the rights to life, dignity, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly of everyone.

“Under the Nigerian constitution, 1999 [as amended] and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, @NigeriaGov is obligated to respect and protect the right to life and security of the person, the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.”

Ezekwesili, while condemning the attack appealed to protesters to go home.

She said: “Friends, we are in absolute solidarity with all our young protesters of #EndSARS. Please do everything possible to move out of the line of fire of the murderous armed forces supervised by @NGRPresident @MBuhari. Please move out of your protest grounds. Please.”

Japheth Omojuwa, a social advocate said: “You extended your curfew to 9 pm but you are already murdering your own citizens at 7 pm?

“This has crossed into the lines of international crimes and crimes against humanity #ENDSARS @UNHumanRights @UNHCRNigeria @ UKinNigeria @USinNigeria.”

The #EndSARS protesters had continued their protests yesterday with hoodlums taking advantage of it to unleash more violence on Abuja, Kano, Gombe, Jos, and Lagos, where armed thugs laid siege to different police divisions and set some ablaze.

The increasing violence in their states forced Governors Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, and Simon Lalong of Plateau State, and Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

to impose 24-hour curfew to forestall breakdown of law and order.

While five persons were feared killed by hoodlums armed with guns, machetes, clubs and other dangerous weapons in Abuja, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has also extended the 24-hour curfew in the state, following the escalation of violence and the killing of two persons by thugs.

Jolted by the escalation of violence, Akeredolu, Fayemi and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State closed down schools in parts of their states to ensure the safety of students and their teachers.

However, the InspectorGeneral of Police (IG), Mr. Mohammed Adamu, ordered nationwide deployment of anti-riot policemen to check the activities of the hoodlums who have infiltrated the ranks of the genuine protesters.

As rage went on, the federal government told the international community that the protesters were making unreasonable demands after their initial five-point demands.

At the end of the violence in Lagos, no fewer than nine persons were feared dead three in Ketu, Mile 12 area; two others in Orile Iganmu (including a policeman); one in Lamgbasa, Ajah; two in Mushin and one other shot at Tin-Can, Apapa.

The affected areas under attack by hoodlums include Orile Iganmu, Amukoko, Layeni, and Ijora areas of Lagos.

Also for allegedly rejecting the gunshot victim that was brought in from Tincan Island, Apapa, some hoodlums were said to have attacked the Lagoon Hospital at the Liverpool area of Apapa and set the frontage on fire.

The victim, who was shot by policemen during protests at Tincan, was said to have been rushed to Lagoon Hospital where he was allegedly rejected at the gate.

In a fit of rage, the hoodlums were said to have attacked the hospital.

But reacting to the incident, the hospital debunked claims that they rejected the gunshot victim.

“We attend to all emergency cases. He was brought in dead and the Okada (commercial motorcycle) man tried to abandon him.

“The Okada man drove away and dumped the dead body outside the hospital. We did not know he was left on the road. We are committed to assisting all those injured.

Thank you to everyone supporting healthcare workers,” the hospital management said

in a statement.

It clarified that the entire hospital was not set on fire.

“The ER entrance was damaged and they burnt tyres at the car park. Thankfully, no staff was injured and though badly shaken, all are home now,” it said.

In Orile, the divisional police headquarters was razed by hoodlums and angry residents over the death of a young man, who was allegedly shot at close range by a policeman attached to the station.

In a reprisal, they set the police station ablaze, allegedly killed an officer, while other policemen fled for safety.

The irate mob invaded the station and made away with guns from the armoury and other police accoutrements, including uniforms.

The policemen who also jumped the fence in order to escape being caught in the inferno was said to have landed in the hands of the hoodlums who allegedly stabbed him to death.

The division, which is one of the few modern police stations in Lagos, was constructed in line with the UN model by the Babatunde Raji Fashola’s administration in 2012.

Sensing danger, the divisional police officer fled the station as initial attempts by the policemen to wade off the attack proved abortive.

The policemen were forced to abandon the station when the hoodlums procured fuel, sprinkled it at the backyard of the building and lit the fire.

Other coordinated attacks were carried out at Amukoko, Layeni, Ijora and Mushin.

In Mushin, the divisional police officer and his men were forced to defend the station with their guns and a young man was shot dead in the process.

Following the violent attacks, the Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, imposed a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the state from 4 pm (later 9 pm) on Tuesday, October 20.

The governor clarified that nobody, except essential service providers and first responders, must be found on the streets.

Sanwo-Olu said: “I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society.”

“Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our state.

“As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy

in our dear state”.

“I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the state as from 4 pm today, 20th October 2020. Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders, must be found on the streets.”

In a follow-up action, the Lagos State Police Command also placed a ban on all gatherings and protests across the state henceforth.

According to the Police spokesman, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the command has deployed its anti-riot policemen to enforce the curfew.

He said: “In the light of this, all security agencies have deployed adequate personnel to take charge and enforce the curfew across the state.”

Confirming the incident at Orile, he said some policemen were critically injured and “unconfirmed reports state that one of them is dead.”

Adejobi said it was in the sustenance of their stance on managing the crisis professionally that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, was forced by protesters to trek 10 kilometres at the Okota area to visit an octogenarian assaulted by the police.

The CP had gone to apologise to Mrs. Durojaiye Olaleye, who was assaulted

by SP Tunji Ajakaiye, the second-in-command at the disbanded Anti -Kidnapping Unit, Surulere, when he was denied right of way by protesters.

Adejobi said in adherence to the professional manner in tolerating and managing several harassments, intimidations and provocations from the protesters, the CP obliged and trekked with his entourage for peace to reign.

He said the CP had earlier been denied access at the Murtala Mohammed Airport tollgate in Ikeja by another crop of protesters.

Meanwhile, those championing the EndSARS movement have reiterated calls for the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to resign if the government is serious about meeting their demands.

One of the protesters, Mr Debo Macaroni, an actor and content creator, said “By announcing that all our concerns have been taken care of, we must also see actions!

The IG should resign!

“Officers involved should be prosecuted immediately!! But like I have said earlier, we must also take responsibility! We can’t continue to allow thugs to have their way.”

Meanwhile, the protests held for the 13th day at Allen

lives and property and keep the people safe. We shall not be shirking in our responsibility and we shall not disappoint the people.”

The government stated further: "We urge the #ENDSARS protesters to remain peaceful, embrace dialogue, screen their rank and file and flush out those with criminal intents and, more importantly, steer clear of the custodial centres.”

It assured Nigerians,

especially Edo State residents, that the correctional centre in conjunction with other security agencies had commenced the tracking and apprehension of all the escaped inmates before they do any harm.

“Anyone who notices any person or persons that might have escaped from the custodial centres should, as a patriotic duty, inform the nearest security agency,” it said.

1,993 INMATES FREED IN EDO JAILBREAK, SAYS FG The statement added that an investigation has commenced to determine the impact of the attack.

"Two Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Custodial Centres in Benin City and Oko in Edo State were attacked yesterday by protesters purportedly under the #ENDSARS aegis, freeing (at the last count) 1,993 inmates in legal custody and looting the centres, including the weapons in their armoury,” it stated.

It added that the integrity of the custodial centres is, therefore, fundamental to justice, stressing that the inmates of the centres are expected to pay their dues to society, undergo reformation and be reintegrated into society as changed-for-better persons.

The federal government stated that when this process is disrupted in any way, the integrity of justice and societal renewal is subverted,

with dire and unimaginable consequences.

"Most of the inmates held at the centres are convicted criminals serving terms for various criminal offences, awaiting execution or standing trial for violent crimes. Their being let loose gravely imperils lives and property.

It is an unacceptable and intolerable threat to national and communal security,” it said, adding: "Government’s primary duty is to protect

Roundabout/ Awolowo road; Agidingbi Road/ Lagos Radio/ LTV; and Alausa, all in Ikeja.

Areas also affected by the roadblocks mounted by protesters were Isheri Olowora, Magodo, Agbara, Lagos- Badagry Express Way, Lekki Toll gate, Ikotun Roundabout, Arepo, LagosIbadan Expressway and Mushin Bus Stop.

The protest also held in areas like Sadiku Ilasa, Apapa Oshodi Express Way, Ojuelegba inward Shitta Roundabout from National Stadium, Costain, Iyana-Ipaja, Ojota, Mile 12, Ketu and Okota.

Flights at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport were disrupted as domestic and international airlines were forced to cancel their Lagos- bound flights following the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government.

Although the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) did not close the airspace, airlines had to cancel flights because of the restriction of movement.

Fayemi, Akeredolu, Lalong, Oyetola, Uzodinma Impose Curfew Meanwhile, as part of the efforts to curtail the violence associated with the EndSARS protest in Ekiti State, Fayemi has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state.

The curfew became effective from 10 pm yesterday and would last for 24 hours.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji.

Justifying the curfew, Fayemi, in the statement said that: "In the past 48 hours there have been incidents of gang-rape, robberies, and physical assaults on innocent people, looting and burning of a police station.

These acts of brigandage are not in consonance with the legitimate aspirations of the Continued on page 9

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NEWS

Corporate Governance Guidelines Starts January 1, 2021, Says SEC Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has set January 1, 2021, target for the implementation of the 'SEC Corporate Governance Guideline's (SCGG) and revised reporting template for public companies.

SEC in a circular yesterday announcing the commencement date advised public companies not only to comply with the requirements of the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) 2018, but to also to note that compliance with the SCGG/revised reporting template is mandatory.

The Financial Reporting

Council of Nigeria had issued the NCCG in 2018, which replaces all existing sectoral codes of corporate governance in the country, and is applicable to all sectors of the economy.

However, given the peculiarity of the capital market, the commission issued additional recommended practices largely obtained from the 2011 SEC Code of Corporate Governance for Public Companies in Nigeria, as guidelines.

In coming up with the SCGG, SEC believed that it would add to the standards of transparency, accountability and good corporate governance of companies without unduly

inhibiting enterprise and innovation.

Some provisions of the SCGG indicate that membership of the board of a public company shall not be less than five, and to safeguard the independence of the board, not more than two members of the same family shall sit on the board of a public company at the same time The guidelines also stipulate that in appointing a person to the board, shareholders should be provided with information on any real or potential conflict of interest, including whether a proposed appointee is an interlocking director.

It further provides that: “The

letters of appointment should cover the following: synopsis of director’s rights; director evaluation programme used by the company, and any other contractual responsibilities.”

On sustainability, the guidelines state that: “Companies shall recognise corruption as a major threat to business and to national development and, therefore, as a sustainability issue for businesses in Nigeria.

Companies, boards and individual directors must commit themselves to transparent dealings and to the establishment of a culture of integrity and zero-tolerance to corruption and corrupt

practices.

“In order to foster good corporate governance, companies shall engage in increased disclosure beyond the statutory requirements in the CAMA (Companies and Allied Matters Act).”

In a bid to minimise risk in the operations of companies, the guidelines state that: “the annual risk-based internal audit plan shall: address the broad range of risks facing the company, linking this to a risk management framework; identify audit priority areas and areas of greatest threat to the company; indicate how assurance will be provided on the company’s risk management

process, and indicate the resources and skills available or required to achieve the plan."

The Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) of 2018 issued by the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria effectively replaced the Code of Corporate Governance for public companies issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The FRC had also issued a template for reporting compliance with the NCCG 2018.

By the latest circular issued by the SEC, public companies are required to comply with the provisions of the NCCG and the SCGG.

disperse the demonstrators at Sokale Bus-stop at Dutse Alhaji, bordering the Kubwa-Zuba Expressway when the crisis began.

the comprehensive reform of the police in Nigeria.

The minister explained that on October 13, the IG immediately summoned all former members of SARS for debriefing, medical examination before redeployed and two days later, the National Economic Council (NEC), took far-reaching decisions, which took care of every demand of the protesters.

He stressed that the five demands made by the protesters which included the immediate release of all arrested protesters; justice for all deceased victims of police brutality and appropriate compensation for their families; the setting up of an independent body to oversee the investigation and prosecution of all reports of police misconduct within 10 days, and others were received by the authorities and on October 11, the InspectorGeneral of Police (IG), Adamu, announced the disbandment of SARS across the country.

Mohammed decried that some people who were not part of the original movement were using the movement to ask for unreasonable demands, and have moved from #EndSARS to #EndBuhari.

He stated: “The government noticed very soon that some people with ulterior motives were exploiting a very innocent and just protest to destabilise the polity. The movement started very peacefully, but very soon, we witnessed looting, assassination attempt on the governor of Osun State, and burning and looting of malls.

“In Benin, they freed 2,000 inmates, in Lagos today (yesterday), they set ablaze police stations and both the governments of Edo and Lagos have been compelled to impose curfews.

“The demands they came with first have been met. But now, we have some people who were not part of the original movement now using this movement to ask for unreasonable demands.

From #EndSARS, we now hear #EndBuhari."

The minister said what bothered the government was that after the five demands had been comprehensively met, the protest, rather than abate, has been getting stronger.

He stressed that the development troubled the government and it felt there was the need to give out the correct narrative out there.

Mohammed added: “We are not a repressive regime. For the past 12, 13 days, protesters have been allowed to express themselves provided they don’t get violent. The police have conducted themselves very admirably, even under provocation, they remained very restrained."

The minister opined that no responsible government would fold its arms and allow the country to go into anarchy, adding that the government owes all Nigerians the responsibility to protect their lives and their sources of livelihood.

He stressed that in the last 14 days, many Nigerians have been prevented, especially in Lagos, from going to work, while police have been attacked in several states and even some members of the movement have admitted that the movement has been hijacked, forcing some of them to resign, adding that "as we speak today, the problem is that, who are these leaders?”

Mohammed said, “And we believe that it is important for the international community to actually know what is happening. As we speak today, there are still demonstrations everywhere in Nigeria.

Protesters are not hindered as long as they do not constitute a danger to other people.

“Sunday night, the Central Bank was taken over, it was almost set on fire, we don’t see that as part of the peaceful demonstration. The attack on the Governor of Osun State that went there to engage them, we don’t see that as part of a peaceful demonstration.”

The minister, however, assured the international community that the government would continue to obey the rule of law, while also saying that democracy will continue to thrive in the country.

He said protests such as #EndSARS were integral part of democracy, and the government has set up every structure to allow the matter to be resolved, but unfortunately, it seemed that people with ulterior agenda have hijacked the protest.

DEATH AT DUSK FOR YOUNG #ENDSARS PROTESTERS protesters. It cannot be logical to seek to remedy impunity with impunity.”

The governor, through the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Kofoworola Aderiye, also directed the closure of all private and public schools in the state for the rest of the week.

Osun Osun State Governor, Oyetola, also imposed a curfew on all parts of the state, effective from 11.59 pm yesterday until further notice.

In a statement issued yesterday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, the state government noted that the events of the last 48 hours had shown clearly that the protests had been hijacked by criminals and hoodlums.

“As a responsible and responsive government that took the sacred oath to protect the lives and property of our citizens, we will not sit and watch criminals unleash terror on our state,” he said.

Ondo Ondo State Governor, Akeredolu, last night announced the imposition of a 24-hour curfew on the state.

The curfew, a sequel to the protests, which had grounded commercial, social and economic activities was declared during a broadcast to the people of the state.

Akeredolu, in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Donald Ojogo, directed that all schools should be closed for the meantime from today.

Plateau

Plateau State Governor, Lalong, also imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state to forestall further escalation of the protest that has snowballed into a fullblown riot in the state.

Addressing the state in Jos, the state capital yesterday, Lalong said: “I have directed the imposition of a 24-hour curfew in Jos South and Jos North Local Government Areas with effect from 8:00 pm today Tuesday, October 20, 2020, till further notice. By this directive, all forms of protests

are hereby banned in the two Local Governments Areas of Jos North and Jos South.”

Three persons were feared killed and properties including cars, houses, shops, among others, destroyed in Jos yesterday as hoodlums hijacked the protest, turning it into a bloody riot, attacking and maiming citizens, and burning properties.

No fewer eight cars and six buildings were reportedly torched as the hoodlums went wild barricaded the roads leading into and out of the city centre.

Gombe In Gombe, the protests turned violent as the youths trooped out wielding various dangers weapons on the streets.

The State Correspondent of The Nation newspapers, Mr. Shola Shittu, as well as the crew of NTA in the state and other journalists were attacked in the violent protest.

Oyo In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, no fewer than three persons were allegedly killed in Ojo area of the state capital, as policemen opened fire on hoodlums who allegedly attacked a police station.

Sporadic gunshots rent the air for almost an hour which made people scampered for safety.

Following the incident, the Oyo State Governor, Makinde, has ordered the closure of schools in the state from today.

Makinde announced this in a broadcast yesterday.

The governor said schools will remain closed for the rest of the week while efforts are made to douse the tension in Ibadan, the state capital.

Edo In Edo State, the state government said that the 24-hour (round-the-clock) curfew imposed in the state on Monday, October 19 subsists and is active till further notice.

As such, it said everyone is expected to remain indoors, noting that security agencies have been deployed in the streets to ensure full compliance as anyone found contravening the directive will be dealt with according

to the law.

The statement signed by the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, urged parents and guardians to restrain their children, wards and youths from flouting the order, as security agencies will not spare any errant individual.

Two people were reportedly shot to death yesterday at Santana Market along Sapele Road in Benin City as hoodlums engaged policemen who were trying to maintain peace in the area.

The youths according to eyewitness account met their deaths when they in conjunction with others opened fire on sighting a Mobile Police patrol van that came out to enforce the state government's 24-hours curfew.

Abuja Violence also escalated yesterday in Apo Mechanic Area of Abuja between traders and local people opposed to the protests.

There is fear that the crisis might assume ethnic dimension between the Igbo traders and the locals and Hausa communities.

Many shops, houses and cars were razed as a result of the latest escalation of tension.

Also protesters barricaded the road in Sokale Bus-stop around Dutse Alhaji, bordering the Kubwa-Zuba Expressway.

The protesters had a faceoff with soldiers, who shot to scare them off.

THISDAY gathered that five persons were killed by the hoodlums, while several sustained injuries.

Three of the victims were said to have been killed in the hotspot Dutsen Alhaji and Apo Waru areas of Abuja.

The Kubwa-Zuba Expressway and the International Airport Road were locked down to traffic.

The violence forced the deployment of policemen and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to the scene to ensure free vehicular and human movement.

The major crisis hotspot, however, was in Dutse in the Bwari Area Council, where two protesters were killed.

Soldiers shot sporadically to

Kano The protests also turned violent in Kano as 15 vehicles were burnt, and several shops vandalised.

Violence erupted from Sarkin Yaki and spread to Freetown, Court Road, Zangeru Road in Sabon Gari before the protesters were dispersed by the policemen.

Unconfirmed reports revealed that two people feared dead during the protest.

Also, at Airport Road, a vehicle was seen burnt in front of St. Thomas Secondary school and another one at Hausa Road junction by Airport Road.

Crisis broke out when some protesters stormed the Sabon-Gari area of Kano and set some vehicles on fire at various locations.

The Kano State Police Commissioner, Mr. Habu Sani confirmed the violence and said the seven vehicles were burnt and eight by vehicles damaged, while two motorcycles were burnt.

Protesters Making Unreasonable Demands, Says FG Meanwhile, the federal government has said that the protesters across the country were making unreasonable demands, after the initial five-point demands were met.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this yesterday while briefing the international community in Abuja.

The briefing was at the instance of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, and had in attendance, the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Antonia Ekpa.

Mohammed said that on October 12, Buhari personally intervened when he addressed Nigerians and said the disbandment of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) was the first step in

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COMMENT

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

AN UPRISING FORETOLD

Sonnie Ekwowusi urges the government to enter into dialogue with the protesting youths

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or about one and half weeks now, the Nigerian young, aided by modern communications gadgets, have been storming different Nigerian cities, reminiscent of the storming of the Bastille at the threshold of the French Revolution, and staging peaceful protests against police brutality in Nigeria, hashtagged #EndSARS. The uprising, unfortunately, has led to the death of some Nigerians and has even crippled some business activities.

Make no mistake about it - the motive behind the social uprising sweeping across Nigeria transcends #EndSARS and police brutality. Initially the uprising was against police brutality but now it has metamorphosed into the people’s uprising against failed leadership in Nigeria. This is why what initially started as an uprising of the Nigerian youths against police brutality has now snowballed into people’s protests against cluelessness, pillaging, plundering, opulence, fraudulence, narcissism and idiotism in governance in Nigeria.

I am not surprised. We all saw the uprising coming. Look, you cannot rule out social uprising in a country where millions upon millions of discontent young people are idle or roaming the streets without jobs, schools, food and even recreation.

You cannot but expect a social upheaval in a country where the political office holders are busy allocating to themselves humongous salaries and emoluments to the utter neglect of providing basic necessities such as primary health care, drinkable water, electricity and housing. So, the social uprising engulfing Nigeria at the moment was predictable. For instance, shortly before his death, Tunji Braithwaite said what Nigeria needed for redemption was a revolution. On his Twitter last week, Pat Utomi tweeted the Nunc Dimittis and requested God to let him depart this life in peace for his eyes had seen the revenge of the poor which he had foretold. Utomi even mentioned in his latest book, “Why Not,� that when he felt frustrated that the Buhari government was not getting its rhythm right he tried to engage the government so as to prevent what he often referred to as the revenge of the poor.

Others have equally predicted the coming anarchy in Nigeria.

For example, Karl Maier in his book, “This House has Fallen: Midnight in Nigeria,� laments the catastrophe which has overtaken Nigeria.

Unfortunately we are now witnessing Utomi’s revenge of the poor and Maier’s catastrophe. Hungry and frustrated young boys and girls are encumbering the streets of Nigeria and venting their frustration in peaceful protests. And not only the youths: the older generation, who are equally frustrated, are lending their moral, technical, spiritual and financial support to the protesting youths. In Things Fall Apart Chinua Achebe writes that a man dances the way the drums are beaten for him. The massive support, both from home and abroad, accruing to the youths has emboldened and encouraged them to move on in their protests, and, in fact, in line with popular social uprisings in the Philippines, South Korea, Hong Kong, Egypt and other countries. Certainly the on-going social uprising in Nigeria is bound to positively or negatively impact future political events in Nigeria. Certainly Nigeria will never be same again after this uprising. Already political analysts are discussing the different ways in which the uprising will affect

GOVERNMENT IS NOT AN END IN ITSELF. IT WAS CONCEIVED FOR SOMETHING GOOD, TO PROMOTE THE WELFARE OF THE PEOPLE

the government-people relations and reign of peace in Nigeria.

How is the Buhari government responding to the protests?

I would advise the government to seek wisdom in responding to the protests. The government should patiently continue to explore different avenues open to it to dialogue with the protesting youths until success is achieved. The deployment of armed soldiers to the streets is ill-advised. It will backfire.

Mind you, the protesting Nigerian youths are the cynosures of all eyes all over the world. Members of the international community are watching. Nigeria will incur the greater wrath of the international community if it deploys armed soldiers to forcibly stop the peaceful protests. Already the U.S, U.K and other countries have blacklisted some Nigerian politicians (including denying them and their families Visas) who indulged in anti-democratic activities. Come to think of it, it is baffling that President Buhari is always deploying armed soldiers to disrupt peaceful protests. This is wrong. The right to peaceful assembly and protest is guaranteed in our Constitution. In the case of the protesting Nigerian young, they are not attempting to overthrow the pre-existing legal order.

Far from it. They are simply protesting against the prevailing oddities in Nigeria. Nigeria is being ruled by the worst citizens who have sacrificed our commonwealth for their private gains.

Nigerians want an end to this. They want a government of service, not a tool for a few greedy ones to amass wealth.

They have a right to demand for good governance. After all, power belongs to the people. By voluntarily entrusting to the government the responsibility of governing their affairs, the people have not relinquished their power. The deduction from this is that the people could even revoke the mandate they have given to their rulers. The American founding fathers got it right when they said that, “governments are instituted among men deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed�. Our political office holders should understand that the people do not derive their natural right to freedom and right to dignity from the government: the people are born with those rights.

In presidential democracy, sovereignty resides with the people. Why? Because government is not the owner of the people: the people are the owners of the government. Put differently, government is not an end in itself. It was conceived for something good, to promote the welfare of the people.

But unfortunately government has been compromised to the extent that government now reflects the tyrannies of dictators.

This is why peaceful social uprisings such as the one we are witnessing in Nigeria at the moment are inevitable in order to cure bad governance.

Having said this, the on-going uprising in Nigeria must not derail otherwise the protesters would have succeeded in wasting their time and the time of everybody. First and foremost, the coherence, tenacity and sense of purpose of the uprising must not be compromised. The protesting youths must rectify their intention. They should not see the protests as only an opportunity for fun. They must shun violence at all times.

Already some street urchins and hoodlums are infiltrating the protests and damaging and looting people’s cars and property.

This is unacceptable.

LESSONS FROM THE ‘LAZY YOUTH’

ENDSARS is a referendum by Nigerian youth on the quality of governance, writes Dotun Adekanmbi

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evolutions often start, as we say in Nigeria, ‘like play, like play.’ The current #EndSARS campaign rocking the Nigerian polity started out in much the same way as the French Revolution of 1789 which, perhaps, is the most famous of all revolutions in history books. Everything was wrong with France before the revolution: mass discontent, social disequilibrium, political conflicts, excesses of the ruling class and serious economic hardship signposted by the high cost of bread. Nigeria of 2020 is no different from France of 1789. In France, the anger of the people was especially reserved for the Queen, Marie Antoinette, who they regarded as being tone-deaf and out of touch, a characterisation fuelled by her alleged retort that citizens should eat cake if they could not afford to buy bread, which had become expensive. Though the current Nigerian leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, is similarly regarded as tone-deaf and out of touch, he is yet to be caught in a major anti-people faux pax as the French Queen.

On the contrary, his seeming aloofness is seen as the reason so much grass continues to grow under his feet. In the eyes of the people, Mr President is only in office but not in power. Citizens are especially worried that the Chief Executive of Nigeria is fast asleep; if not, much of the social, economic and political hardships being experienced by Nigerians should long have been addressed head-on. All the same, the people appear ready to continue to lap up every rhetoric of government like they have been doing since Independence in 1960.

Under the military, they waited in vain for the fulfilment of the promise of ‘better life’ for Nigerians. With successive civilian administrations, they have put up with

the non-delivery of the much anticipated ‘dividends of democracy’ across all four Republics. The docile posturing of the citizens notwithstanding, it is evident that citizens are wound tighter than a two-dollar watch, ready to break.

The ticking time bomb was set off when young Nigerians voiced their outrage at the impunity of the officers and men of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigeria Police. Long derided as ‘lazy,’ the youth peacefully demonstrated their anger at being the primary targets of extra-judicial killings, illegal arrests and detention, mindless extortions and extreme torture of suspects by SARS officers. Two weeks after the protests began under the umbrella campaign of #EndSARS, Nigerian youth are still on the streets.

Let us make no mistake, #EndSARS 2020 is not a mere call to government to ‘reform’ or ‘scrap’ a unit of the police force. It is far bigger than that. It is essentially a campaign to call out every conscientious citizen as well as the international community to address issues that in 60 years of independence have tended to always reset Nigeria to the default operating mode of cyclical absence of forward-thinking leadership, poor governance, lop-sided development, nepotism, impunity, high mortality rate, endemic corruption and the mismanagement of education, among others. These, all are agreed, are at the root of Nigeria’s growing lack of competitiveness on the global stage despite our widely acknowledged abundance of natural and human resources.

Indeed, #EndSARS 2020 is a referendum

by Nigerian youth on the quality of governance in the country. It is good that government, too, is aware of this. In times past, a typical Nigerian government would have responded by unleashing violence on

protesters. This time, government attempted to bow to the wishes of the people by scrapping SARS in disregard of the initial position of the police hierarchy that doing so “will be difficult.� Even at that, the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, still sought to appropriate the decision ‘in the finest spirit of democratic, citizen-centred and community policing.’ But the hasty replacement of SARS with the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team across the 36 State Commands and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) did not go down well with the people. It appeared to be too cosmetic and it certainly did not go deep enough to address underlying issues of a complete overhaul of the system. For these reasons, the protests have not abated.

There are important leadership lessons to be learnt from the ongoing #EndSARS campaign. First is that leadership is no rocket science; all that is required is to emplace systems that would virtually operate on autopilot mode. This reinforces the argument that a nation could be better run with strong institutions than with strong men.

Without a single known individual or group as ‘leader,’ #EndSARS has probably been the most effective, most successful, non-violent (so far) and non-openly co-ordinated protest in Nigeria. The organisational ability of the faces behind the mask is astounding.

Also to be commended is the openness with which #EndSARS campaigners have continued to render account of income and outflows, without the benefit of a formal ‘Federal Account Allocation Committee�

(FAAC) and without complaints of ‘fraud’ or ‘embezzlement’ that is a catch-phrase in public expenditure in Nigeria. Equally commendable is the effective and seamless line of communication amongst campaigners. Indeed, government should learn useful

lessons in public information management from this campaign. The campaign has certainly shown that a ‘good cause’ will always naturally be supported by the people, without coercion, without financial inducements and without ethnic or religious sentiments attached to it. This is what patriotism is all about.

As yet, #EndSARS is still unfolding.

No one can predict when or how it will end because Nigeria has not experienced anything like it. The campaign presents an opportunity to effect a mental re-orientation on how Nigeria is or should be governed.

The philosophy behind #EndSARS and the unity of purpose that has sustained it will endure, if citizens continue to hold their representatives and government to account. Clearly, Nigerians need to step up the renewed awareness that power, truly, belongs to the people and that it is only held in trust by elected public officers.

United, we shall get the kind of leaders that can drive positive development. Nigerian youth, too, having now realised the enormity of the power they wield as agents of change, must continue to wield that power responsibly for the good of their fatherland.

Our country, without doubt, is blessed with young people with the capacity to change the narrative that ‘nothing works in Nigeria.’ Our youth have since proved that all they want is room to bloom and be the best for themselves and for their country.

They have also proved that they are no longer content with sleeping on their rights.

Fine. Let the country, too, be serious about harnessing their talent and catching, not killing, them young.

Adekanmbi is a Lagos-based communications consultant and public affairs commentator.

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EDITORIAL

ON THE PROPOSED CISIM BILL The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers should get other stakeholders on board

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hile the move towards the creation of Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment Management (CISIM) to regulate and control professional practice in the areas of securities and investments business in Nigeria may have received the endorsement of some professional bodies, there appears to be some dissenting voices mainly from two groups. These are the Financial Markets Dealers Association of Nigeria (FMDA) and the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) Society of Nigeria with headquarters in the United States of America.

Among others, their misgivings are that the CISIM Bill, when passed into law, will confer on the CIS the power to regulate the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as the SecuriTHE CAPITAL MARKET ties and Exchange Commission (SEC).

IS THE PIVOT FOR Therefore, as INVESTMENT, AND much as bringing CENTRAL TO THE NATION’S securities dealers FINANCIAL SYSTEM. ALL and investment THE STAKEHOLDERS MUST managers in Nigeria under one umbrella WORK IN SYNERGY TO may not be a bad ACHIEVE GROWTH NOT idea, the Chartered ONLY IN THE SECTOR BUT Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) that is THE COUNTRY AT LARGE promoting the bill should get other stakeholders on board.

Proponents of the CISIM Bill argue that when passed into law, it would replace the CIS Act 105 of 1992. They also contend that the move for the replacement of the extant CIS Act is underpinned by the Investment and Securities Act (ISA), which provides that individual operators dealing in securities shall be certified by the CIS. In other words, individual professionals dealing in securities and investment shall come under the same umbrella for certification except those offering ancillary services such as reporting accountants, solicitors, rating agencies, and trustees, among others.

Those opposed to the CISIM Bill argue otherwise.

They contend that it is a cause for concern for the

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capital markets, investment industry and practitioners therein. Their reluctance to queue behind the proposed bill is further driven by the explanatory memorandum signaling the intention of CIS “to regulate and control the professional practice in the areas of securities and investments business in Nigeria.� To the critics of the proposed bill, it is designed to bring professionals practising in securities and investment business in Nigeria under one umbrella, an objective that is neither desirable nor within CIS’ purview.

From all indications, the major misgivings against the proposed bill appear to be largely centred around the fear of domination of other professional bodies by the CIS. The fear is that the proposed CISIM Bill, when enacted, would empower the CIS to compel all practitioners of securities and investment business in Nigeria to be her members, and be the sole credentialing body, able to jail or fine otherwise qualified non-member practitioners, among others.

We should not gloss over the fact that the powers to regulate practitioners in the financial market sometimes overlap and lie principally with the CBN and the SEC, which register capital market operators who engage in securities and investment business in Nigeria. They cannot be usurped by a private entity.

Registered practitioners in the capital market have diverse functions with specialised skillsets that exceed merely transacting in securities, belong to different credentialing bodies and/or self-regulating organisations.

Apart from stockbrokers, others include solicitors, reporting accountants, rating agencies, registrars, custodians, trustees, financial market dealers, asset managers and investment advisers, among others whose members cannot be regulated and certified by the proposed CISIM but by SEC and their respective professional bodies. While the intentions of the CISIM Bill may therefore be noble, we urge the CIS and other promoters of the bill to expunge any provisions which create the impression that the institute is on a mission of dominance or ‘conquest.’ The capital market is the pivot for investment, and very central to the nation’s financial system and socio-economic development. All the stakeholders must therefore work in synergy to achieve growth not only in the sector but the country at large.

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.

#ENDSARS: ‘SORO SOKE’ AND ODDITY OF SILENCE

M

ore than 12 people have been killed in the #ENDSARS protests by security agents of the state. There’s nothing funny about that but somehow, President Muhammadu Buhari has always found something to laugh about. When he received updates from the Lagos State Governor, he laughed.

When the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives visited, he laughed. The most visible things the president has done over the last week, in relation to the protests, are to meet with senior government officials, take pictures, and laugh. That’s quite odd.

Many Nigerians don’t seem to figure what’s funny. I don’t, either. For someone who hasn’t seen any reason to address the nation, I think the reaction is another confirmation of the president’s marked, and quite unfortunate, disinclination to the realities of Nigerians. Thousands of them – mostly young, have defied odds to protest across the country. Their campaign would go down in history as one of the most united and creative, nonviolent resistances to injustice in the 21st century.

It’s very sad that lives have been lost, and

far more injured, at the hands of ‘bad-egg’ policemen whose pernicious wont and mentality got us here. And that says a lot about the system.

Where is the president in all of these?

Where is he choosing to stand in this moment of history? How would he want to be remembered when this chapter is opened? Whatever the president decides to say, or not say; do, or not do, is entirely left to him. His silence, in a time like this, is blaring. And we will not forget. But then, the president might have his reasons. Silence, in my reckoning, is better than facile comments on the issues without a corresponding commitment to remedying the maladies in the system. Despite the pronouncement against irresponsible police actions, there have been reports of intimidation and brutality in some quarters. There are videos to validate this. Attempts have also been made by some misguided louts, sponsored by some powers that will never be, to disrupt the protests that have largely been peaceful. Some areas in Lagos, Abuja, Benin, and a few other cities have recorded similar ugly incidences.

Ironically, these are happening amidst appeals by senior government officials

for the protests to end. Again, contrary to the government’s ‘hand of fellowship’, the military has taken to some parts of the capital city. Some fifth columnists have also been unleashed. This level of desperation is, in my view, misplaced.

The president speaking or not, the youth are no longer waiting on him. We are moving on. We would have none of the silence, or the cluelessness it breeds.

The culture of silence is not a norm we want to be identified with. We are choosing to ‘soro soke’ (#sorosoke, meaning: ‘speak up’ in Yoruba). The youth are choosing to ‘soro soke’ against attempts to discourage and disunite them in their quest for a better country. MLK said it first: “There is amazing power in unity.

When there is true unity, every effort to disunite only serves to strengthen the unity�. He, and others before us, would be proud of the change the youth are inspiring in Nigeria. We are choosing to ‘soro soke’ against cant; the demand is action and sincerity. We are choosing to ‘soro soke’ against silence; the demand is strong commitment to good governance.

We are choosing to ‘soro soke’ against oppression and police brutality; the demand is dignity and justice for victims. We are

bold to ‘soro soke’ because we know ‘something will happen’. The actions of the protesters across the country are not to halt business activities (as the protests to a large extent have) but to, as MLK put it again, ‘put justice in business.’ In a time when the silence of a good majority is just as bad as the sordidness of a bad minority, the conscientious youth in Nigeria are raising the bar to speak up. By standing and speaking up in the manner that we have (over the last two weeks), we are inspiring a model for oppressed people (wherever they may be) to speak up; to ‘soro soke’ in unity. That’s what Nigeria needs. That’s what the world needs. We still have a long way to go, but we’ll get there, eventually. We are doing it because it’s the right thing to do. We are doing this for our generation, and the one after ours, who should get nothing but the best. We are doing this because we believe in a Nigeria where unity and faith, peace and progress are not alien concepts to everyday Nigerians. ‘Soro soke’ is the new norm. And it’s here to stay. Let’s embrace it.

Samuel Akinnuga, a Nigerian youth, wrote from Lagos

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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020 •T H I S D AY

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020

MIDWEEKPOLITICS

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

EndSARS Enters a Difficult Period Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes that there has been a twist in the tale of the otherwise peaceful protests

by Nigerian youths demanding an end to police brutality, with the alleged hijack of the protests by hoodlums and the resulting clampdown by government

Buhari

Buratai

Sanwo-Olu

Fayemi

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of sponsoring attacks on genuine EndSARS campaigners. They heaped all the blame of heinous crimes on these alleged sponsored agents of government.

There were widely reported incidents of shooting by security agents in different parts of Lagos, where the EndSARS campainers had defied the 4:00pm curfew.

The action of the government has attracted condemnation. Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the former US Democratic Presidential Candidate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop the killing of young EndSARS protesters. In a tweet, Clinton said: “I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @hqnigerianarmy to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment.”

It is the first time Clinton is showing support for the movement. Protesters had taken to Twitter to call on the international community to condemn the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos yesterday. There were unconfirmed number of deaths and fatalities from the incident. Eyewitnesses account on Twitter however, showed that the figures are not low.

Music and Nollywood stars are directing their ire over the shooting of unarmed EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate at Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who hitherto was held up as as an exemplary public official in his conduct with the protesters.

Taking their grievances to the microblogging site Twitter, the celebrities accuse him of allowing such inhumanity under his watch.

Actress Kemi Lala Akindoju tweeted “Governor @jidesanwoolu. This is your legacy!

This is your legacy. Posterity will judge you and everyone on your team.”

Musician Runtown wrote on his Twitter page “This is on you @jidesanwoolu. I hope you know.”

“They’re killing our people,’ tweeted Davido.

Another musician Samklef tweeted: “He

will be held responsible he is an accomplice.

He helped them turn off the light remove the CCTV @jidesanwoolu you are a wicked man.”

Music label Mavin Records owned by Don Jazzy tweeted, “This wasn’t photoshopped. This is the legacy of the leaders the youths were supposed to see as ‘fathers’. We won’t forget..

bills of those who were injured at the shooting.

Before the mayhem yesterday, it looked like all parties in the EndSARS imbroglio were conducting themselves in a civilised manner.

Apparently reading from the same script, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Governor Simon Laling of Plateau State, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State, Governor the Actimg Governor of Kaduna State announced judicial commission of inquiries in line with the promise of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The Vice President said the powers to probe allegations of highhandednes, torture and outright extrajudicial killings rested with the states. No sooner a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) which the governors attended rose than the constitution of the probe committees by various state governments came on stream.

The Nigeria Governors Forum also also amplified the urgency for a judicial commission of inquiry to review cases of police brutality, especially by operatives of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad across the country.

The governors appealed to #EndSARS protesters to end the protests to prevent hoodlums from hijacking it.

This was contained in a communique issued

by NGF after the 20th emergency teleconference meeting held on Sunday.

The communique was signed by the NGF Chairman, Kayode Fayemi. He said the “Governors thereafter Resolved to: Activate a Judicial Panel of Enquiry to receive all cases of police brutality by officers of the disbanded SARS Unit. Each State is also expected to kickstart a compensation mechanism for all victims.

“Endorse the call by demonstrators for improved governance predicated on an enforcement regime that takes into cognisance the fundamental human rights and liberties of all citizens in the country; “Act on all the Demands made by the EndSARS protesters raising some concerns with the shifting nature of the demands which creates uncertainty on the exact expectations and ultimate goal; “Finally, appeal for the call off of protests as a continuation grossly exposes the fragile economic fundamentals of the country; particularly as criminal elements and hoodlums have hijacked the protests by maiming innocent citizens, looting and destroying properties.”

In obedience to Osinbajo and Fayemi, the governors went to their respective states and kick started the plan.

In Edo, the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, said the terms of reference of the Panel are “to receive complaints and petitions from the general public, particularly victims or relatives of victims of police brutality and extra-judicial killings, and to recommend measures, including compensation and restitution, investigation and prosecution, as the circumstances warrant.

vents inside the EndSARS episode are happening so fast that one needs to be awake all the time to be abreast of goings on. As the country was getting used to a new phrase, ‘commission of Inquiry’, which actually describes a government ordered inquiry into matters of public interest, a quick succession of events happened in the last 24 hours to dim the importance of the probe.

At the close of yesterday, Tuesday, October 20, which was the 12th day of the protests, very many unfortunate incidents across the country had been reported to twist the tale of the otherwise peaceful protests by Nigerian youths demanding an end to police brutality.

The youths had presented more demands after the Federal Government agreed to their initial request to disband the the Nigeria Police elite unit, known as Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which had sweeping powers and particularly targeted youths, who fit the profile of an endangered group called ‘Yahoo Boys ‘. Protest against the arbitrarines of SARS operations have been on between the past three and four years. It came to a head three weeks ago with the killing of a youth in Ughelli, Delta State.

A protest in Lagos led by led by Douglas Jack Agu, better known as, Runtown and Folarin Falana, better known as, Falz Tha Bad Guy and other popular personalities in the creative industry leveraged on the amazing advantage of information technology to go international and gain incredible support from major influencers.

As the #EndSARS campaigns entered ts second week, it was infiltrated by hoodlums who used the cover to commit arson and other forms of criminal acts that suggested a complete breakdown of law and order.

Mr. Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information had earlier warned that government could not allow a deterioration into anarchy, even as the National Leader of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum appealed to the youths to discontinue the protests and come to the negotiation table. However, the insistent request of the youths to have President Muhammadu Buhari address was rebuffed, even as federal lawmakers yesterday, reechoed the need for a direct intervention from the president.

While they were at it, the very occurrence that many discerning persons eared took place.

Hoodlums hijacked the protest and succeeded in twisting its direction. Yesterday, prisons in Edo State were forcibly opened and close to 2000 prisoners escaped. Apolice station was also burnt.

Governor Godwin Obaseki immediately placed the state on a 24-hour curfew. While members of the public were still wondering what went wrong in Edo, the EndSARS campaigners were also alleged to have burnt two police stations, a local government secretariat and a hospital in Lagos. This forced Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to order a 24-hour curfew. Governor Kayode Fayemi has announced a 24-hour curfew in Ekiti state, as well.

Some of the leading voices in the EndSARS campaign have accused individuals in and/ or close to the federal or state governments

#EndSARS #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria.”

Nollywood actress Adesua Etomi-Wellington tweeted, “You rehabilitate terrorists but shoot and kill peaceful protesters. We will forget. ‘ Videos of soldiers shooting at the Lekki protesters have gone viral on the social media platform. The Lagos state government had earlier announced a curfew in all parts of the state, starting from 4 PM following the spate of violence recorded in the state. The valiant protesters, however, insisted that they were conducting a peaceful protest and would not back down.

In an update on its Twitter handle, the Lagos state government tweeted that the curfew will take effect from 9 PM. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed that enforcement of the 24hour curfew in the State should not start until 9 pm to enable people stuck in traffic get to their destinations.

A protester allegedly shot on the leg had the bullet removed by other fellow protesters who improvised with available tools.

Earlier reports indicated that ambulances on their way to help the wounded were reportedly turned back.

There were also reports that the Lekki Toll Gate was set on fire as well as GTB on Admiralty Way, Lekki.

Elevation Church in Lekki announced on Twitter that their premises are open to stranded protesters. A few other organisations followed similar path. Meanwhile, former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, pledged to pay the hospital

Apparently reading from the same script, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Governor Simon Laling of Plateau State, Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State, Governor the Actimg Governor of Kaduna State announced judicial commission of inquiries in line with the promise of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The Vice President said the powers to probe allegations of highhandednes, torture and outright extrajudicial killings rested with the states.

No sooner a meeting of the National Economic Council (NEC) which the governors attended rose than the constitution of the probe committees by various state governments came on stream

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020

POLITICS

Anambra North Steps Up for Governorship in 2021 Davidson Iriekpen writes that the Anambra State governorship election may still be one year away, but the people of the southern senatorial district have started a campaign aimed at ensuring that the power rotation in the state is sustained

Obiano

W

ith the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States over, all eyes have shifted to Anambra State where the people of the southern senatorial district are claiming that since the central and northern senatorial districts have taken their turn, it is now their turn.

For a state that has severally been referred to as an unusual state, one only needs to take up a chart detailing the leaders of each of the 36 states of Nigeria and their political party. The distribution is simple: when and where the governor is not from the leading All Progressives Congress (APC), then he is from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But not for Anambra, a state where a certain political party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), keeps a domineering hold for over a decade.

Ever since bursting significantly into the scene in 2007, reclaiming a lost mandate through the courts, instilling its torchbearing governor, Peter Obi, the party has enjoyed an unbroken stint. The achievement is not without a formula: APGA, ordained by the Biafra War General, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, cultivated a cultural affinity and emotional sentiments in the people of the state. Sprinkled with vision and good leadership, a recipe for unquestioned loyalty emerged—and for years, the party fed Anambrarians this cocktail.

But things are no longer the same. Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu is dead, the party has lost its script and vision, and consequently witnessed the exodus of its bigwigs, ex-governor Peter Obi inclusive.

With the crisis of interest and dwindling of vision that informed such departures, it needed only a few years before the quality of leadership offered by the party dips.

Now, that has faithfully arrived through the incumbent Governor, Willie Obiano.

For the first time, therefore, a real and true possibility arises for another party to take the reins in the state after those long years. The opportunity presents itself but with clear demands: the party must have had a structure and depth competitive to what already exists, the party must not open old wounds, and the party must offer a candidate devoid of a political past that could be detrimental.

The PDP, for a few reasons, looks like the party to mount the needed challenge.

A very emotional people, Anambrarians exercise little or no patience with individuals who has traces to that collective experience of war and bitter conflict in Nigeria. The APC, affiliated with President Muhammad Buhari who took active role in the war, is blighted by a seeming

Ekwunife impossibility of acceptance in the state. To the average Anambra citizen, “there is no APC in Anambra”, a sentiment promptly shared by Emmanuel Okonkwo, a banker in the state. The APC is handicapped by history, hence handing the slate to PDP. However, it is not so clean a slate such that without substance, any comer could pass for victory. APGA, despite its muddied reputation and worn out influence, still wields enough power to clinch victory.

For this, the PDP must work hard and the hardwork begins with the choice of candidate to be presented to the ballot.

In that regard, boasting an overwhelming number of aspirants, the party suffers not.

From Uche Ekwunife, the long-standing female senator from the state, to Chris Azubogu, the list is long and rich. It fields Godwin Mmaduka, Obiora Okonkwo, Godwin Ezeemo, and Valentine Chineto Ozigbo. But the complexity of Anambra politics, erecting multiple criteria, poses a hard question for whomever party that dreams gubernatorial victory. For the PDP, the enigma would be who, among this seeming long list, fulfills the many determining sentiments that qualify or eliminates a candidate.

The first consideration, arguably the most important factor, relates to the zoning principle in Anambra politics. It is there, even beyond Anambra—it is a Nigerian thing, a reality that persists in a nation with diverse people and cultures. For Anambra, albeit the same culture and language, power shifts between the three zones: Anambra Central, Anambra North, and Anambra South. It is a principle that ensures the equitable distribution of political power,

erasing the chances and suspicion of one side of the state monopolizing political power and the imagined benefits that accrue from it.

However, given that Anambra Central and Anambra North have had their field day, all hands and eyes point to Anambra South for the provision of a possible candidate. This is the first and premium criterion and the failure to abide by it renders a party DOA: dead on arrival. Like Ockham’s razor, this zoning principle cuts the PDP longlist into halves and pieces, clearing the stage for a ballgame between Valentine Chineto Ozigbo and Chris Azubogu.

There is a real and dangerous possibility of neglecting this principle and it mostly derives the force of its argument from the fact that it is not a written pact, one backed by law. But anyone enlightened in the complex art of Nigerian politics is readily aware that there are factors with no legal ordination that yet defines success more than constitutional clauses. The zoning principle leads the list of these factors and the PDP, from their conduct so far, is set to abide by the zoning principle.

All politics is local and the bone—of contention, substance, and capacity—lying between Azubogu and Ozigbo tests the ability of each individual to reach the core of the state and etch on the minds of citizens, an impact sufficient to erase or drown out the existing political bias and sentiment that affiliates them to any other party. For Chris Azubogu, the method appears to be a visible competence in office.

Nicknamed Mr. Project, he is renowned to be a man of physical infrastructures and quite progressive initiatives. However,

For the first time, therefore, a real and true possibility arises for another party to take the reins in the state after those long years.

The opportunity presents itself but with clear demands: the party must have had a structure and depth competitive to what already exists, the party must not open old wounds, and the party must offer a candidate devoid of a political past that could be detrimental

as a member of the National House of Representatives, his projects are limited to his constituency, his influence narrowed to the same geopolitical circumference. More is needed from a gubernatorial aspirant.

Valentine Chineto Ozigbo is the former CEO of the Transcorp Group. An accomplished professional who retired at age 50 and, following his own words and dispositions, now aims to pour his essence to the higher calling of community building and humanitarian services. Perhaps in pursuit of this ideal, his gubernatorial aspiration was born. But what is certain is that from this ideal, one that transcends the individual person, Valentine Ozigbo has pulled impactful initiatives and exerted himself in a manner and fashion that is commendable and that attracts interest.

While Azubogu can be said to be fulfilling his mandate as a politician voted by his constituency, Ozigbo’s exertion holds a beautiful mystery. Accomplished, his foray into politics defies the usual suspicion held of the group called ‘career politicians’; describing the youth as the livewire of his political ambition, one finds his ideology progressive and visionary; philanthropic, hence operating in the frontline of the pandemic interventions in the state, Ozigbo achieves a certain roundedness needed to deem a character complete and sufficient.

The foregoing notwithstanding, Anambra politics is deeper than the already considered factors. In vital play, is the beyondthe-surface forces of religious sectionalism.

The Catholic-Anglican dichotomy, cutting prominently through the society, defines allegiance and support in a rare manner.

Chris Azubogu is Anglican, Chineto Ozigbo, Catholic. Strange as it may, especially to the foreign ears, this is however a very great determinant and the Catholic usually carries the day.

While many analysts feel that Chris Azubogu is experienced and with political history, Chineto Ozigbo covers the ground with illustrious career and professional anecdotes. They also feel that while Chris Azubogu is competent in political office, he however can be taken as doing what he has to do as an elected official, attracting development executed with the taxpayers’ fund. But Valentine Chineto Ozigbo has given his entire self, motivated by a resolve and ideal larger than mere official obligation.

Where one may be said to be in pursuit of more political power, the other may be said to be after a living legacy; and when power is said to corrupt the self, legacy compels the soul into lifelong achievement for the society at large.

T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 21, 2020

20

FEATURES

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

Cry for Help from Flood-ravaged Communities in Anambra David-Chyddy Eleke, who took a tour of some flood-ravaged communities in Anambra State, reports that locals of the affected areas now live a life not fit for humans

Submerged houses in Umueze Anam, Anambra West LGA

Out of school children whose school, Umueze Anam Community Primary School was submerged

Otuocha Market submerged by ood

Makeshift market at Umueze Anam on the bridge, which also serves as a camp for displaced people

O

tuocha in Anambra East Local Government is known for the abundance of fresh fish. It is also a riverine area, and the people are very much used to water.

It is often said that an Otuocha woman could be preparing food in her kitchen and when it's time to spice the food with fish, she simply goes to her backyard, casts a fishing net in the water and stays a while before dragging out the net with abundance of fishes.

The claim above is yet to be verified, but surely illustrates how abundant fishes are in the area. Once too, during a visit to the area, this reporter and his colleagues were treated to meals of fresh fish pepper soup. This time around, as we drove close to Otuocha, this reporter salivated, knowing that after monitoring the flood ravaged areas, there will be a meal of fresh fish to savour.

But it was a surprise to drive into a huge body of water that spanned through the entire length of the Otuocha market, showing that the entire market was under water, including the stall in the motor park, where a fair complexioned woman known to everyone as Mama Ada, served a delicious meal spiced with fresh fish to us; hope was dashed.

Mama Ada and her fellow Otuocha market colleagues are not the only ones suffering the flood. No fewer than 20,000 people have been sacked from their homes by flood in three communities of Otuocha, in Anambra East LGA, Umueze Anam and Mmiata Anam of Anambra West Local Government Area.

Markets, homes, farmlands and properties have not been spared too.

Mr Chukwuemeka Okoye, a trader in Otuocha market who recounted his luck with the flood said, said, "I am among the lucky people here. I sell phone parts and other accessories, but I am among those whose properties the flood did not destroy.

The flood submerged the shop before my own and destroyed my neighbour's wares.

When we came in the morning, water had started seeping into my shop, but I quickly evacuated everything. You can see that even now that the flood has receeded, the entire market and even the motor park is still not visible. That is what we have suffered."

Mr Anthony Okeke is not so lucky. He is a supplier of bread. He said, "I came very early to the market to find that my shop has been submerged. You know, bread is not something you can retrieve once water touches it. These ones I am selling now are breads supplied to me on credit. We are calling on government to come to our aid, help us with loans, so we can start afresh.

You see we now trade on the main road."

If Otuocha was hit, then it was even worse for Umueze Anam and Mmiata Anam.

Both communities, which are neighbours to each other have been divided by water.

For Umueze Anam, the entire community is currently under water, with no exception at all. Indigenes now sleep on the rooftop of their highrise buildings, with their canoes handy for emergency movement, while the bulk of the community now sleep on the newly constructed Umueze Anam bridge, which also serves as both residence and markets for the sale of their food crop.

A victim, Mr John Okoye who is a canoe operator said, "I have sent my family away, but for me, I sleep on the bridge here, same for other members of the community. Once it is late, we start making arrangements about the space we will sleep on the bridge."

Speaking about little children who were seen playing around in the flood water and on canoes, Okoye said people in the area are literarily born inside the water, so they fear nothing about water.

"They have nowhere to go to, so they just stay here and play. We don't fear water

here because we are almost born inside the water. As for those children, what do you want them to do when their school is already under the water. Just look over there (he beckons on this reporter), that is their school. It is under the water, so they can't go to school. Their parents live here and have nowhere else they call home, so they too have to stay here and play," he said.

Asked why the indigenes of the community did not move into internally displaced people's camps created by government, he denied any prior information about the flood, or any knowledge of a centre created for displaced people. "I don't know of it.

We were not told. We are calling on the government to come to our aid and help us with food�.

Attempt to speak with the Chairman of the Anambra East LGA, Barr Obi Nweke, was not possible as he was said not to have arrived his office at the time of the visit. When reached on his mobile phone, he also rejected interview, stating he was busy and could not grant a phone interview immediately.

However, an official of the council area who spoke on condition of anonymity said it was not true that the indigenes were not alerted. "The chairman kept shouting it to them for months now. NIMET (Nigeria Meteorological Agency) had since early this year predicted that there will be flood this year, and that Anambra will be among the states. We have been shouting it and also created IDP camps, so how can they say they did not hear. The truth is that these people are used to water, so even as you are feeling for them, they see it as nothing, except that they have lost their properties."

Meanwhile, THISDAY gathered that Anambra State government has 17 camps scattered across the state, where people displaced by the flood have taken refuge.

Arrangement it was gathered has been put in place to provide learning opportunities for children in `Holding Centres’ in communities where flooding has posed a challenge to children expected to be in schools. The commissioner for Basic Education, Prof Kate Omenugha said they will find a way to teach school children in flood-challenged areas of the state.

Also, the state government has commenced distribution of medical items to flood-affected communities in the state. Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala who spoke after visiting Mmiata added that the state has 17 IDP camps, and all will receive supplies, but beyond all these, many have asked what the permanent solution to the problem is.

Recall that since 2012 when a major flood hit communities in seven local government in the state, there have been yearly flood, which have always displaced the people.

Providing solution to the problem, Prosper Amah of the Anglican Diocese of Ogbaru, said dredging of the River Niger will save the coastal communities in Anambra from incessant flood. He regretted that most communities in Ogbaru have been submerged by flood, an incident he said is controllable. “If the federal government had heeded calls by different groups and individuals to properly dredge the River Niger, this disaster could have been averted,� he claimed.

The Bishop said that church services in Ogbaru Diocese had been affected due to flood which, he said, also submerged the Bishop’s Court and Saint James the Great Cathedral at Atani, lamenting that, "flood has taken over the headquarters of the diocese and many other churches, disrupting church activities, including soul-winning services and human development in the area. Federal government must dredge the River Niger because it is the only solution to the perennial flooding we are experiencing.�

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T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 21, 2020

FEATURES

COVID-19: How Delta Flattened the Curve Sharon Ugbechie

A

s the gale of death occasioned by the deadly COVID-19 begins to subside, at least in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, it has become apposite to examine how states have so far managed the pandemic. Oil-rich Delta State easily ranks high among states that deployed proactive measures and social cum scientific best practices to stem the fatal tide.

Many reasons have been adduced to explain how Delta recorded high success rate in containing Covid-19. Currently, Delta is among states that are flattening the curve with very impressive daily statistics, in some days recording zero cases.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who qualified as a medical doctor at a record age of 22 years from the University of Ibadan in 1981, may have deployed his medical expertise and experience in the manner he marshalled his team to manage the pandemic.

First, he imposed a lockdown on the state even before there was a confirmed case. It was a masterstroke in medical proactiveness. Recall that as far back as December 31, 2019, a pneumonia of unknown cause, said to have been triggered by novel type of virus christened Coronavirus, was detected in Wuhan, in central China. It was subsequently reported to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Country Office in China. By January 30, 2020, WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. That was a red flag; warning the world to beware. But not many countries and communities heeded the warning as early as they should.

On February 27, 2020, the Federal Ministry of Health formally confirmed the first case in Nigeria. The index case was an Italian citizen who worked in Nigeria. He had travelled to Milan, Italy and returned to Nigeria via Lagos on the 25th of February 2020. He was confirmed by the Virology Laboratory of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, part of the laboratory network of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC. That was the first pull at the trigger on Nigeria by the dreaded virus.

Still, the nation did not make serious effort to dodge the bullet.

Strangely, when the first case was reported, the federal authorities still kept our international borders open. Fights in and out of Nigeria were allowed.

Some governors paid no attention to the danger lurking in the horizon. Only a few states took heed. Instructively, Okowa was among the governors who took immediate steps to ward off the virus. He locked down the state before Delta ever recorded its first index case.

Delta has two airports in Asaba and Warri. The state also has four sea ports in Warri, Koko, Burutu and Sapele.

Because of oil exploration activities and the strategic location of Asaba airport close to Onitsha international market, the state is a beehive. The entry ports witness a heavy traffic of outbound and inbound passengers. By air or by road, Delta is a major artery to the South East and parts of the South-South. This made it a potential hatchery and breeding ground for Covid-19. But this was not to be. Okowa moved fast, even faster than the federal government, to abort any likelihood of a mushrooming of the pandemic.

He established four well-equipped clinics for the treatment and management of the disease before there was any confirmed case. It’s noteworthy that while many states were stuck in the stasis of doubt and inadequate medical equipment, Delta had at least 20 ventilators, second only to Lagos, when there was not a single reported case in the state. It was a case of preparing a resting place in summer before winter sets in.

Delta State Isolation Centre

Okowa always on facemask

In modern medicine, emphasis is placed on preventive rather than curative medicare. Okowa applied this basic principle, rallying residents of the state to strictly adhere to the precautionary protocols of covid-19.

Again, in the fight against any contagion like the COVID-19, citizen mobilisation and enlightenment is key. Delta State realised this and set the machinery in motion to take the residents through a regime of enlightenment and awareness. The state also actively mobilised the private sector and other public spirited individuals to contribute to the fight against the pandemic.

This paid off especially with the Governor leading the fight from the front. He was directly in charge of the Task Force coordinating the fight.

Okowa opted to directly head the Central Committee on Managing/ Containing the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Governor heading this all-important committee was a fitting display of pragmatism in leadership. It made quick decision-making possible. It cut drastically all redundancies and down time. It bridged the gap between procurement of medical equipment and financing.

Besides, when a leader leads from the front, it reinforces confidence in his lieutenants.

When the members of the committee noticed the devotion, passion and zeal of the governor, they could not but take their duty as a critical, time-sensitive and life-saving assignment with zero margin for error. Pronto, the governor reeled out precautionary measures and safety protocols that every resident of the state, except for persons on essential duties, must abide by.

They include: Closure of Asaba

international Airport to traffic effective from Friday, March 27, 2020 for two weeks in the first instance.

Closure of all land borders into and out of Delta State from Sunday, March 29, 2020 for two weeks in the first instance.

Others were shutdown of all businesses: malls, supermarkets, markets and shops from Wednesday, April 1, 2020 for two weeks in the first instance.

All residents in the state were restricted to stay at home from Wednesday, April 1, 2020, for two weeks in the first instance.

Foodstuff sellers were directed to conduct their businesses within the precinct of their homes and were required to strictly adhere to the social distancing rules.

One efficient tool deployed by the Okowa government was sustained communication with the people. In crisis management, communication void of ambiguity and needless verbose is critical. Leadership must not only be seen to talk the talk, it must walk the talk. It must be do-as-I-do, meaning the leader must be exemplary enough as to become the mirror through which the people see through the veil of fear and confusion. Okowa turned himself to a mirror. He communicated hope.

He wore his own mask publicly before asking others to do same. He did not plant fear in the hearts of the people. He communicated life to them, not death.

He empathized with the afflicted. He was very sincere. Even when his family had to go into isolation, he came out openly to communicate with the people.

He told them to be strong. He said COVID-19 is not a death sentence. That with strict adherence to medical advice

and prescription, it’s surmountable.

In one moment of lifting the people’s spirit, he said: “I want to appeal to all of us to remain calm and vigilant. We must not panic. We can easily overcome this threat if we abide by the measures and all other information from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). “We will easily defeat the spread of this disease if everyone sees himself/ herself as a victim who does not want the virus to spread. To adopt a superstitious approach as many of us do that ‘it is not my portion’ could prove to be fatal. This is no time for self-medication.

If you notice at any point in time that your temperature is above 37.9 Celsius, do not hesitate to call on the relevant authorities/ or visit the nearest hospital.�

Because public enlightenment on the COVID-19 was effective, it was not difficult for Deltans to buy into the initiatives of the Okowa-led committee. The duty of containment of the contagion thus transcended from the committee to the residents; a matter of shared responsibilities and values.

This rationally explains why despite the growing cosmopolitan status of the state, it recorded a low quotient in coronavirus infection.

As at October 14, 2020, Delta had recorded 1,810 cases of coronavirus.

A careful study of the national chart provided by the NCDC showed that other less commercially vibrant states and even far less cosmopolitan states had more cases of the virus than Delta.

Besides, recent statistics from NCDC showed that Delta is flattening the curve faster than many states. On some days, not a single case is reported. Add to that is the fact that Delta also recorded one of the highest number of discharged cases by percentage of recorded cases.

Doctors at the isolation centres attributed this to provision of adequate medical equipment by the state government and motivation of medical and other field personnel by the government.

Overall, just like she did with Ebola, Nigeria did not fare badly in the management of the covid-19 pandemic.

She could still have done better but so far, she has bettered the efforts of far more advanced nations of the world including United States, Brazil, Russia, United Kingdom and even China, the suspected birthplace of coronavirus. In Africa, Nigeria has a better covid-19 management profile than less populous nations like Egypt and Ethiopia. This impressive performance is down to the sacrifices, foresight and vision displayed by pockets of leaders across the nation, one of whom is Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

-Ugbechie wrote in from Warri

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WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020 •T H I S D AY

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BUSINESSWORLD R A T E S MONEY MARKET OVERNIGHT OBB

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Group Business Editor Obinna Chima Email obinna.chima@thisdaylive.com 08152447875

O C T O B E R

S & P INDEX INDEX LEVEL 1-DAY MONTH-TO-DATE

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EXCHANGE RATE N379/1US DOLLAR* ĚŠ

Quick Takes AfDB Approves $50.7m for Tanzania

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

L-R:ChiefMarketingOfficer,HeritageBank,Mr.FelaIbidapo;ExecutiveProducer,TheNextTitanNigeria,Mr.Mefe-KunleAkinleye;Judges,NextTitanSeason 7,LilianOluchiand Mr.ChrisParkes,attheseason7premiereoftheNextTitanNigeriaheldinLagos...recently ETOPUKUTT

NNPC: Nigeria’s Oil Deposit Down by 2.16% to 36 Barrels Chineme Okafor in Abuja The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has disclosed that the volume of oil deposits Nigeria holds declined by 2.16 per cent between 2018 and 2019 and is now 36.89 barrels (bbls).

While the country’s oil deposit reduced by this amount, the corporation however noted that it recorded a 1.27 per cent increase in natural gas reserves within the period. It explained that 39 wells were drilled out of which 37 are development wells while two are exploratory wells.

By definition, development wells are by industry standards drilled in proven oil producing areas for oil or gas production while exploratory wells are initially drilled to locate proven reserves of recoverable oil and gas onshore and offshore.

ECONOMY In NNPC’s Annual Statistical Bulletin (ASB) for 2019 which was obtained by THISDAY, the corporation noted that, “the aggregate hydrocarbon reserves are 36.89 billion barrels of oil and condensate and 203.45 trillion cubic feet of gas at the end of the year 2019. This represents a decrease of 2.16 per cent for oil and condensate and an increase of 1.27 per cent for gas when compared with 2018.�

The corporation stated that the country’s total crude oil and condensate production for the year 2019 was 735,244,080 barrels which resulted to a daily average of 2.01 million barrels per day (mbd).

It however noted that, “this is higher than the 2018 production by 4.8 per cent,� adding

that oil production by fiscal regime showed that the joint venture production framework contributed 229,304,083 barrels in the year while joint venture and alternative finance (JV-AF) framework contributed 80,979,706 barrels.

Contributions from Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) and Service Contract (SC) according to the NNPC for the year were 313,372,216 barrels while independent producers and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) contributed 89,825,428 barrels, in addition to the 21,762,648 barrels from marginal oil fields production. “In the gas sector, a total of 2,864.93 billion cubic feet (bcf) of natural gas was produced during the year 2019. This shows an increase of one per cent when compared with 2018 production (2,836.55bcf). Out of the quantity

produced, 2,620.58bcf (91.47 per cent) was utilised, while 244.35bcf (8.53 per cent) was flared,� the corporation added in the ASB report.

Similarly, the NNPC stated that out of the total quantity of oil produced in the year under consideration, it lifted 266,650,459 barrels representing 36.25 per cent and an average of average 730,549.2 barrels per day for both domestic utilisation and export.

Its refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt, it said maintained their production decline in the year and had a combined average refining capacity utilisation 2.53 per cent as against the 7.97 per cent they had in 2018.

With regards to destinations for Nigeria’s crude oil in 2019, it stated that Western Europe Continued on page 24

No Insurance Cover for COVID-19 Business Disruption, Says NIA Chairman Dike Onwuamaeze The Chairman of the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) and the Group Managing Director of the Custodian Investment Plc, Mr. Wole Oshin, has revealed that there is no insurance cover for those that experienced business interruption as a result of the lockdown imposed by the federal government to contain the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.

Oshin, made the remark during the, “CWEIC Sector Webinar: Insuring the Commonwealth Post COVID-19,� that was hosted by the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) to look at how the insurance industry

ECONOMY would recover post-COVID, and the role it would play in helping to revitalise the global economy.

He said: “I have to explain to them that the pandemic is not covered. It is a major controversial issue for now. We have had clients coming to make claims for business interruptions. As we all know there is a debate around business interruption. “But as far as the customers are concerned they cannot go to work; their plant cannot open and for that cannot produce. So, they make claims. But as you know, we are guided by policies and other laws of insurance.�

Oshin, also said the pandemic period was a major experience for operators in the insurance industry, which he said made them to fast-forward their digitalisation process. “We had no choice but to move quickly to the digital platform because we were completely locked down.

This was a program that was scheduled to happen in three years. But the reality is that we find it very efficient in terms of costs and reaching out to ourcustomers and our clients are finding it easier reaching out to us on the digital platform,� he said.

He, however, stated that the Nigerian insurance industry is now faced with a new risk,

which is cyber risk. “It is a huge challenge that we are beginning to face as we have been on strong attacks. This is a major risk that is crystalising and will be a challenge that the industry will have to face in the post COVID-19 era,� he said.

Oshin, also observed that operators in the industry have worked very hard to show their clients that they we have human face by offering to, “a lot of our retail customers, especially the motor insurance, three months free insurance. We have worked on this try make insurance look so good. “This has brought insurance into good light because typically Continued on page 24

The Board of Directors of the African Development Fund (ADF) has approvedaloanofUA36million($50.7million)forTanzania,toďŹ nance the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.The loan from the AfDBCOVID-19ResponseFacility(CRF)willsupportthegovernment of Tanzania’s $109 million national COVID-19 response plan, which is jointly supported by the country’s other development partners.

According to a statement, the plan is aimed at building economic resilience,whilemitigatingthesocio-economicandhealthimpactsof the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on local businesses, vulnerable households and the country’s health system.

It noted that the pandemic has put increased pressure onTanzania’s health facilities, social protection systems and has dampened the country’sprojectedgrowthofover6.2percent–theaverageoverthe last ďŹ ve years, and which had made it the one of the best performers in Eastern Africa.

The country’s growth was projected to decline from the pre-COVID projections of 6.4 per cent to between 3.6 per cent and 2.6 per cent.

Commenting on the operation, the Acting Director-General of the Bank’s East Africa regional oďŹƒce, Nnenna Nwabufo, said said it was part of a larger, more comprehensive support package for the Bank’s regional member countries, including Tanzania. “The evolution of COVID-19 and changing containment measures remain dynamic and unpredictable; the medium and longer-term impacts of the crisis are yet to be fully understood.

Huawei Releases Banking Resilience Index

The International Data Corporation (IDC), the global provider of marketintelligence,advisoryservices,andeventsfortheinformation technology,telecommunicationsandconsumertechnologymarkets, along with Huawei have released a majorWhite Paper titled: “Banking IndustryRisesuptotheNewNormal.â€?Inthepaper,theIDCandHuawei surveyed the impact that Covid-19 has had on the banking industry and outlines steps that should be taken by banks to ensure their future success. As part of this report, IDC and Huawei developed a Banking Resilience Index, which quantiďŹ es the current status of banking by region in terms of six key measures. The index showed major regional dierences and can be used by banks to assess their own Resilience and provides guidance for where to focus for future success. “Huawei and its partners are showing the wide range of FSI solutions, includingFinancialCloud,smartbranches,digitalCOREandintelligent data platforms. “These solutions allow banks to reduce costs, increase agility to the rapidly changing FSI environment, attract and retain customers and position themselves against emerging competitors.The recent disruptionstoeverydaylifehavemovedthefocusofďŹ nancialservices to Mobile and Huawei has been a leader in supporting the move to mobile interactions globally, based on the early experiences in China. “The insights we are sharing are allowing ďŹ nancial customers globally to respond and support customers in these trying times,â€? the organisations explained in a statement.

IBM Posts Double-digit Revenue

The International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) edged past Wall Street estimates for quarterly revenue, bolstered by higher demand foritscloudservices,abusinessitisstakingitsfutureonasitprepares to spin o one of its legacy units. “Clients’ near-term priorities continue to include operational stability, exibility and cash preservation, which tends to favor (operating expenses)over(capitalexpenses),â€?itsChiefFinancialOďŹƒcer,Reuters quoted James Kavanaugh to have said. “This is resulting in some project delays and purchase deferrals.â€?

Revenuefromthecloudbusiness,previouslyheadedbyChiefExecutive OďŹƒcerArvindKrishna,rose19percentto$6billioninthethirdquarter, osetting weakness in much of its other businesses.

The boost from the cloud business further underscores IBM’s move to focus on its high-margin open hybrid cloud and AI solutions, which togetheraccountformorethanhalfofitsrecurringrevenue,byspinning o its IT infrastructure services unit.

“The passion of our staff lately, of which we measure regularly, is quite impressive�

GMD, Sahara Power Group,

Mr. Kola Adesina

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BUSINESSWORLD

NEWS

NNPC: NIGERIA’S OIL DEPOSIT DOWN BY 2.16% TO 36 BARRELS led the chart with 329,073,215 barrels representing 44.92 per cent sent to countries such as Spain, Netherland, France, Italy, Germany and Poland amongst others.

Followed by that it added was the 94,304,761 barrels sent to Asia, representing 26.52 per cent and with India as the top destination. The country’s oil was also significantly ordered in South America with 74,894,829 representing 10.22 per cent and some countries in Africa with 102,079,325 barrels or 13.93 per cent of the total exported volumes sent there.

The NNPC had disclosed that out of about $4.6 billion negotiated joint venture (JV) oil production debt Nigeria was owing international oil companies (IOCs), about $3.02 billion had been paid, leaving about $1.58 billion as the outstanding.

The NNPC in its October 2020 Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) report had explained that it has continued to pay the debt to the IOCs since a discount was negotiated by former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, in December 2016, from about $5.1 billion to $4.6 billion.

NO INSURANCE COVER FOR COVID-19 BUSINESS DISRUPTION, SAYS NIA CHAIRMAN

people think that insurance people are insensitive and that we are not up to the task when issues come up.�

Similarly, the Managing Director of YOA Insurance Brokers, Ms. Enitan Solarin, said the positive impact of COVID-19 on the Nigerian insurance industry was that people have begun to appreciate insurance as something needed to do, adding that “the way the insurance industry has responded proactively during this COVID-19 period has restored integrity of the industry and we need to work hard to sustain it.

We need to take advantage of this and make more products available to the insuring public now.�

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Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?ĂŽĂ&#x; äĂ? (Aviation) ĂœĂ™Ă—Ă™Ă?Ă?Ă–Ă? ĂŒĂ“Ă™ĂŽĂ&#x;Ă˜ (Maritime) Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ (Finance) ĂŒĂ?ĂœĂ? åÙÔÓ (Insurance) Ă’Ă“Ă˜Ă?Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă‹Ă?Ă™Ăœ (Energy) Emmanuel Addeh (Energy) Ă?ĂšĂ™ĂœĂžĂ?ĂœĂ?

Ă&#x;Ă—Ă? Ă•Ă?Ă‘Ă’Ă? (Money Market) Ă™Ă?Ă‹ Ă–Ă?Ă•Ă’Ă&#x;ÙÑÓĂ? (ICT) Peter Uzoho (Energy)

NDIC: Rising Public Debt, Bad Loans Threat to Financial Stability

Ëž Ă‹ĂŁĂ? ĂŒĂ‹Ă˜Ă•Ă? Ă–Ă“Ă•Ă?Ă–ĂŁ ÞÙ Ă?Ă?Ă?Ă• ĂŒĂ‹Ă“Ă–Ă™Ă&#x;Ăž Ă‹Ă—Ă?Ă? Ă—Ă?ÔÙ in Abuja The Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Alhaji Umaru Ibrahim has said the rising public debt stock as well as increase in banking industry non-performing loans (NPLs) portfolio have put financial regulators under pressure.

Owing to this, he stressed take measures to respond and forestall a financial crisis.

Speaking in Lagos at the opening of the 2020 workshop for business editors and the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN), themed:“COVID-19 and Fintech Disruption: Opportunities and Challenges for Banking System Stability and Deposit Insurance,� he added that the threat of a pending economic recession and a potential financial crisis had further put regulators on their toes. The NDIC boss noted that though the emergence of digital financial services enabled by financial technology (Fintech) had enhanced efficiency in the financial sector, it has also posed new challenges to financial regulators and consumers. “The threat of recession, increased national debt, increase in non-performing loans and potential financial crisis have put pressure on regulators to reassess their supervisory activities to strengthen their capabilities to address these challenges and forestall financial crisis,� he said.

Ibrahim said the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant disruptions to social and economic activities has had negative consequences on all lives and nations across the world.

According to him, the emerging

challenges became more apparent during the pandemic when the lockdown protocols hindered physical access to financial services, thereby encouraging more Nigerians to rely on digital financial services.

He, however, pointed out that as disruptive as the COVID-19 had been to other sectors of the country, the “NDIC was not caught napping�.

He explained that based on the corporation’s robust and proactive enterprise risk management strategy, it had immediately swung into action by activating its crisis management action plan to prevent any negative impact on its operations and the financial institutions under supervision.

The MD said the goal was to ensure the safety and protection

of all staff and stakeholders to maintain continuity of its operations towards protecting depositors’ funds and ensuring the stability of the banking sector.

He said in recognition of the heightened fears of depositors’ lack of access to their money due to the COVID-19 disruptions, the Corporation had embarked on a nationwide public awareness campaign through the production and broadcast of radio and television jingles in the three major languages and pidgin, to enlighten depositors on the continued safety and security of their funds in licensed financial institutions under its purview.

He said the issues presently confronting the country were monumental and unprecedented adding however that are not

insurmountable.

The NDIC boss, therefore emphasised on the critical role of the media as central in shaping public perception and promoting financial stability through the reportage of the corporation’s role in depositor protection.

This is as the NDIC Director, Communications and Public Affairs Department, Mr. Bashir Nuhu, said part of the reforms being canvassed by the corporation through the amendment of its establishment Act, was to ensure a definite timeline for failure resolution, preferably 10 days to enable failed bank customers get their money within a short period of time.

Also, speaking on, “Global Review of COVID-Related Financial Stability Issues, Policy

Measures Taken and Assessment of their Effectiveness�, NDIC Director, Research, Policy and International Relations, Mr. Sunday Oluyemi, further stressed the need for increased surveillance of banks adding that the possibility of heightened impaired credits (NPLs) portfolio of banks arising from potential economic slowdown would require increased surveillance of the banking system through scheduled bank examination and improved off-site analysis.

As a result, he said that the corporation is reviewing the framework for financial and technical assistance in readiness for assisting banks that are faced with liquidity and solvency challenges during the pandemic and beyond.

L-R: Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami; Chairman, Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh; Chairman, MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe; Director General, Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Inuwa Kashifu Abdullahi, and Deputy Governor, Lagos State,Dr.ObafemiHamzat,attheunveilingofTechExperienceCentreinLagos...recently

Covid-19: IFAD Urges Govts to Prioritise Support for Rural Women Ă–Ă&#x;Ă?Ă’Ă“ Ă’Ă“ĂŒĂ&#x;Ă¤Ă™Ăœ The President of the United Nation’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Gilbert Houngbo, has said global food supply will be at risk if steps are not taken to start prioritising rural women during the pandemic. “It is unacceptable that rural women, who play such a vital role in growing our food and building thriving economies, are at greatest risk during the pandemic,â€? said Houngbo on

the occasion of the International Day of Rural Women. “Our global resilience depends on governments paying greater attention to the disproportionate socio-economic impacts on rural women and stepping up their investments to protect them.�

There are approximately 1.7 billion women and girls living in rural areas, representing more than one-fifth of all humanity.

He noted that rural women make up 43 per cent of the agricultural work force in

developing countries and are responsible for much of the world’s food production.

However they have less access than men to technologies, markets, financial assets and agricultural resources, making them far more vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19.

According to him, restrictions on movement have limited the ability of rural producers to grow and sell their produce.

Rural women, who are often employed informally with no

social protection, have faced higher job loss than men, whilst also experiencing an increase in unpaid domestic workloads including caring for sick family members and children not in school, he said. “Rural women – the people who have the greatest responsibility for feeding and raising the next generation – have been neglected through this crisis,�

Houngbo added. “It is time to elevate the important contribution they make to their families, com-

munities and the economies of their nations, and ensure that they are supported and protected through this unprecedented time.� “While much progress has been made in the 25 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action which provided a framework for addressing women’s empowerment, achieving gender equality in rural areas has been challenging.

Women aged 25-34 are still 25 percent more likely than men to live in extreme poverty.�

Nigeria Elected into ARSO’s Standards Management Committee Ă’ĂœĂ“Ă? ĂŒĂ‹ Nigeria through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has been elected into the firstever six-member Standards Management Committee (SMC) of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO).

In a keenly contested election involving 13 member states, Nigeria came first with 27 votes.

Other elected members states into the SMC were Kenya with 19 votes, Burkina-Faso, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.

The SMC was approved as a component of the revised

procedures for harmonization of African Standards (ASHAM) by the 61st Council meeting of ARSO held in November, 2019 in Lusaka, Zambia.

It is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the management and timely execution of the procedures, due process and Standards harmonization programmes of ARSO. SON’s Director of Standards Development, Mrs. Chinyere Egwuonwu, represents Nigeria on the SMC. The committee would amongst others also be responsible for

establishment and dissolution of Technical Committees (TCs); appointment of chairpersons of TCs; allocation or re-allocation of secretariats of TCs. Also, in some cases, it shall oversee sub-committees (SCs) approval of titles, scopes, programmes of work of TCs; approval of the establishment and dissolution of SCs by TCs; recommending Final Draft African Standards (FDARS) proposed by TCs for approval

by Council; coordination of the technical work, including assignment of responsibility for the development of standards

regarding subjects of interest to several TCs etc.

The secretariat of the SMC according to the ARSO secretariat, would be held by regional Economic Communities (REC) on a rotational basis for a period of three years each.

Commenting on Nigeria’s election, SON Director General, Mallam Farouk Salim reiterated the organisation’s commitment to promote the nation’s continual relevance in regional, continental and international standardisation, especially in view of the imminent implementation of the African Continental Free Trade

Agreement.

This, according to Salim, would ensure that Nigeria benefits optimally from being a signatory to the agreement as well as similar international trade treaties.

Nigeria was a founding member of the continental standardisation body and has twice headed the Secretariat as Secretary General as well as held the office of ARSO President.

Picture - Representatives of ARSO Members Countries at the 25th General Assembly. Nigeria’s Mrs Chinyere Egwuonwu is 5th from left.

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Oni: Govts Should Access Capital Market for Devt Projects Mr. Sola Oni, a former spokesman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, a journalist, stockbroker and Managing Director/CEO, Sofunix Investment & Communication Limited. In this interview, he speaks about his professional experience, capital market among others. Goddy Egene presents the excerpts: Why did you become a stockbroker ?

In 1992, The Guardian posted me to cover the NSE. Prior to the period, I had reported the financial market for The Guardian. I had also reported the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the hub of money market. During my days at The Guardian, I was at a point an in-house Investment Adviser and Portfolio Manager for my Editors and colleagues, church and club members etc. At that point, I was a stockbroker by association. I later decided to diversify my profession and this led to my writing the professional examination of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS).

Upon completion, I qualified as a chartered stockbroker. This has fully positioned me in the market as I belong to both sides, the media and the financial market.

H

ow will you describe your experience as a journalist?

Exciting. Journalism is a demanding profession. It positions you to work round the clock and meet with the high, medium and low members of the society. A reporter can put a Head of State on defensive through critical questions. Career of a journalist is surrounded by deadlines. It is a noble profession. Everyone recognises the presence of a journalist at any gathering. The profession demands a high level of integrity and skills, especially news judgment and writing. A journalist communicates to the mass of people.

His story must be crafted in a way that it is understandable by everyone across all classes.

This is why it is called mass communication.

A journalist must ensure that all sides of any issue are verified before making the story public.

There are requirements that one must attain to be called a professional journalist. I started my journalism career at Yola-based National Spectator News Magazine. I later moved to The Guardian. When The Guardian was proscribed by the Federal Government in 1993, I had a stint with DBN Television as a pioneer Senior News Analyst but I went back to The Guardian when it was opened.

As a young boy, were there signs for that you would become a journalist?

The answer is in the affirmative. I love to express myself as a child and put things in perspective within the limit of my age and experience and exposure. I grew up to have special interest in reading, speaking and writing.

Before I started primary school, my father had taught me some common English words, expected of a child of my age. As an undergraduate, I was an active member of my Press Club, Phoenix Press Club, which was regarded as militant on the campus because we have core and partial ideologues who can criticize anything and damn the consequence. When I was in 300 Level, I became the Chairman of our Editorial Board.

I enjoyed writing an editorial which is is the position of the magazine on any issue. This is the spirit that I took to my NYSC programme as earlier explained.

What was your motivation for practicing journalism?

Self-expression. The profession opens doors for one to participate in nation building. The press is called the Fourth Estate of the Realm after the Executive, Legislative and Judiciary. The profession brings you in contact with decision makers in the public and private sector. Journalists shape opinions through Agenda Setting Theory. But they must uphold the Social Responsibility Theory of the Press. There are models of communication, including risk communication. Journalists are needed everywhere. Initially, I studied English Education at my Bachelor’s Degree, combined honours and later proceeded to study Financial Journalism and ended with Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Apart from integrity that is a must for all professionals, a journalist must have writing skills and a high sense of news judgment, the one lawyers call legal opinion. Journalism is an eclectic profession.

This explains why those who cover health sector are not Medical practitioners and those in the financial market need not be finance experts. Journalism as a profession has some core courses that must be offered to qualify one to report any sector. But in practice, journalism like other professionals have specialisation . We have financial journalists, political journalists, sports journalists, etc Journalism is an elitist profession but demanding. It’s hard to practise journalism in Nigeria because of the conditions of service. Those who excel in the profession genuinely love it. Journalists are needed everywhere even during war. Journalism is like academics. You either publish or perish.

Journalists need constant training because of frequent changes in all sectors.

What led to your decision to exit the profession?

I never exited journalism (laughs). When

Oni

I left The Guardian for The Nigerian Stock Exchange in 1997, part of my job functions was to liaise with the accredited financial journalists on behalf of The Exchange. For the first few months at the NSE, I was writing a column for The Guardian on Sunday titled The KERNEL. It focuses on the financial market. There was a time that some senior stockbrokers reported me to my Deputy Director General, Professor Ndi Okereke-Onyuike that I insulted stockbrokers in one of my writings and The Exchange should ban me from writing the column. My boss told me and we both laughed. She said: “ I told them that why should you tell a Medical Doctor not to touch syringe. Don’t you all know that this man is a journalist before we employed him ? .� Later, due to increased workload, especially, investor education, I had to drop the column.

Throughout my career at the exchange, including when I was moved to Market Operation as a Unit Head, I still keep tab on the media. At the moment, I write a column for Vanguard on the Financial Market and I publish an Online Newspaper, The Kernel.

You have always emphasised capacity build for ďŹ nancial journalists?

Yes. This is very dear to my heart. Financial Journalists need regular training. The financial market is technical and as such, financial press must understand the market in order to report professionally. Stock market is informationdriven. A single jaundiced report can bring down the price of a company’s shares significantly.

The training should be jointly done at regular intervals by both the market regulators and operators. The cost of unprofessional report to the market and quoted companies and shareholders is huge. The changing market dynamics, emergence of more securities exchanges and

The current three million retail investors and less than three per cent adult participation in the market in a country of about 200 million people is not heartwarming

commodities exchanges, introduction of new products, including derivatives digital securities have made journalists’ training a must. I must commend the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) for awarding scholarships to some of the capital market correspondents to pursue Diploma in Securities and Investment. It will go a long way in bridging the knowledge gap.

What challenges did you encounter when you joined the Nigerian Stock Exchange as an Assistant Manager in 1997?

It wasn’t much of a challenge. I have been reporting the financial market for The Guardian long before I joined The Exchange. Part of my job at the exchange was to respond to media enquiries as the spokesman. I was heavily involved in teaching students on education visit about the market and how they can become shareholders and stockbrokers. I was also involved in making presentation during visit to quoted companies, churches, mosques, club houses etc to spread the gospel of investment. However, what I can term as challenges include managing the media to ensure positive stories on the exchange, the major challenge in this regard is the curb reporters.

They are ready to write anything regardless of technical errors. At times, you have to go extra miles so that you are not misquoted. You have to start explaining the basic concepts to prevent them from sending wrong signals to the public due to weak background in market dynamics. This group of journalists are hungry for by-lines at all cost. But experienced journalists make life easier as they cannot afford to mess up their names through mediocre stories. But the challenge with this group is their access to sensitive information because of they have top level sources. I have to manage them and they often accuse me that during my days nobody can kill my story. As a spokesman, you have no opening and closing time. During controversial issues, I can receive a phone call at 1.00 am apart from numerous text messages. You have to manage the media by making information available at the right time. When Professor Okereke-Onyuiike emerged the Director General, it was a new model of media management. She trained in the United States and as such answers reporters’ questions extensively. This also has its challenges. I actually enjoyed talking to her when I was in The Guardian. The problem about journalists is that you don’t know when you are giving them sensitive information. I have to manage my Boss. But on the overall, I enjoyed the co-operation of my colleagues in the media. I interact with all departments at The Exchange and this broadened my knowledge of the market.

How did the changing political climate of the country in the turn of the millennium impact the performance of Nigerian stocks, if at all?

The stock market is a barometer for the economy. If the market is operating at variance with the economy, something is wrong. The global financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 took toll on the exchange like any other market and full recovery has not been achieved on our market.

The market has experienced several rounds of volatility. It is part of every market dynamics.

Foreign investors always bring their hot money to our market because of its potential for high return on investment (ROI). Valuation on our market is relatively low and this makes the market attractive. But uncertainties at the level of polity, economy and security have consistently dampened investor confidence and discouraged private equity from participating effectively on the market. COVID-19 pandemic and its associated challenges in all spheres of human activities have not helped matters. However, if the government gets its bearings in turning around the economy and managing other layers of uncertainties, the market will rebound steadily.

Demutualisation of the exchange will enhance its viability. It is commendable that the current management of the Exchange continues with the lofty project which commenced during our administration. Most members of World Federation of Exchanges (WFE) have either demutualised or at the advanced stage of demutualization.

It will change the exchange’s governance and processes. Status of Association of Securities Dealing Houses (ASHON) will change. We hope it will not create an oligopoly in the medium to long time. This is because the few Dealing Member Firms with deep pocket can swallow others. But if the guidelines of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on demutualisation is strictly adhered to, the firms that came on board at the formative years of the market will not all go into extinction. All tiers of government should take advantage of the capital market to access medium and long term fund for development projects. It has been done severally in the past.

The Federal Government recently raised over N200 billion from the market through Sukuk 1 and 11 to finance over 26 roads in the six geo-political regions.

How did you manage your work schedule when as the Head of Corporate Communications you later combined it as Head, Market Administration Unit in the Operation Directorate of the exchange ?

Following Accenture’s Report on restructuring of the exchange in 2009, I was deployed to Market Operations, a core Department for upward career progression. The Director General said I should combine the new position with my current one until The Exchange hires a new head of Corporate Communication. I was able to manage both. One of my major functions as the Head of Market Administration Unit was to monitor the net position in the trading accounts of Dealing Member Firms ahead of daily trading. There wasn’t much of hurdles. I represented my immediate Boss in the Market Operation, Mr. Binos Yaroe(Now a Senator) to open the market about four times.

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NIDCON,EcobankSeekReductioninRemittanceCost Nume Ekeghe The Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Managing Director/ Regional Executive, Ecobank, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan have called for a reduction in the cost of remittance into Nigeria.

This, they noted would encourage increased inflows into the country.

Dabiri-Erewa and Akinwuntan made this call during a webinar titled: ‘Financial Services & Remittance Solutions for Nigerians in Diaspora: Leveraging Ecobank’s PanAfrican Offering as the Nation

Celebrates 60,’ recently.

The NIDCOM Chairman noted that the remittances into Nigeria from those living abroad would be more impactful on the economy if they are made cheaper, easier and faster.

She also commended Ecobank’s efforts in providing solutions to support diaspora remittances.

She added: “Over 17 million Nigerians in diaspora have been sending money back home to the country to support various needs of the Nigerian economy. “We know that these remittances go into paying things like medical bills, for education and various needs for their families.

“Last year $25 billion is a very significant amount being churned into the Nigerian economy and it not something to ignore. “It is very important to make remittances accessible and affordable to Nigerians in the diaspora, this cannot be over emphasised. It is very important to ensure access to remittances in most African countries were Nigeria shares little or none with them in term of banking services as well as many non-English speaking countries and I want to thank Ecobank it that regard.�

Speaking on the high cost, she said: “The cost of remittances has been of great concern

to us and how come we have the highest cost of remittance with anywhere in the world as we are charging high. “So, the cost of remittances is too high and we need to bring it down to encourage Nigerians in the diaspora to remit more back home, “she added.

According to her, there are more informal remittances that are not documented, saying that a reduction in cost would encourage the use of formal channels.

She added: “We are looking forward to whatever Ecobank has in place to encourage and make remittances easier, faster and better.�

On his part, Akinwuntan

said: “Nigerians in Diaspora play a critical role to nation building and you your contribution would go a long way to positioning our country as a leading player global. “When we look at the records and statistics when you talk about remittances and the flows into Nigeria and with remittances within the range of about $20 billion per annum that should be available to the Nigerian economy, that in itself is a bit over 5 per cent of the GDP of the country and in a lot of ways is a good competitor to the crude oil revenues which is more talked about in our economy. “For us, as Ecobank, we

are a pan-African institution set up to foster the economic development and integration of our continent and today Ecobank is the leading PanAfrican bank.� “Ecobank Nigeria is particularly pleased to work closely with the Nigeria Diaspora Commission who is ably lead

by Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.� “Every Nigerian in the diaspora will be able to use our digital platforms and unique financial products and services to transfer funds for various purposes in Nigeria be it transacting, investing or supporting any charitable cause that is being embarked upon in Nigeria.�

Real Estate Firm Unveils New Housing Project Henry Montego Homes, a real estate development company in Lagos has added another ground-breaking development to its pool of affordable luxury housing in the residential space.

The move, the company explained in a statement, was in line with the increasing need for sustainable housing infrastructure as well as to solve housing problems in the real estate sector.

The official groundbreaking ceremony of the new project, Montego Bay 4, held recently at the project site, beside Mercedes-Benz, Ikate, Lekki, in Lagos.

The company explained With all three phases of the Montego Bay developments successfully sold out, the company has gone a step further to drive her vision of home ownership for every Nigerian by launching the new Montego Bay 4 project.

Speaking about the vision of the company and the launch of the new project, the Managing Director, Henry Montego Homes and Industries Limited, Mr. Henry Ebuluofor, stated that the goal was to see average Nigerian young men and women who work so hard, own a home with no stress.

According to him, “At Henry Montego Homes, we thrive on solving problems, and this is why we have gone ahead to establish a very rare payment mortgage plan of five to eight years, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria. “In the nearest future, we hope to raise this bar up to 20 years and thus expand opportunity for everyone to own a home.�

He revealed that the

Montego Bay 4 estate project, located at a highly soughtafter location in Ikate, Lekki 1, Lagos, features a shopping mall, four-bedroom units of terraces, town-houses and semi-detached duplexes, as well as units of three-bedroom apartments, all exquisitely designed and fully finished.

The estate has amenities such as swimming pool, bar and lounge, green and open area for kids, gym house, spacious parking lots, as well as a top-notch smart home technology, the company is aligning this development to attract first time home buyers, couples, second home seekers, smart property investors and retirees, looking for quality real estate developments and attractive returns on their investments through rental yield and capital growth.

He added that the houses are currently selling for as low as N550, 000 monthly, with balance spread across five years.

Ebuluofor, noted that with Nigeria’s population growth rate currently at 2.6 per cent annually, more and more new houses would be needed to accommodate the populace. He called on Nigerians, especially Lagos residents to take advantage of the Henry Montego Homes offer.

The Montego Bay 4 is the fourth and newest addition to the Montego Bay development projects, which have all been successfully sold out within one month of launch. This project is the company’s first delve into commercial real estate development, as the estate will feature among utilities a world-class shopping mall.

Ooni Lists Benefits of Survey Information Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja ll has advocated for more attention to survey and geo-informatics as part of efforts to stimulate activities in the country and unlock the riches and potential of land resources in Nigeria.

The traditional ruler, who spoke when the Surveyor General of the Federation (SGoF) led by Mr Taiwo Adeniran, paid him a visit in his palace at Ile-Ife, Osun State, stated that with renewed efforts in that direction, the value of land in many areas in the country would increase.

Adeniran, the first representative of Nigeria on the governing council of the African Regional Institute for Geospatial Information, Science and Technology (AFRIGIST), was accompanied on the visit by the chairman of the council,

Mallam Mohamodou Keita, AFRIGIST Executive Director, Dr. Akingbade Olusola and other council members.

Ogunwusi stated that AFRIGIST reflects Pan-Africanism and expressed hope that more African countries would join the current eight countries running the affairs of AFRIGIST, formerly known as Regional Centre for Training in Aerospace Surveys (RECTAS).

A statement by Mr. Michael Abu, Head, Press and Public Relations, in the office of the Surveyor-General, said the royal father observed that the SGoF had been passionate about the surveying and mapping profession, noting that the country needed people with such passion to deliver dividends.

In his comments, Adeniran said a lot of capital was hidden in land and that only surveying and mapping would help to unlock the riches and potentials

of the land. “Though, geo-spatial data is not an end in itself, it remains an indispensable tool for leaders to make good decisions for planning, execution and achievement of any policies and programmes especially of physical development. “The best mapped countries in the world are the most developed. It is our duty to ensure the provision of requisite geospatial data to make intervention easy and we must put in our best as surveyors,� he added.

He promised that the council would look into the challenges of development of member countries and Africa at large to advise the authorities on how to promote good governance and development.

In his remarks, Keita noted that the AFRIGIST which is under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission

for Africa (UNECA) was being managed by Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Nigeria, the host.

Meanwhile, the council has called on African leaders to be fully committed to the utilisation of maps and surveying products. Executive Director of AFRIGIST, Dr. Akingbade Olusola, who spoke during a visit to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), expressed appreciation to the school for accommodating the institute.

He also disclosed that the 51st council in its meeting would be taking crucial decisions which would impact positively on issues of land and space management.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede noted that the challenges Nigeria are enormous and require the products of surveying to tackle.

Dubai Firm Invests in Calas Vegas, Ayade Promises World-class Luxury Resort Oluchi Chibuzor Calas Vegas, a twin Island located in Calabar, off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, is set to become a tourists’ destination as a team of investors from Dubai have announced their investment plan.

This is even as Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has promised that the Island would be the most luxury resort in Africa and a point

where tourists and fun seekers will berth with the view, “to putting an end to us taking our monies out of Africa to go on vacation.�

Speaking after a tour of the Island, Emad Jamal Musa of Lacasa Architect and Engineering Consultant, Dubai who had earlier led his team to do a presentation at the Conference Hall of the Governor’s Calabar, said his firm’s desire was to “ bring Dubai to Calabar.�

Musa who is also Chairman of the Narkaza Group, Dubai assured that his company has the expertise to turn Calas Vegas into Nigeria’s version of Dubai having achieved a similar feat in Palestine. “I took Dubai to Palestine, so if we can do that, we can do it here also. What is good about Dubai is that it started with a dream, ambition. A lot of people thought it would not be possible, now Dubai is a reality and I think what

we are doing here today is the same,� he said.

He expressed optimism that by the time his firm was done with Calas Vegas would be Venice, Bahama, Dubai and downtown Las Vegas combined.

Musa explained that the beautiful scenery of the Island and other natural factors present makes Calas Vegas a potential world class tourist destination, saying his group has the resources to

achieve it.

A member of the team, Murrell Juliet said Calas Vegas looked promising.

She described the Island as a beautiful place and the project as a “big dream�.

Governor Ayade said Calas vegas presents a great opportunity for every single African to reinvest in Africa. “Africa has the warmest hospitality and Cross River and indeed Calabar is at the epicenter of it�, he said.

He described Cross River as a huge tourist hub, “with the Obudu cattle ranch, along side the international airport coming up in Obudu, alongside the Busafon resort and safari. “So if you come to Cross River, You come to Calas vegas and from calasvegas you go to Busafon and from Busafon you go to Amunga Safari. Indeed, Cross River will give you the real pleasure of being an African.�

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BUSINESSWORLD

INTERVIEW

ONI: GOVTS SHOULD ACCESS CAPITAL MARKET FOR DEVT PROJECTS years of existence. The Schools place premium on high academic standard and moral values.

Recently, one of our former Head Boys, Mr. Adeshina Badejo, made First Class Honours in Petroleum and Gas Engineering at the University of Lagos. Many of the former students have also distinguished themselves in various professions.

You played a key role in the NSE’s Investor Education Programme. What did that entail?

Investor Education is the process of teaching and learning about rewards and risks of investment in securities. The Exchange sponsored one of our General Managers, Mr. Kene Okafor and I to Stockholm Stock Exchange in Europe for Investor Education sometime in 2000. We interacted with the officials of Stockholm Stock Exchange on how their market was demutualized being one of the earliest Exchanges that demutualised.

Amsterdam Stock Exchange was the first in the world. Investor Education focuses on the importance of the market, the products, roles of operators and regulators and how investors can access the market at individual and corporate levels among others. The Nigerian Stock Exchange designs the programme for different levels of investors, including primary school pupils. Without investors, there is no stock market. The Exchange’s Officials and a stockbroker make presentation and thereafter allowed the visiting group to watch trading. For other categories, The Exchange’s team pays visit to quoted companies, churches, mosques, club houses etc. to make presentation. The programme is one of the strategies to grow investor base.

How would you rate public enlightenment on stocks in Nigeria? What are the factors responsible for this?

It can be better. The current three million retail investors and less than three per cent adult participation in the market in a country of about 200 million people is not heartwarming.

There has not been significant difference from where we left ten years ago. A lot more should be done to attract potential investors into the market. But it should not be the sole duty of the exchange and SEC. The entire market ecosystem should take it more seriously.

What can be done to improve awareness on stocks?

Education is key. Financial inclusion of 48

Oni

per cent at the moment is low. Efforts should be geared towards sustained financial literacy. The engagement should not be the sole responsibility of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the exchange alone. Market operators should join hands. I believe that SEC’s Financial Literacy Committee of which, Mrs. Toyin Sanni is the Chairman is working along this path.

Financial literacy level has to be deepened.

Another strategy to grow investor base in our financial market is to introduce some investment products that reduces the point of entry into the market. Some of our stockbroking firms are

already coming up with such creative products.

Was your educational role in the NSE responsible for your decision to start SOFUNIX International Schools?

No. SOFUNIX International Schools which comprise SOFUNIX Nursery and Primary School and SOFUNIX International College were established out of our desire to produce well-rounded students through development of the three domains of learning: Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor. The College has recorded some track records within its relatively few

Do you think press freedom is a reality in Nigeria?

The concept of press freedom is relative.

Section 39 (1) of Nigeria’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression. The Press has constitutional roles. Its fundamental role is to inform, educate and entertain. The question of press freedom is the extent that the press can exercise the constitutional role without repression from the government officials who feel enraged by the type of information that the press make public. The press is obliged to exercise professional judgment of accuracy of facts and getting all the sides to every story.

But there had been instances in Nigeria where journalists were detained, maimed or pay supreme death for exercising the constitutional functions.

However, we must also admit that the issue of fake news is becoming more prevalent with the advent of social media where all manners of people suddenly become ‘journalists’. Both the Press and the government should exercise restraint in their interaction as they perform complementary roles. Press freedom exists but it is not absolute anywhere in the world. We can only talk about degree of press freedom in different countries. By global ranking, in 2020, the ten countries with the highest level of press freedom are: Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Switzerland, New Zealand and Portugal. In the same period, Nigeria is ranked 115 out of 180 countries in World Press Freedom Index. Press freedom in Nigeria is not yet Uhuru. We need Press freedom to deepen our democracy.

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AGN Engages Universal Insurance as Underwriter Ebere Nwoji The Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has engaged Universal Insurance as the insurer of its members’ group personal accident insurance policy.

The group, which has about 150, 000 members spread across the country said it chose the insurer as a result of the company’s pedigree on claims’ settlement.

According to some AGN members, the group accident insurance package arrangement was a dream come true for actors who are always exposed to varying degree of occupational hazards without any form of compensation.

The actors, said unveiling of the insurance cover for them symbolised unity of purpose and provided sense of belonging and direction from the current team of excos to the members of once-troubled organisation.

Speaking on the scheme, former Chairman, Lagos State Chapter of the AGN, Don Pedro Obaseki, expressed delight, saying, for the first time in the history of the group, the actors now have insurance protection. “It’s commendable and forward-looking and this is going to further leapfrog the industry and actors’ guild into another level in the sense that if you have the history of our members, you find out that Nollywood members always have health-related issues. So this will go a long way in checkmating that and also create other health awareness amongst our

members�, Obaseki, who is the Founder/CEO, ACC Broadcast Multimedia Ltd said.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the challenges facing insurance industry in NigeÂŹria occasioned by harsh operating environment which has seen some insurance firms shirking claims, Universal Insurance Plc, has stood out as an underwritÂŹing firm to reckon with, especially, in the area of Prompt claims settlement.

Its performances couÂŹpled with innovative product deÂŹsign and development recently earned the company the ‘Best Innovative Insurance Company of the Year 2019’ at the Champion Newspapers’ award held in Lagos.

Presenting the award to the company, Mr. Feyi Smith, a forÂŹmer Managing Editor, ChampiÂŹon Newspapers Limited, who exÂŹpressed delight over the choice of the insurance firm for the award category, said that he has been following up with the progress the company has made in recent times positing that the award was a honour well deserved.

Receiving the award on behalf of the company, Ogbuefi Paulinus Offorzor, the Executive Director (Technical), Universal Insurance Plc, said: “I must say that this award has presented to the entire Universal Insurance family, a greater chalÂŹlenge to continue to put smile on the faces of our esteemed cusÂŹtomers and I can assure you that Universal Insurance will become a mega company in the post recapiÂŹtalisation insurance industry.â€?

Group Raises Alarm over Influx of Genetically Modified Crops, Foods Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt A non-governmental organisation, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), has raised the alarm over the influx of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) crops and foods in the country, alleging connivance of the government.It said government was not only endangering the lives of the people as could be seen in the increase in some non-communicable diseases, but also in the loss of some traditional crops that promote food security and safety.

Declaring open a workshop for journalists in Rivers State on the promotion of bio-safety in Nigeria organised by the Health of Mother

“The problem facing us as regards food is that there is no access road to move food from rural communities to the cities.

The few that try would increase their prices. “There is also the problem of storage facilities, processing facilities, and absence of fair pricing are reasons foods from villages hardly get to the cities. “People are not hungry because there is no food to eat, but over 30 per cent of food goes waste and most used for industrial purposes.�

He, therefore, debunked the argument that genetically modified crops and foods would increase food production, adding that they rather negatively impact the health

Earth Foundation (HOMEF), the Executive Director of the NGO, Nnimmo Bassey, lamented that the hunger in most parts of the world, including Nigeria, was not only due to insufficient foodstuff but the difficulty in accessing the food in the rural areas.

He said in most parts of Nigeria, the roads to where most of the foodstuffs are produced are impassable, making it difficult for farmers to bring their produce to where they could be sold.

Bassey added: “Food safety is a challenge facing us as regards what to eat. There is need for people to have access to good food. We want food to be seen as life and culture and not as commodity.

of the citizenry.

He stated that genetically modified (GM) crops are developed mainly by agrochemical firms who focus on herbicide-tolerant or pesticidal crops which ultimately were injurious to the people and the environment.

He also added that the GM crops are usually patented by the companies that produce them and destroy seed-saving, which also reduces self-reliance as local seeds are destroyed. He also added that most people consume GM crops without knowing as the labelling of consumables do not work in the country, and even when some canned foods are labelled, most people do not read the labels.

Lipton Ice Tea Nigeria wins Global Peace Challenge Oluchi Chibuzor Lipton Ice Tea Nigeria has won the 2020 Global Peace One Day Challenge as its entry was adjudged the best out of 130 entries from over 100 countries.

Exploring the theme of the challenge: ‘Make Tea Time, Peace Time, Seven Up Bottling Company (SBC) makers of Lipton Ice Tea produced an 80 seconds video which showed the diversity of Nigeria’s culture while celebrating unity through peace in different Nigerian languages.

According to a statement, brand influencers such as Omashola, Kim

Oprah and Hawa Magaji along with staff of SBC and partner agency were the cast of the award winning video.

In choosing Lipton Ice Tea Nigeria’s creative work as the winning entry, the President, Global Foods and Refreshment Division, Unilever, Hanneke Faber, commended Team Nigeria’s entry as showing that, “peace really is a universal language that is universally spoken and flourishes when people connect.�

Faber also said entry from Lipton Team in Greece which, “sparked a positive movement for peace,� and the Lipton Market

Research and Insights Team, “who made 500 connections with their internal activation� were among the top three entries globally.

Commenting on the feat

by Lipton Ice Tea Nigeria, the National Marketing Manager, Seven Up Bottling Company, Segun Ogunleye said: “We feel excited that our entry for the Make Tea Time, Peace Time Global Challenge was adjudged the best of the 130 entries from over 100 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas. This win is an affirmation of the quality of strategic inputs and creativity that underlines the various

campaigns over the years by the SBC marketing team headed by Mr. Norden Thurston and our partner agencies. It is a further motivation to SBC as a beverage company to deliver more value refreshment across all our brands to our consumers in Nigeria�.

The International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on September 21. Established in 1981 by a unanimous resolution of the United Nation’s General Assembly, Peace Day provides a global shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building culture of peace.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŻË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

IMAGES

29

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: Vice President, Igbobi College Old Boys Association, (ICOBA), Femi Olubanwo, Chairman, Board of Trustees, ICOBA, Mr. Bode Thorpe, Member, Board of Trustees, ICOBA, Amb Aderemi Esan, Chairman, Board of Governors, Igbobi College, Sir Kehinde Smith, Past President, ICOBA, Mr. Foluso Phillips and President, ICOBA, Mr. Olumuyiwa Kinoshi (sitting) at the Annual General Meeting of the Association held in Lagos...recently

#ENDSARS protesters at Lagos-Abeokuta express way, Abule egba bus stop, Lagos...recently PHITO:ETOP UKUTT

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu (right) and the Deputy Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife, Mrs Oluremi Hamzat(left) Leading others To Walk in Cluster to mark â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Arise Walk For Life 2020â&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Lagos...recently

President of the Senate Dr Ahmad Lawan(right) and Speaker Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamila speaking to the  journalists after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on the ongoing protests across the country, at the Presidential Villa Abuja...recently PHOTO: STATE HOUSE

L-R: Chairman of Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS-related Abuses in Lagos State, Retired Justice Doris Okwuobi; Mr. Ebun Adegboruwa (SAN), representing the Civil Society; Rtd. Deputy Inspector General of Police Mr. Taiwo Lakanu (rtd); Director, Lagos Citizens Mediation Center Mrs. Olutoyin Odusanya and Ms. Patience Udoh, representing the Civil Society, during the inauguration of Members of the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victims of SARS-related Abuses at Lagos House, Marina...recently

L-R: Panel Secretary, Mrs Tosin Ogundele; chairman, Ogun State Judicial Panel of Investigation on the #EndSARS protest, Justice Solomon Olugbemi and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, during the Panelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inauguration in Abeokuta...recently

L-R: National Youth Leader APC North West, Hon. Abubakar Sadiq; Youth Representative, APC National Caretaker Committee, Barr. Ismaila Ahmed; APC National Youth Leader, North East, Mr. Abubakar Adamu and Member APC South East, Kama Nkemkanma, during a stakeholders meeting by the APC Youth Leaders in Abuja....recently PHOTO: ENOCK REUBEN

30

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŻË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

EDUCATION Danâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;azumi: New Teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Salary Structure is Implementable Mohammed Danâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;azumi is the Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board.

In this interview with Igbawase Ukumba, he speaks on the stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s preparedness before reopening schools in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic, the new Teachersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Salary Structure, among other issues. Excerpts:

T

here are reported cases of poorly executed projects by contractors in your organisation. Have you noticed that in recent times?

Actually when we got another tranch of intervention; that is the last quarter of 2016, 2017 and 2018, having experienced what some of our contractors have been doing, the way they execute projects, some we were happy with, while some we were not happy with the way they handled these projects. The contractors whose works were not in line with the standard, we will not spare them.

As part of our own responsibility is to go out, in addition to what our technical people are doing, to also supervise them to ensure everything is moving in line with the laid down conditions of the project execution. Not quite much, but we discovered very few people and notices, observations were served on them to effect corrections or else we implement our policies. But happily from the reports that reached me from my technical officers; because they submit reports on quarterly basis of their inspection, and I think all is okay for now.

Your board recently uncovered some persons to be unqualiďŹ ed teachers teaching in Nasarawa State schools. What is their fate at the moment?

You see by the decision of the National Council of Education which was held last in Port Harcourt, in fact they are supposed to completely leave our classrooms by now. But they have been given grace since about two years ago. Circulars upon circulars have been sent to them to ensure that they professionalise.

Some felt may be it is not a big deal they can still continue like that. But in a quest to ensure that we change the narrative as far as education is concerned, we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to see any unprofessional teacher in our classrooms.

So when we came back we reminded them because the deadline was December last year.

Most of them heeded to what was contained in our circulars and went back to professionalise.

But there are few ones, and these few ones are religious instructors. There are some who attended Grade II, but up till now there are certain professional qualifications they are supposed to attain. But on their own, for reasons best known to them, they are not ready.

So these are the people that we sat with all the education secretaries of local government areas and development areas to discuss the matter and we came out with the resolution that those who are ready to go back and obtain a professional certificate will be permitted despite the lack of time; the deadline given will be over, we will just look inward because of the problems weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been facing.

If you go round our schools, most of our qualified teachers have left service. Our schools lack teachers now. We have provided infrastructures, we have been enrolling pupils into our schools, but we can not just allow them to go and be sitting and be playing.

Whatever good you are going to make the environment and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have teachers, you are making nonsense of yourself.

So the best thing is to inwardly arrange for them to compulsorily go and obtain these certificates because if we say we are going to send them away now, maybe the decision is against what the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has directed. But we have no other solution than to do this.

But for those who are not ready, we are sending them away. That was why we constituted a committee to go round the local government areas and identify them, discuss with them, discuss with chairmen of the local government areas and overseers of development areas on this matter to ensure that there is that compliance or else they leave our classrooms.

Is there any policy that says teachers should be trained on a regular basis?

You know training and retraining of workers generally is something that must be entrenched if you want improvement in the system generally.

So the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has it as a policy that we undertake training annually of academic and non-academic staff. So it is a non-stop activity by UBEC. Participants include headmasters, teachers and most of our school managers from different schools are being trained.

Danâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;azumi Recently the State House of Assembly uncovered that some schools in the state were taken over by some faith-based and private organisations. What is the board doing to recover such affected schools back to government?

I think that if I understood what you are saying very well, it is not that the schools have been taken over completely, but they are operating within our public schools. Even before the state House of Assembly took their oversight functions to those schools, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve directed that they should vacate those schools because we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have two schools running in the same environment; one is public, the other is private.

If you want to operate a private school, go and look for a land, construct your school. But for you to come and be operating in our own public schools, that is just what we cannot accept and we directed that they should all leave our environment.

The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has given approval for the reopening of schools in the country. What measures have your board taken to keep to protocols of the pandemic?

The federal government has directed that schools should reopen, but based on the readiness of individual state. Here in Nasarawa State, the Commissioner for Education invited for a meeting on this issue. Even before the directive, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been very much prepared.

She set up a committee which include the SUBEB, ministry of education, Teachers Service Commission and some stakeholders which include Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), heads of secondary schools, teachers to sit down and come up with a new calendar since the other calendar had been tampared with due to the pandemic. All these were done and fortunately, the directive came that we should reopen.

She again invited us, we sat down and looked at the calendar. There was a template from the Federal Ministry of Education on how we should conduct ourselves at both primary and secondary schools. This template has to do with COVID-19 protocols because if we are reopening, we should find a way of ensuring that the students who may be having this disease do not transfer it to their school mates.

So all these protective measures must be put in place.

We met at Akwanga with staff of the Federal Ministry of Education and the UNICEF to discuss this template to all agree on the template. And it was the same template that we sat and discussed also at our own level as a state. And anything that has to do with materials or equipment for this protection were made available by the state government and in our own case, UBEC too.

You could see some of the materials are being coupled to continue with the distributions. Provision of facemasks to all pupils and students in primary and secondary schools in the state. Hand sanitizers and buckets are to be positioned at the entry points of schools and other positions within the schools so that we have very good hygiene within the schoolsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; environment.

So these are the precautionary measures taken by the state government and UBEC to ensure that we have a very healthy environment.

Before the resumption, all classrooms within our schools have been fumigated by the state ministry of environment.

Recently, President Muhammadu Buhari approved a new salary structure and extension of years of service for teachers in the country. Do you see state governments implementing it?

Of course it is implementable. Why I am saying this is because it does not add anything to the wage bill. It is the same wage bill they are receiving that they will continue to receive, only that maybe the years of service is being increased. As for the salaries, he canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just make pronouncement without making arrangements on how it will be paid. So, it is something that is doable.

Honestly, for me I am very happy. If this policy had come before now, we would have saved the situation that schools are facing now. We would have experienced teachers that would have still remained in service by now and train those coming behind them.

ACE Impact Project to Facilitate Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Devt amid COVID-19 The Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence for Development Impact (ACE Impact) is currently holding its fourth biannual regional workshop (ACE Impact Fall 2020 Virtual Workshop).

The workshop will hold virtually from October 19-27, 2020 as a result of restrictions on mobility imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to ensure the safety of all participants.

The meeting will bring together the 53 Centres of Excellence and key stakeholders, including government representatives from participating countries, vice-chancellors, players of the higher education sector, the private sector, policy think tanks, and partners, including the World Bank, the French Development Agency and the Association of African Universities.

According to the organisers, the overarching objective of the ACE Impact, October 2020 Virtual Workshop is to provide participating centres, their host institutions and governments with the tools and information necessary to implement the project and help achieve its objectives despite the current

global pandemic, which has had a significant impact on all aspects of higher education.

The ACE impact project broadly targets strengthening post-graduate training and applied research in existing fields and supporting new fields that are essential for Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic growth.

Specific key focus areas of the workshop include: Provide centres the opportunity to share and to learn best practices on higher education excellence and relevance; take stock of the status of progress towards fulfilling the implementation plans, earning Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) and advancing centre and project objectives; share global best practice on institutional resilience, re-opening universities and digital education.

Others are: Plan key next steps for each country, institution, and centre in implementing projects in challenging social, health and academic environments; provide clear guidance on requirements for disbursement, fiduciary and safeguards matters; and provide networking and collaboration opportunities for the centres.

The official opening of the meeting held on Tuesday October

20, 2020, and presided over by Ms. Meskerem Mulatu, World Bank Education Practice Manager, West Africa. Additional planned workshop activities include implementation support and peer learning sessions for all the participating centres across the various thematic areas of the project- Agriculture, Health and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The virtual workshop will also feature operational clinics on Monitoring and Evaluation, Procurement and Financial Management. These sessions are aimed at equipping the participating ACEs and their host institutions with the needed tools to help them improve their project effectiveness and implementation.

A Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting had held on October 19, 2020. The PSC comprises representatives of all participating countries, regional bodies and industry. They serve as the policy making body of the project.

The organisers promised that the ACE Impact project will continue to adopt innovative approaches towards strengthening the centres and their host

institutions to become excellent and responsive to the continentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s developmental needs. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We continue to count on the support of all stakeholders and look forward to their active participation in the fourth regional workshop, in their respective capacities.â&#x20AC;?

The ACE Project is a World Bank initiative, in collaboration with governments of participating countries to support higher education institutions in specialising in STEM, agriculture and health.

It is the first World Bank project aimed at the capacity building of higher education institutions in Africa. The first phase (ACE I) was launched in 2014 with 22 centres of excellence in nine West and Central African countries; Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, CĂ´tedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo.

The project aims to promote regional specialisation among participating universities in areas that addresss specific common regional development challenges.

It also aims to strengthen the capacities of these universities to deliver high quality training and applied research, as well as meet the demand for skills required for Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development.

31

T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 21, 2020

EDUCATION

UNICEF Takes Campaign against FGM to Imo Schools to Commemorate Girl-child Amby Uneze in Owerri The United Nations Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fund (UNICEF) has taken the fight against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other forms of abuses against the girl-child to secondary schools in Imo State.

The move is in its bid to eradicate the obnoxious practice across the state, known for the prevalence of female genital mutilation.

Addressing students at the 2020 commemoration of global observance of the International Day of the Girl Child, held at Mercy Girls High School, Ehime, in Ehime Mbano Council Area, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Dr. Ibrahim Conteh stressed that the organisation would remain resolute and committed towards the protection and propagation of the rights and privileges of children and work with relevant federal government agencies to ensure accountability, ownership and sustainability.

According to him, as one of the UN agencies saddled with the responsibility of managing the affairs of children, UNICEF is poised to eliminate all obstacles impeding the development, socialisation and emancipation of the girl-child from all forms of discrimination.

Conteh challenged girls to rise to the occasion and aim for the top so as to be reckoned with in the scheme of things globally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many countries today

have women as presidents and Rwanda has emerged as the country with the highest number of female lawmakers.

You can do better if you put your mind to work and work towards being independent.â&#x20AC;?

He highlighted the objectives of the ceremony which has the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Our Voice, Our Equal Futureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to include: enhancing participantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; knowledge on the current efforts to end the practice of FGM in Imo and Ebonyi States; provision of a platform for the participants to discuss the theme of the year and to provide information of service providers to victims of FGM and where those at risk could seek assistance in Ebonyi with the support of the school.

Conteh, who was represented by the UNICEFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Desk Officer in the State Ministry of Gender and Vulnerable Group Affairs, Austin Okoro, called on parents and guardians to always provide equal opportunities for their children to enable them to realise their full potential as leaders of tomorrow.

He enjoined the girl-child to always report cases of female genital mutilation to school authorities for onward transmission to the relevant authorities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our visit here is to let you know that you can report the practice anywhere you see it happening. If your parents, teachers hear your voices, violence against you will stop. UNICEF is here to help to ensure that female genital

NGO Tasks Undergraduates on Information Literacy Kuni Tyessi in Abuja The Rosa Luxemburg Foundation has tasked youths, especially students of tertiary institutions to deploy the benefits of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) skills to counter false information and promote positive information that will promote social inclusion and national cohesion.

In a two-day webinar, organised by African Centre for Media Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) with the theme â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Building the Capacity for Youths and Students in Tertiary Institutions to Promote Peace, Intercultural Dialogue and Democratic Decision Makingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the West Africa Regional Director, Dr. Claus Dieter Konig, said Nigerian students have lived through harsh policies and under-funding of the education system, which has given rise to a series of strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the attendant disruption of the academic calendar in universities.

Konig, who was represented by the Programme Manager, Ms. Angela Odah, added that it is important to develop the capacity of youths so as to deploy the benefits of MIL skills towards countering false information and promoting positive information which will promote social inclusion and national cohesion.

He said Nigerian youths

that were hitherto tagged â&#x20AC;&#x153;lazy youthsâ&#x20AC;? seem to have braced up to play the role of ensuring that political leaders and government agencies are held accountable for the polices they produce in the governance of the country. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Historically, Nigerian youths have been in the forefront of the struggle for democratization of the society, and of decision making in Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s institutions of higher learning. This can be seen in the NANs Charter of Demands produced by the then vibrant national student body in the early 1980s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The #EndSARS protests have used the power of the social media to raise awareness, build solidarity and highlight the crimes and gross violations of human rights and dignity of Nigerians by disgruntled elements with the law enforcement agency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youths have historically played vital role in the transformation of societies.â&#x20AC;?

In his remarks, the Coordinator, AFRICMIL, Dr. Chido Onumah emphasised that MIL skills are sets of competencies that provide young people in a world of expanding information and communication technology with the ability to navigate the media, produce media, understand and critically assess information and media messages and apply them in their interpersonal and community relationship.

mutilation is eliminated in Ehime Mbano. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been able to secure public declaration against FGM and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been able to train people in various LGAs to appreciate the harmful nature of this practice.â&#x20AC;?

A health expert from the state Ministry of Health, Mrs. Stella

Ukaegbu stated that among1 several others, pressing the female genitals with the thumbs is the most prevalent in Ehime Mbano, saying that the reason given that the practice helps to prevent promiscuity is not true.

Ukaegbu stated that the practice had been a major

cause of prolonged labour among women among other things.

She maintained that preventing FGM would require committed enforcement and prosecution workforce that would implement the provisions of the protective law and

policies of the state.

An official of the National Human Rights Commission, Mrs. Ukachi Ukah, who spoke on violence against persons, disclosed that 50 per cent of children experience physical, sexual and emotional violence from caregivers and relatives.

L-R: The Corporate AďŹ&#x20AC;airs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mrs. Sade Morgan; Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; winner, Maltina Teacher of the Year 2020, Miss Anani OlĂşwabunmi; Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade AdeďŹ sayo; and the Managing Directorr, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Jordi Borrut Bel, during the grand ďŹ nale of the Maltina Teacher of the Year 2020, in Lagos... recently

Mental Health Day: Greenspringsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Counsellor Advocates More Parental Engagement with Children Uchechukwu Nnaike World Mental Health Day 2020 was celebrated on Saturday, October 10 and to mark the day, Greensprings Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head of Counselling Services, Ms Chinelo Nkennor has appealed to parents to watch out for red signals by engaging and listening more to their children.

She disclosed that mental health has already become a serious issue in the society before the lockdown and staying at home for six months made things worse. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Because of the situation we

found ourselves in 2020, we have been forced to stay back at home for several months.

While many adults understand the situation and maintain a healthy mental health condition, that canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be said of children because of their vulnerability.

So to ensure childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mental health doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t suffer now that schools have reopened and life is gradually getting back to normal, parents need to allow children to express themselves more. â&#x20AC;&#x153;By engaging children in open and honest discussions, parents can quickly identify red

flags that will serve as pointers to know if their children are not in the right state of mind, hence giving them the opportunity to probe further and determine the root cause of their situation,â&#x20AC;? she advised.

Also, Nkennor reiterated the importance of parents being empathetic, saying that parents should not be quick to judge or condemn their children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Parents should learn to listen to their children with empathy.

When their children speak to them about the challenges they are experiencing, parents shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shut them down

or judge them. Instead, they should put themselves in the shoes of the children and work together to resolve any issue as unresolved issues may likely affect their mental health.â&#x20AC;?

Nkennor also stated that children should be allowed to take on more responsibilities as long as they are age appropriate.

They should also be assigned tasks and house chores, while ensuring all safety measures are in place. She revealed that doing these would help them build soft skills, which would help them to cope during challenging times.

Edo to Handover Public Schools to Missions, Others Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has diclosed plans by his administration to handover some public schools to the missions and other private persons with interest to develop such institution.

He said the plan was part of governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand design to revamp the education sector in the state.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Jimoh Ijegbai, disclosed this at the 60th Founderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day of Our Lady of Fatima College, Auchi (OLOFOBA).

He said though the guidelines for the plan was still being worked on, the process

would commence upon the second term inauguration of the present administration. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What we are trying to achieve is to see that government effectively concentrates on the left over schools that are not doing well after others must have been taken over by interested persons or groups. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some public schools will be handed over to anybody or persons who is capable of effectively managing them.â&#x20AC;?

Obaseki, who noted that his government has done a lot to revamp the sector, stressed that teaching in over 300 primary schools across the state is now technologically driven.

He added that about 11,000 primary schools teachers have been trained on the use of

technology to teach. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Edo State Government is trying to reopen the educational system. We started with the basic because of the need to get it right from the foundation level. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having done with this, we will be upgrading next year by introducing the same technology in our secondary schools. We will be starting with the JS1 and then move to JS2,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Obaseki while commending members of the OLOFOBA on their 60th anniversary, challenged them to be part of the effort at developing the institution that contributed in shaping their lives.

Earlier, the President of the OLOFOBA, Hon. Pascal

Ugbomhe, expressed the determination of the body to contribute towards the development of the school, and bemoaned the infrastructural decay in the institution.

Ugbomhe said this has in no small means affected teaching and learning process in the school. He appealed to the state government not to relent in its efforts at revamping the school, while the old students were trying their best to upgrade some of the facilities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As part of our plan to reposition the school, we have started constructing a perimeter fence across the school and also building of lockup shops as part of revenue generation.â&#x20AC;?

EndSARS: Lagos Directs Students to Stay at Home The Lagos State Government has directed all students in public and private schools to stay at home following the tension generated by the anti-SARS protests.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Folasade

Adefisayo, who issued the directive, said the safety of students, parents and all staff working in schools is paramount at this critical period.

She advised parents to keep an eye on their wards and

not allow them to be used as willing tools in the hands of those who might want to hijack the protests to unleash mayhem on the society.

She also encouraged schools to utilise other means of distance teaching and learning

such as radio, television and online media as they have been doing during and post the recent COVID-19 lockdown.

Adefisayo said a new date of resumption for all classes will be announced as soon as possible.

32

T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 21, 2020

EDUCATION

Nigeria@ 60: LPSS Students ReďŹ&#x201A;ect on Education Funmi Ogundare As Nigeria recently marked its diamond jubilee, just as its education sector was disrupted with schools either closing or migrating to online teaching and learning, year five students of Lagos Preparatory and Secondary School recently shared their views on how such changes in 2020 have affected their learning, saying that general life and practical skills have become just as important as formal education, which goes beyond the classroom.

Master Adefemi Adewusi said he now has more time to think about life and has become calmer, gentler and sometimes a little emotional about current happenings in the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have time to write com-

ics and books and work on computer programmes, my own YouTube channel and so much more.â&#x20AC;?

Master Olohireime Kragha said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Remote learning is a little bit better than normal school because in normal school, there is a lot of noise in class and people distract you when you are trying to focus. I now know how to vacuum my room and clean my bathroom.â&#x20AC;?

Master Adeoluwa Adesada said he spends more time with family and stays home more often. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have actually done and learnt really fun things. I started learning how to cook and bake (I even made an apple crumble); I learnt how to ride my bike without training wheels; I learnt how to speak a bit of Spanish and

some more French because of my cousins (AprendĂ­ a hablar espaĂąol and Jâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ai appris Ă parler français) and I decided that since I cannot be on YouTube or TikTok, I would make my own videos; even though I am not actually going to post them.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am now faster at typing than before because at school we do a lot of things that require me to type,â&#x20AC;? said Olaedo Nwachuku. Miss Tomiwa Akindele said before now, she couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t draw anything good, but now she can and has peven gone ahead to write two books. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am writing the third one, but I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t published any.

I am also spending my time cycling and reading. Before, I would never read and now I read at least four hours every school day.â&#x20AC;?

Some other students also said they have been able to develop their critical thinking and considered the effects of political decisions on the society. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the fact that the airports were not closed earlier and a foreigner who was infected with Coronavirus was allowed to come into Lagos and spread the virus,â&#x20AC;?said Miss Amelia Odunewu The school management expressed excitement about the students and how far they have come this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We hope that the changes Nigeria has experienced this year in education will lead to a quality of future graduates from every part of the country who will positively shape all aspects of our society in the coming decades.â&#x20AC;?

L-R: Publicity Secretary, Association of Professional Women in Engineering (APWEN), Mrs.Bose Oyekunle; Treasurer, Slyvia Kelechi; Vice-President, Elizabeth Eterigho; Chairman, Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) Victoria Island branch, John Audu; President, APWEN, Mrs. Funmilola Ojelade; General Secretary, Chinyere Igbwegbe; Technical Secretary, Mrs. Imhade Okokpujie; and National Cordinator, APWEN Young Engineers, Ummulkhair Tajo, during the associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national conference... recently

12 Nigerian Students Win Scholarship to Turkish Varsities Peace Obi Twelve Nigerian students have won scholarships into two Turkish universities to study various courses. The scholarships come in different categories and had one out of the 12 students awarded a full scholarship.

Also, another student secured tuition-free and meal waiver for four years for a PhD programme; while the remaining 10 won full-tuition scholarship for the four-year period their studies will last in the country.

The students are: Baoku Olusegun, Bashiru Mariam, Bello Habibat, Ademuyiwa Rachael, Lawal Aishat, Tiamiyu Oluwarantimi, Ijatoye Bukola, Oluwadare Abiola, Bamikefa Isaac, Justin Darlington, Fanimokun Raheem and Oshinuga Ayodeji.

The students were offered the scholarship after they successfully passed the exams, which was conducted for 30 Nigerians, however only 12 students made the scholarship list. The best 12 students in the examination are expected to secure a scholarship package

that will include: feeding, accommodation, pocket money up to PhD level.

The exam was organised by Goodmus Learning Centre, in partnership with Turkish Government, First New Generation Citadel. JMATT Educational Consult. Al-Hatyq Travels n Tours, Lawal Abubakar AsSideeq, Blossom Ideas and Solutions, Future Builders and Blofan-Tee Model School.

The first batch of successful students will be leaving for Turkey on October 27.

Speaking during the exam that held at Goodmus Learning Centre, the Operations Manager, Mr. Anthony Okenna explained that over 1,000 students wrote the scholarship exams before they were pruned to 30 students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are actually having the complete scholarship exams today. Qualified students were invited to write the exams. The scholarship programme is a way to give back to society and assist those who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have access to education.â&#x20AC;?

On why they chose Turkey, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we chose Turkey because they are known for quality and affordable

education. Most students want to travel abroad to study because of standards.

They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the financial capacity but Turkish education is affordable.â&#x20AC;?

On the scope of the exam, Okenna stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It covers over 80 government universities in Turkey. Various schools have been coming to do their own exams and we are giving priority to those who have come first. The school that came this year is Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University while Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University did its own exam online. With the results, students can use it to apply to other universities once they get to Turkey. It covers over 80 government universities. The first batch of students will be leaving for Turkey on October 27. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our major goal is to impact positively on African students.

To take genuine and brilliant students out to study so that they can come back to build Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economy. By so doing the issue of incessant strikes prevalent in Nigeria must have been avoided,â&#x20AC;?

Okenna said.

Speaking on the challenges

the programme had faced, he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;initially, we had credibility challenge. Now we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have that problem any longer because of our success.

We have taken thousands of students to Turkey successfully. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Nigerian and African parents should take advantage of this massive offer and give their children good education.

Students should be focused at all times.â&#x20AC;?

Commending Goodmus Learning Centre, a parent, Mr. Oluwadare Moses who spoke at the exam centre said he was satisfied with the examination. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are here for the scholarship exam for my daughter.

Abiola Oluwadare. She happens to have made the highest marks and she was selected for the scholarship.

My confidence is 100 per cent because we have seen the results of what they are doing. I have no doubt in them.â&#x20AC;?

A student, Ayodeji Osuga, who wrote the exam, also commended the centre, saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am confident in the company.

I can cope there in Turkey if I can survive in Nigeria.â&#x20AC;?

KEHINDE OMORU www.kayomoru.com

Be an Enabler on All Fronts!

PracticingandtrainingonvarioustopicswithinthefieldofLearningDisabilities for over 15 years to date, makes me absolutely appreciative of what most of us do unconsciously, relatively effortlessly, and in so doing, in very many waystakeforgranted.

Iduffmyhearttothosedevelopednationsthathavegraspedthecalltolend alisteningearandacompassionatehearttothesimpleneedsofpeoplewith disabilities.

I have found that physical disabilities that affect mobility often feature prominently within several physical conditions and impairments which includes incapability in: learning, language development, behavior and social development, conditions associated with ageing, chronic illnesses, acuteillnessesandindeedaccidents Physicaldisabilitiesaffectingmobilityareusuallycausedbydamagetothe spinalcord.Thegravityofthedisabilitydependsonwheretheinjuryisonthe spine.Thespinalcordmayhavebeenpartiallyorcompletelyimpaired.Physical disabilitiescouldresultfromacongenitalconditionlikecerebralpalsy.They couldalsohappenafterbirthduetoinjury,forinstancefromlackofimmunization. Furthermore infections and exposure to high levels of environmental toxinssuchasLeadcouldresultinparalysisofthelegsandoftheupperlimbs.

Youmustunderstandthatphysicaldisabilitiescouldcausepossiblelossof controloverthemusclesofthebladderandrectum.Thereforeyoumayfind yourselfcaringforanadultorachildthatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sincontinentofurineorfaecesorboth.

Nowphysicaldisabilitiescouldlastalifetimeorlingeronuntilthediseaseor ailmentcausingithasbeentreatedorcured.Physicaldisabilitiesmaygoon toresultintheparalysisofthelimborareaaffected.

Granted-caring for a disabled person make simple living functions which includes;feeding,toileting,sleeping,personalcare,mobilityandattimeseven breathingdaunting.However,thefactremainsthatspeciallythought-through proceduresandphysicalaidscanmakeallofthefunctionsIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;vedescribedabove andmanymore,easytocarryout.

Infactmobilityaidsimmediatelyconfersonitsuser:ability;movement;hope; independence;dignity;asenseofself-worthandopportunitiestomakechoices.

Haveyougotwheelchairsandwalkingaids,tospare?

Somepracticalwaysyoucouldhelpdisabledpeopleinclude: Creatingopportunitiesforthemtomakechoicesrelatingtotheirownlives Refrainingfromdoingeverythingforthem Encouragingthemtodothingsforthemselves Providingmoretimeandspaceforthemtocompletechoresandtasks.

Beingpatientwiththemandreadilyprovidingthemwithlotsofencouragement tokeepgoing(e.g.studying,socializing) Arrangingfurnitureinsuchawaythattheycanmoveabouteasily.

Makingsureyourfurnitureisstudyandsecured,noteasilymovableorshiftable.

Removingthingsthatcanbetrippedoverorbumpedinto Providingeasytowearclothesandfootwear;age-appropriateclothesand footwear Providinggoodlightingintheroom.

Providing functional aids which include handrails with good grip, ramps for easyaccess,non-slipfloorandtablesurfacesandreachableworktops.

RollaballinsideaHula-hoopplacedonthefloor.

Playwithblocksonacookiesheetorthelidofacardboardbox.

Omoru is a freelance writer, education, health and social care advocate

MTN Intensifies e-Learning Support In June 2020, MTN Nigeria commenced a free data offer enabling primary and secondary school students to access educational content. Four months later, over 500,000 students are utilising the daily 500MB data.

With the closure of schools to mitigate further spread of COVID-19, the intervention was done in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, allowing primary and secondary school students access to virtual lessons and exam prep.

The resources available cover all primary and secondary school subjects and over ten years of past questions from key examinations, including the First School Leaving Certificate exams, West African Senior School Certificate exams, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board exams, among others; as well as access to learning portals such as Pass. ng, Roducate, mAcademy and Edo State SUBEB, among others.

According to the Chief Mar-

keting Officer, MTN Nigeria, Rahul De, â&#x20AC;&#x153;education is vital to the growth and development of any country, which is why we are committed to supporting learning. We are humbled at how well the offer has been received and hope students and parents will continue to take advantage of the opportunity to learn and shine. We understand the challenges everyone is going through in this period and commit to helping wherever we can.â&#x20AC;?

The free e-learning offer is part of MTNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s broader Yâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ello Hope initiative, a series of interventions targeted at the government, health agencies and vulnerable communities to help mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Students can visit the mPulse website (www.mtnonline.com/ personal/mpulse/) for more details on the free 500MB daily offer, as well as information on available scholarships and competitions.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

33

34

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŻË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

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;

THISDAY Alumni Rally Round Blind Colleague Adibe Emenyonu writes on the pitiable condition of a journalist, who lost his sight and now depends on friends and former colleagues for his daily needs

Andrew Ahiante (2nd left) and other colleagues during his days in THISDAY Newspaper

The young Andrew Ahiante

Visually impaired Andrew Ahiante

A

ndrew Ahiante was once a vibrant, articulate and friendly fellow; an editor's delight because of the way and manner he discharged his duties without complain.

In 1999, he gained employment with THISDAY Newspapers situated then at Ikeja, Lagos State, as an editorial staff working on the foreign desk as well as any other assignments he was given until he left the establishment in 2005, to pursue other personal goals.

Shortly after Andrew left THISDAY employment, he started a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) named, Children and Adolescents Development Initiative (CADI).

CADI was aimed at providing media support and remedial services to children and adolescents.

Ahiante, while speaking, said the vision behind CADI was "to build and secure a good future for children and ourselves", with a mission to offer all round initiative that will guarantee a good future for children around the globe especially those from Nigeria and other developing countries.

According to him, "children and adolescents face serious challenges", adding however that in the efforts to save children, little is heard about how to assist the adolescents.

"It is estimated that over 1.2 billion adolescents stand at crossroads between childhood and the adult world. Nine out of 10 young people living in developing countries face profound challenges of obtaining education and staying alive with the girl-child being worst hit.â&#x20AC;?

According to Global Human Trafficking Report 2014, "the girl-child account for two-third of all detected victims globally."

There is also the associated threats of rape and torture which dominate the airwaves everyday.

Similarly, programmes to improve the lives of children are often lost as they progress to adult age. Thus, creating a vicious circle of violence and violation of the rights of children and adolescents.

Today, poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, ignorance, violence arising from pastoral, communal, political and inter-religious conflicts have also created a vicious circle of threats and imbalance to children and adolescents. In Nigeria for instance, conscription into indecent groups have resulted in teenage pregnancy, diseases such as HIV and VVF as well as unsafe abortion which often leads to premature death.

"These are not good inheritance. We need to bequeath good legacies to our children/adolescents because they are our future", says Ahiante.

He also declared that the aims and objectives of CADI is to promote the welfare of children and adolescents; to advocate better protection and administrative policies

Andrew Ahiante (Middle) ďŹ&#x201A;anked by wife, Mrs. Osamudiamen Ahiante; and THISDAY former Director, Sales and Advertisement, Mr. Gbenga Oni-Olusola during the cheque presentation to him in Benin City

for children and adolescents alike; and to serve as a research, reference and resource center, providing information that can enhance informed decisions, to network with institutions and community based organisations to build support for children and adolescents", Ahiante stated.

Others, he explained, are to provide training for citizens, organisations and centres; provide a wide range of counseling, rehabilitation and reintegration services for those in need of protection; to offer participatory opportunities for children and adolescents to air their views on issues affecting them; and to provide intermediary roles between children and adolescents with persons and institutions which facilitates growth, survival and development of CADI focal pressure group for children.

Above all, Ahiante, alongside his wife, Osamudiamen, said CADI had almost put finishing touches to commence media advocacy and remedial services; research, reference, resource centre, a legal aid services and others logistics at their Corporate Head Quarters, at Babs Animashaun Estate Extension Street Surulere, Lagos.

However, this lofty aspiration never materialised when Ahiante, a native of Uromi in Esan North-east Local Government Area of Edo State, and the brain behind CADI project began to have problem with his sight.

Narrating his ordeal, he said his sight dilemma which has now developed to

complete blindness began with his left eye. He was then referred to the Military Hospital at Bonny Camp in Lagos where he was diagnosed to have glaucoma.

Upon assessment, the physician discovered his right eye had also gone bad.

Nevertheless, Ahiante said he commenced intensive treatment to save the right eye but to no avail. Things came to a head in 2017 when he lost complete function of the right eye throwing him into a world of total darkness, and limiting his ability to perform his daily tasks.

Consequently his quality of life was affected and the ability to interact with the surrounding world diminished, as friends began to desert him. The once promising young man became disillusioned and was forced to leave Lagos for his home state, Edo, where he now lives in a room and parlor all ensuite apartment off the Benin-Auchi Road with his dear wife, Osamudiamen, a native of Irrua, in Esan Central Local Government area also in Edo State.

Abandoned by friends, a silver lining however appeared for Ahiante recently as his former colleagues from THISDAY, on hearing of his plight, got together to lend him a helping hand.

The former staff of THISDAY establishment under the auspices of "THISDAY Alumni", put heads together and raised the sum of N540,500.00 only to support Ahiante and wife.

While presenting the cheque to Andrew

and wife, in their home, a one time Director, Sales and Advertising, THISDAY Newspapers, Mr. Gbenga Oni-Olusola said the gesture is a little token from the group to uplift one of their own who is in dire need.

He further called on well meaning Nigerians as well as Ahiante's colleagues on the beat, to support the determined young man to be self-reliant.

Receiving the cheque, Ahiante expressed his gratitude to his ex-colleagues, who he said have always been like one family while working at THISDAY. Regarding the funds raised by his former colleagues, Ahiante said it had always been his desire to start a laundry business with his wife as he believes its an area he could excel in, having had some experience while at the Blind centre.

"The objective is to set up a laundry business. It is one of the vocations I learnt when I was at the blind centre.

It is something I can do having had the experience", he enthused.

On her part, Mrs Ahiante while expressing her appreciation, thanked THISDAY Alumni for remembering one of their own and prayed to God to continue to bless all those who made the gesture possible.

For further support, kindly pay into the following account; First Bank Plc Account Name: Iriogbe Osemudiamen Savings Account No: 3084907788

35

T H I S D AY Ëž OCTOBER 21, 2020

CRIME&SECURITY

Nigerian Youths: The Dangling Meat Between SARS and SWAT

Operatives of the disbanded Special Anti Robbery Squad Toyin Ajao

W

ithin 24 hours, about 100,000 twitteratis have massively unfollowed Buhari, the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sleepyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; leader who has â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;remained unmovedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; about the #ENDSARS protests. In spite, the Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu following the directive of the president to dissolve SARS on 11th October 2020, the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s belief firmly rested on the disbelieve that the president cared. The Nigerian denizens took the presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s silence as lackadaisical attitude to addressing the protracted police brutality that has plagued the country for aeons. The Nigerian youths who once trusted in the superhero power of the Buhari presidency to curb corruption, impunity and injustices are now so sure they have backed the wrong horse.

Also, not with the Inspector General, ending SARS for the umpteenth timewhile swiftly announcing another unit, Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT).

The youths see SWAT as SARS With Another Title.

The Business Unusual The genesis of the recent #ENDSARS began with a video of a Nigerian shot dead, sparking series of enduring protests in several states in Nigeria, with one rugged goal, ending SARS. Likewise, ten more deaths have occurred in the hands of SARS personnel since the beginning of the protest. To make sure no one is above the protest happening in several states where the citizens are fervently demanding immediate police reform, no clear leader has emerged among the protesters. This unified front indicating how tired and angry the youths are with unending abuse, extortion and humiliation in the hands of SARS. A recent development showed that the Nigerian youths are not relenting and will not let anyone hijack a collective effort.

For instance, one of the early starters of #ENDSARS in 2017, Segun Awosanya exhibited â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rightfulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; indignations in a tweet for being left out of a recent zoom call with government representative to deliberate a way forward. His annoyance got him cancelled by followers who unfollowed him en masse thinking he was all about activism grandstanding, while it seemed he was

concerned about averting a takeover as witnessed in the previous Occupy Nigeria protest. It appeared there is a glaring misunderstanding somewhere.

Unfortunately, adding to the difficulties faced by many this year, from a global pandemic to economic collapse, and deep emotional vulnerabilities, more is still at hand. #BlackLivesMatter protest once again shook the world when George Floyd was murdered by the US police, and in another clime, the Namibia netizens are calling for the end of the prevalent femicide in Namibia through the #ShutItAllDown campaign.

Furthermore, gender-based violence, extremism and gross abuse of the police units like SARS continue to affect the tranquility of the Nigerian citizens.

The 21st-century realities of humankind looking like a thousand steps back into the Dark Ages. When humanity ought to be closer than before and compassion and love at the epicentre of our daily engagement, we are rather sinking into a bottomless pit of apathy.

More so, how a Special Anti-Robbery Squad ends up terrorizing all and sundry should worry everyone. Instead of carrying out their directive, they windup terrorizing the Nigeria youths with such impunity that Amnesty International called out this gross abuse of human rights in their 2016 report to no avail.

By and large, the protest, which started the week of 9th October 2020, has sparked international outrage with several protests occurring in the USA, Canada and UK. The protest garnered over 28 million tweets with various celebrities amplifying Nigerian netizensâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; voices all over the world.

Crowdfunding to ensure protesters are not left stranded or hungry or left without medical care became part of the protestâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessities. Like in the case of Larababeaten to a pulp by the Nigeria police during the protest, a newly formed feminist coalition was able to secure funding for her treatment. The feminist coalition that mobilizes protests daily has raised N62.6 million thus far and has disbursed N13 million to the protest in different capacities. This is a strong young-women-led coalition displaying integrity, accountability and firm commitment to endingpolice brutality in Nigeria.

Concerned people and businesses from home and aboard have

contributed to the crowdfunding of this organic protest. The coalition is also crowdsourcing for service provisions such as pro bono lawyers to represent arrested protesters, while persisting in revolutionizing the Nigerian Police Force.

The Pervasive Theatre of Abuse It is to the extent that the police under SARS authority will look for anything to incriminate any youth stopped for questioning. If you are flashy, trendy, or wear piercings or tattoos as a man, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doomed. Being you is a recipe for harassment, an insinuation of crimes and the accusation of homosexuality to exploit, harass and humiliate. In acountry where life is already hard, the police sure make it harder by sucking at doing their job. The job to protect and defend is reserved for the elite while the masses are getting harassed daily.

And branding the entire cohorts of diverse youths criminals, spoiling their reputations home and abroad while destroying their creativity and patriotic pride is a lowbrow.

The Nigeria police force, which ought to have undergone an overhaul, has continued to survive on a life support of misconducts. Despite the passing of a progressive bill by the senate in 2019 to repeal and re-enact the Police Act of 1943, which still reeked of colonial legacy, no one was clear as to the way forward. But suddenly the outcry of the protesters awakened the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;sleepyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; leadership to their forgoneresponsibility.

It is announced that the Buhariadministration through his Presidential Panel will honourthe recent meeting held with the Nigeria stakeholders involving some of the protesters to attend to their five demands. These demands include the immediate release of arrested protesters, a setting up of Independent Investigation Panel into the human rights violations of SARS and other police segments, and the psychological evaluation of SARS officials before redeployment. While this is appears like a breakthrough, more is needed.

Transforming the Murkiness Efforts have to be put in place to turn police job into a prestigious and lucrative one, instead of a hand-me-down and safe-me-from-poverty mentality. In Addition to the need for a better salary

scale and treatment of the police staff, deconditioning and reprogramming training is necessary for them to truly see their job as a career choice:to protect and defend the citizens.

Also, the political will to sincerely reform the police force to combat real crimes and not remain a nemesis to the entire nation rests squarely on the shoulder of the leadership. The ongoing effort at the security sector reform and the review of the inheritedcolonial decree still in used by the police have to concede with attitude reform, psychological assessments, and police salaries and benefits evaluations.

It is a situation needing a thorough approach that is holistic and sustaining to transform. The place of humanity in our interaction as we engage in a constructive change to end longstanding impunities, imbalances and injustices in our structural, relational and cultural problems will so much launch us into a cohesive living.

Delving into the root causes and underlying problems of crimes in Nigeria with a very holistic approach will not only stop policeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rash and crash approaches but also will allow for sustainable solutions to these lifelong problems. Lip service or a shortâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;term, fix-it-now, top-down solutions that have not worked for the betterment of the country cannot continue to be the go-to tactic for a complex problem as this. We cannot continue to forgo our humanity or the Ubuntu of our existence when our method to life and its attendant conditions ought to stem from a fountain of mutual respect, love, and compassion. Finally, If we fail to embrace overarching reform, it will not be long before SWAT begins steering again, the vicious wheel of abuse previously engineered by their predecessor SARS. ...Dr Toyin Ajao engages the world as a Globetrotter, Storyteller, Public Scholar, Feminist Activist, and Holistic Researcher and Practitioner. She holds a PhD in political science from the University of Pretoria majoring in peace and conflict studies. She is the director and founder of iAfrika Centre for Holistic Research and Praxis focusing on advancing peace education and healing culture in Africa. She is an associate and alumnus of African Leadership Centre.

36

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŻË&#x153; 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

Renaissance Capital Highlights Value in Stripe, Paystack Deal Obinna Chima Analysts at Renaissance Capital (RenCap) have estimated the perceived value realised by Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start-up, Paystack in the recent announcement of its acquisition by Stripe, an American financial services and software company.

The deal was put at over $200 million. RenCap estimated in a report on the transaction obtained yesterday that the deal valued Paystack at about 14 times of the fintechâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annualised gross revenue in 2020 and 40 times its net revenue.

The financial advisory firm stated that in Nigeria, the merchant service charge (MSC) is capped at 1.5 per cent, which is shared along the payments value chain. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Paystackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s niche is in online payments, processing over half of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online transactions.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s used by 60,000 businesses in Ghana and Nigeria for online and offline payments and has launched a pilot in South Africa.â&#x20AC;?

In reviewing the implications for Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) payment valuations, it stated: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have included the 14 times implied gross revenue multiple in our Africa fintech

valuation sheet and updated our pro-forma valuation for ETI and GTBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s payments businesses. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We look at valuations for Interswitch/Visa, Network/ Abraaj, DPO/Network, Paystack/ Stripe, MPesa, Network and Fawry, and calculate average revenue multiples of 13 times.

Applying these to ETIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first half of 2020 annualised revenues, assuming five per cent and 10 per cent payments revenue contributions (that is $73 million and $154 million), we estimate that its payments business could be worth between $950mn to $2bn, i.e. 3.4-7x larger than ETIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current market capitalisation of $282 million,â&#x20AC;? it stated.

Applying same multiple to GTBankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full year 2019 digital income ($51 million), this implied a valuation range of between $666 million- $1 billion, which was 29 to 44 per cent of its current market capitalisation, with a mid-point of $845 million. This represented 36 per cent of GTBankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current market capitalisation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From our discussions with management, we believe that its own estimated valuation of this business is at least double our base-case estimate. In practice, for both banks, we would still need to adjust the revenue number as not all of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s currently

reported/assumed will transition if a full carve out is done,â&#x20AC;? the report added.

The deal came few months after Stripe announced it had secured another $600 million in funding.

The US-based company had explained that the African internet economy was expanding quickly, with online commerce in the region growing at 21 per cent year-over-year, which was said to be 75 per cent faster than the global average.

Therefore, in order to help increase Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Stripe said it decided to enter into an agreement to acquire Paystack, the Lagos-based technology company that makes it easy for organisations of all sizes to collect payments from around the world. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Today, more than 60,000 businesses in Nigeria and Ghana use Paystack to securely collect online and offline payments, launch new business models, and deepen customer relationships. Incredibly, Paystack already processes more than half of all online transactions in Nigeria.

Paystack has ambitious plans to expand across the continent and recently started a pilot with businesses in South Africa.

Fidelity Named â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;SME Support Bank of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Fidelity Bank Plc has disclosed that in recognition of its support for micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) in the country, it recently clinched the award for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Outstanding SME Supporting Bank of the Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the 2020 Marketing & Advertising Award for Excellence.

The ceremony held in Lagos.

According to the organisers, Marketing Edge, the bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nomination and subsequent emergence as an award recipient were a product of a review and assessment of its intervention and provision of long-term financing support for MSMEs across the country.

Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, Divisional Head,

Brand & Communications, Mr. Charles Aigbe thanked the management of Marketing Edge for the recognition. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our long-running support for the growth and development of small businesses in Nigeria stems from our recognition of SMEs as critical agents of economic development and transformation in Nigeria and the world at large,â&#x20AC;? a statement quoted him to have said.

He noted that the bank had developed a strong multi-faceted SME banking platform, driven by its tailored, low cost transactions banking offerings backed by the requisite one-on-one and cluster focused advisory services and hand-holding support.

Also, on the night, Aigbe was honored as the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Outstanding Corporate Communications Personality of the Year.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; He was bestowed with the award, in recognition of his contributions to the growth, development and continuing evolution of the Nigerian marketing and brand management business even in the face of daunting challenges.

Marketing Edge, one of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foremost Brand and Marketing Communications publication, also acknowledged the huge strides that the bank has made in product development, brand recognition and reputation as well as integrated marketing communications credentials.

CBN Raises Red Flag over COVID-19 Financing The Central Bank of Nigeria has advised all financial institutions to be abreast with emerging risks and other developments while taking proactive steps to address the new and emerging money laundering and terrorism financing.

The banking sector regulator noted that changes in the trends of business activities and financial transactions precipitated

by COVID-19 pandemic had inadvertently led to increase in financial crimes globally.

The CBN stated this in a circular titled: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Administrative letters to all banks and other financial institutions,â&#x20AC;? that was signed by its Director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, J. M. Gana.

Some of the measures it advised included investing in robust data mining and artificial intelligence software to monitor transactions; report suspicious transactions and update alerts protocol in their Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/ CFT) regulations.

It explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Nigerian Financial lntelligence Unit (NFIU), as the central repository of suspicious transactions and other financial information, had issued an Advisory based on comprehensive analysis of STRs and other information available to it. The Advisory identified increased financial crimes such as, cybercrimes, frauds, counterfeiting and substandard goods; diversion of public Ends and misuse of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).â&#x20AC;?

Some vulnerabilities and red flags highlighted in the advisory also included e-Commerce merchant with little or no history or internet presence, suddenly receiving multiple payments from unrelated third parties; individual(s) suddenly receiving multiple payment from unrelated third parties; and customer(s) suddenly engaging in the supply or purchase of medical supplies and payment for goods and services associated with known brands, yet the beneficiary is an individual is not a corporate.

It also stated that banks should expect to see more transactions for medical supplies, equipment and medication; payment for goods or services associated with a known brand, yet beneficiary is an individual not a company; unusual volume of transactions; large and frequent cash withdrawals and deposits as well as immediate disbursement of deposited funds to multiple accounts. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The account signatory also a public/civil servant. Funds transferred from government account to personal account.

Non-profit organisatons suddenly receiving donations in favor of Covid-19 patients or victims. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; account with like or no activity suddenly receiving funds from one or more unrelated third parties only for the funds to be transferred to one or more unrelated thirds parties.â&#x20AC;?

The central bank also warned banks that NGOs under the guise of paying COVID-19 victims could actually be paying members of a criminal gang or facilitating terrorist financing.

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 $41.37 a barrel on Friday, compared with $41.29 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations.

The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Djeno (Congo), ZaďŹ ro (Equatorial Guinea), Rabi Light (Gabon), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Kuwait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela).

SOURCE: OPEC headquarters, Vienna

37

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍŻË&#x153; Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

United Capital Grows Nine-month Profit by 26% to N4.1bn Goddy Egene United Capital Plc has reported improved results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 despite the challenging economic operating environment.

Gross earnings rose 33 per cent from N5.32 billion in 2019 to N7.07 billion in 2020.

Net operating income jumped by 58 per cent from N4.29 billion to N6.76 billion, while operating expenses increased 44 per cent

from 2.05 billion to N2.95 billion.

Consequently, profit before tax (PBT) rose 26 per cent to N4.12 billion, from N3.27 billion in 2019. Profit after tax grew by same margin from N2.75 billion to 3.46 billion.

Commenting on the results, the Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Peter Ashade, said: Notwithstanding the challenges the group has remained nimble. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We continued to implement our business growth and continu-

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

ity plans premised on a solid risk assessment framework to ensure we remained focused on providing best-in-class solutions to all client segments. â&#x20AC;&#x153;These contributed to the impressive growth across our businesses leading to 33 per cent growth in revenue and 26 per recent increase in both PBT and PAT during the nine-month period.

He explained that in Q2,the group successfully issued N10

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

billion Series 1 Bond under the N30 billion Medium-Term Debt Programme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the first to be issued by an investment banking firm in Nigeria -which was oversubscribed by about 24 per cent. He said the company had begun yield the fruit of that strategic decision.

According to him, going into the last quarter of the year, they are encouraged by the increasing market confidence in their brand even in the

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

wake of the most globally devastating pandemic of the last century. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We know the operating environment is turbulent, but we are committed to deliver superior returns to our shareholders, as we drive growth and profitability across all our businesses,â&#x20AC;? Ashade said.

He said in line with their initial strategy for the 2020 business year, â&#x20AC;&#x153;we shall continue to push further our market diversification

O F

and cost-optimisation initiatives as well as implement phased automation of our business processes whilst upholding our commitment to ensuring a significant improvement in our value delivery to all our stakeholders.â&#x20AC;?

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market was slightly positive yesterday, as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) All-Share Index rose 0.03 per cent to close at 28,665.82 points.

2 0 / 1 0 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

˾ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020

38

ଂ

ଂ

ଂ ଂ ଂ

ଂ

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 R O X P H

7 R S * D L Q H U V P ric e

P ric e C hg %

Vo lum e

P ric e C hg %

IN T B R EW

6.44

9.9%

UB A

72.4

-2.8%

UC A P

3.84

8.2%

Z EN IT H B A N K

27.2

0.2%

NB

51.50

4.7%

UA C N

22.2

4.5%

F LOUR M ILL

23.00

4.5%

A C C ESS

21.8

-2.5%

19.7

0.0% -1.3%

T ic k er

T ic k er

ET ER N A

4.66

4.5%

M B EN EF IT

UA C N

7.00

4.5%

GUA R A N T Y

15.5

ET I

4.80

4.3%

F ID ELIT YB K

10.4

-1.0%

UN ION D A C

0.27

3.8%

UC A P

9.4

8.2%

ST ER LN B A N K

1.40

3.7%

IN T B R EW

8.2

9.9%

A F R IP R UD

5.65

3.5%

FB NH

7.9

0.0%

7 R S / R V H U V T ic k er

P ric e

P ric e C hg %

R EGA LIN S

0.22

-8.3%

Z EN IT H B A N K

568.2

0.2%

C OR N ER ST

0.60

-4.8%

UB A

506.8

-2.8%

PZ M OB IL

Afrinvest West Africa Limited

7 R S 7 U D G H V E \ 9 D O X H T ic k er

Value

P ric e C hg %

4.10

-4.7%

GUA R A N T Y

472.6

-1.3%

178.30

-4.6%

M TNN

262.2

0.0% -2.5%

A IIC O

0.85

-4.5%

A C C ESS

170.5

GUIN N ESS

17.00

-3.7%

UA C N

149.4

4.5%

WEM A B A N K

0.56

-3.4%

GUIN N ESS

85.6

-3.7%

UB N

4.80

-3.0%

F LOUR M ILL

83.5

4.5%

UB A

6.90

-2.8%

M OB IL

69.2

-4.6%

UN ILEVER

13.15

-2.6%

NB

63.8

4.7%

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

39

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

Adedeji Appointed Managing Director of Livestock Feeds Goddy Egene Livestock Feeds Plc has appointed

Mr. Adegboyega Adedeji as the substantive managing director of the company with effect from

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

October 2, 2020.

In a notification to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), the company

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 19Oct-2020, unless otherwise stated.

said before his appointment as MD, Adedeji was the acting MD since August 2019. He was formerly

the General Manager, Sales and Operations responsible for all sales activities and the strategic

development of the company’s marketing along with new products portfolio generation and development.

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 0.98 0.99 8.93% ACAP Income Funds 0.85 0.85 11.03% 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 4.82% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.55 3.66 44.86% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Anchoria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A ARM INVESTMENT MANAGERS LTD enquiries@arminvestmentcenter.com Web: www.arm.com.ng; Tel: 0700 CALLARM (0700 225 5276) Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn ARM Aggressive Growth Fund 16.13 16.61 5.27% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 368.83 379.95 6.77% ARM Ethical Fund 31.69 32.65 8.97% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.16 1.17 16.55% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.13 12.60% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.89% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 109.44 110.20 13.90% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.31% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.24 2.24 20.86% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.09 2.12 33.67% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.92% Paramount Equity Fund 13.50 13.75 7.88% Women's Investment Fund 121.39 122.61 10.01% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.89% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 121.07 121.60 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 131.74 132.76 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 103.28 103.28 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 2.76% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.07 1.08 14.91% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.72 1.72 29.53% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund 1,511.03 1,512.62 23.31% FBN Balanced Fund 164.74 165.98 12.21% FBN Halal Fund 109.26 109.27 9.26% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.45% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional 120.36 120.77 4.14% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail 120.37 120.78 3.64% FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 129.23 131.24 -0.69% 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 N/A N/A N/A Legacy Debt Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A Legacy USD Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 3,374.40 3,412.24 10.95% Coral Income Fund 3,209.82 3,209.82 4.36% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.46% 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 2.79% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 123.32 123.85 14.67%

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 2.50% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.37 2.42 8.28% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 5.95% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.64 153.45 6.51% 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 N/A N/A N/A Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 1.47 1.50 19.91% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.76 11.84 4.60% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.16% PACAM Equity Fund 1.14 1.15 PACAM EuroBond Fund 107.84 110.51 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 123.08 125.00 0.54% 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 15.03% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 5.68% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 10.56% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 6.57% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 15.27% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.78% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 6.69% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.21 1.21 4.46% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.03 110.03 5.58% 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 1.26 1.28 5.51% United Capital Bond Fund 1.86 1.86 7.81% United Capital Equity Fund 0.74 0.76 4.63% United Capital Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.72% United Capital Eurobond Fund 115.34 115.34 5.54% United Capital Wealth for Women Fund 1.03 1.04 -1.89% 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 11.24 11.38 9.39% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.51 12.63 7.64% Zenith Income Fund 24.53 24.53 7.98% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 3.04%

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 99.47 75.32

9.60 101.62 76.70

13.60% 5.30% 0.25%

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

3.61 4.73 13.48 1.00 12.23 222.99

3.65 4.81 13.58 1.00 12.43 224.99

5.50% -19.76% 10.87% 2.41% 17.55% 17.02%

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.

40

WEDNESDAY 0CT0BER 21, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Despite Widespread Opposition, Senate Confirms Umar as PENCOM DG Rejects Katsina nominee for not having NYSC certificate Receives NERC board nominees from Buhari Deji Elumoye in Abuja Despite widespread condemnation of the nomination of Aisha DahirUmar as Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Senate yesterday confirmed the appointment of Umar as substantive head of the commission.

This is just as the upper legislative chamber rejected the nomination of Hanna Musa Musawa (Katsina) as PENCOM Commissioner over her failure to produce the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate as proof that she participated in the one year mandatory scheme after graduation.

The Senate Minority Leader,

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, had on August 30 during plenary complained about the nomination of Umar, saying her nomination was at variance with the provisions of the National Pension Commission Act 2004.

By last week, he further petitioned the Senate committee on Establishment asking it to stay action on the screening of Umar.

In the two-page petition dated October 14, 2020 addressed to the Chairman of the committee, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, which was entitled “A Petition Against the Nomination of Aisha DahirUmar as Director-General Of Pension Commission (PENCOM)”, Abaribe asked the committee to stop forthwith the screening of the DG

nominee as it is at variance with the Act establishing the Commission.

According to him, the nomination of Umar is in clear violation of section 20 (1) and section 21 (1) and (2) of the National Pension Commission Act 2014.

At yesterday’s confirmation hearing, Abaribe for the umpteenth time reiterated his opposition to Umar’s nomination as well as confirmation.

He said: “I rise to once again express my opposition to the candidature of Umar as PENCOM DG as it is at variance with extant laws”.

Abaribe said: “When the nomination was made, I stood up

here and said that I have some reservations about the nominee for the position of the DG. I also went ahead to write to the committee giving reasons for my disagreement.

“The committee chairman graciously looked at what I wrote and sent a response to me.

In his response, he said that Section 20 (1), 21 (1 and 2) of the PenCom Reform Act of 2014 which I relied on is not applicable to the present situation on the grounds that this is not an intermittent vacancy envisaged under those provisions.

“Rather, he said, it was a

new governing board after the dissolution of the former board legally by the President.

“I want to comment on his response because when the former DG was removed by the President, the government found it imperative to appoint another person from the same zone to be appointed but rather than doing that, the President waited for two years so that the tenure of the board would expire.

“They are now saying that the tenure of the former board had expired and that ‘we are constituting a fresh board’.

It is very strange to me that

we would use the law in this manner. The government waited for a whole two years before taking action because it doesn’t want anybody from a particular geopolitical zone to sit on the seat.

“That is why we are so worried.

We know that the President has the right to appoint someone but he should do so within the law. We therefore wanted this particular matter to be revisited by this Senate. If the tenure of the former DG has expired, why can’t we go back to the zone of the person who didn’t finish her tenure?”.

Nigeria Pays IOCs $3bn Arrears of Cash Calls The federal government has reimbursed oil companies, including Exxon Mobil and Shell $3 billion, moving closer to clearing operating expense arrears owed since 2010.

The payment is being settled through a five-year crude oil sales deal agreed in 2016, Bloomberg quoted the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as saying yesterday.

However, while a larger chunk of the outstanding debts had been been paid as of August, about $1.7 billion is still outstanding.

ExxonMobil has received $2.3 billion, which represents the final settlement, while Shell has received $455 million, with $917 million outstanding.

NNPC operates joint ventures with producers including ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, Total SE and Eni SpA. However, the declining oil revenue and demands for other payments hampered NNPC’s ability to contribute its share of cash calls from 2010 to 2015, leading to the arrears.

It still owes Eni $385 million, Total $304 million and Chevron $55 million, according to the statement.

The oil majors didn’t immediately respond to requests for comments.

Nigeria had agreed a $5.1 billion settlement with the international oil companies four years ago.

As of July 2019, NNPC had cleared $2.3 billion

Atiku Advises Buhari Not to Use Force on Protesters Chuks Okocha in Abuja Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned President Muhammadu Buhari against deploying maximum force to disperse #EndSARS protesters staging peaceful protests across many states.

Atiku, in a tweet yesterday via his verified Twitter handle, stated that the use of force would only aggravate the situation.

He expressed sadness over loss of lives in several states during the protests as a result of infiltration by hoodlums and thugs.

Atiku said: “My appeal to the government of @

MBuhari is that he must not succumb to the temptation to use further maximum force on #EndSARS protesters.

“The #EndSARS protesters are not unreasonable; they mean well and acted responsibly. This is the time to appeal to their reason by speedily implementing their reasonable demands. The use of maximum force will aggravate, rather than placate.

“When government shows that it cares, the citizens will fare well. Now is the time to apply reason, rather than brute force.

“And on that basis, I urge @MBuhari to talk to the nation, and particularly the youth of Nigeria”.

ROYAL VISIT…

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), and the Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness, Aminu Ado Bayero, during the monarch’s visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday

Hillary Clinton, Adegboruwa Condemn Killing of Protesters NBA begins legal action, wants identities of killer-soldiers Chiemelie Ezeobi Former US presidential candidate, Mrs. Hillary Clinton, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and human rights lawyer, Mr. EbunOlu Adegboruwa (SAN), have joined the world to condemn the killing of unarmed protesters.

Clinton wrote on her Twitter page, “I’m calling on @mbuhari and the @ hqnigerianarmy to stop killing young #EndSARS protesters. #StopNigeriaGovernment” Also, Hollywood actress, Gabrielle Union wrote, “ #EndSARS We need everyone’s voice to amplify what is going on as we speak!! The world is watching.”

In a statement issued by its National President, Mr. Olumide Akpata, the NBA condemned the

killing of protesters and urged the military authorities to immediately identify the soldiers involved.

The NBA argued that even if the protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza were in breach of the curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government, such a misdemeanor or breach did not warrant the use of live ammunition by the Nigerian military to confront otherwise peaceful, unarmed and defenseless protesters.

“The military high command is hereby requested to immediately identify and name the officers involved in this gross professional misconduct for immediate prosecution and dismissal in line with extant laws. “The NBA shall immediately commence legal proceedings at all relevant for a (both locally and internationally) against the

Nigerian Military and other relevant authorities, on behalf of the families of the victims, for abuse of power, disregard of rules of engagement and the infringement of the fundamental rights (including right to life) of the affected citizens.

“Given the degenerating nature of the crisis, an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (the highest decisionmaking body of the NBA) will be convened within the next 48 hours to review the state of the Nation and take other appropriate steps to decisively deal with the situation and prevent the nation from further going adrift. The NBA believes that the current situation On his part, Adegboruwa has condemned the shooting of protesters at the Lekki Tollgate

last night by security forces.

Adegboruwa said it was unacceptable to open fire on armless and defenceless citizens.

In a statement issued to THISDAY last night, he described the shooting as most barbaric and unacceptable, adding that the protesters have been the most orderly, most organised and most peaceful so far.

The human rights lawyer, who said his heart was broken, wondered what the protesters did to warrant death and mayhem visited at them.

“These are children holding nothing but the flags of their nation. What the security should have done was to go to the zones of violence and wanton destruction and stop the thugs and criminals, not these innocent children.

In statement issued last night by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said that “it is shocking that security agents and, in some cases, thugs, were reportedly deployed to end the lives of promising Nigerians. This, to

say the least, is saddening”.

The PDP further said that “those responsible for the heinous murder of the innocent and harmless Nigerians must account for their nefarious acts”.

The PDP called on President Muhammadu Buhari to

immediately direct an end to these wanton killings across the country.

The PDP also invited the International Criminal Court (ICC), to bring all those responsible for the needless deaths of these very young Nigerians to justice.

Wike Appoints THISDAY Editor New GM of State-owned Tide Newspapers PDP Kicks against Attack on Lekki Protesters Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has approved the appointment of THISDAY’s Assistant Editor and South-south regional editor, Mr. Ernest Chinwo, as the new General Manager of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the Nigerian Tide group.

A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, said the appointment takes immediate effect.

The statement also announced the appointment of Mr. Kelvin Ebiri as the Special Assistant (Media) to the governor.

Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday condemned in very strong terms, the killing of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos as well as other parts of the country.

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NEWSXTRA

EFCC Director Asks Appeal Court to Order Agency to Pay His Five Years’ Salaries Court reserves judgment Alex Enumah in Abuja A director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ayo Olowonihi has asked the Court of Appeal in Abuja to make an order directing the anti-graft agency to pay him his accumulated salary arrears.

Olowonihi in a cross appeal against part of the judgment of Justice Musa Kado of the Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, predicated his request on the grounds that the trial court erred in law when it refused to order payment of his outstanding salaries after it nullified his suspension by the commission.

The EFCC under the suspended Acting Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, had in 2015 following alleged “offence against discipline,” placed Olowonihi, who was then Director of the EFCC Academy, under suspension without pay.

Although the commission recalled him back to service in 2017, it however demoted him from grade level 17 to 16/7.

Displeased with the commission’s decision, Olowonihi then approached the Industrial Court, to challenge his demotion and also prayed the court to order his reinstatement as well as payment of his entitlements held during the period of his unlawful suspension.

In the suit marked: NICN/ ABJ/347/2017, the claimant in a 62-paragraph affidavit deposed to in support of the suit said he was not given fair hearing before disciplinary action was taken against him.

Among the issues his lawyer, Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN), raised for determination by the court include; whether the EFCC Staff Regulations Handbook 2007 used for the discipline of the claimant was validly made, having not been approved by the commission.

In its judgment, the Industrial Court decided all three issues raised for determination in favour of the claimant.

“There is a violation of natural justice,” the court held the claimant’s appointment is statutory and can only be tampered with strict public service rule”.

He subsequently held that the letter of reinstatement downgrading the claimant to GL 16 is “nullified and set aside” and ordered the EFCC to reinstate the defendant back to his position as Detective Commandant Grade Level 17.

However, the court refused to grant the prayers of the claimant on the payment of all his salaries and allowances within the period of the suspension on the grounds that the claimant failed to prove that he was entitled

EFCC Nabs Two Ladies for Attempting to Smuggle Hard Drugs to Detainees Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibadan Zonal Office, has arrested two ladies, Jumoke Ayodele and Opeoluwa Temitayo, for attempting to smuggle substances believed to be hard drug to suspects in the custody of the zonal office.

THISDAY learnt that the substance, according to an official of the commission, is ‘colorado drug’ noted for having dire psychological effect on its abusers.

The ladies on their part, were said to have admitted that the substance was a hard drug, meant for the consumption of the detainees.

It was gathered that to convey the drugs, the ladies wrapped the

drugs in small cellophane packs, and tucked them inside sausages they brought for the detainees.

Though EFCC detainees were being fed by the commission, they were nonetheless allowed to receive meals from their visiting relatives, which are carefully evaluated by the commission’s officers to ensure that the detainees do not come to harm as a result of what they ingest.

The suspects, Itiowe Kelvin, Oluwatobi Damilola and Ayodele David, were among those arrested during a recent raid on suspected internet fraudsters in the state.

It was further gathered that the ladies will be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.

Buhari Meets Defence Minister, CDS Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja President Muhmmadu Buhari yesterday held a closed-door meeting with the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd.), and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin.

The meeting was held inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was however held at a time there are protests in parts of the country against the

scrapped Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Nigeria Police Force.

The protests have turned violent in Abuja and some states leading to the declaration of curfew in Edo and Lagos states.

Although there was no official information confirming the agenda of the meeting, as at the time of filing this report, sources within the Statement House, suggested it was all in the bid to tame the escalating violence trailing the #EndSARS protests.

to such relief.

Miffed by the court’s decision, Olowonihi then approached the appellate court to challenge the denial of his outstanding emoluments.

In the cross appeal marked: CA/A/190/2020 and filed on April 8, 2020, Olowonihi’s lawyer argued that, “the refusal of the

trial judge to order the payment of the outstanding salaries and emoluments of the Cross Appellant is contradictory and at cross purpose with the principal reliefs already granted by him”.

He further submitted that having nullified the EFCC’s Staff Regulation Handbook, 2007, Justice Kado erred in law when

he failed to set aside the letter of query dated December 22, 2015 as well as the Notification of Suspension dated December 29, 2015.

“The letter of query dated December 22, 2015 was the instrument that originated the disciplinary proceedings against the Cross Appellant and it was

issued pursuant to the EFCC’s Staff Regulation Handbook and not the Public Service Rules.

Being the originating instrument, it is defective and all other steps or action taken based on it is a nullity”, Amupitan submitted before the three-man panel of Justices of the appellate court.

COMMITTEE OF FRIENDS…

L-R: Chief Executive Officer, Maxim Drugs Limited, Chief Vincent Mgbemena; Chairman, Orange Group, Sir Tony Ezenna; Chairman, Panda Hotels and Suites, Chief Willie Obi; and Executive Chairman, Yaba LCDA, Hon. Kayode Omiyale, at the opening of Panda EC Hotel and Suites in Yaba, Lagos... recently

EndSARS Protests: Businessman Slams $1bn Suit against Twitter CEO SERAP to oppose suit, hires Falana Alex Enumah in Abuja A businessman, Mr Adamu Garba, yesterday slammed a whopping $1 billion suit against the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Twitter International Company, Mr. Jack Dorsey, over alleged sponsorship of the ongoing #EndSARS protests across the country.

But in a swift reaction, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has said it is heading to court to oppose the suit praying that Twitter be shut down from the Nigerian cyberspace over the raging protests.

SERAP said on its Twitter

handle yesterday that it had instructed human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), to lead a team of lawyers on behalf of Nigerians, to oppose the suit filed by a presidential aspirant under the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 general election.

Garba, in a suit filed at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, is praying the court to direct Dorsey to stop the operation of Twitter International Company in any part of Nigeria, and is also demanding for $1 billion as damages.

Respondents in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1391/2020, include; Attorney-General of the Federation

(AGF), National Security Adviser (NSA), Inspector-General of Police (IG), Director General of Department of State Services (DSS), the Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Nigeria Communication Commission, Jack Dorsey, Twitter International Company and the #ENDSARS Protesters as 2nd to 10th respondents, respectively.

Garba, who is the CEO of IPI Group Limited, in the suit filed by his Lawyer, Mr. Abbas Ajiya, claimed that the suit was filed to enforce his fundamental rights pursuant to Provisions of Order II Rules 1, 2, and 3 of the Fundamental Rights Rules 2009, Sections 34(1), 35(1), 41(1), 43 and

46(1) and 2 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s’ Rights Act CAP. A9, LFN 2004.

He is therefore praying for the court’s “Declaration that the mode of sponsorship and protest of the ENDSARS protest by the 8th to 10th respondents is illegal, unlawful and a violation of the applicant’s fundamental right to liberty, dignity of human person, freedom of movement and economic right guaranteed and protected under Sections 34(1), 35(1), 41(1) and 43 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Amended).

Police, DSS Deny Aiding SARS Supporters, Thugs to Attack Protesters Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Department of State Services (DSS) yesterday denied that its personnel were aiding pro-SARS movement and thugs to attack #EndSARS protesters in Abuja.

The FCT Police Command has also denied aiding thugs to attack the protesters.

The social media is awash with videos and pictures of alleged police vehicles and men dressed in black suit aiding the Pro-SARS movement, while the vehicles conveyed thugs wielding sticks and dangerous weapons to protest venues from where they unleashed mayhem on protesters and FCT residents.

But the two security agencies

denied involvement in the attacks.

A statement issued by the Spokesman of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said there was no truth in such claims.

“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the fake news making the round that its personnel are aiding pro-SARS supporters and thugs to attack #ENDSARS protesters in Abuja.

“Part of the untruth being spewed to the public is that some of its officials attached to certain VIPs aided thugs in this regard. In view of the false accusations, no DSS personnel has, so far, been identified to be

involved in the alleged acts,” it said.

According to the statement “It begs the question to conclude that SUVs and persons dressed in suits and sighted in conflict environments are of the DSS. Fact is that no staff of the DSS will engage in acts as the ones being peddled by these rumour mongers and hate speakers.

“The service is a responsible professional organisation and will endeavor to remain so at all times. It, therefore, wishes to state that the allegations leveled against it are not true and can only be taken as false narratives designed to cast it in bad image as well as inflame the protests”.

The DSS enjoined the public to disregard the falsehood emanating from sections of the social and mainstream media, subversive groups and interests.

Afunanya called on citizens to eschew bitterness, remain law abiding and cooperate with security agencies and indeed, the government for lasting peace and public safety.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the FCT Command, ASP Mariam Yusuf, also denied the involvement of police in aiding thugs to further cause violence.

“Do you think we can be involved in that? The Police can’t be part of that,” she said in response to a query from THISDAY.

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WEDNESDAY 0CT0BER 21, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWSXTRA

Carrington’s Widow Thanks Nigerians for Outpouring of Love Dr. Arese Carrington, wife of former United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, has expressed appreciation to Nigeria, Nigerians and the people around the world for their show of love when her husband died.

The late Carrington who was US Ambassador to Nigeria from 1993 to 1997, died on August 11, 2020.

A fearless diplomat, Carrington, who was appointed as US ambassador to Nigeria by President Bill Clinton, played a major role in helping to enthrone democracy in Nigeria.

Carrington served as US envoy during Nigeria’s challenging era of military dictatorship and struggle for democracy, but stood firmly on the side of Nigerians fighting for justice and seeking an end to military rule.

During the four years he served as ambassador of the United States in Nigeria, Carrington was an outspoken champion of human rights and advocate of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

His death at 90, elicited a flood of tributes from around the country, as Nigerians recalled his remarkable tenure as US envoy.

In a statement issued yesterday from her base in the United States, Mrs. Carrington said her late

husband had been laid to rest with United States Military funeral honors at a private ceremony following current guidelines.

She thanked the Nigerian Presidency, state governors, her extended family, the diplomatic corps, Carrington Fellows and alumni, Carrington’s friends, Nigerian press and the Nigerian people for the outpouring of love to her late husband and the family.

The statement titled ‘From a Grateful Heart to a Grateful Nation,’ read: “It is with my deepest gratitude and humility that I have received the outpouring of love, support and tributes from Nigeria and around the world over the passing of my beloved husband Ambassador Walter Carrington. He has been laid to rest with United States Military funeral honors at a private ceremony following the current guidelines. A video of the ceremony will be posted online.

“Maya Angelou, said ‘if you’re going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can’t be erased.’

“Walter lived, left a legacy and made a mark on the world that can’t be erased. At an appropriate time I hope there will be an opportunity for us to celebrate his life and legacy together.

“I would like to thank

the Presidency, state governors, my extended family, the Diplomatic Corps, Carrington Fellows

and Alumni, Ambassador Carrington’s friends too many to mention, the Nigerian Press and the

Nigerian people whom he struggled and fought on their behalf and believed in their ability to take the

country to its place of world leadership.

“Thank you and May you all be blessed.”

REMEMBERING THE AGED…

L-R: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mr. Bashir Alkali; Director of Humanitarian in the ministry, Mr. Ali Grima; a beneficiary of the palliative, Mr. Yakub Christopher; and Director, Disaster Management and Social Development in the ministry, Mrs. Dorothy Nwoko, during the commemoration of the 2020 International Day of the Older Persons in Abuja… yesterday ENOCK REUBEN

INEC Commences Training of Presiding Officers Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the training of Presiding Officers (POs) and Assistant Presiding Officers (APO) on polling and counting procedures. The training exercise had commenced on October 19, 2020.

The exercise came after the successful conduct of the training of Supervisory Presiding Officers in preparation for the 13 by-elections scheduled to hold on October 13, 2020.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Ouekalmi, the training is being conducted in preparation for bye-elections to fill vacant seats

in 13 constituencies.

The by-elections will take place in the following senatorial districts: Bayelsa Central, Bayelsa West, Plateau South, Lagos East, Cross River North and Imo North senatorial districts.

Also, INEC stated that there would be elections into the vacant state constituencies I of Isi Uzo SC (Enugu); Bayo

(Borno); Nganzai (Borno); Dass (Bauchi); Ibaji (Kogi); Bakori (Katsina), and Bakura state constituency (Zamfara).

The commission said a three-day training organised by the Electoral Institute in Plateau and Bayelsa States would commenced the PO/ APO training on October 19, 2020.

Okotie Backs Protesters, Niger Delta Militants Back Protesters, Threaten Urges Caution to Resume Hostilities The Shepherd Superintendent of the Household of God Eklesssia, Rev. Chris Okotie has thrown his weight behind the #ENDSARS protests raging across the country over Police brutality and other governance issues.

In a statement issued yesterday, the cleric quoted Chairman Mao as saying that “that if the people no longer fear your power, it is because another power is on its way”.

Okotie argued that the authenticity of Mao’s statement cannot be impeached when it is juxtaposed with the history of governance, insisting that such is true within the present Nigerian context.

“Yet, the power that now approaches is neither political, religious, ethnic nor even – terrestrial. Rather, it devolves from the Creator who endowed man as a free moral agent. He therefore arrogates to himself the title of emancipator in his quest to dismantle any mechanism of oppression or suppression of the human will”.

Okotie noted that the current youth agitation must be construed in this context, adding that it is an extraterrestrial phenomenon, and divine intervention to resuscitate the moribond kindred spirit of the Nigerian brotherhood.

He debunked the claims that the current youth movement is politically motivated, saying that such claims amount to submitting to jejune partisan

stimuli emanating from a reprehensible perennial insensitivity Okotie insisted that the protests were not directed against any political party.

“It is an altercation with the status quo; it is a vitilitigation against decades of leadership ineptitude and mediocrity. And now they have gone public.

“They bear witness now to the political imbalances and economic disequilibrium that have characterised the chequered pavement of our walk towards nationhood. They bear witness to the stratification of the Nigerian society that allows the circumstabience of corruption by osmosis.

“They bear witness to a system that has elevated corruption to an institution of byzantine complexity.

“The bear witness to a system that has jettisoned their dreams and aspirations into the catacombs of oblivion.

“And now they rise against the forces of dissatisfaction, disillusionment and despondency from taking their souls in captive hopelessness.

These young people are not rebellious dissidents. Rather they are emissaries of posterity.

Galvanised by the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian psyche and the relentless cry of posterity, they have become veritable instruments in the hands of destiny to chart a realistic path for the Nigerian renaissance”.

A coalition of nine renegade militant groups in the Niger-Delta region has declared support for the raging EndSARS protests across the country, saying they were ready to resume hostilities, attack oil and gas facilities if federal government did not meet the demands of protesting Nigerian youths.

The militant groups under the aegis of the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA) which held an emergency meeting in Delta state, also announced their preparedness to disavow the ceasefire accord with the federal government and engage military forces.

They said in a communique by RNDA leader, self-styled “Major -General” Johnmark Ezonebi, aka Obama: “We will engage the troops

attached to the proposed Operation Crocodile Smile and resume attacks on some identified oil facilities in the region if issues of poor welfare, armed oppression and inequality in the standard of living between the citizens and political elites are not addressed.

“RNDA leadership has directed its striking force unit commanders in all the nine militant groups to be on standby and maintain visibility on identified locations with study and locations striking methods (VSLSM).

“We may resume heavy destruction of major crude oil pipelines and their platforms, including the major gas distribution pipelines from Escravos-WarriKaduna.

“Also targeted are major target pipelines, including the Chevron Valve platform located at Abiteye, Warri-South local government area, Delta State and this is one of Chevron’s most significant platform and it serves as a connecting point where all other Chevron’s Niger Delta platforms link up; and Shell underwater Forcardos 48-inch export pipeline which connects from Clough Creek through River Ramos Creek delivery line to the Forcardos Terminal, a major and one of the Nigeria highest crude delivery pipeline will be brought down as well as the major Escravos trans Lagos pipeline linking Warri to Lagos.

“Major gas pipeline that supplies both Lagos and Abuja with constant

electricity supply will be cut off and other several gas and oil pipelines belonging to the NNPC located near Warri within the hinterland will also be blown up.

“The major Chevron main electricity feedback pipelines located at the Escravos Tank Farm at Ciera Creek will not be left out in this well-coordinated attack, the major one of the highest crude oil producing wells owned by Chevron, which are RMP23 and RMP24 all located near Dibi in Delta state and it contribute majorly to the daily crude oil production chain of the country will all be blown up and cut to zero level and the Bunny Nembe Creek trunk pipeline located at Bonny Export Terminal line will not be left out,” the militants warned.

Local Content: FG Bars Foreign firms from N5bn contracts The federal government yesterday barred foreign firms from contracts worth N5 billion and below in the country as a way of empowering local contractors in line with proposed Local Content Bills being considered by the Senate.

The Minister of State for Works and Housing, Mr. Abubakar Aliyu made this assertion when he appeared before National Assembly Joint Committees on Local Content, in Abuja.

“As part of measures being put in place for strengthening of local content laws in the country, contracts that are not more than N5billion are to be the exclusive

preserve of indigenous firms or companies for bidding, award and execution,” Aliyu said.

But when asked by the Chairman of the Committee, Senator Teslim Folarin (Oyo Central), whether the new policy would affect construction firms like Julius Berger, the minister said proper categorisation will be done to determine that.

“Julius Berger Plc is more or less an indigenalised foreign firm going by a high involvement of Nigerians in its operations and management over the years which makes its categorisation in this respect a bit difficult,” he said.

He added that other measures

like registration of expatriates and proof of valid residence permit are also part of recommendations being made into the local content development bill.

Earlier in his remarks at the commencement of the second-day session, Folarin said the three bills being considered are very important to the development of the country’s oil and gas industry, which is one of the most viable sectors of the economy.

He explained that the Bills, among other things, seek to consolidate on the gains of the implementation of local content component in the oil and gas industry, pursuant to the

enactment of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act, 2010.

“One of the Bills also seeks to provide the needed legal framework for the implementation of local content in other key sectors of the economy, including power, ICT, Construction and Transportation.

“The enactment of this Bill, will no doubt, provide the legal basis for the enforcement of the Presidential Executive Order No. 5 of 5th February 2018, which seeks to improve local content procurement with regards to science, engineering and technology components of the economy,” he said.

WEDNESDAY 0CT0BER 21, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

I Won’t Resign from Akeredolu’s Govt, Says Deputy gov James Sowole in Akure The Ondo State Deputy Governor, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, yesterday denied reports that he was planning to resign from Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s administration.

Ajayi said some newspapers reported that he was planning to tender his resignation letter this week, describing such reports as falsehood and a figment of the imagination of the writers.

In a statement issued by his

Zamfara Gold: IjawYouths Threaten to Ground N’Delta Ijaw youths under the aegis of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Worldwide, yesterday vowed to cripple oil installations in the Niger Delta region over what they termed lopsided applications of the mining regulations in the country.

President of IYC, Mr. Peter Igbifa, who stated this in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, said the aggrieved youths will soon come out with a decisive action against the federal government.

Igbifa said it was provocative for the government to allow the natives in the northern part of the country to explore and exploit their mineral resources, including gold deposits in Zamfara State while outlawing such practice on crude oil in the South.

He said: “We appeal to residents to manage their available resources and stock their homes ahead of

this planned shutdown of activities around the Niger Delta in the coming days.

“We are undertaking this painful path to ask the federal government to facilitate the amendment of the Constitution to ensure resource control; amend the NDDC Act, address Wetland challenges; kill the Water Resources bill and show practical commitment in reconstructing the East-West road and other deplorable federal roads in the Niger Delta.

“The time is now to build a new Niger Delta of our dream.

We are tired of the talk show and we feel cheated that the Mining Act allows Zamfara State to own these solid minerals, including gold deposits and forbids the Niger Delta and Ijaw communities from owning the crude oil in their backyards.”

Hoodlums Set Three Banks Ablaze in Lekki Three new generational bank buildings were yesterday set ablaze by hoodlums along the Admiralty Way in Lekki, Lagos.

THISDAY could not ascertain the identities of the three banks as at press time.

But business premises, shopping malls and shops were also looted by suspected hoodlums in the area.

The incidents, which happened last night, followed shootings by security agents at #EndSARS protesters demonstrating against police brutality at the Lekki tollgate area.

The #EndSARS protests rocking the country have continued for almost two weeks with youths calling for a lasting reform of the Nigeria Police Force.

PANDEF Condemns Attack on Protesters harassments and intimidation Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Ernest Chinwo in Port Harcourt

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has demanded a halt to attacks, harassments and intimidation of young Nigerians who are peacefully demonstrating their frustration over how the affairs of their country are being conducted.

PANDEF specifically condemned the attack on #EndSARS protesters, especially in Edo State and Abuja, the country’s capital, and demanded an immediate halt to the attacks.

In a statement made available to THISDAY in Port Harcourt yesterday, PANDEF National Chairman, Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga (rtd), demanded the federal government to commence an unbiased investigation of the incidents in order to bring to book all those behind the undemocratic actions across the country.

The statement read in part: “Pan Niger Delta Forum condemns in the strongest terms the brutalisation of peaceful protesters by hired hoodlums, and the police in various cities across the country, particularly in Abuja and Benin-city, Edo State.

“PANDEF demands the immediate halt to these attacks,

of young Nigerians, who are peacefully demonstrating their frustration over how the affairs of their country is being conducted.

“We further demand the commencement of unbiased investigation of these incidents in order to bring to book all those behind the undemocratic actions across the country. This country belongs to all of us, including the youths, who are protesting. And we will not sit and continue to see our children being brutalised or killed. Enough is enough!

“PANDEF would like to warn those who think Nigeria belongs to them alone, and therefore, others have no right to protest against abnormalities in the country, that such act is no longer acceptable.

“If SARS, which virtually became a terror gang in some parts of the country, is strangely, being esteemed in another part, to the extent that they are calling for the retention of SARS, then there is a fundamental problem in the country.

“It was expected that President Muhammadu Buhari should have addressed these young people openly, and assuage their anger, instead of the deployment of the military and police against them, and allowing hired armed thugs to unleash terror on the peaceful protesters.”

media adviser, Mr. Allen Sowore, the deputy governor alleged that the reports of his planned resignation were sponsored by the governor and his aides.

The statement, which was titled: ‘Ondo State Deputy Governor, Agboola Ajayi, will not resign,’ read in part, “ The deputy governor was elected together with Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu by the good people of Ondo State in 2016. That four years’ mandate given to both men will not end until February 23, 2021.

“The news of his impending resignation is being sponsored by the governor through the propaganda machinery and machinations of Ondo State Ministry of Information as a subterfuge in preparation for a macabre plan to put the deputy governor’s forged signature on a prepared resignation letter.

“The general public should be wary of these latest antics and desperation of the governor to remove his deputy by all means and at any cost illegally.

“The people of Ondo State,

who voted for Agboola Ajayi as deputy governor in 2016, have not asked him to resign or quit the government. Therefore, he has no reason whatsoever to relinquish the people’s mandate, which of course is limited by term/time, democratically bestowed upon him.

However, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Donald Ojogo, said the governor knew nothing about the alleged publication of Ajayi’s planned resignation.

Ojogo said, “Ordinarily, it

should be the height of insensitivity to dissipate energy on whatever the ZLP candidate may have said in respect of the above subject matter.

“Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), will rather deepen efforts as regards the current national concern of youths protests.

“This is not the first time he would unveil untruths, not only about others, but about himself too.

Forgery cannot, and has never been part of this government.

The signature of anyone is too insignificant to be forged

GRASSROOTS MOBILISATION…

Wife of the late member of Enugu State House of Assembly who represented Isi-Uzo Constituency, Mrs. Catherine Amaka Ugwueze; Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Ubosi; Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; and state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Augustine Nnamani, during the flag-off of the party’s campaign for Isi-Uzo Constituency byelection, at Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area…yesterday

Report: 46 Died on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Nine Months At least 46 persons lost their lives in crashes at the Ogun State end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway between January and September this year, the spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), Mr. Babatunde

Akinbiyi, disclosed to journalists in Abeokuta yesterday.

Akinbiyi said there were 132 crashes on the road in the period.

He explained that the crashes involved 111 motor vehicles and 21 motorcycles, adding

that they claimed the lives of 33 males and 13 females.

According to the TRACE spokesman, 196 persons were injured during the period under review, made up of 125 males and 71 females.

He said, “A total of 46.13

per cent of the accidents were caused by excessive speed; 22.58 per cent caused by dangerous driving; 10.68 per cent by bad tyres; 6.04 per cent by driving against the traffic flow; and 14.57 per cent by other factors.”

House Caucus Urges Obaseki to Inaugurate 14 Assembly Members-elect Udora Orizu in Abuja The Edo State caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the state Governor, Godwin Obaseki, to put aside party differences and inaugurate the remaining 14 members of the state House of Assembly.

The Deputy Leader of House, Hon. Peter Akpatason, made the appeal yesterday when principal officers of state House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Marcus Onobun, paid the

Edo State federal lawmakers a courtesy call at the National Assembly.

Akpatason said without peace, no progress or development can be recorded; hence, the state was hugely underdeveloped.

According to him, “There are a lot of developmental issues in our state, and we need to look into that. As representatives of the people, you have to always work in their interest. Today, what Edo people want is good representation, development and

peace.

“We all demand justice and good governance, and we must ensure that the dividends of democracy is delivered to our people. So that is why we must come together as a people to promote peace.

“For us to be able to deliver back home, we have to put ourselves together. I want to appeal that if you go back home, you have to embark on bringing back together the remaining 14 lawmakers.

“You have to ensure that the councillors, whose name are on the payroll but have not been paid for one reason or the other before the election, are paid.

Similarly, turnover in leadership should be discouraged; you must go back to the drawing board and look at those issues.”

Earlier, Onobun thanked the National Assembly for the role they played in ensuing a peaceful conduct of the governorship election in the state.

Kwara Gov Inaugurates Panel on Police Brutality Hammed Shittu in Ilorin Kwara State Governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, yesterday inaugurated a panel of inquiry to hear the grievances of the citizens who have been victims of alleged police brutality in the state, as part of the national efforts to calm frayed nerves, compensate victims, and reform the policing system.

Members inaugurated yesterday were retired Justice Tunde Garba

(chairman); retired AIG Issa Ojibara; Ronke Adeyemi, Hajia Fati Audu, Kaothar Adeyi, Mrs. Jumoke Olaoye, Idris Gana, Nafisat Musa Buge, and Hassan Yusuf Adio.

The Secretary of the panel is Alhaji Shuaib AbdulGaniyu, Assistant Director (General Services) in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

The inaugural meeting of the panel will hold today at the

Governor’s Office while further modalities of their sittings and other details would be announced later.

The governor said the #EndSARS protest represents a clear call from the citizens for a better deal, including a better policing system, adding that the setting up of the panel was in tune with the recommendations of the National Economic Council chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

“The panel is a deliberate effort to hear out our people who are aggrieved in one way or the other by our policing system. This is particularly true for our young people who started the popular #EndSARS protests across the country, including Kwara State.

“This effort is expected to birth a more people-friendly policing system which respects the rights of every citizen and abhors all forms of abuses,” he added.

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WEDNESDAY 0CT0BER 21, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Senate Gives Committees Two Months to Work on PIB Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday gave three of its committees namely: Petroleum Downstream, Petroleum Upstream and Gas, eight weeks to make required legislative input into the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

The bill cited as ‘A Bill for an Act to provide legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, the development of host communities and for related matters, 2020 (SB. 510)’, went through second reading at the Senate plenary after exhaustive debates by senators across party divides.

The upper chamber also adjourned plenary till November 24 after passage of the PIB for consideration of the N13.08trillion 2021 budget by relevant committees.

Leading the debate on the bill, Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, named the objectives of the bill to include: (a) “To create efficient and effective

governing institutions, with clear and separate roles, and to establish a framework for the creation of a commercially oriented and profit-driven national petroleum company; (b) To promote the exploration and exploitation of petroleum resources in Nigeria for the benefit of the Nigerian people and the efficient, effective and sustainable development of the petroleum industry; (c) To promote the safe and efficient operation of the transportation and distribution infrastructure for the petroleum industry and the framework for developing third party access arrangements to petroleum infrastructure. “(d) To promote the competitive and liberalised downstream petroleum industry that promotes the processing of petroleum within Nigeria and the development of fuel and chemical industry; “(e) To create a conducive business environment for operations in the petroleum

industry that enhances peaceful and harmonious co-existence between licensees or lessees and host communities by conferring direct social and economic benefits from petroleum operations on host communities; “(f) To ensure that petroleum operations are conducted in a manner that protects the health

Judicial Investigation of Police Brutality We have confirmed that the reports of allegations of extrajudicial killings, extortion of members of the public and other atrocities perpetrated by the police and other security agencies in Nigeria have been ignored by the authorities.

In particular, the reports of the the two Panels of Enquiry instituted by the President in 2018 to probe allegations of human rights abuse by members of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces have not been published up till now.

In the same vein, the petitions against the atrocities committed by security agencies submitted to the Police Authorities were not acted upon.

In fact, the recommendations of the National Human Rights Commission on the excesses of the operatives of the disbanded SARS were ignored.

For regularly drawing the attention of the authorities to the naked abuse of power by security personnel the Amnesty International had its office in Abuja occupied for weeks by sponsored thugs.

Based on the official cover up of the atrocities of the security agencies, the United Nations directed the Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial, Summary or

Arbitrary Executions, Agnes Callamard, to investigate the allegations of human rights abuse in Nigeria.

In her end -of -visit statement made on September 2, 2019 the UN Special Rapporteur observed: “However, the absence today of accountability functionality is on such a scale that pretending this is anything short of a crisis is a major mistake. It is a tragedy for the people of Nigeria. Unchecked, its ripple effects will spread throughout the sub-region if not the continent, given the country’s central economic, political and cultural leadership role.”

The report of the investigation and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur have also been discountenanced by the government.

Hence, the protesting youths have no confidence in the reforms of the Police being promised by the Police Hierarchy and the government.

Curiously, gangs of sponsored thugs have been unleashed on the protesters with the apparent connivance of security agencies.

Regrettably, the hired thugs have turned round to unleash mayhem on some public officers.

The unfortunate attack on Governor Oyetola of Osun State calls for the immediate disbandment of the sponsored thugs.

Instead of compounding the situation the authorities ought to speed up the implementation of the much touted reforms and prosecute police and military personnel indicted in the egregious infringements of the the human rights of the Nigerian people.

The governments should ensure that the protesters are given adequate securiy in accordance with the provision of Section 94 of the Electoral Act amended) (as which provides that “Notwithstanding any provision in the Police Act, the Public Order Act and any regulation made thereunder or any other law to the contrary, the role of the Nigeria Police Force in political rallies, processions and meetings shall be limited to the provision

Federal Government of Nigeria while ensuring a fair return to investors.”

According to him, “The bill is designed and drafted on the basis of three sets of principles, which include establishment of good governance, competitiveness, global best practices and ease of doing business in the Nigeria

oil and gas industry.

“The bill is also designed with the assurance of early revenues for the government, simplicity of administration, equity and fairness; competitiveness and transparency; predictability, responsiveness, best practice, sustainability and role clarity in the regulation and management of the industry.”

Political Injustice Fueling Protests, Says Nwodo Chuks Okocha in Abuja The President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural and political organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo has said that the raging youth revolt in the country against the menace of police brutality as mirrored by Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS), has its root in the existing political injustice in the country.

Nwodo in a statement issued yesterday, noted that the youth rebellion has brought to the fore the fundament security challenges

OFFICIAL MISHANDLING The Benin Correctional Centre was invaded by the armed thugs who flung open the gates and set free all convicted and awaiting trial inmates. Our preliminary investigation has confirmed that there was no resistance from the armed warders and the police guarding the Correctional Centre.

The venue of the protests in Abuja has been taken over by armed soldiers who are under strict instructions to massacre unarmed protesters.

Some protesters were killed in Lagos by soldiers last night.

To show that the killing was premeditated the troops did not disperse the protesters with teargas, rubber bullets and water cannon.

and safety of persons, property and the environment; “(g) To establish a fiscal framework that is forwardlooking, progressive and based on a simplified tax administration that encourages investment in the Nigerian petroleum industry, balancing rewards with risk and enhancing revenues to the

imbedded in the erroneous political imbalance in the country.

According to Nwodo, the fact that the youth rebellion has continued days after the disbanding of the notorious police outfit, SARS shows that the problem is fundamental and should be intellectualised from that perspective.

“It has shown that the surface scratching by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu in dissolving SARS and raising SWAT, goes far away from addressing the deep-rooted problems of policing in the country,” he explained.

He note that SARS menace has

OF THE

of adequate security as provided in subsection (1) of this section.”

As part of the measures designed to address the complaints of the protesters the National Economic Council has directed state governors to institute judicial commissions of inquiry to probe the sundry allegations of police brutality in all the states of the Federation.

Pursuant to the resolution some state governments have set up the judicial commissions with clearly defined terms of reference.

While calling on other state governments to expedite action on the matter, there must be commitment to implement the recommendations of the judicial panels.

On its own part the National Human Rights Commission has announced another panel to investigate human rights abuse in the country.

But the Commission cannot implement the recommendations of the body as its governing council has not been reconstituted since 2015.

The Way Forward Having lost confidence in the government over failed promises the protesters believe that if they withdraw from the streets the reform of the police would be abandoned. While some of the reforms cannot be carried out immediately others can be accomplished without any delay.

Majority of the complaints against the disbanded SARS pertain to the brutalisation and extrajudicial killing of suspects in police custody, illegal arrest and detention of suspects, arrest of innocent citizens in lieu of criminal suspects, involvement of the police in commercial disputes and other civil matters. Such violations of the human rights of the Nigerian people have been abolished by the relevant statutes which are not being enforced by the federal government and security agencies.

For instance, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 has prohibited the arrest of innocent citizens in lieu of criminal suspects.

It has also banned the arrest and

also thrown a challenge to the country’s elites and government over prolonged neglect of that critical arm of life as a nation Nwodo said that the only viable and enduring solution to the current situation is to harken to the clarion call of majority of Nigerians to redesign this country in such a way that could address the prevailing injustice.

He said that a problem like this was bound to come up when the country continually lived in denial as operating a federal structure while in truth running a confederation in such multi-

#ENDSARS PROTESTS

investigation of civil wrongs by the police.

Five years after the enactment of the law it has remained business as usual in all police stations.

Under the law, the Chief Judge of each State shall designate Magistrates to visit all police stations in their areas of jurisdiction at least once a month while the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court shall designate Judges of the Court to visit other detention facilities in the country.

Based on our request, the Chief Judges of the States have designated the Visiting Magistrates.

However, illegal arrest and detention of poor citizens have continued due to the failure of the Magistrates to inspect the police stations on a monthly basis.

Our law firm has had to sue the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court over the refusal to designate Judges to visit the detention facilities of the anti graft agencies, armed forces and other institutions.

Thus, the five-year old law has been observed in breach.

On June 3, 2019, President Buhari promised to forward the names of the reconstituted members of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission to the Senate for confirmation.

The body which was dissolved in 2015 ought to be reconstituted forthwith.

The President also announced that the Federal Government had accepted the recommendation of the Presidential Panel on the reforms of the SARS. The Police Service Commissioner should urgently attend to the recommendation of the said Panel for the dismissal of 37 SARS operatives and prosecution of 24 others for gross human rights violations.

The Anti Torture Act which has criminalized torture requires the Attorney-General of the Federation to draw up rules and regulations for the abolition of torture by police and other security agencies in the country.

The authorities are mandated to draw the attention of the police

colleges and similar institutions to the provisions of the Anti- Torture Act. But the law has not been activated since it was enacted in 2017. The Nigeria Police Force Act, 2020 has abolished the prosecution of criminal cases in all courts by lay prosecutors. To the best of my knowledge no state government has complied with the law by replacing lay police prosecutors with lawyers. The Police Trust Fund Act was enacted in 2019.

One of the organisers of the protests informed me a couple of days ago that the deduction of 0.5 percent from the Federation Account for funding the police commenced last year. But there is no evidence that the money is being spent in line with the provisions of the law.

From the totality of these laws it is indubitably clear that Nigeria has one of the best human rights law regimes in the world. Unlike other African countries which have merely ratified the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, Nigeria has domesticated and enacted it into law.

Other international human rights instruments like the Child’s Rights Convention and the UN Convention Against Torture have also been domesticated.

But official impunity has made a mockery of local and international human rights instruments that are meant to promote the fundamental rights of the Nigerian people.

Beyond the ongoing investigation of allegations of police brutality the federal government and other stakeholders should urgently set the engine in motion for the enforcement of the laws that have been enacted to humanise the criminal justice system and provide adequate funding for the Nigeria Police.

To start with, let President Buhari reconstitute the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission.

Let the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, Accountant-General of the Federation and Chief Judges carry out their duties under the

cultural and divergent nation.

The Ohanaeze boss said that in addition to the total overhauling of the nation’s security’s architecture, the government should as a matter of urgency initiate the process of restructuring the country as the only way of holistically tackling the basic problems on ground.

Nwodo regretted and condemned in strong terms the targeting of some Igbo businesses particularly in Abuja by hoodlums pretending to be countering the genuine protest and warned that such wicked act will have far-reaching consequences

relevant laws forthwith.

It is interesting to note that President Buhari has recognised the fundamental right of Nigerian youths to protest peacefully while Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has apologised to Nigerian youths for the failure of the government to take decisive measures before the protests.

Therefore, President Buhari should direct the police to protect the youths who wish to protest in designated areas in any part of the country.

At the same time security forces should be directed to arrest and prosecute armed thugs who are perpetrating mayhem and thereby discrediting the protesters.

However, since the revolt of the youths has challenged official impunity in Nigeria as has never been done before, the organisers of the protests ought to provide a conducive atmosphere for government to implement the long term reform of the Nigeria Police.

Having regards to the abuse of police powers by members of the ruling class it will be foolhardy to expect the government to end brutality by the police and other security agencies.

It is common knowledge that the members of the ruling class deploy the police for rigging of elections and the intimidation of political opponents.

But since the neo- colonial State has been compelled by the struggles of the oppressed to enact human rights laws it is the duty of progressive forces to organise the people to liberate themselves from institutionalised injustice and atrocities. Because the forces responsible for police brutality have also hijacked political power from the people, a few human rights activists cannot successfully defend the human rights of the entire people. We, are, therefore compelled to call on all patriotic and democratic forces to mobilise the people to set human rights groups in every community in the country for the defence and promotion of human rights of all citizens.

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WEDNESDAYSPORTS Eguavoen Takes Over as Technical Director of NFF

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Duro Ikhazuagbe Former Super Eagles Head Coach, Augustine Eguavoen, 55, was yesterday announced as the new Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Cerezoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as Eguavoen is fondly called since his days as Eagles defender, was due to take over as head coach of giants Stade Malien de Bamako before the NFF â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;coupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nipped that adventure in Mali in the bud.

Eguavoen is a familiar figure in the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s senior national team, having coached Super

Austin Eguavoen has been appointed as Technical Director of the NFF

Eagles to 2006 AFCON in Egypt where the team finished third.

He was also an assistant to Lars Lagerback at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and took over briefly from the Swede for two matches late in 2010 before his ex-Eagles teammate Samson Siasia was appointed.

Cerezo also previously coached Bendel Insurance, Sharks FC, Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Under-17 team with the like of John Obi Mikel to the cadet World Cup in Finland.

Eguavoen who was part of Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Golden Generationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; that won the AFCON 1994 and also qualified Nigeria for her first World Cup appearance at USA â&#x20AC;&#x2122;94, is taking over the Technical Department of the NFF at a time Nigerians have become dissatisfied with the quality of play of Super Eagles under the watch of German coach, Gernot Rohr.

Having played with the team that was adjudged the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Most Entertainingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; squad and ranked fifth in the world leading to the Mundial in America, Eguavoen is expected to assist in fashioning a direction for the three-time African champions.

Dennis Opens UCL Goals Account in Club Brugge Victory at Zenit Super Eagles forward, Emmanuel Dennis, lived up to his boast of scoring on the big occasions when he netted for Club Brugge last night in a UEFA Champions League group game at Russian league leaders Zenit Saint Petersburg.

His opener will go on to inspire the Belgian champions to a sensational 2-1 win on the road.

Dennis tucked away the ball home beyond a

crowd of Zenit defenders in the 63rd minute after he had first ensured the ball had been kept in play.

He was replaced in the 82nd minute.

Borussia Dortmund and Lazio are the other clubs in Group F. Last season, Dennis bagged a brace at Real Madrid in the same competition, before he fired a stunner against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League

Naserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anti-doping Violation Charges Dismissed by World Athletics Nigerian-born Bahraini World 400m Champion, Salwa Eid Naser, has had her anti-doping violation charges dismissed by the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal.

Born Ebelechukwu Agbapuonwu, 22, was a Nigerian quarter-miler before switching allegiance to Bahrain in 2014. She is the first Asian woman to be world champion in the discipline.

Naser was provisionally suspended in June after being charged with missing four antidoping tests.

However, one whereabouts failure was dismissed because the doping control officer went to the wrong address.

As the three other missed tests were not within a 12-month period, they do not constitute a violation.

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) charged Naser with four alleged whereabouts failures, including one filing failure and three missed tests, between 1 January 2019 and 24 January 2020.

Naser was found guilty of three whereabouts failures but a missed test on 12 April 2019

was dismissed by the tribunal.

An investigation found the missed test occurred because a doping control officer was confused by numbered car parking spaces at the athleteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apartment block and accidently knocked on the door of a nearby storeroom instead of the property Naser was staying in.

With that offence now not included, the other three confirmed whereabouts failures did not occur within the 12-month period required to breach World Athleticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; anti-doping regulations.

The AIU has 30 days in which to appeal against the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was a case very much on the borderline and we hope the athlete will learn from the experience and heed the AIUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s warnings,â&#x20AC;? it said in the tribunalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision.

Athletes guilty of whereabouts failures could face two-year bans depending on the degree of fault.

Naser ran 48.14 seconds - the third-fastest time in history - to claim the world 400m title in Doha in 2019.

Nigerian fans and pundits were particularly disappointed with the lack of quality in the two matches Eagles played against Algeria and Tunisia in Austria a fortnight ago despite Rohr having clocked four years as Head Coach of the team. He

has been experimenting with all manners of players since taking over in 2016.

According to the statement released by the Head of the Communications Department of the NFF, Ademola Olajire, Eguavoen is expected to work

with Paul Aigbogun (Deputy Director, Technical & Scouting) and Terry Babatunde Eguaoje (Consultant on Coaching & Development).

Others in the newly constituted Technical Department include; Abdulrafiu

Yusuf (Assistant Director, Coaching & Development); Siji Lagunju (Assistant Director, Training & Development) and; Garba Lawal (Chief Technical Officer).

The NFF said the appointments are with immediate effect.

Emmanuel Dennis (right) and teammates celebrating his opening goal in Club Bruggeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2-1 defeat of Zenit St Petersburg in their opening group match of the UEFA Champions Leagueâ&#x20AC;Śyesterday

NFF Endorses New NPFL Season Starting Nov 15 Backs Pinnickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bid for CAFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top job Duro Ikhazuagbe Following from the lifting of ban on football activities in the country, the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has endorsed the proposal by the League Management Company (LMC) to fix the calendar for the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to commence anytime from Sunday, 15th November 2020 and end the season by June 2021.

It also insists the league must start with full adherence to the Federal Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Covid-19 protocols and other requirements as may be prescribed.

NFF also warned that the season must also start with full compliance to the Club

Licensing regulations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Full compliance with the Club Licensing regulations is mandatory for Clubs willing to take part in the NPFL,â&#x20AC;? observed the communiquĂŠ issued at the end of its virtual board meeting yestetday.

The Executive Committee further mandated the NNL, NWFL and NLO to synchronize their calendars with that of the NPFL with each of them commencing within three weeks of the elite League.

However, the Executive Committee made it clear that in line with the Federal Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s directive, all football activities can commence immediately.

The Board expressed deep appreciation to the Federal Government for lifting the ban on contact sports (of which football

is constituent) on Thursday, 15th October 2020, and commended the Government once more for its valiant efforts in combating the novel coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria With regards to the situation of the LMC/Next Digital commercial arrangement, the board said it was satisfied with the report of its Ad-hoc Committee led by First Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi and â&#x20AC;&#x153;the fact that the parties have reaffirmed that there are no issues between them, and that whatever miscommunication between the parties have been resolved amicably. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Next Digital has actually endorsed the LMC/Redstrike commercial partnership for the development of the NPFL commercial and audio-visual rights.â&#x20AC;?

The NFF board unanimously approved and endorsed for the NFF President, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick to vie for any elective position in the forthcoming CAF and FIFA elections as deemed appropriate.

Praising the NFF President for the adroit and efficient leadership he has been provided for navigating the rather difficult terrain of Nigeria football administration for the past six years, the Executive Committee further congratulated the President for the exceptional representation that he indeed provided for Nigeria, WAFU B and indeed Africa in his current position as CAF Executive Committee Member, and enjoined all stakeholders to fully support him in the upcoming CAF & FIFA elections.

Champions League Matches Live on DStv, GOtv Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another Match-day from the 2020/21 UEFAChampions League as DStv and GOtv subscribers are not left out of this action as all matches are airing live on SuperSport.

The pick of matches today is the clash between Bayern Munich opening their title defence with a home clash against Atletico Madrid. That game is to air live

at 8:00pm on SS Variety 1.

The German side will look to African-born Canadian international Alphonso Davies to once again inspire with his pace and composure from the wing-back position.

Wednesday also features a potential thriller between Ajax and Liverpool in Amsterdam, with the Reds hoping to quell

the threat of a young and hungry Dutch side which so impressed in this competition a couple of seasons back. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Subscribers can watch this live on SS Premier League at 8:00pm. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Football lovers also get to watch other Champions League matches today as RB Salzburg will clash with Lokomotiv Moscow at 5:55pm live on SS Variety 1, Also

Real Madrid v Shakhtar Donetsk at 5:55pm on SS Premier League.â&#x20AC;?

The other matches scheduled for 8:00pm are Internazionale vs Borussia Monchengladbach on SS Variety 2, Manchester City v Porto on SS Action, Olympiakos vs Olympique Marseille on SS Variety 3 and Midtjylland vs Atalanta on SS La Liga and SS GOtv La Liga.

Akwa Utd Applaud Lifting of Ban on Football, Set for Gov. Wike Pre-season Tourney The Chairman of two-time Federation Cup Champions, Akwa United Football Club, Elder Paul Bassey, has applauded the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 (PTF) for the suspension of ban on contact sports including football as part of preparations for the commencement of the 2020/2021 Nigeria Professional

Football League (NPFL) Season.

Bassey commended the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Nigeria Football Federation (NPFL) and the League Management Company (LMC) for their efforts in ensuring the lifting of the ban on football which has been under suspension since March following the outbreak

of coronavirus pandemic.

According to Bassey, â&#x20AC;&#x153;the announcement of the lifting of ban on contact sports is coming to us as a blessing because we have been without football for too long. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I wish to congratulate the major stakeholders for all their efforts in making sure that football is back. This is a clear

sign that we will get back to the field of play anytime soon but I want to appeal to the League Management Company to expedite action on league resumption especially for the benefit of clubs that will be representing the country in continental tournaments,â&#x20AC;? the club boss prayed.

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WEDNESDAYSPORTS U E FA C H A M P I O N S L E AG U E

Morata Fires Brace as Juventus Open Campaign with Victory against Dynamo Alvaro Morata scored twice as Andrea Pirloâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Juventus opened their Champions League campaign with victory at Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday evening.

Morata followed up Dejan Kulusevskiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shot to fire in the opener and sealed the win with a well-taken header.

Juve were without Cristiano Ronaldo following his positive coronavirus test and initially struggled in his absence.

Federico Chiesa and Ronaldoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s replacement Kulusevski both had firsthalf shots saved by Georgi Bushchan.

The Italian champions also lost experienced defender Giorgio Chiellini to what appeared to be a hamstring injury before the break,

shortly after he had headed just wide from a corner.

But the second half saw a much improved display, with Spaniard Morataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s alertness and prowess in front of goal the launchpad for their campaign.

He was quickest to react after Bushchan had saved Kulusevskiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shot early in the second half and predatory in steering in his headed second from Juan Cuadradoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross late in the game.

The double made it three goals in four days for the striker on loan from Atletico Madrid, after he scored in draw against Crotone at the weekend.

Walesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Aaron Ramsey also impressed playing just behind the front two, and it was his back-heel that set up the

Kulusevski shot leading to the opener.

The game had an air of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;master against apprenticeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to it, with Pirlo making his Champions League managerial bow against Mircea Lucescu, the man who gave him his professional debut as a 16-year-old at Brescia in 1995.

Italian champions for the last nine seasons but without a Champions League title since

1996, Juventus turned to their former player after sacking Maurizio Sarri in the summer.

They have been inconsistent in Serie A so far, dropping four points in their four opening games, but this is is an encouraging start in continental competition, which also included the first appearance for Paulo Dybala under the former Italy international.

He will be hoping to have Ronaldo - scorer of 130 Champions League goals and owner of five winnersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

TODAY Salzburg v Lokomotiv Bayern Munich v Atletico Real Madrid v Shakhtar Inter v Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Monâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;gladbach Man City v FC Porto Olympiacos v Marseille Ajax v Liverpool Midtjylland v Atalanta

medals in the competition back for the visit of Barcelona to Turin in the next round of Group G fixtures.

RESULTS Chelsea 0-0 Sevilla Rennes 1 - 1 Krasnodar Zenit 1 - 2 Club Brugge Lazio 3- 1 Dortmund Dynamo 0 - 2 Juventus Barcelona 5 - 1 Ferencvaros PSG 1 - 2 Man Utd Leipzig 2 -0 Basaksehir

Ramos Out of Real Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clash with Shakhtar Tonight Sergio Ramos will miss Real Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League while Eden Hazardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fitness is improving as he nears a comeback from injury.

Los Blancos captain Ramos took a knock to his knee in Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shock 1-0 La Liga loss to Cadiz and was absent from Tuesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s training session ahead of the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opening European fixture of the 2020-21 campaign at Santiago Bernabeu.

With the first Clasico of the season against Barcelona taking place on Saturday, head coach Zinedine Zidane said he was unlikely to risk exacerbating the issue. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an issue with Sergio Ramos, he hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t trained with the team,â&#x20AC;? Zidane told a pre-match news conference yesterday. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take any risks with the players; the players have to be fit. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got a knock, we have to wait and see how he feels, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true today he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t train at the same tempo as his team-mates.â&#x20AC;?

While Ramos is a fresh injury concern, forward Eden Hazard â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whose time at Madrid has been blighted by fitness woes â&#x20AC;&#x201C; remains a longer-term absentee.

The Belgium international, who is yet to feature this campaign, was set to return to action last month but sustained a muscle complaint during his recovery from an ankle injury.

Offering an update on Hazard, Zidane said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eden has been back out on the training pitch but that injury was a bit more than we hoped. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in good hands and hopefully shortly heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be back and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll stay fit and hopefully heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be able to play for the full season without further setbacks.â&#x20AC;?

Madrid were well below their best against Cadiz, mustering just two shots on target despite having almost 75 per cent of the possession.

Zidaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side have scored just six goals in five La Liga games, but the coach, while accepting his team deserved the criticism that came their way, said there will be plenty of peaks and troughs in a busy campaign. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think we deserved the criticism as published following that defeat, but now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our opportunity to turn the tide, turn that corner and hopefully youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see a different Real Madrid,â&#x20AC;? he said.

â&#x20AC;ŚUEFA Slashes UCL Prize Money Due to Covid-19 Champions League and Europa League prize money will be cut over the next five seasons as Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s soccer governing body UEFA grapples with the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Times reported on Tuesday.

UEFA has informed its member associations that the body lost 514 million pounds ($666.40 million) following the reduction in both television and sponsorship income after delays in the knockout stages last season, the report said.

The two competitions were suspended in March when the pandemic wreaked

havoc on the global sporting calendar and only resumed in August after the top leagues in Europe wrapped up their respective seasons.

The knockout stages were staged behind closed doors at neutral locations and each roundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tie was also reduced to a single fixture instead of the usual home-away format.

Last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s forecast had 1.95 billion euros ($2.30 billion) set aside for the 32 teams in the Champions League group stage.

The report added that English clubs can expect to see TV and prize money drop by about 4%.

Scorer of Juventusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; two goals against Dynamo Kyiv, Alvaro Morata (right) celebrating his feat with teammatesâ&#x20AC;Śon Tuesday evening

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;FINAL

Six More Raja Casablanca Players Test Positive for Covid-19 Raja Casablanca on Tuesday announced six new Covid-19 cases among their players, just a day after their 1-0 home defeat to Egyptian giants Zamalek in the African Champions League semi-final first leg.

Raja released a statement on Monday, announcing the rise in positive cases takes the total to eight players after two others were announced on Saturday.

The Moroccan club confirmed that the players will undergo the required medical protocol and isolate themselves from the team.

BBC Sport Africa learnt that Raja will ask the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for a postponement of the second leg of their African Champions League semi-final if the next round of testing produces more positive cases.

The next series of tests are

set to take place 24 hours before Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match in Egypt.

If CAF confirms the number of Covid-19 cases exceed five players, Raja will request a delay to the match against Zamalek. It

remains to be seen if CAF will accept Rajaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s demand.

CAF has already sent a letter to the clubs playing in the African Champions League and Confederation Cup informing

them of such scenarios.

The letter states that CAFâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inter-clubs organising committee has decided if a team registers less than five Covid-19 cases, their match cannot be postponed.

Raja Casablanca have recorded six more Covid-19 cases to bring the total number to eight positive cases

Elite Clubs in Talks to Join New â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;European Premier Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; More than a dozen big clubs from across Europe in talks to become found members of a potential new competition called the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;European Premier Leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which could end up usurping the Champions League as the elite European club tournament.

Thought to be among those in talks, Manchester United and Liverpool were the two clubs behind the heavily criticised and recently

dismissed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Project Big Pictureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in England, which sought to reduce the size of Premier League, handing more power to the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest teams and providing a financial bailout for sides lower down the league pyramid.

Sky News has revealed that financiers are currently attempting to arrange a funding package worth an eye-watering ÂŁ4.6bn, with prize money for the winners of the new

breakaway competition potentially worth hundreds of millions every season.

It is said that up to 18 teams would compete each year, with fixtures played during the European season. The league format would then give way to a final playoffs-style knockout tournament to determine the overall winner.

It appears to be the closest

step towards the breakaway European super league that has been rumoured on and off for years. Nothing, however, is confirmed as of yet.

It would not end participation in existing domestic leagues â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Manchester United and Liverpool would continue to play in English Premier League, for example, but it could kill off the Champions League.

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21, 2020 â&#x20AC;¢ T H I S D AY

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MISSILE

Atiku to Buahri “The #EndSARS protesters are not unreasonable; they mean well and acted responsibly. When government shows that it cares, the citizens will fare well. Now is the time to apply reason, rather than brute force” – Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, cautioning President Buhari against deploying maximum force to disperse #EndSARS protesters.

FEMIFALANA GUEST COLUMNIST

Official Mishandling of the #EndSARS Protests

I

n my first year at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) I took part in the “Ali Must Go” Protest of 1978.

It was a popular protest against the commercialisation of education by the Olusegun Obasanjo military junta.

Since then, I have participated in many protests against military and civilian dictatorial regimes in Nigeria.

But I have never witnessed the level of commitment and determination exhibited by Nigerians in the ongoing #EndSARS protests.

Notwithstanding, the attacks on the protesters by sponsored lumpen elements and reckless killings by some misguided armed police personnel the youths have remained focused in the agitation to end police brutality in the country.

Instead of allowing violent counter rallies by criminal elements to disrupt the peaceful protests by the patriotic Nigerian youths the Federal Government and other authorities ought to have moved speedily to address the demands of the protesters.

In view of the violent attacks and disruption of the protests by armed troops and private militia the youths have resolved to continue their protests in designated areas in the urban areas.

While urging the youths to remain peaceful we wish to assure them that the federal government, which is under a legal duty to provide adequate securiy for protesters, will be held accountable for the violent attacks which have led to the brutal killing of protesters and the destruction of property.

We therefore set out to review the #EndSARS campaign and the refusal of the federal government and state governments to enforce the relevant laws which have made provisions for the observance of human rights as well as the protection of the rights and interests of the suspect, the defendant and victims in Nigeria.

Constitutional Rights of Citizens to Protest Against the Government In the past two weeks, Nigeria has witnessed unprecedented public protests by concerned youths against brazen abuse of the rights of the Nigerian people. As usual, the fundamental right of the youths to protest against the government has been questioned by official anti -democratic forces.

For the umpteenth time it is submitted that the fundamental right of the Nigerian people to demonstrate against the government is part of the freedom of expression and assembly guaranteed

by Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution.

In ANPP v Inspector-General of Police (2006) CHR 263 the Federal High Court annulled police permit for public protests in defence of the right of the Nigerian people to protest for or against the government. The learned trial judge, Chikere J. granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police, privies and agents from disrupting or cancelling rallies and meetings convened by Nigerian citizens.

Dissatisfied with the judgment the Police authorities appealed against it. But the appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in the case of IGP v ANPP (2008) 12 WRN 65.

In her leading judgment, Adekeye JCA (as she then was) held that “The Public Order Act – relating to the issuance of police permit cannot be used as a camouflage to stifle the citizen’s fundamental rights in the course of maintaining law and order…. The constitutional power given to legislature to make laws cannot be used by way of condition to attain unconstitutional result. The power given to the Governor of a State to issue

#ENDSARS protesters permit under Public Order Act cannot be used to attain unconstitutional result of deprivation of right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. The right to demonstrate and the right to protest on matters of public concern are rights which are in the public interest and that which individuals must possess, and which they should exercise without impediment as long as no wrongful act is done.”

Ban on Public Protests in the FCT Since the right of the Nigerian people to protest has been constitutionally guaranteed and judicially protected the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory lack the power to ban the peaceful demonstrations by the #EndSARS campaigners.

In 2014, the police had banned the #Bring Back Our Girls Campaigners from further protesting against the abduction of the Chibok girls.

The ban was declared illegal and set aside by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in the case of Hadiza Bala Usman v Commissioner of Police, FCT & Ors FCT/HC/CV/1693/2014).

However, since the ban is anchored on health grounds the authorities ought to have advised the protesters to observe the COVID- 19 protocols and that the protesters might be arrested and prosecuted for contravening the regulations.

It is submitted that the fear of a possible breach of any law or regulation cannot be a basis for depriving Nigerians of their constitutional right to protest in matters of public interests.

In the case of IGP v ANPP (supra) the appellant had argued forcefully against the right to protest against policies of government considered inimical to the interests of citizens for the fear that it could lead to breach of peace and other criminal offences which might be committed during a protest.

In rejecting the argument the Court of Appeal held: “If as speculated by law enforcement agents that breach of the peace would occur our criminal code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order so that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society. Finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of democratic rights of every citizen of the republic; our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests.”

Illegality of the Military Crocodile Smile VI Exercise A few days ago, the Chief of Army Staff, General Yusuf Buratai, threatened to deal ruthlessly with protesters. But on account of the popular rejection of the threat the Nigerian army has turned round to announce its plan to carry out operation “CROCODILE SMILE V1” would hold from

20th of October to the 31st of December 2020.

The army headquarters further said: “The Exercise is deliberately intended to be allencompassing to include cyber warfare exercises designed to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across cyberspace.”

The army has dismissed the insinuation in the media that the exercise has been described as a ploy to attack the #EndSARS protesters.

The spokesman for the army, Captain Sagir, has said that “For the records, Exercise CROCODILE SMILE is a yearly exercise in the NA Calendar/ Forecast of Events which traditionally holds from October to December of each year.Thus, to now insinuate that it is an exercise meant to stifle the ongoing ENDSARS protest is to say the least highly misinformed. Exercise CROCODILE SMILE VI has nothing to do with the ongoing protests and the NA has never been involved in the ongoing protests in any form whatsoever. So far, the army has acted professionally since the civil protest started over two weeks ago.” This statement should be retracted as it is contemptuous in every material particular.

The so- called Crocodile Smile VI exercise should be shelved as it cannot be justified under the Armed Forces Act. While it is true that the military exercise is an annual event the army spokesman ought to have told Nigerians that the 2019 exercise tagged “Operation Positive Identification” was declared illegal and unconstitutional by the Federal High Court in the case of Femi Falana SAN v Chief of Army Staff (FHC/L/CS/1939/19).

The Nigerian army, under the guise of security, had wanted to conduct OPI between November 1st 2019 and December 23rd 2019 during which time citizens were required to go about and show their means of identification such as National Identification Card, Voters Registration Card, Drivers Licenses and International Passports to the security agents on demand.

After declaring the OPI military exercise unconstitutional, Justice Aikawa granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents and their agents from conducting any nationwide military operations without compliance with the extant provisions of Sections 217 (2) (A), (B), (c), 218 (1), (3) & (4) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The Court said that “it would be outside the powers of the 3rd Respondent (the Nigerian Army) for it to parade the streets in the rest of the country and demand citizens to show their identity cards and the like. If there is any security need for that, my view is that it should be left in the hands of police which is the security agency vested with these functions as spelt out

by Section 4 of the Police Act”.

Even though the Chief of Army Staff has approached the Court of Appeal to reverse the judgment the appeal has not been determined by the Court of Appeal.

To that extent the army authorities are bound to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court which has perpetually restrained the army from usurping the powers of the police in the maintenance of law and order in the country.

The planned Crocodile Smile V1 exercise is an act of brazen impunity which should not be tolerated in any civilised society.

In fact, the protesting youths are revolting against such impunity.

However, President Buhari should not hesitate to stop the violent disruption of the protests by the Nigerian Army.

After all, the army has not been deployed to crush similar youth protests in Hong Kong, United States, France, South Africa, Belarus and even in Sudan.

Having regards to the facts and circumstances of the ongoing protests against police brutality there is no evidence of any form of insurrection in Nigeria which cannot be contained by the Nigeria Police Force.

The Nigerian Army has not been invited to act in aid of civil authorities by President Buhari while the National Assembly has not enacted any Act prescribing conditions for involving the armed forces in the management of protests.

Therefore, the threat of the Army Chief constitutes a violation of Section 217 of the Constitution.

Indeed, we are compelled to remind the military authorities that the illegal ban imposed on public protests was defied by the Nigerian people even under the most murderous military junta that misruled the country for about three decades.

No doubt, I appreciate the efforts of another group of patriotic and dedicated young people that are involved in the counter insurgency operations in the North East region.

General Buhari and other service Chiefs should intensify the war against terror.

While the nation is hugely indebted to the officers and soldiers who are defending the nation’s territorial integrity the attention of the Army Chief should be drawn to the case of Yussuf v Obasanjo, 2005, 18 NWLR (PT956), 96, where Salami JCA (as he then was) said: t “It is up to the police to protect our nascent democracy and not the military, otherwise the democracy might be wittingly or unwittingly militarized.

This is not what the citizenry bargained for in wrestling power from the military in 1999.

Conscious step or steps should be taken to civilianize the polity to ensure the survival and sustenance of democracy.”

Violent Attacks on Protesters For several years, Nigerians from all walks of life had complained against incessant arrest and detention of innocent citizens, brutalisation, torture and extrajudicial killing of criminal suspects, commercialisation of bail, extortion of money from motorists.

The government turned deaf ears to the complaints .A fortnight ago, concerned youths across the country commenced the #endsars campaign in a peaceful and organised manner.

The police authorities changed the name of the notorious SARS to SWAT and asked them to await some reforms.

The federal government rehearsed the promises that had been made before about police reforms but which were not kept. Convinced that the promises would not be fulfilled the youths continued with the peaceful protests.

In a desperate bid to silence the protesters and stop the protests the police killed some unarmed protesters and injured scores of others.

Sponsored thugs were unleashed on the protesters. When the violent attacks did not stop the protests the government directed police and military personnel to take over the streets.

In the presence of the armed security personnel the thugs set fire on the cars of the protesters.

The criminal elements who were arrested in Abuja last week confessed that they were hired at Jabi Park to attack the protesters.

The police did not arrest any of the armed thugs.

The Nigerian Army appears to have abandoned the war on terror in order to deal ruthlessly with protesters.

Since the government has created a conducive atmosphere for violence other thugs have unleashed themselves on innocent citizens.

Continued on page 44 Printed and Published in Lagos by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. Lagos: 35 Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos. Abuja: Plot 1, Sector Centre B, Jabi Business District, Solomon Lar Way, Jabi North East, Abuja .

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