TUESDAY 27TH OCTOMBER 2020

NBC under Fire for Fining ARISE NEWS, Channels, AIT NUJ kicks as SERAP threatens legal action Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan and Udora Orizu in Abuja The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP),

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday criticised the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for imposing fines

on ARISE NEWS Channel, Channels Television and Africa Independent Television (AIT) over their coverage of the #ENDSARS protests.

SERAP demanded the

withdrawal of the fines or else it would sue the broadcasting regulator.

The PDP and the NUJ in condemning the fines described the sanctions as

an attempt to cow the media.

NBC yesterday accused the three broadcasting organisations of violating broadcasting codes for broadcasting footages obtained

on the Lekki shooting by soldiers from unverified and unauthenticated social media sources.

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European Union Backs Okonjo-Iweala for WTO DG... Page 6 Tuesday 27 October, 2020 Vol 25. No 9332. Price: N250

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Govs: Looted Palliatives Reserved for Second Wave of COVID-19 CACOVID explains delay in distribution Materials being distributed in Kwara before looting, says AbdulRazaq Obinna Chima in Lagos and Chuks Okocha in Abuja The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) yesterday denied allegations that states hoarded

palliatives, which were looted in the wake of the #EndSARS protests.

It said the looted food items in warehouses across the country were reserved

for a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the vulnerable.

Notwithstanding the strategic plan of the governors, the Kwara State helmsman, Mr.

AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the relief materials were already being distributed in the state when the hoodlums attacked its distribution point at the Ilorin Airport.

But a human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has urged the governors to emulate the Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu

Tambuwal, by distributing the remaining palliatives in their states without further delay.

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NEC Directs Osinbajo, Govs to Engage Youths, CSOs on Jobs Creation, Others Considers framework to devolve more control of security agencies to states Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday set up a committee to engage youths, representatives of civil society organisations (CSO), religious and traditional leaders, on employment and social safety net programmes.

Members of the committee, to be chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, are Governors, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Prof.

Babagana Zulum (Borno), Mr. Muhammed Bello (Niger), Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) (Ondo), Chief Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta).

The committee, which is to commence work immediately, will develop a comprehensive framework and coordinate joint actions and steps to be taken by both the federal and state

governments to examine the fundamental issues underlining the #EndSARS protests and arrive at effective solutions, including how to enhance national security.

It will develop a framework to engage with security agencies that will devolve more control to governors who are the chief security officers of their states.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, in a communiqué yesterday after an emergency NEC meeting, said the resolutions reached by the council were to find out the deeper reasons behind the #EndSARS protests and the fallout and how they should be addressed by both the federal and state governments.

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Army Won’t Be Intimidated in Discharge of Constitutional Duties, Says Buratai... Page 5

TAKE HEART...

Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, consoles a shop owner at the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping Mall, Surulere in Lagos...yesterday.

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NEWS Army Won’t Be Intimidated in Discharge of Constitutional Duties, Says Buratai

Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike

Email Ejiofor.Alike@thisdaylive.com, 08066066268

Explains efforts to enforce curfew in Lagos misinterpreted Pledges unalloyed loyalty to civil authority Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, yesterday assured officers and men of the Nigerian Army that they have nothing to fear in carrying out orders to secure Nigeria and assist civil authorities to maintain law and order.

Buratai, addressing his Principal Staff Officers (PSOs), General Officers Commanding (GOCs) and field commanders at a meeting in Abuja, urged the military chiefs and soldiers not to be intimidated by threats by some Nigerians to report them to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged human rights violations.

He spoke against the backdrop of threats by civil society groups to report the army to the ICC for allegedly mistreating and shooting unarmed #EndSARS protesters last week.

Buratai urged the military chiefs to cooperate with the police and other security agencies to ensure compliance with curfews imposed by states to curb social unrests and other extant security instructions in force.

A statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, quoted the army chief as saying that there will be no room for disloyalty amongst all officers and soldiers.

He directed that the commanders must impress it on their subordinates that the Nigerian Army is determined to ensure democratic stability in Nigeria as the only panacea for development and progress.

He said: "The best system of governance is democracy and we must all ensure that Nigeria's democracy remains stable and steady. We will not allow any force, elements or destabilising agents in or outside our country to set our beloved country on fire. We remain resolute in doing everything possible to ensure that subversive elements, detractors and other enemies of this great nation do not achieve their aims and objectives of destabilisation.

"The events of the past few days in our dear nation have shown the determination of some unscrupulous individuals and groups to destabilise Nigeria by all means. These individuals, groups and other undesirable elements have hijacked the peaceful #ENDSARS protest marches resulting to widespread violence, acts of wanton destruction and looting of public and private properties in many parts of the country. These acts led to the imposition of curfew in several states of the federation."

The COAS also said from the onset of #ENDSARS protest, the army was aware of a plot by the sponsors of

the protests to draw it into the crisis.

According to him, the plan was to embark on massive propaganda to discredit the military and the government so as to set the people against the army once it is called out to aid the civil authorities.

He said the army being aware of the plan was careful not to be dragged in and issued the initial warning through a press release on October 14, 2020, of its resolve to secure and safeguard a united Nigeria.

Buratai said: “Now the detractors alongside their local and international collaborators have mischievously and deliberately misrepresented troops' efforts to ensure compliance with the curfew imposed by legitimate civil authorities in Lagos and other states.

"These agitators are falsely accusing the Nigerian Army of being responsible for the activities of the miscreants despite glaring evidence to the contrary. They have continually threatened to report the Nigerian Army to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and also threatened various forms of sanctions against personnel and their families.

"Thankfully, however, a large percentage of Nigerians and the international community have started seeing through the smokescreen of falsehood and deliberate misrepresentation of facts being orchestrated by enemies of Nigeria and have retracted their earlier false publications.”

The COAS stated that despite all these, the army has continued to exercise restraint, applied all the principles of internal security operations and fully abided by the internationally recognised rules of engagement as contained in its published Standard Operating Procedures for Internal Security Operations, which are derived from the international human rights laws and are in accordance with the international principles guiding the use of force.

He added that none of the officers and men should be afraid of the ICC for carrying out their legitimate duties. “[We] have every right under the constitution to carry out assigned and legitimate roles of maintaining law and order in aid of civil authorities and other security agencies,” he said.

Buratai said anyone doubting their commitment to their constitutional responsibilities must be made to know that they remain committed, loyal and unwavering in ensuring the unity, stability and security of Nigeria.

He charged them to show critics that they are neither part of them nor in any way supportive of their activities

at all times.

He also directed that any act of arson or attempt to kill or maim any military or security personnel and other law-abiding civilians must be responded to quickly and decisively.

"In dealing with any security threat, they [soldiers] must fully cooperate with personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies and must ensure that everyone is in full compliance with imposed curfews and any other extant security instructions in force.

"The recent activities by unscrupulous elements have shown their desire to acquire arms and ammunition at all cost from security personnel.

No fewer than 10 AK-47 rifles have been lost to these miscreants in the past two weeks across the country with attendant loss of lives of personnel,” he said.

He charged the commanders to check this emerging trend at all cost, and directed them to warn their troops on internal security or on guard duties outside the barracks to be at maximum alert at all times

and to also deal decisively with any attack on their duty locations.

"There is no choice between a democratically united, strong and prosperous Nigeria and a nation disunited in a state of anarchy and retrogression. We must all strive for a united, strong, stable and progressive Nigeria," he stated.

The statement noted that at the end of the meeting, the PSOs, GOCs and field commanders resolved to: “Remain loyal to the Federal Government of Nigeria under President Muhammadu

Buhari; ensure the unity and indivisibility of our country; assist the federal government to bring an end to insecurity across the country and to prevent miscreants and criminals from hijacking the #EndSARS protest nationwide; remain focused and not to be deterred by any local or international threats.”

All commanders were also directed to intensify joint training with the police and other sister security agencies to enhance interagency collaboration and cooperation.

CONTEMPLATING STATE OF THE NATION...

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) during the virtual emergency National Economic Council meeting in Abuja...yesterday

We’re Preparing Timetable for National Convention, Says APC Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The National Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it has intensified efforts in preparing a timetable for the national convention.

APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena, told THISDAY yesterday that the committee, whose tenure lapses in December is also working hard to ensure that the party goes into the convention as a united force.

The ruling party during the emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja on June 25, had dissolved the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) following protracted leadership crisis and set up a caretaker/ Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee to manage the affairs of the party in the

interim.

The 13-member caretaker committee, headed by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, was given six months by the NEC, presided over

by President Muhammadu Buhari, to complete its assignment.

Within the six months, the committee was mandated to organise a national convention for new leaders to emerge.

It was also mandated to reconcile aggrieved members of the party.

But due to the perceived inaction of the caretaker committee, a group, Concerned APC members, recently gave the leadership of the party a 14-day ultimatum to release the timetable for the convention or risk mass protest.

However, Nabena assured party members not to worry as the committee is already putting together convention timetable, and would make

it available when it's ready.

On the allegation that the committee was trying to perpetuate itself in the office, he said; "The good thing about the committee members is that they all have jobs; they are not like they are applicants."

But when asked to state the time the committee will release the timetable for the convention, Nabena added, "It is going to be public when we called for NEC; everyone will know. We are putting the timetable together, once the timetable comes out, it will be a public document.”

Reacting to the possibility of holding the convention this year, Nabena said: "The committee is working so hard towards that. You know we had a little setback with the two governorship elections we had in Edo and Ondo, with this small crisis that just came up with this #EndSARS. "What the committee is trying to do, which is the

most important thing is, first of all, to make sure that there is unity because we must not be divided to go into that convention. The committee is going to do the needful to make sure we are going into that convention with a united force."

Nabena added that the committee was embarking on membership registration drive to address double registrations and to deregister former members that have left the party.

“That membership registration has been there even before this committee.

First, we want a situation where people don't even have to go to their wards; they can register online. We are trying to use all those platforms.

Secondly, we want to purge double registrations. Thirdly, we want to make sure that those that have left the party that their names are no more in the system,” he explained.

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European Union Backs Okonjo-Iweala for WTO DG Obinna Chima with agency report The European Union (EU) has said it is backing Nigeria’s candidate and the country’s former Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to head the World Trade Organisation (WTO), sending a signal of trust in Africa.

An EU official disclosed this to Reuters yesterday.

Okonjo-Iweala and South Korean trade minister, Yoo Myung-hee, are vying to be the first female leader in the WTO’s 25-year history, replacing Brazilian Roberto Azevedo, who quit a year earlier than expected at the end of August.

The EU governments had before the final stage of the race for the WTO leadership

race expressed support for Okonjo-Iweala and the South Korean candidate, Yoo Myung-hee.

Indeed, the latest EU’s support for Okonjo-Iweala is considered a strong signal to reinforce the multilateral order and a sign of mutual trust between the bloc and Africa, the official said.

The WTO faces dual challenges: criticism from US President Donald Trump’s administration which froze its appeals body by blocking its appointment of judges, and worsening US-China trade relations.

Okonjo-Iweala, 66, an economist and development specialist, had urged the WTO to help poorer countries access COVID-19 drugs and vaccines.

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

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

She is presently the Chair

of the Board of GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

Since its creation in 2000, GAVI has immunised over 760 million children across the globe. She also sits on the boards of Standard Chartered Plc and Twitter Inc. She was recently appointed African Union Special Envoy to mobilise international financial support in the fight against COVID-19, as well as Envoy for the World Health Organisation’s access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator.

The Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Ms. Kristalina Georgieva, a few months ago

appointed Okonjo-Iweala to serve as a member of her newly-established External Advisory Group.

In addition, Okonjo-Iweala served twice as Nigeria’s Finance minister, from 20032006 and 2011-2015 and briefly as Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs minister in 2006, the first woman to hold both positions.

As Finance minister, Okonjo-Iweala steered Nigeria through the varying degree of reforms, particularly on macroeconomic, trade, financial and real sector issues.

As Managing Director (Operations) of the World Bank, her several portfolios

included oversight responsibility for the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia.

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

On the other hand, Yoo is South Korea’s trade minister.

During her 25-year career in government, she helped expand her country’s trade network through bilateral accords with the US, China and the UK.

South-south, South-west Lead in LPG Consumption Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The South-south and Southwest have maintained the lead in the consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), better known as cooking gas in the country, a report by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), has indicated.

In its trend analysis nationwide for 2019, the agency described the situation as peculiar, noting that the South-south came ahead of other regions in consumption with 45,290,430 litres.

PPPRA stated that cooking gas penetration was particularly high in Bayelsa State, followed by other states in the region and attributed the encouraging use of the product to persistent heavy rainfall almost throughout the year which discourages felling of trees for use of firewood as fuel.

“In the first quarter of 2019, the South-south zone of Nigeria consumed more Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) than any other zone in the country in the period under consideration and the trend continued throughout the year.

“The high consumption rate in this zone could be adduced to the increased use of LPG due to the typical climate of the zone having continuous heavy rainfall throughout the year thereby checkmating bush burning and deforestation including the production of charcoal.

“The region is closely followed by the South-west region, the North-central, South-east, North-west and lastly North-east. The trend continued in the second quarter of 2019 with the Southsouth region leading the pack with quarterly consumption of 5,339,001 litres followed by the South-west, North-central, South-east, North-west and lastly North-East. “ In the third quarter of 2019, the South-south consumed the highest

volume of LPG followed by South-west, the South-east, North-central, North-west and lastly North-east and the trend continued in the fourth quarter with the South-south still consuming the highest volume of LPG followed by the South-west, South-east, North-central, North-west and North-east,” it said.

In addition to the climate in the Niger Delta, the PPPRA credited the increased awareness of the advantages inherent in the use of LPG as a clean fuel alternative over other forms of cooking fuels in the area as another reason for the increased consumption.

In terms of truckload distribution, it said the Northcentral consumed 23,829,869; North-east, 3,422,874; Northwest, 16,503,995; South-east 19,405,856; South-south 45,290,430 and South-west 37,468,269; totalling 145,921,284.

“Our nation’s LPG industry is evolving; from geopolitics to economics, technologies, and regulations. Making informed decisions in this evolving industry environment is a challenge that every stakeholder is facing,” it said.

But the organisation lamented that despite the falling international oil prices, Nigerians have not felt any relief at the retail end of LPG distribution chain.

“From 2018 to 2019, the yearly average retail prices of LPG decreased by merely 1.28 per cent. The yearly national average retail price went from N3, 911.71 per 12.5 Kg cylinder in 2018 down to N3,861.64 per 12.5 Kg cylinder in 2019,” PPPRA stated.

It listed some reasons domestic gas prices have continued to increase to include monopoly on the petroleum terminals, nonfunctional pipelines and refineries, insufficient supply occasioned by pirate's attack and other shipping challenges.

It also attributed the prices to marketers bottom line approach and lack of adequate regulatory oversight.

DISCUSSING THE ENVIRONMENT...

L-R: Minister of State for Environment, Mrs. Sharon Ikeazor; Chairman, Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; and Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood, during the senator’s visit to the ministry's headquarters in Abuja…yesterday

Toriola Assumes Duties as CEO of MTN March 2021 Emma Okonji MTN Group has appointed Mr. Karl Toriola, from Osun State, as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)-designate, with effect from March 1, 2021.

Announcing the appointment yesterday, MTN Nigeria said Toriola would drive the MTN brand in his country, and that the March 2021 date would provide enough time for an orderly handover.

Toriola, on the assumption of duty in March next year will become the second Nigerian, after Mr. Michael Ikpoki, from Delta State, to occupy the position of CEO of MTN Nigeria, since it was established in Nigeria in 2001.

The Chairman of MTN Nigeria, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, said: “After a thorough and rigorous selection process, we are delighted to welcome Karl back to MTN Nigeria.

“Recognised throughout the industry as a highly experienced and wellregarded business leader, Karl has been a member of

the MTN family for over 14 years and has an intimate understanding of the telco business. His appointment further reaffirms the company’s commitment to succession planning as well as retaining and developing identified high performing executives. With his rich credentials, I am personally pleased that Mr. Karl Toriola is well-suited to lead MTN Nigeria’s Executive Management team through the next stages of growth in the years ahead.”

The current CEO of MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdinand Moolman, will exit his role on March 1, 2021, and assume a new role as MTN Group Chief Risk Officer.

Moolman joined MTN in 2002 and has held several senior positions within the group, in Nigeria and Iran.

Commenting on his new appointment, Toriola said: “I am delighted to be returning to serve in my country at such a critical point in history when the services we provide are so important

to our national development.

“MTN Nigeria is a great company with exceptional people and extraordinary customers, who place a high value on those services. I have a clear focus on delivering a stellar network experience and enhanced customer service; and look forward to working with an outstanding group of leaders, in and out of government, over the coming years to continue harnessing our capabilities, transforming our relationships and delivering even greater value to our nation and her people.”

Toriola is currently the Vice President, West and Central Africa (WECA), excluding Nigeria and Ghana, a position he assumed in 2016.

During that period, he oversaw the steady progress of the operating companies in the region, notably the turnaround of MTN Ivory Coast and MTN Cameroon.

During his tenure, the WECA markets made significant commercial and strategic strides.

These include the improvement of market shares within the region and the development of mobile financial services.

Since joining the group in 2006, Toriola has also held some senior operational roles, including Chief Technical Officer of MTN Nigeria, CEO of MTN Cameroon and MTN Group Operations Executive.

Toriola has at various times in his career in MTN Group had oversight responsibility of 16 of the subsidiaries and serves on various MTN boards, including MTN Nigeria.

Prior to joining MTN Nigeria, he was the Chief Operations/Regional Officer for Vmobile Nigeria, now Airtel Nigeria, where he was responsible for operations.

Toriola obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University of Ife, a Master of Science degree in Communication Systems from the University of Wales, and attended the General Management Programme in Harvard Business School.

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PAGE EIGHT GOVS: LOOTED PALLIATIVES RESERVED FOR SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19 In a statement yesterday by the Head of Media of the NGF, Mr. Abdulrazak Barkindo, the governors stated that some of the property stolen and vandalised include palliatives set aside for vulnerable members of society.

The NGF said since the #EndSARS demonstrations started, they had held meetings to address the underlying concerns, adding that its members had aligned themselves with the call for justice, leading to the setting up of judicial panels of enquiry in the states to probe police brutality.

According to the statement, the governors regretted the loss of lives and property occasioned by the violent protests that erupted and called for calm.

They said information circulating in the social media needed to be factchecked and pleaded with members of the public to desist from spreading rumours, which could further create panic and stampede.

It said: “For example, some of the property stolen and vandalised include palliatives set aside for vulnerable members of society.

“The NGF re-emphasises and corrects the impression that palliatives found in warehouses that were broken into in Lagos and some other states were kept in storage for members of the society, especially our vulnerable citizens.

“The erroneous impression in the public domain that these palliatives were hoarded is not just inaccurate, entirely erroneous and untrue but also mischievous, to say the least.”

It said for the avoidance of doubt, some of the palliatives had the CACOVID stamp embossed on them, meaning that their source was unambiguous.

It explained that CACOVID operations were mainly domiciled in Lagos, being the headquarters of most of the public-spirited organisations, corporate bodies and individuals that came together to form the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID).

“Until mid-October, when the NGF had its last meeting, up to 10 states had not participated in the flag-off ceremonies for the distribution of palliatives in their states. This was because the items meant for distribution in these states had not been completely received from CACOVID,” the NGF said.

It stated that as of a couple of weeks ago, some states were still receiving palliatives from the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The governors refuted allegations that the palliatives had been hoarded, and assured all contributors that prior to the looting of the warehouses, the states had kept full accounts of all the items received and distributed.

The governors assured Nigerians that they were

doing everything possible to ameliorate the sufferings of the people.

“The Nigeria Governors’ Forum stands for justice, improved governance and a progressive Nigeria,” it said.

Materials Being Distributed in Kwara before Looting, Says AbdulRazaq In Kwara State, Governor AbdulRazaq clarified yesterday that the relief materials were already being distributed before the hoodlums struck.

He had inaugurated the official distribution of the palliatives on August 11, 2020, following the handover of the goods by CACOVID. Speaking on a live programme on Midland FM in Ilorin, CACOVID representative in Kwara State, Mr. Taoheed Fasasi, said: “In terms of the distribution of the palliatives, it's been an excellent performance for Kwara State especially in terms of three key things.

One, identification of the beneficiaries. We've always feared that this could be where there will be a problem because we don't want it to get to the wrong hands. But they (state government) have been able to come up with lists that come directly from the grassroots. And, with this, we know how many families that were given. We have recordings of how many families were given.

“We were in Jebba (Moro, Kwara North), for instance, and it was not just about distribution, we saw the families. We know where they are and what they do, what do they need and things like that. The distribution is not like an orphan. It was more or less like CACOVID handing over to the beneficiaries.

The assistance from the (state) committee has been wonderful.”

Fasasi said the monitoring and evaluation team of CACOVID was on the field to ensure that the palliatives got to the right persons across the state, asserting that its reports do not support the claims that the government hoarded the palliatives.

“It is not just about handing over to the state but ensuring that it gets to where it is supposed to get to. We always have a monitoring team. Apart from being a member, I have a monitoring team that's also checking me at every point in time. It is CACOVID’s way of doing things. As the state committee was getting it out, we were interacting with the beneficiaries. We have videos. We went there based on those identified,” he added.

Architect Kale Belgore, Counsellor to Kwara State Governor and State Government Focal Person on the palliatives, explained that beneficiaries across least 15 of the 16 local governments have collected as at Friday, October 23rd when the hoodlums attacked the Cargo Terminal where the palliatives were warehoused.

He added: “We were loading the one for Offa (the 16th and last local

government to get theirs) on Friday when the hoodlums attacked the place. In fact, some trucks containing palliatives had left for Offa.

So, the hoodlums vandalised the trucks and made away with the remaining palliatives for Offa and what was to be distributed for some umbrella bodies of some physically challenged people, the blind colony, orphanages, and correctional centres, among others.”

CACOVID Explains Delayed in Distribution Meanwhile, the Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) yesterday appealed for calm as tongues continue to wag over the discovery and looting of palliatives it donated to states.

The private sector coalition in a statement that was signed on its behalf by the Acting Head, Corporate Communications Department, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Osita Nwasinobi, explained the delayed distribution of the food items by the state governors where the items were discovered and looted in the respective warehouses they were stored.

The coalition, which stated that it was deeply concerned by the events, also urged those involved in the wanton destruction of public and private properties to immediately desist from such activities in order to allow the states to proceed with a peaceful and fair distribution of the palliatives to the most vulnerable in society.

It explained: “Over the past few months, the private sector through CACOVID has been working with all state governors, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) to procure, deliver and distribute these food relief items to almost 2 million most vulnerable families (over 10 million Nigerians) across the 774 LGAs in the country, as part of the private sector’s support to the national response to the C0VID-19 pandemic.

“The sheer scale of this nationwide food programme and the timing of the orders and deliveries, which coincided with the lockdowns and reduced movement across the country, compelled CACOVID to roll out distribution in a staggered manner, with states classified in three timed phases, to enable orderly delivery to the needy.

“At the time CACOVID embarked on the palliatives efforts in April, we decided to procure the food directly from the manufacturers, to avoid a distortion of prices in the market. The food package was designed such that each of the nearly two million families received: 10kg bag of rice, five kg of garri/maize, flour/semolina, and one carton of pasta, two cartons of noodles, 5kg of sugar and one kg of salt.”

It pointed out that unfortunately, the very large size of the order and the production cycle required to meet the demand caused

a delay in delivering the food items to the states in an expeditious manner; hence the resulting delay in delivery of the food palliatives by the state governors.

For instance, the group stated that rice had to be milled; semolina and maize flour had to be processed, noodles and pasta had to be manufactured and sugar had to be refined.

According to the statement, as such, the first delivery could not start until June.

However, as of October 2020, a sizeable portion of the items had been delivered, but yet to be distributed by the governors, it added.

“Although various states and the FCT had commenced flag-off of the distribution of the food items since early August, some could not conclude the distribution as they were yet to receive complete deliveries of the items allotted to them. In the interest of transparency and accountability, CACOVID will, in due course be providing the full delivery schedule and flag-off dates by each state,” it stated.

CACOVID noted that prior to the events, it had worked with the states through the NGF to determine the number of households per state; the states and FCT to provide clean and secure warehousing for the food; the composition of the state and local government committees, including civil society organisations, religious organisations, LGA chairpersons, ward leaders, media representatives, security services, CACOVID representatives); and clear distribution guidelines to ensure; and equitable distribution of the food amongst the neediest.

It stated: “Given that the states and the local government authorities oversee all relief efforts in their jurisdictions and know their citizens best, we had worked with each governor and the minister of the FCT, utilising a combination of our protocols and their existing structures and processes to ensure food items reach the intended beneficiaries.

“We had also appointed an independent monitoring team to ensure that the item would be delivered as intended. We are aware that official flagging off and handover of the palliatives had taken place in 28 states and the FCT and state government have been distributing at various places. As of today, October 26, 2020, some states have confirmed completion of their distribution while others were in the process of proceeding with the distribution before the looting took place.

“By these looting incidents, it, therefore, meant that some intended beneficiaries had been deprived of the opportunity of benefitting from CACOVID’s good intentions.”

It maintained that in line with its earlier promise, KPMG’s Professional Services, its external auditors, are at the verge of completing the audit of all contributions from donors as well as a listing of all

medical and food items procured with the funds.

“We will be sharing the external audit reports of our spending, alongside a full report of CACOVID activities, including delivery and planned flag-off dates of our donations to Nigerians.

“It is very unfortunates that various states, including states that have concluded the distribution of their allocations, are seeing their warehouses and other premises being raided. It must also be noted that not every warehouse in Nigeria that contains palliatives is affiliated with CACOVID donation, given that the states themselves, the federal government and other organisations have also made donations,” the statement added.

It appealed for calm, to enable states to be allowed to proceed with their palliatives distribution peacefully.

Falana Urges States to Release Food Items Falana has appealed to state governors still ‘hoarding’ COVID-19 palliatives to distribute the relief items to citizens immediately.

The rights lawyer described as a crime against humanity, the alleged ‘hoarding’ of the food items donated to states by CACOVID. Falana, in an interview yesterday with ARISE NEWS Channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, said: “It is almost like a crime against humanity just as some public officers have diverted money meant for providing palliatives for internally displaced persons.

“I mean you ask yourself, what level of stealing is this?

And so, this is why we are worried that the members of the ruling class in Nigeria will have to have a rethink that there are certain areas you must not get to in looting the treasuries of the country.

“Again, I want to appeal here for warehouses that have not been torched. If palliatives have been stored, I want to appeal to all the state governors in Nigeria to emulate the example of the Sokoto State governor that simply, in the view of this challenge, distributed the items.

“How can a government hoard indomie?

It’s intolerable. It’s provocative.

Our government will have to apologise to the Nigerian people.”

Falana added that government at all levels must compensate business owners whose assets were looted by hoodlums in the aftermath of the protests against police brutality.

Falana condemned the destruction of lives and assets by hoodlums, saying that those who lost loved ones must be compensated.

“While I sympathise with those who have lost goods, while I sympathise with families that have lost their loved ones, we must make a case out of what has happened.

“I am talking about the development of our laws.

Those who have lost goods, those who have lost properties that were not insured, should put

sentiments apart, don’t say because the government in Abuja is our party, no, the law has left that stage “Every Nigerian is entitled to the protection of his or her life and property. Once through negligence, through lack of proper policing, you lose your property, the government must pay.

I am not talking about humanitarian assistance.

As a matter of law, if anybody dies in the process, the family members have rights to make a claim and we have cases where this has been decided by our courts.

“So, let nobody in Abuja say these properties in Abuja were destroyed by hoodlums, it will never happen again. No; you have a duty to compensate those who have lost their properties, you have a duty to compensate those who have lost their breadwinners and potential breadwinners so that next time, the government will have to take measures to prevent this kind of unfortunate incidents.”

Falana also said the Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 And Beyond (ASCAB), has commenced an investigation into last Tuesday shootings of protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos State.

The human rights activist, who is the Chairman of the ASCAB, said the group has so far identified the barracks where the soldiers who opened fire on protesters were deployed from.

“We have already identified the barracks where the soldiers left for Lekki, we have already identified the barracks.”

He, however, did not reveal the details of the barracks.

Falana added: “The president was likely to have been told soldiers were ordered so I want to believe that’s why it was not addressed. They said it was a rumour but I think the facts are emerging now that indeed soldiers went to Lekki, indeed they fired at protesters and indeed some of the protesters at least two have been officially acknowledged to have died from gunshot wounds.”

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TUESDAY, ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Senate Tells Nigerians Not to Expect Stable Power Supply $5.8billion Mambilla power project yet to take off Deji Elumoye in Abuja The Senate yesterday asked Nigerians not to expect stable power supply in the nearest future due to gross underfunding of the power sector and apparent lack of seriousness on the part of the federal government in getting it fixed.

This is just as the Minister of Power, Mr. Mamman Saleh, disclosed to members of the Senate Committee on Power that the much talked about $5.8billion Mambilla power project which is expected to generate 3,050 megawatts is yet to take off.

The Managing Director of Transmission Company of

Nigeria (TCN), Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, also told the committee that out of N165 billion required by TCN for capital projects in 2020, N4billlion envelope was given, out of which only N3billion was cash-backed.

These revelations came up during 2021 budget defence session the Minister and the TCN MD had with the Senate Committee on Power in Senate conference room 231.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gabriel Suswam and other members like Senators Shaibu Lau, Danjuma Goje and James Manager wondered why no dime was allocated for the Mambilla power

project in the 2021 budget.

Senator Lau who hails from Taraba State where the power project is located, told the committee members that despite promises upon promises made on the project by the federal government on yearly basis, no access road to the project site, no any indication of site clearance talkless of possible grand breaking.

He said: "Nothing in the proposed 2021 budget that concerns Mambilla, showing that there is no commitment from the government. The truth about the project going by glaring realities on the ground over the last ten years is that Mambilla will not see the light

of the day".

Responding, the Minister admitted that the project is yet to take off adding that he was still trying to convince the President on it.

According to him, a special fund of $200million targeted for the project is still in the office of the Chief of Staff while the N850million expected from Nigeria as 15% of the contract sum is yet to be paid.

The 85% balance of the contract sum, he added, is to be financed by the Chinese NEXIM Bank.

Saleh explained that the project is a 3,050 Hydroelectric power project which after completion will be the largest

power generating installation in the country.

Chairman and other members of the committee pointedly told the Minister that solution must be found to the Mambilla issue as part of moves address the issue of epileptic power supply in the country.

Senator Manager was of the view that going by the submission of the minister there is no seriousness from the government on the project which is getting Nigerians frustrated.

Goje, on his part, said "the hope of getting stable power supply in Nigeria in the nearest future is dashed going by gross underfunding of the sector and

lack of required seriousness on those managing the sector to get it fixed up".

Earlier in his submission before the committee, TCN MD revealed that the transmission capacity of the country, has increased from 5, 000 megawatts to 8,000 megawatts.

According to him, "inadequate funding by the government on yearly basis remains the major problem of the TCN and by extension, the power sector.

"In 2020 fiscal year, our projected money for capital expenditure was N165 billion but only given N4 billion budgetary envelope out of which N3billion was cash backed", he said.

Judicial Panels Must Investigate Looting, Lekki Shootings, Says UK Those behind shootings will account for their action, Sanwo-Olu insists Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja The British High Commission in Nigeria has urged security agents to exercise restraint as they restore law and order in the country.

In a tweet yesterday, the British Commission again condemned last Tuesday attack at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State where eyewitnesses said soldiers opened fire on protesters around 7pm.

This is coming as the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, yesterday said that the federal and the state governments would ensure that anyone found culpable in last Tuesday's shooting at the Lekki Toll Plaza It, therefore, asked all Judicial

Panels of Inquiry to work with relevant stakeholders to efficiently probe the Lekki shootings and wanton looting across Nigeria in the last one week. @UKinNigeria tweeted, “We remain concerned by acts of looting and violence in Nigeria and urge security services to use restraint as order is restored.

“Working with all stakeholders, judicial panels of inquiry must investigate all incidents, including Lekki and ensure accountability for crimes. #EndPoliceBrutality” Soldiers allegedly opened fire on unarmed demonstrators against police brutality at the Lekki tollgate on Tuesday.

The incident attracted global outrage with local and international civil rights

organisations and personalities condemning the attack.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, yesterday promised that the federal and the state governments would ensure that anyone found culpable in last Tuesday's shooting at the Lekki Toll Plaza would be held accountable for their actions.

Speaking during an interview session with a CNN journalist, Becky Anderson's “Connect the World with Becky Anderson programme,” Sanwo-Olu said the CCTV footage at the Lekki Tollgate would be available for the state Judicial Panel of Enquiry to review as part of the investigation into the Lekki Tollgate shootings.

He said: “We will be

committed to a full investigation of what happened and people would be held accountable.

They certainly would be held accountable. We would do everything possible to ensure that they are held accountable.

“People have claimed that their friends and family members have been killed. So, this Judicial Panel of Enquiry is meant to bring all of these stories to accountability; where we can make restitutions, where families can prove and indentify officers that were responsible for this.

“I am not the Commanderin-Chief of the Armed Forces; I am Governor of a state. The report would be out and we would channel the report to all the relevant authorities in

the state to ensure that every one that is found culpable is accountable for the act.”

Sanwo-Olu also debunked the insinuation that international pressure persuaded President Muhammadu Buhari and himself to finally speak out about what protesters demonstrated for so long in Lagos and in Nigeria on the #EndSARS campaign.

He said: “There are no international pressures whatsoever. These are genuine protesters that we all believe and we all have knowledge about.

I was the first governor among governors with due respect to all my other colleagues who came out to meet with them, who started from the front. I carried the EndSARS flags with

them. I met with them twice and we all had the rally together and worked together.”

The governor also expressed confidence that there would be positive change as a result of what has happened in the past couple of days with protests in different parts of Nigeria by the youths.

“I genuinely believe there would be change for two reasons.

One, what has happened, especially in Lagos is extremely unimaginable. Number two is that it was a clarion call for all of us in government, especially understanding and realising what the youths truly want us to be doing. So, it hit all of us like a thunder boat and it was just a wake-up call,” he said.

in the distribution of food items domiciled in warehouses across the country.

"Council reviewed the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other secessionist groups, stressing that these subterranean and violent tendencies must be quickly addressed given that they have continually hijacked demonstrations and caused mayhem and lawlessness across parts of the country.

"Council established that economic issues underlie what the country has gone through

in the last few weeks. Good governance and improved service delivery remain the fundamental panacea to social tensions in the country and social welfare must be given greater priority in the first instance.

“Council decried the irresponsible use of social media in fueling misinformation and increasing social tensions."

It added: “The council agreed to embark on an objective framing of a new security and stability architecture for the country supported by the development of a framework

of engagement with the youth, civil society and religious leaders.

"A framework for national unity; a framework to engage with security agencies that will devolve more control to state governors who are the chief security officers of their states; a framework for federal support to provide compensation for those who have incurred losses in the last few weeks and a framework for social security to deal with the problem of unemployment and poverty in the country."

Reacting to the fines, SERAP, in a statement by its Deputy Director, Mr. Kolawole Oluwadare, said NBC's action was yet another example of Nigerian authorities’ push to silence independent media and voices.

SERAP said NBC should drop the fines or face legal action if it does not rescind the decision within 48 hours. ''This is a new low in Nigeria’s protection of freedom of expression, and the ability of independent media to function in the country. The fines are detrimental to media freedom, and access to information, and the NBC must immediately withdraw the decision,” it said.

NUJ National President, Mr. Chris Isiguzo, condemned the sanctions.

In a statement titled: "Unending assault on the media," he said the decision by the industry regulator exposed the government’s anti-democratic tendencies.

He said: "Rather than trying to muzzle the media, we suggest that the NBC should applaud media coverage of the protests and the professionalism of

journalists who despite the enormous risks to their lives ensured a comprehensive coverage of the protests.

"This development is of major concern to the union as journalists and media organisations are targets of attack by both protesters and the government. The media, despite all its perceived shortcomings, remains the most viable tool for good governance and democracy and should be jealously guarded and protected.

"Actions like this only bring back unpleasant memories of the long tenure of military rule and the established culture of intolerance against the media when Nigeria recorded her most grievous crimes against the industry. Sadly, we are once more witnessing actions that seek to undermine the profession by both state and non-state actors.

"We call for an end to this open contempt and disrespect for the media by NBC and note that the fines imposed on the media houses are unnecessary, discriminatory, an attempt to discourage a free, independent media, and should be withdrawn immediately.”

The PDP also condemned what it described as the clampdown on major broadcast stations by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government.

The PDP, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said the rush to impose monetary fines on the television stations smacks of a fresh attempt to gag the media, suppress free speech and Nigerians’ access to information.

The main opposition party said the clampdown on broadcast stations has heightened widespread public apprehensions of attempts at concealments of details and suppression of material evidence relating to human rights violations during the protests.

"In fact, this display of highhandedness by the NBC has hugely detracted from the efforts being made by well-meaning Nigerians to douse the tension in the land and reassure Nigerians at this critical time.

"The NBC should rescind this rushed clampdown and handle its regulatory role more professionally,” PDP added.

NEC DIRECTS OSINBAJO, GOVS TO ENGAGE YOUTHS, CSOS ON JOBS CREATION, OTHERS The communiqué also said NEC commiserated and condoled with all those injured, suffered the death of a loved one or lost property since the hijacking of the #EndSARS demonstrations by criminals and hoodlums.

It said: "To this end, a council committee to engage the youths, representatives of civil society organisations, religious and traditional leaders, on employment, social safety net programmes, and national unity among other key issues of concern has

been constituted composing governors representing the six geopolitical zones."

The council observed the low morale of security operatives during the period and members resolved to commend the police and all the security agencies for their handling of what was clearly an unprecedented problem.

It expressed the belief that most members of the nation’s security personnel are lawabiding and are capable of restoring law and order.

The NEC also supported

President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to overhaul the country’s security services by improving the capacity of security officers across the rank and file while providing them with the necessary equipment to carry out their jobs effectively.

It stated: "NEC enjoined the CACOVID leadership to come out with an independent statement on the status of the distribution of palliatives donated to states, which should clearly explain the circumstances behind the delay

NBC UNDER FIRE FOR FINING ARISE NEWS, CHANNELS, AIT The regulator alleged that the three stations aided in the escalation of tension through coverage of the protests in the country.

They were slammed with fines that varied between N2million and N3million.

The Acting Director-General, NBC, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, threatened at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday that the operating licences of the affected stations will be suspended if they commit the same infraction again, which is classified as a Category A offence.

Idachaba said the sanction would serve as a deterrent to broadcasters who did not verify news stories before airing them.

He said the commission was concerned about the recent professional misdemeanour of some broadcasting stations.

Idachaba said: “In line with the provision of Section 5.6.9 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which states that the broadcaster shall be held liable for any breach of the code emanating from the use of material from User Generated Sources, the commission, therefore, sanctioned Arise TV, Channels TV and AIT

in line with the provision of the broadcasting code.

“Channels Television, Arise TV and AIT, especially continued to transmit footages obtained from unverified and unauthenticated social media sources.

“No doubt, these pictures stimulated anger and heightened the violence that was witnessed during the #EndSARS crisis.

“If you escalate the violation that has emanated from the misuse of social media sources by broadcasting, it will escalate the sanction.

“According to the provision of the law, we can comfortably shut them down because what they are doing is capable of causing the breakdown of law and order.

“No responsible country will sit down and allow any form of media to bring down the country.

“Look at the level of damage and killings that happened on account of the unverified news report.

“In line with the provision of the Code Section B, which is heavy fine between N500, 000 to N5 million, we will communicate that to the affected stations depending on the magnitude

of breaches.

“But none of them will pay less than N2 million to N3 million and any further breach will lead to the withdrawal of licence.’’

He cautioned broadcasters against airing materials that could embarrass individuals, organisations or cause disaffection, incite to panic or rift in the society.

“We believe that the whole country has now seen why the spurious and recklessness on social media must not be patronised by the mainstream traditional media,’’ he stated.

Idachaba, however, condemned the assault and intimidation of media houses.

He said the burning of TVC Lagos and the brief closure of Channels TV were worrisome indicators of mob threat to the freedom of the press.

According to him, no nation can grow when the citizens muzzle and intimidate its press.

He stated that the sanction will serve as a deterrent to broadcasters that fail to verify stories before broadcasting.

SERAP, NUJ, PDP Kick

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TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Establish Commission for Youths, Soludo Tells FG Peter Uzoho A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof.

Charles Soludo, has urged the

federal government to allow the youth to be at the fore in making and implementing policies for the country.

Soludo said this in an article he

Bandits Kill Customs Officer in Jigawa, Steal Rifles The Police in Jigawa have confirmed that hoodlums shot dead a Customs officer and injured one other in Ringim Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Spokesman in the state, SP Abdu Jinjiri, confirmed the incident yesterday to journalists in Dutse, the state capital.

Jinjiri said the hoodlums allegedly attacked the officers while on routine patrol at Kyarama village on October 25.

“On October 25, the police in Ringim LGA, received a report

that some Customs officers while on patrol at Kyarama village were attacked by armed hoodlums, while one of the officers was shot dead and the other critically injured.

“It was also suspected that two of the officers’ service rifles were carted away by the hoodlums,” Jinjiri said.

According to him, the police are making effort to trace and apprehend the suspects, while the investigation into the incident was ongoing.

wrote regarding the uprising by the youth against police brutality and the call for better governance.

The professor of economics, who said his daughter had fallen victim to the defunct Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), added that he has been protesting for a better Nigeria since he was 19 years old.

Soludo asked the federal government to “exploit the opportunity inherent in the current seeming national tragedy” by establishing a structure managed by the youth and one that would address their challenges.

This structure, he suggested, could be “Commission for the Future of Nigerian Youths”.

Soludo said: “Yes, the initial peaceful protest has largely lost its strategic direction but we must not also respond by labelling the entire episode and dismissing it. The crisis has shown many patriotic youths and we need to harness them into a vanguard for the new or next Nigeria.

“Such a structured dialogue under whatever platform, for example: Commission for the Future of Nigerian Youths) should be dominated by the youths from the 36 states and FCT at the centre of the table. “It could be an ad-hoc or permanent commission, separate from the ministry of youths and sports but with defined timelines to

deliver results.

“Let Nigeria lead Africa in this regard by elevating the voice of the citizen to statecraft. We need their alternative blueprint for our future. If they want to suggest their own version of Nigerian constitution, let them do so. It is their future and that of their children that is mostly at stake and so, let’s hear them.

“Let the Commission for the Future of Nigerian Youths produce the youths’ agenda for security, jobs, poverty reduction and prosperity, as well as the legal-institutional- governance structure to deliver them. What kind of education and value system will underpin these

and how will they emerge, etc?

He also said the younger generation should be heard, adding that they “might give Nigeria the magic wand for the problems”.

“Given the high concentration of poverty in the North-east and North-west, as well as the spate of insecurity especially banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism, perhaps the youths might give Nigeria the magic wand for the problems. Let’s have their detailed plan for policing in Nigeria or even a template on the size, functions, salaries and allowances of elected office holders, etc.,” he said.

Hoodlums Burn Abakaliki Central Police Station Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki Suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), yesterday launched an attack on the Central Police Station in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

The station, located along the Abakaliki-Enugu Highway and close to the International market, was set ablaze by the IPOB members.

They also destroyed and set ablaze cars, tricycles and motorcycles in the compound.

IPOB leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, had called on his members to embark on a clean-up exercise/ protest around major cities in the South-east and South-south geo political zones.

The exercise was peaceful in Ikwo local government area, where security agencies allowed them to move around without any confrontation.

But in Abakaliki, the proscribed group members, who clearly identified themselves as members of the group, launched an attack on the police station around 3pm.

They claimed that some of their members were killed by the Police during last week’s disturbances in front of the station.

Many shops and businesses closed down abruptly.

Governor David Umahi left a function at Old Government House and returned to the new government as reports of the incident got to him.

Police Commissioner, Philip Maku confirmed the attack on the station.

He said no casualty has been recorded so far.

The CP also vehemently denied that any of the attackers was killed in last week’s clashes.

He instead said that it was the police who later lost one of its officers who was injured during last week’s disturbances.

“We are the ones being brutalised. One of the two Policemen that were wounded last week later died”, he said.

IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said the attackers are not members of the secessionist group.

Plateau Denies Giving Looters Ultimatum to Return Stolen Palliatives Seriki Adinoyi in Jos Plateau State government has denied asking looters to return stolen palliatives as claimed by the Nigerian Police, noting that the position of the Police is not the same as that of the state government.

Speaking in a telephone interview, the state Commissioner of Information, Mr. Dan Manjang said the palliatives belong to the people, and there was no need asking them to return them.

“But we condemn the act of criminality by the people for forcing their way into the warehouse to loot the palliatives.

We had the plan to share it to them in an orderly manner like we did when we did with the palliatives bought by the state government.

“We also condemn the hoodlums for attacking and looting government and private properties. That was criminal.”

The Plateau State Government

was said to have warned looters if COVID-19 palliatives to return them in the next 48 hours or face the wrath of the law.

The state command of the Nigerian Police had claimed that the state government had given the looters 48 hours to return the loot.

In a statement by the acting Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Donboy Peters, the Police had described the looters as criminals, warning them to return the palliatives before Wednesday.

Peters said, “Sequel to the ugly occurrences that bedeviled some parts of the state particularly Jos North and Jos South LGAs, the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Edward Egbuka, has condemned in totality the breaking and looting into government warehouses, shops and private houses of individuals by hoodlums and other criminals within Jos and Bukuru metropolis under the guise of #EndSARS protests.

MOVING AGAINST VIOLENCE…

L-R: Representative of Soun of Ogbomoso, Chief James Oyetunji; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde; and Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of South-west states, Leye Oyebade, during governor’s meeting with the traditional rulers, local government chairmen and religious leaders on the security situation in the state, in Government House, Ibadan…yesterday

EndSARS Protests: Lagos Panel of Inquiry Receives 15 Petitions CP warns against receipt of looted, stolen items Segun James The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry for Restitution for victims of #EndSARS-related abuses and the October 20 Lekki Tollgate shootings has received 15 petitions from victims of abuses barely a week after it was constituted.

This is coming as the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, yesterday warned lawabiding citizens especially parents, community leaders and traders to reject all items suspected to have

been looted or stolen by criminals who wreaked havoc during the #ENDSARS protests.

The chairperson of the panel, Justice Doris Okuwobi (rtd), disclosed this while speaking with journalists yesterday.

Okuwobi urged other victims of SARS abuse to come forward with their petitions.

She said that the panel is independent of the government and will ensure that individuals with valid complaints of human rights violations will receive justice.

“If their cases are disposed of in a month or two, compensation if recommended would go to the victims immediately to assuage their pain “We are looking forward to memoranda from those affected by the unfortunate incident of the shooting at the Lekki Tollgate plaza by the military.

ReadAlso: “The panel has received not less than 15 petitions relating to the disbanded SARS”, she said.

Okuwobi said the panel will formally start sitting on Tuesday (today).

“We are indeed ready to commence the public sitting. The petitions are here withoutthepetitionersaround,thepanel will start full proceedings tomorrow, October 27.

She said the panel will work with the civil society to assist them with credible evidence of the killings at the Lekki Tollgate Plaza.

“This is to ensure that there will be good evidence to assist the panel make appropriate recommendations in respect of all terms of reference of the panel,” she said.

Makinde Unveils N1bn Package forVictims of Police Brutality Oyo State Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde, yesterday announced that his administration has set aside packages totaling the sum of NI billion to cover for compensation for victims of police brutality and injustice and a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) scheme, for youths.

The package includes an initial deposit of N500 million for MSMEs and another N500 million as compensation to victims of police brutality and injustice.

Makinde, who made the disclosure while addressing traditional rulers, local government chairpersons, security operatives and other stakeholders at a meeting yesterday, said that the state government will equally employ 5,000 youths across the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), in order to address the challenge of youth unemployment in the state.

He added that the state will also ensure that the 2021 Budget captures a Direct Labour Agency that will allow youths with prerequisite skills

to have access to jobs whenever projects are awarded.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the governor stated these at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, while meeting with the traditional rulers, security chiefs, religious leaders and chairmen of the 68 local government areas and Local Council Development Areas.

Some of those in attendance include the Olubadan of

Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso1; Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, and other traditional rulers across the state; the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Kwara and Delta states, Mr. Dawud Makanjuola; the state’s Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Apostle Joshua Akinyemi; the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Leye Oyebade, and service commanders in the state.

Bobajiro of Ibadan, Akinyele, Dies at 88 An Ibadan elder, Chief Theophilus Akinyele, has been reported dead.

The Ibadan chief, aged 88, was said to have died in Lagos yesterday.

Akinyele, who was born in Ibadan, the Oyo State

capital, February 29, 1932, was Permanent Secretary, Ministries of Agriculture and Finance in the old Western State of Nigeria.

He was Registrar and Secretary of Council, the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, and Secretary

to the Military Government in Oyo State.

The chief rose to the position of Head of the Civil Service of Oyo State and also served as Director of Budget and Special Adviser on Budget Affairs to President Shehu Shagari between

1979 and 1983.

Having retired from the public service, Akinyele worked as a consultant for several years.

He was the Bobajiro of Ibadanland and an Officer of the Order of the Niger.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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NEWS

Cross River Police Arrest 80 for Looting in Calabar Bassey Inyang in Calabar The Cross River Police Command has arrested more than 80 hoodlums over their alleged involvement in the vandalism of some government and private property on October 23 and October 24 in Calabar, the state capital.

The command also apprehended those who allegedly looted private offices and homes as well as those who reportedly invaded the office of National Assembly members.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that various empowerment items, including tricycles and stage and sound equipment at the Calabar

International Convention Centre (CICC), were said to have been carted away by the hoodlums during the attacks.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Abdulkadir Jimoh, who spoke with journalists yesterday in Calabar, said that the police had recovered some of the looted items.

He urged the traditional rulers, community leaders, faith organisations, youths as well as community policing committees, including the people of the state to expose the looters.

“I want to urge community leaders, youth groups and religious leaders to expose the looters and shame them.

“We have arrested more than 80 suspects and they are undergoing interrogations in our various security facilities.

“Looters have 24 hours to return all the looted items before the house-to-house search gets to them, as recovery of looted items is ongoing,” he said.

Jimoh warned landlords and parents not to hide or cover up for any criminal in their environment, adding that the

ongoing house- to-house search was business as usual.

“No criminal element will be spared; no one who vandalised government property or looted personal effects and invaded people’s private offices will go unpunished; they will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“We are already working in synergy with other sister agencies in a bid to fish out the bad eggs as well as recover

the looted items.

“I will advise all those who are in possession of such items to, in their own interest, bring them or face justice,” he said.

The police commissioner further said that the command had so far recovered four new tricycles, water heaters, bath tubs, air conditioners, speakers and executive chairs.

He also listed other recovered items to include stage equipment at the CICC,

sewing machines looted from a garment factory, fumigation equipment and cartons of pesticides.

Jimoh added that the police would not rest until all the perpetrators of arson and vandalism in Calabar were apprehended.

He also said no stone would be left unturned to ensure that peace returned to the city and the state at large.

Police: Publisher Being Detained on Court Order Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja The Nigeria Police Force headquarters has said yesterday that the Publisher of Power Steering News, Mr. Tom Oga Uhia, was arrested and being detained on the strength of a court order.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, had described as unfortunate and abuse of power - the arrest and detention of the publisher by the police.

According to NUJ, Uhia was arrested on Wednesday night in a ‘’Gestapo manner’’ by the men of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja on the instructions of the Minister of State for Power, Mr. Godwin Jeddy Agba.

However, speaking with THISDAY in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Frank Mba, said the journalist was detained on a remand order.

“I was trying to see what can be done but I was informed that he was detained on remand order,” the police spokesman stated.

Although Mba didn’t disclosed the alleged crime committed by the publisher, but a source at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Area 10, Abuja, where he is currently

being detained said that the publisher is being held over alleged “criminal intimidation, blackmail and extortion.’’

The journalist was arrested on October 13, 2020, following an article published in the paper, accusing the Minister of State for Power, Agba of masterminding the crash of DANA Airline in 2012 without justifying his claims in the cover story.

In a statement issued recently, by the Chairman and Secretary of the NUJ, FCT Council, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche and Ochiaka Ugwu, respectively, the union claimed that if the minister believes he had been either defamed or suffered libel, he should seek judicial remedy through the courts rather than resorting to abuse of power and privilege using the police.

“It is obvious that recent events are not enough lessons to officials in power that there is always a day of reckoning. If the Minister of State, Power, Mr. Godwin Jeddy Agba feels strongly that he has suffered libel or defamation, what he ought to do is to seek legal remedy through the courts rather than using the police to arrest and detain Mr. Tom Oga Uhia, publisher of Power Steering Magazine for over 72 hours now without being charged to court,” the statement said.

Senator Ubah MobilisesYouths, Others to Protect Communities Sunday Okobi In continuation of his moves to ensure security of lives and property of the people of his district, a member of the National Assembly representing Anambra South in the National Assembly, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, yesterday urged the people of his zone to remain vigilant and protect lives and property in their communities.

He made the appeal when he met with various vigilante and youth groups of Ukpor, Osumumenyi, Ezinifite and Amichi communities as well as community leaders.

During the meeting, Ubah called on the local vigilante in various communities in the district to remain resolute and commit themselves towards the protection of their people.

He also assured them that he would always give them the necessary support that they may require in the discharge of their duties According to a statement issued yesterday by his Assistant on Media and Strategic Communications, Mr. Kamen Chuks Ogbonna, the senator also visited burnt police stations in the aforementioned communities to ascertain the level of damages recorded there.

He also visited the traditional ruler of Ukpor, His Royal Majesty Igwe Felix Chinedu Onyimmadu, and the Grand Patron of Osumenyi Development Union, High Chief Bath Obidike, where he called on them to continue promoting peace and ensure that there is no further attempt to destroy property in their communities.

CURBING POLICE IMPUNITY...

Chairperson of Edo State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality, Hon. Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe (left), and Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki , at the inauguration of the panel at Government House, in Benin City...yesterday

FG Removes HND, Degrees’ Disparity for Paramilitary Officers The federal government has removed the ranking and career progression disparity between Higher National Diploma (HND) and Degree holders in the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Correctional Service and the Federal Fire Service.

A memo with reference CDCFIB/1001/vol1/110, dated October 16, 2020, was issued to this effect by the Secretary of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and

Immigration Services Board, Mr. Alhassan Yakmut.

A former Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (rtd), who was the chairman of the board, had approved the regularisation of the dichotomy between holders of university degrees and HND in all the security services.

The memo, which was titled: ‘Harmonisation of ranks and salaries in the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services,’ was

issued at the end of a meeting of the board held on September 24 and 25.

The memo directed that all candidates recruited by the board with HND will be placed asAssistant Superintendent II CONPASS 08 level and can rise to the highest position in their respective services without discriminatory ceiling or hindrance.

It also stipulated that all inspectorate ranks from senior inspector to chief inspector I are abolished, while all these officers

would be converted to appropriate superintendent ranks.

“The board has withdrawn the ranking and career progression disparity between Degree and HND holders.

“Consequently, all candidates recruited by the board with HND will be placed at Assistant Superintendent II, CONPAS 08 level and can rise to the highest position in their respective Services without discriminatory ceiling or hinderance.

PTF Warehouses Contain Medical Equipment, Not Food, FG Clarifies Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja The federal government yesterday clarified that the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19’s warehouses stocking COVID-19 items, contained largely medical equipment, test kits and valuable items, which are extremely important to the national response on the pandemic.

The National Coordinator of PTF on COVID-19, Dr. Sani Aliyu, made the clarification yesterday

at the task force’s media briefing to discourage hoodlums who are looting COVID-19 warehouses with the intention to steal food palliatives.

He pleaded with hoodlums planning to loot its warehouses to desist from such, saying it is important that the assets are protected and used strictly for the purpose of tackling the pandemic as agreed with the donors.

The coordinator also clarified the difference between the PTF

mandate and that of CACOVID. He said CACOVID is a private sector initiative, which has worked very closely with PTF to deliver some of the key mandates..

“CACOVID has been a critical partner in our response to COVID-19. It has also been working with state governments and the FCT and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, to procure, deliver and distribute palliatives to 1.7 million Nigerians, to the most vulnerable households

across Nigeria.

“What I am going to read out are the facts. Food items were meant to be delivered to 1.7 million families across all 774 local government areas in the 36 states and the FCT. It is an unprecedented relief efforts, which actually started out in April. The sheer scale of the food programme by CACOVID meant that the programme had to be delivered in a staggered and controlled manner.

Military Kills 38 Bandits, Rescues 108 KidnappedVictims in North-west Francis SardaunainKatsina The Nigerian Army yesterday said its troops of Operation Sahel Sanity has killed 38 bandits and rescued 108 kidnapped victims in Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto and Kebbi states as part of efforts to secure farming communities and restore peace and normalcy in North-west region of the country.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig. General Benard Onyeuko, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the Special Army Super Camp IV in Faskari, Katsina State.

Onyeuko, represented by the Nigerian Army Operations’ Media Coordinator, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu, said the anti-banditry troops foiled 47 bandits’ attacks and 31 kidnap

attempts during their clearance operations in the zone.

He reiterated that the Nigerian soldiers destroyed 10 bandits’ camps and apprehended 183 suspected bandits’ informants, logistics suppliers and collaborators and recovered 131 rustled cows and 154 sheep.

Onyeuko said: “So far, in all the operations conducted between

September 4 to 25 October 2020, 38 armed bandits were neutralised while 93 suspected bandits logistics suppliers and collaborators were arrested.

“Relatedly, 30 Dane guns, 941 rounds of 7.62 mm Special ammunition and five live cartridges were captured during various encounters with troops. Also, a total of 131 cows, 154 sheep/rams and one camel were recovered.

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TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

NEWS

Police Arrest 144 Suspected Looters as Kwara Relaxes Curfew Hammed Shittu in Ilorin

Security operatives in Kwara State have arrested 144 suspects in connection with the last weekend’s looting of public and private properties in Ilorin while the state government, yesterday, relaxed the 24 hour curfew it imposed on the state capital to between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm.

Speaking with journalists in Ilorin yesterday, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, said that

the arrest of the suspects was as a result of combined efforts of security agencies in the state.

Egbetokun, who confirmed that two government warehouses and lots of privately owned properties were attacked by the hoodlums, said that the attacks were well coordinated and led by some hardened criminals.

He said that large quantities of looted properties have also been recovered, including two vehicles used to cart away loot.

Egbetokun called on those who

still have looted properties in their possession to voluntarily surrender them, adding that such people would not be prosecuted.

The commissioner of police also directed that looted properties could be submitted at various religious centres like mosques, churches and even residences of community heads.

He said that arrest of suspects

is a continuous process, adding that, “as we are here, more arrest and recovery of looted properties are still being made.”

Meanwhile, The Governor of Kwara State, Mr. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has reviewed the 24 hour curfew imposed on the state to between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm after a security council meeting with heads of security agencies

on Sunday.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye, reads: “A review of the situation in the Ilorin metropolis suggested a relative calm. The meeting observed that the objective of the curfew has largely been achieved as the misguided elements that looted and vandalised public and private

properties have been pushed back and normalcy restored.

“Consequently, the security council resolved to relax the curfew from 24 hours to between 6p.m. and 8 a.m. daily until further notice. This means members of the public can move around between 8 a.m. and 6p.m. daily within the metropolis.

FG Seeks Return of Looted Vaccines Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja The federal government has urged those who took away medicines and vaccines stored in its warehouses across the country to return them to avoid harmful effects.

The Minister of State for Health, Senator Olorinmibe Mamora, who spoke at a media briefing by the Presidential Taskforce on control of COVID-19 on Thursday in Abuja, said that some of these vaccines could still be useful if they are returned immediately without damage.

Mamora said: “I want to use this opportunity to appeal to our youths to stop crushing our medical supply stores. Most of these drugs are kept under controlled temperature and

humidity conditions. Destruction of these conditions will render them ineffective and in some cases poisonous.”

He said that Nigeria Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) medical warehouse in Idu Industrial Estate in the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) is stocked with medical and laboratory equipment, adding that destruction of items will impart negatively to the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mamora, who said that the consistent drop in new COVID-19 infections is encouraging state governments to shut down isolation centres, however appealed to them not to be in a hurry to do so that the country will not be caught unawares in the event a second wave of the disease.

El-Rufai Relaxes Curfew in 21 LGAs John Shiklam in Kaduna The Kaduna State Government has relaxed the 24-hour curfew imposed on the state last Saturday following the looting of COVID-19 palliatives from warehouses in the state.

However, the 24 hour curfew is to be sustained in Chikun and Kaduna South Local Government Areas of the state.

Hundreds of youths last Saturday broke into an unoccupied residential house at Gwari Avenue in Barnawa, Kaduna South LGA as well as a NAFDAC store in Narayi, Chikun LGA, also in the metropolis, looting and vandalising private businesses

and homes.

In a statement issued yesterday, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, said security agencies recommended for “a significant relaxation of the curfew in 21 local government areas.

“However, the 24-hour curfew will continue in Chikun and Kaduna South LGAs until further notice.

“From October 27, 2020, residents can pursue their lawful business between 6a.m. and 4p.m. daily.

“Curfew hours will be from 4p.m. to 6a.m. in all local government areas except Chikun and Kaduna South.”

Three Women Dead as FCT Police Parade 51 Looters Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Three women yesterday lost their lives after they were crushed in a stampede during the looting of a warehouse by hoodlums and others in Gwagwalada in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The unfortunate turn of event occurred just as the FCT Police Command has paraded 51 suspects for looting relief items that were stored in private warehouses at Jabi-Daki-Biu, Idu Industrial Estate, and Karimo in the FCT. Many people scrambled for the items after some hoodlums broke parts of the roof of the warehouse to provide access into the hall for all manner of looters.

It was as a result of the stampede occasioned by the rush that the

victims lost their lives while many others sustained various degrees of injuries.

The warehouse at Gwagwalada was stocked with COVID-19 items that belonged to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).

Items looted included bags of rice, cartons of noodles, Spaghetti, macaroni, bags of fertilizers, brand new motorbikes, grinding machines, bags of salt, bags of sugarandcartons of soaps.

Personnel of the Nigeria Civil Defence and Security Corps (NCDSC), the Nigeria Police and a contingent of the Brigade of Guards of the Nigeria Army, which were mobilised to the scene were overpowered by the looters, who converged on the warehouse early in the morning and forced their ways into the storage facility.

PERFORMING OVERSIGHT...

L-R: Clerk of Public Accounts Committee of House of Representatives, Mr. Ahmdu Jatau; Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Oluwole Oke, and Deputy Chairman, Hon. Abdulkareem Saad, during an investigating public hearing in Abuja... yesterday

US-based Nigerians Berate FG, Military over Lekki Shootings Nigerian Information Technology professionals based in the United States have joined the worldwide condemnation of last Tuesday’s shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos.

In a statement issued on behalf of the Board of Governors and members, the President of the American-based Nigeria-US IT Network, Dr. Michael A. Oriade, described the attack by the military against unarmed peaceful protesters as condemnable, reprehensible, and criminal.

In the statement titled, “Condemnation of Shooting of Peaceful #EndSARS Protesters,” the group lamented that the protesters conducted themselves peacefully and did not deserve to be subjected to the violence resulting in so many deaths and injuries.

“The Nigeria-US IT Network Inc. vehemently condemns the reprehensible action of the Federal Government and military authorities of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who ordered the

shooting of peacefully protesting youths at the Lekki toll-gate area of Lagos, Nigeria, which resulted in the death and injury of several of the protesters,” Oriade said, adding that, “We identify with the courageous youths and commiserate with the families and friends of the fallen heroes.”

According to Oriade, the protesters had been exercising their constitutionally-guaranteed rights with utmost decorum and the security apparatus should offer them protective cover rather

shooting at them.

“As the world observed, the protesters were peaceful and well organized in their conduct and did not pose any threat that could warrant the soldiers’ unleashing of violence against them,” the IT group pointed out.

Recalling the words of the famous civil rights activist, Martin Luther King Jr., the group stressed that the Lekki tragedy could not but provoke the humanity in people everywhere.

Adamawa Police Arrest 130 Suspected Looters, Recover Tractors, Others Daji Sani in Yola The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested 130 suspects in connection with the alleged looting of government warehouses in the state.

The spokesman of the state command, DSP Suleiman Nguroje, who confirmed the incidents, said the police command also recovered a lot of items looted by the hoodlums.

He said the items included tractors, cars, tricycles, motorcycles, computers, laptops and many

others.

Nguroje said the arrest of more suspects was still ongoing, adding that there were no issues of any loss of life.

However, the #EndSARS protesters, comprising youths and women, violated the curfew imposed on the state as they continue their rampage breaking into the warehouses of the National Emergency Management Agency( NEMA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), carting away palliatives and items sized by the Customs

to curtail smuggling activities in the state.

The state Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, had yesterday imposed a dawn-to-dusk curfew to halt the continuous looting of government warehouses in the state by hoodlums.

However, shortly after the announcement of the curfew by the governor, the irate youths and women regrouped and later broke into the warehouses and vandalised offices belonging to NEMA and NCS on Numan Road and carted away everything inside

the warehouses.

Meanwhile, a rice miller in the state has appealed for succour after thugs broke into his mill and carted away bags of parboiled and white rice valued at N188,465,000.

The Chief Executive Officer of Shemad Concept Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Mohammed Shemad, told journalists yesterday that the thugs forced their way into his rice mill located at Bakin Kogi, a riverside community in Yola North Local Government Area and stole 10,615 bags of rice that had been processed.

Bauchi Govt Secures Six Convictions in Rape Cases Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi The Bauchi State Government through the state Ministry of Justice has disclosed that it has so far secured six convictions on rape cases with another 18 cases pending in courts.

The Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Aliyu Bin Idris, disclosed this last weekend during a capacity training for key stakeholders in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) held in Bauchi.

Giving a breakdown of the convictions, Idris said: “The court of appeal had affirmed the judgement in the case of Shamsuddeen Adamu aka Duna v. state CA/J/76/C/2020, convicted for rape and sentenced to lifetime imprisonment.

“Also, Abbas Usman, aka Gero v. state CA/J/75/C/ 2020, was convicted for the offence of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment, while Al-Amin Yunusa, aka Maka v. state CA/18/C/2020, was convicted for the offence of rape and sentenced to life imprisonment.”

He further disclosed that the high court had also passed judgement on the following convicts in state v. Salisu Haruna BA/45/C/2018, and convicted him for attempted rape and act of gross indecency Also, in the state v. AbdulKarim Sani BA/51/C/2018, he was convicted in an attempted rape and act of gross indecency, and state v.

Shamsudeen Adamu as well as two others in BA/23/C/2018, and convicted for rape, and consequently sentenced to life imprisonments.

Idris also said 18 rape cases

are now pending and ongoing in court, and that two more would be forwarded to the ministry on October 26, 2020, for legal advice.

Idris commended the organisers of the training for their foresight in bringing together key stakeholders focused on SGBV, stressing that: “The menace of rape and other gender-based violence should be of concern for all. Bauchi State government under the present administration has created the enabling environment for the prosecution of offenders.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

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24 HOURS...

24 HOURS...

Senate Asks Foreign Affairs Ministry to Account for N848m Visa Fees Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The Senate yesterday asked the Foreign Affairs Ministry to properly account for N848 million generated as visa fees at the Nigerian embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, from 2013 to 2015.

Its committee on Public Accounts headed by Senator Matthew Urhoghide also directed the ministry’s permanent secretary to explain the $1.5 million spent as administrative charges and Estacode allowances by the embassy during the period under review.

House Investigates N1.8bn Oil Terminal Contract Udora Orizu in Abuja The House of Representatives yesterday began the investigation of revenue from sales of crude oil with a view to ensuring accountability and prudence in the management of the country’s financial resources.

The Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Wole Oke, disclosed this during the investigative hearing into the execution of over N1.8 billion oil terminal standardised calibacy and measurement contract.

The lawmaker, while acknowledging various concerns raised by stakeholders in the industry, expressed the resolve of the panel to ensure transparency in the entire process of payments for oil services companies in the country.

He said while it was legitimate for service providers in whatever sector to be paid their fees,

The committee’s directive was sequel to the 2015 audited report of the ministry submitted to the committee by the Auditor General of the Federation, Anthony Ayine.

Angered by the alleged financial recklessness of some of the embassy staff in Tel-Aviv, the Chairman of Senate Committee, Urhoghide, directed that the former permanent secretary in the ministry must be compelled to account for the reported mismanaged funds in the embassy.

He added that all those who perpetrated the alleged infractions must be identified and made to face the full wrath of the law.

Salawu Zubair, who stood in for the permanent secretary of the ministry, could, however, not give convincing response to the committee over the series of queries raised by the Auditor-General of Federation over activities of the Nigerian embassy in Israel.

The Auditor General’s report

read in part: “The sum of $858,704,50 was generated as revenue in respect of visa and administrative charges for the period 2013 to 2015.

“The following irregularities were observed: ‘Treasury book 6A and Treasury Book 6 revenue booklets were not kept, and consequently, not made available.

Revenue collector’s registers with details of TR6A and relevant amount were not maintained “Revenue cash books were not

updated with relevant entries throughout 2014. The permanent secretary has been requested to explain these irregularities in revenue collection, account for the sum of $858,704.50 collected as well as carry out the surcharge of officers involved; otherwise, the full weight of financial regulations 3112 (1) should be applied, forwarding evidence of action taken for audit verification.

using underhand methods of going through the backdoor and unappropriated payments is unacceptable.

Oke said payments made by the federal Ministry of Finance in conjunction with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should be above board and in line with financial regulations.

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of Berge International Services, Mr. Basil Lot, explained that the company executed a standardised calibacy and measurement contract on particular oil terminals to ensure that the correct quantity of crude oil approved is what is taken out.

Lot disclosed that for the highly technical service provided the country between 2015 and 2017, the company received payment of N1, 775, 591, 251, leaving a shortfall of N39 million from the total amount invoiced for the services.

PARTNERING THE MEDIA...

NLC Gives Akwa Ibom 14-day Ultimatum Okon Bassey in Uyo

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council has threatened the State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, with indefinite industrial strike if their demands were not addressed within 14 days.

The ultimatum was contained in a communique issued yesterday and jointly signed by the Chairperson of NLC, Comrade Sunny James and Acting Secretary of NLC, Comrade Iboro Ibara.

Rising from an emergency meeting in Uyo, the NLC noted that the state government has refused to address issues affecting the survival of workers and retirees in the state.

The communiqué stated that the NLC has resolved to stretch its patience for 14 days beginning from midnight of Tuesday, October 27, 2020, within which their grievances should be resolved.

Specifically, the state chapter of the NLC is demanding the payment of the 2020 leave grant to all civil servants in the state and 2018- 2020 leave grant to workers in the local government service and 2015, 2017- 2020 leave grant to primary school teachers.

The labour union also demanded an immediate end to the use of what it described as dubious and recalcitrant salary consultants to manage the state’s civil service payroll.

Marwa Seeks End to Bloodshed, Urges Dialogue A former Military Administrator of Lagos State and Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA),Brig.

Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd) has called on the Nigerian youths to embrace dialogue and constructive engagement with authorities at all levels of government to achieve their demands and the realisation of Nigeria of their dream.

Marwa made the appeal in a statement to commiserate with the victims of the Lekki shooting and all others, including security agents who lost their lives, property or got injured during the EndSARS protests across the country.

“As a former military

administrator of Lagos with great bonds and cherished affinity with the good people of the state, I was deeply troubled and worried by the news reports I got about the ugly turn of events at the Lekki toll plaza on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 and the subsequent wanton destruction of public and private assets. This should never have been if peaceful protesters had not been confronted with live bullets and innocent lives lost in the process. “The chain reaction that followed and the hijack of that by some other elements, motivated by other motives should serve as a great lesson to all stakeholders in the Nigerian project”, he stated.

Vice President, Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Comrade Ibrahim Omoba (left), and Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Buki Ponle, during the visit of the NYCN delegation to NAN headquarters in Abuja... yesterday.

Wike Urges Council Chairmen to Fish out IPOB Members Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has charged the 23 council chairmen and youths in the state to fish out members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples Organisation of Biafra (IPOB) in the state.

He also warned that any council chairman who allows IPOB to hold processions and hoist its flag within his jurisdiction in Rivers State risks sack.

The governor gave the charge yesterday in Port Harcourt during a meeting with all the 23

local government areas chairmen, community development committees and youths leaders at the Government House.

He described Rivers as the most accommodating state for all Nigerians, buttressing that there has never been any historical incident of different ethnic groups clashing in the state as has been witnessed in other parts of the country.

“We can never be against any ethnic group. We can never do that. We have lived in harmony with the Ibos, the Hausas and

with Edo people. Everybody that comes to this state has lived in harmony with us. And so Nigerians must commend Rivers State as a place where you have never had problem of ethnicity,” he said.

Wike, however, maintained that while the people of Rivers State believe in the unity of the country, they will not allow ‘criminals’ under the aegis of IPOB to continue to threaten the stability of the state.

According to him, “There

is one terrorist group they call IPOB. I did not declare them terrorist group, the court did. The federal government declared them so. IPOB cannot use Rivers State to launch attack. If you allow that, your future, your children’s future is gone.”

Infuriated by IPOB’s alleged effrontery to hoist its flag in Oyigbo, the governor directed the council chairman to ensure “there will not be another occurrence of this treasonous act.”

Air Peace to Add Johannesburg to Its International Destinations ChineduEze A major Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, has announced that it would be commencing regular commercial flight operations from its Lagos hub into the city of Johannesburg, South Africa in line with its vision to provide seamless connectivity across cities.

The airline disclosed that it has made huge progress in meeting

the stipulated requirements of the aviation authorities in both South Africa and Nigeria to enable it launch flight operations into the country before end of 2020.

The Air Peace’s Spokesman, Mr. Stanley Olisa, said that South Africa is one of the destinations which the federal government approved for Air Peace, adding that the Lagos-Johannesburg-Lagos would be operated thrice a week.

Olisa also said that South Africa has always been on the radar of Air Peace as the airline is constantly reviewingitsroutenetworkandlooking at strategic ways of expanding it to provide immense value to Nigerians first and other Africans.

He added that this focused route planning and expansion is driven by the airline’s ‘no-city-left-behind’ initiative, an ambition to interconnect various cities through the provision

of safe, comfortable, and cost-effective flights.

Reiterating the commitment of the airline to continuously add more connections to its route network, Olisa noted that apart from South Africa, Air Peace has also been designated to operate commercial flights into Mumbai, London, Guangzhou-China, Houston, with other destinations still in the works.

Flights Grounded at Akure Airport as Crater Found on Runway James Sowole in Akure Sequel to the discovery of a crater allegedly dug on Akure Airport, Ekiti State, by persons suspected to be hoodlums, flights at the airport were grounded.

The discovery of the strange crater was said to have forced the management of the airport to close the runway preventing

flight from taking off or landing at the facilities.

Consequently, many travellers, who wanted to travel by air through the airports, were unable to do so.

A source at the airport revealed that the officials of the airport authorities discovered the crater in the night and consequently closed the runway.

It said: “The hole was discovered during the early morning check by the security men of the airport. We are yet to know those behind it. I think the intention of the miscreants was to cause plane crash in the airport. The security operatives have been invited to observe the place. The government has to deploy the security agents to

the airport so as not to allow the miscreants cause havoc there.”

In a reaction, the spokesperson of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Henrietta Yakubu, stated that there were cracks discovered on the runway during the routine checks yesterday morning, but said the cracks had not affected the flight operations in the airport.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Ëœ Í°ÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

COMMENT

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

ONI: CAPITAL MARKET IMPRESARIO...

Nik Ogbulie pays tribute to Sola Oni, journalist, administrator and consultant, at age 60

H

is entry into the journalism world was very calm but his exit was majestic. How else do you describe the role of a run-off-the-mill worker who later became a super-ego in a profession with very high mortality rate, where many will serve for years without a golden hand shake even when they crush the diamond age? A day never passed without a hysteric shout of this name in the expansive newsroom of The Guardian where his boss, Jide Ogundele, would be sitting on the edge of his seat waiting for the story that would make the capital market the next day and sell his paper to the anticipating readership. This has become Sola Qni’s forte because his trips into the trading floors of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) are not without such stories that change the market apple charts or instigate some steer within the pundits in Custom Street. Some of us who stroll from NSE house to the CBN building would often want to have a peep at what his perspective of the day’s trade could be as a way of having a good addition and balance to our money market news pegs. Because he has never been economical with assisting his friends in the industry he was seen as one very free and brilliant financial journalist who can entertain with his rich knowledge of the market.

My closeness with Sola Oni was the fact of our joining The Guardian the same year and reporting finance which was considered the mother of financial journalism. I saw him then as a very calm and egregious budding journalist whose limits would be beyond the ambits of a normal newspaper house. This really happened as he later became the cynosure of all editors who had slant for financial journalism and corporate institutions which wanted to leverage the intelligence and exposure of such guys to grow their institutions. That was at a time the Nigerian financial market was looking like a cloned version of the Wall Street, before the bubble bust.

As a very intelligent financial journalist, Sola was the yardstick for measuring efficiency in the newsroom based on his performance chart and the effects of the stories he had produced. To many people, what happens on the floor of the exchange does not make much sense until he came to the business desk of the newspaper to expose the hidden effects in the capital market where stories were demystified. Before then some untamed reporters made capital market reporting look like rocket science.

His interpretations of the market were lucid and his projections were inviting to the discerning investors. At a point, his role as a capital market journalist was seen to have some conflict with his knowledge of the market to the extent that he could be mistaken for a magician. In all these, nothing was there to explain that he was a very happy father other than the fact that he would not waste

TO MANY PEOPLE, WHAT HAPPENS ON THE FLOOR OF THE EXCHANGE DOES NOT MAKE MUCH SENSE UNTIL HE CAME TO THE BUSINESS DESK OF THE NEWSPAPER TO EXPOSE THE HIDDEN EFFECTS IN THE CAPITAL MARKET WHERE STORIES WERE DEMYSTIFIED

a minute in the newsroom immediately he was done with the day’s duties.

I left him in the Guardian newsroom when I wa s joining one of the merchant banks but I kept my contacts with him because I was aware of the fact that he has a strong store of values in his system as a highly responsible journalist. He dutifully showed this during the trying days in the Guardian with the military goons. His itinerary then was part of the grooming times in his life to study workplace culture which still offered him the privilege to see the newspaper house as the place to hatch his plans as a market goon. In those days, the NSE offered opportunities to journalists to learn the trade in a field they have covered over the years. This even offered him more opportunities to pass his reports above the heads of his supervisors who would not understand his narratives.

His editors became people like Apostle Hayford Alile, Ndi Okereke-Onyiuke, etc.

At 60 there is not much to say to this guru than to ask him to dedicate his time to the teaching of Capital market reporting to the various tertiary institutions and newsrooms, using his numerous contacts to gather the funding of an institute or a centre. This will not be a burden in any way because his constituency is in the majority. His sojourn from the newsroom to the trading floor could be seen as a blessing that must touch the lives of journalists and expand his hallowed magnanimity as a first grade financial journalist. His turning 60 years in exceptionally good health and deluge of blessings portend some revelations that he is still good to do a lot to his embraced constituency. As a matter of fact, age has nothing to do with this number he is propounding. To me, the numbers called age can even weigh down the potency of a very strong man based on the infectious recognitions of what certain numbers portends to mankind. This may be why one of the great writers of our time, a literary inn-keeper called Mark Twain said, that age is an issue of mind and matter; if you don’t mind it does not matter.

Taking it further, Sola can also understand that 60 years is a milestone made of diamonds. It is not to be counted. It could only be celebrated as we did last week.

Whenever I see you, I can only recollect the posture of your thrust into the newsroom or your majestic glide onto the floors of the Stock exchange because those were the planes where your real self was molded. What you are doing today as a consultant is the culmination of all the ideas that came from those structures. At 60, the whole world could be on your feet. You are really an icon in spite of your premature retirement from active service.

Congratulations, Ogbuefi Sola Oni! r0HCVMJF JT B -BHPT CBTFE Ă OBODJBM KPVSOBMJTU

WHO SENT SOLDIERS TO LEKKI TOLL GATE? Lagos must be stopped from further burning, writes Kayode Yusuf

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ENDSARS protest began on Thursday, October 8 with youths taking to the Lekki Tollgate, Lagos to protest the wanton harassment, extortion, brutality and killings of the police. For nearly two weeks, the youths maintained their voice and presented their grievances to the government.

This was via the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who addressed them in the earlier days and took their five-point demand to President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Villa.

While Sanwo-Olu was eager to address the protests, the federal government was slow to gain the trust of the youths beyond issuing out promises which the youths didn’t buy. And with every passing day the legitimate protests grew organically across the nation just as hoodlums started infiltrating it. Slowly, the protests were hijacked in pockets of places. But last Tuesday, October 20, 2020, Nigerian soldiers arrived at the Lekki Tollgate and shot at the harmless Nigerian youths as the whole world watched via social media the melee.

It was a Black Tuesday.

By the next morning, The Punch newspaper reported that 49 persons died across the country. And, Sanwo-Olu in his state broadcast last Wednesday admitted soldiers shot at the youths at Lekki, apologised, ordered the Nigerian flag to be flown at half-mast and promised a probe into the atrocity. The governor said initially no one died but the shooting triggered anger and more burning, looting and killing continued across the country. In Lagos, the house of the governor’s mother in Surulere was looted and torched. Fake news hinted at former Lagos governor and a leader in the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as complicit.

Twitter threats flew that his properties and person are targets. And TVC and The Nation newspaper, where Tinubu has interests, were torched. But that wasn’t all. Miscreants also took to the streets and had a field day, burning BRT buses, police stations, the courts, fire stations, Nigerian Ports Authority building and looting and killing. Civilians and security officials were casualties. Also, fake stories pointed accusing fingers at Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, as responsible for instigating Igbos to sack the Oba of Lagos’ palace and burn properties belonging to Yoruba in Lagos.

In his interview with Arise TV on Thursday, Sanwo-Olu spoke like a man that a fast one was played on. As chief security officer in his state, he was in the dark about who ordered soldiers to the Lekki Tollgate on October 20, 2020, a date which will not be forgotten in Nigeria. In the interview, Sanwo-Olu admitted that the situation had started getting out of hand and by last Tuesday, when he saw images of police stations and a local government council being sacked, he consulted with the State Commissioner of Police and his security council and decided to impose a 24-hour curfew from 4pm. Realising the need to ease movement, especially as protesters who refused to leave the Lekki Tollgate, the governor asked that the start of the curfew be extended to 9pm. But by about 7:30pm, Nigerian soldiers arrived at the Lekki tollgate and shot harmless Nigerian youths.

At this point in the interview, Sanwo-Olu disclosed his shock at the carnage. “And the events that happened about 7(pm), 7:30(pm), it was just a total shock to me and to everyone around me,� he said. “I do not know how we got into that kind of a situation and it was just some-

thing completely unbelievable when the first call, it was actually one of my cabinet members that was with me. It was the wife that called us and said they were hearing shooting. ‘I said shooting, where, what?

He said around Lekki. I said, no, it’s not possible. And we made phone calls around, nobody said they had sent anybody down because the instruction is that police would not be out until 10, 11pm when we believe that almost every of our citizen would have gotten home. So, I don’t know how they all got it all wrong. But it was just something that I couldn’t even explain. Who gave orders, who gave instructions for military to be there is still something that we are investigating and we have escalated this to the highest level in the military formations.

And it’s something that our government has totally condemned. Personally, this is not what I stand for. This is not what I believe. I’m a part of the youths and the protesting youths from day one. I was the very first chief executive of a state to have joined the protesters on Monday. I was with them on Tuesday. You saw all the process and things that I’ve done to ensure that we can hear them, bring them in and continue to engage ourselves with the protesters. It’s rather very unfortunate and completely condemnable. It’s something that we do not stand for as a state and it’s something that everybody needs to continue to condemn at this point in time.�

According to Sanwo-Olu, the Chief of Army Staff and the Chief of Defence Staff had called him following the shootings and offered assistance in restoring law and order. But the question of who ordered the soldiers to Lekki tollgate lingered. After the shooting, the Nigeria Army Headquarters had dissociated itself from the ‘rogue’ soldiers.

For a fact, by the time the protest was about seven days old, some hoodlums had attacked the protesters in Lagos and Abuja but they were repelled. However, as the days progressed and while the president kept mum, tensions escalated. It was however, the day following the shooting of the Lekki Tollgate protesters that things got out of hand. It was then the looting, burning and killing went into full-swing.

Put directly, the shooting at Lekki Tollgate was the trigger that led to the burning of Lagos and spread more violence across the country.

But when President Buhari spoke on Thursday, it was a vacuous and uninspiring speech. Buhari remembered the dead security officials. He remembered that hoodlums attacked the palace of the Oba of Lagos. But he forgot to empathise with the shops and business owners that had their properties looted across the country, especially in Lagos. And it is distressing that Buhari failed to mention the shooting incident at the Lekki tollgate even when that was the epicentre of the #ENDSARS protest. It was at that spot that Nigerian soldiers opened fire on young Nigerian protesters.

However, I find it strange that the Federal Government has not debunked what Sanwo-Olu said that he didn’t know anything about the soldiers that came to shoot the Lekki Tollgate protesters.

Overall, the federal government’s response to Lagos’ throes has been cold despite the state government and federal government being controlled by the same political party. It is disappointing that Lagos was particularly treated this way given that it is the most economically viable state in the country. But Lagos must not be allowed to continue burning.

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EDITORIAL

THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE It’s in the nation’s interest to stop marrying out underage children

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espite all the campaigns, child marriage is still an overwhelming challenge in Nigeria. Many of our young girls, particularly in the northern part of the country, are still married off before attaining the age of 18.

Recent data revealed that about 17 per cent are married before their 15th birthday. The Northwest has the highest prevalence of 76 per cent, while it is about 10 per cent in the Southeast.

We cannot be tired of drumming the point that too many children and young people are being left behind, especially when it comes to education. This is a menace that will boil over except there is a proactive action by those in authority to redress it. Many of these girls given out in early marriage are of poor background where the parents struggle to provide the basic needs of the CHILD MARRIAGE DOES NOT family. Among other factors ONLY STEAL THE FUTURE responsible for OF THOSE INVOLVED, IT child marriage VIOLATES THEIR RIGHT are ancient culAND INCREASES THEIR tural traditions, religious and REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH social pressures RISK and illiteracy.

The Child Rights Act, which was passed in 2003, sets the age of marriage at 18. The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in 2015, formed a technical working group aimed chiefly at ending child marriage, by “raising awareness and encouraging behavioural change�. Child marriage is a manifestation of gender inequality, reflecting social norms that perpetuate discrimination. In most instances, girls forced into early marriage, do not know and may have never met their groom. The act is a violation of human rights and young girls who marry as children are more likely to drop out of school and have limited independence. Sadly, in Nigeria, more than half of the underage children have husbands who are sometimes older than

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their fathers.

While a 2017 World Bank estimates revealed that child marriage costs Nigeria $7.6 billion in lost earnings and productivity on annual basis, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has ranked our country as having the third highest absolute number of child brides put at more than 3.5 million and the 11th highest prevalence rate in the world.

Child marriage does not only steal the future of those involved, it violates their right and increases their reproductive health risk.

It is therefore no surprise that Nigeria has the highest rate of fistula in the world. The disease affects young women whose pelvises are not mature enough to accommodate the passage of a child. This causes uncontrolled urination and defecation.

This arbitrary practice is the cause in elevated cases of brides who resort to killing their supposed husbands mainly by poisoning as the marriage is not consensual and contractual as demanded by law. Though there is a public outcry against underage marriage and attempt to prohibit it by amending section 29, sub section 4 of the constitution, the practice, however, continues with the risks it poses. Some states and influential political figures have doggedly opposed the attempt by insisting on the status quo, on the pretext of religion.

We call on government to address this menace in view of its consequences on women and the socio-economic development of the country. A bride child is denied her right to education thus restricting both her development and the contribution she could make to the society. It also places restriction on her labour market participation and compounds global efforts to eliminate poverty. Beyond all these, we are particularly concerned that early betrothal places child brides at risk of widowhood at early age as they are significantly younger than their husbands. That risk subjugates them to economic and social challenges for a greater portion of their lives, compared to women who get married as adults.

That is aside other negative consequences.

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.

GOVERNORS AND THE CACOVID PALLIATIVES

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he Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) have since the EndSARS demonstrations started, held several meetings to address the underlying concerns and members have aligned themselves with the call for justice leading to the setting up of judicial panels in the states of the federation against Police brutality. The NGF regrets the loss of lives and property occasioned by the violent protests that erupted, and calls for calm.

A lot of the information circulating on the social media needs to be fact checked. The NGF pleads with members of the public to desist from spreading rumours which further creates panic and stampede. For example, some of the properties stolen and vandalized, include palliatives set aside for vulnerable members of society.

The NGF reemphasizes and corrects the impression that palliatives found in warehouses that were broken into in Lagos and some other states were kept in storage for members of the society especially our vulnerable

citizens. The erroneous impression in the public domain that these palliatives were hoarded is not just inaccurate, entirely erroneous and untrue but also mischievous, to say the least. For the avoidance of doubt, some of the palliatives had the CACOVID stamp embossed on them, meaning that their source is unambiguous.

As we know, CACOVID operations are mainly domiciled in Lagos, being the headquarters of most of the publicspirited organisations, corporate bodies and individuals that came together to form the Coalition Against COVID-19; CACOVID. Until mid-October, when the NGF had its last meeting, up to 10 states had not participated in the flag-off ceremonies for the distribution of palliatives in their states. This was because the items meant for distribution in these states had not been completely received from CACOVID. Some other states that still had palliatives in their warehouses chose to keep a strategic reserve ahead of a projected second wave of Covid-19.

Furthermore, as of a couple of weeks

ago, some states were still receiving palliatives from the federal government through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The NGF wishes to state categorically that no state has been involved in or has hoarded any palliatives. The NGF also assures all contributors to the palliatives that prior to the looting of these ware houses, states had kept full accounts of all the items received and distributed.

NGF calls on members of the public to check their facts. While we all recognize the need for improved governance, we should be careful not to damage ourselves by pushing the wrong narrative.

The state governors are doing their very best under the circumstances to ameliorate the needs of the teeming population. The Nigeria Governors’ Forum stands for justice, improved governance and a progressive Nigeria. r"CEVMSB[BRVF #FMMP #BSLJOEP )FBE .FEJB 1VCMJD "GGBJST /JHFSJB (PWFSOPST 'PSVN

FACEBOOK, TWITTER AND THE TRUTH

F

acebook and Twitter are facing questions about taking down references to a New York Post report about Joe Biden. The action of taking down information that is incorrect, might be incorrect or is offensive is understandable and sensible but why now?

There are still millions of Facebook pages that contain inaccurate information and there is no proof of that, but it seems likely based on most people’s observations. This isn’t probably that bad given there are at least a billion users and some of them are fake. Is it even possible for Facebook to take down all inaccurate pages - it’s doubtful. Twitter has also stopped some items that it thinks are wrong but is it able to stop all - again it’s doubtful.

It seems that President Trump has sent out over 50,000 tweets. If we removed any that were inaccurate, incorrect, impolite or incoherent, how many would be left?

Why can ‘t we just tell the truth? r%FOOJT 'JU[HFSBME .FMCPVSOF "VTUSBMJB

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TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020 •T H I S D AY

TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020

POLITICS

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

What Scorecard Are Ministers Going Home With?

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered ministers to return to their home states to douse tension from the recent EndSARS riots. But Nseobong Okon-Ekong notes that this may be an opportunity to assess the performance of the ministers and the presidency

Buhari

Ehanire

Umar-Farouq

Akpabio

Timipre

Fashola

Malami

Zainab Ahmed

O

to dispel any rumour that is tantamount to creating disunity among Nigerians and also throw the nation into crisis.”

As politicians are wont to take selfish advantage of any situation, the EndSARS campaigns and the looting and arson that followed may be an opportunity to settle political scores, as some have suggested already. One thing is clear, the ministers will have to be at their diplomatic best not to rock the existing fragile relationship with some of their governors.

One indiscreet word or sentence may be spurn out of context by rumour mongers. For now, it may just be fine to visit the governor and allow him speak, while the minister throws in a healthy dose of assurance and commendation for what the governor has done to curtail further crises. What is needed now is to heal.

No doubt the race for political offices in 2023 has begun in earnest. And the worst struggle for power may actually be recorded in states where the All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls the central government also rules the state.

Here is a look at some of the categories into which the 44 ministers fall as they go back to their respective states for a critical assessment of their performance by their constituents and to carry out Mr. President’s assignmemt to calm frayed nerves over the EndSARS campaigns, which turned violent.

The Ineffectual: Incidentally, some ministers in this category have been in Buhari’s cabinet since his first tenure in 2015. Going by their track record of little or impact, they should not have made the list of 14 ministers who were reappointed to serve in the president’s second tenure. Many in this category have not been captured for service delivery to the public in order to quantify their performance and the direction of their ministry. They include Sharon Ikeazor from Anambra State, Ministry of Environment. Mrs. Ikeazor may have a difficulty with explaining why her State is caving in in many parts under the menace of erosion, Ambassador Maryam Katagum from Bauchi is the Ministry of Industry. In the Budget Ministry, Mr. Clememt Ike represents Edo State. From Borno State, Mustapha Baba Shahuri was called to serve in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The voice of Ramatu Tijani from Kogi State is hardly heard in the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory. If Mohammed Abdullahi from Nasarawa State is visible in the Ministry of Science and Technology, it is for perfunctory roles like attendance of meetings.

The same may be said of Zubair Dada from Niger State who serves in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, the impact of Senator Tayo Alasoadura is hardly felt. One thing that is common to all the ministers in this category is that they

no longer have the power or command the influence they once had.

ne of the major outcomes of the two weeks of rage that swept through Nigeria on the platform of the EndSARS campaigns is the insistence of President Muhammadu Buhari to have members of the Federal Executive Council, largely ministers, return to their various states to douse the tension.

Whether planned or unintentional, this is one trip many of the 44 ministers may not like to embark on, perhaps not at this time, when emotions are running high and prominent politicians have become the target of arsonists and the rampaging mob. Not a few of the ministers have kept their distance from their homestead since their appointment. On very rare instances when they visit home, they are shielded from contact with the people by their security personnel and myriad of aides. Coming back to their constituents on the specific instruction of the President leaves them with little option. The quagmire they have found themselves in is that many of them, arguably, like Buhari himself, have lost all the goodwill they previously enjoyed. Only a handful of ministers can return to their homesteads without the complement of security details to keep would -be mischief makers at bay. Even at that, they will weigh all the options because the anger in the land cannot be kept within logical confines.

For others, there is the additional challenge of returning to a hostile State Governor, and this is not about belonging to the same political party. In Kwara State, for instance, Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Lai Mohammed and Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Minister of State for Transportation may have an uneasy time.

The ministers were directed to meet with stakeholders to explain federal government’s efforts to meet the demands of the youths.

The media reported that the cabinet members were told to go to their states “to solicit the support of political, traditional, religious and community leaders against the violence that emanated from #EndSARS “President Muhammadu Buhari,” it was reported, “is soliciting the support of all other political leaders in the state to properly address the people of the state on the need

As politicians are wont to take selfish advantage of any situation, the EndSARS campaigns and the looting and arson that followed may be an opportunity to settle political scores, as some have suggested already. One thing is clear, the ministers will have to be at their diplomatic best not to rock the existing fragile relationship with some of their governors. One indiscreet word or sentence may be spurn out of context by rumour mongers

The Attention-Getter The ministers lumped into this section are not necessarily recommended for being outstanding in their duties. What is not in doubt is that they have a shrewd understanding of how to deal with publicity and the media. Sometimes, these ministers do not deliberately crave attention, but unwittingly find themselves in the centre of the storm.

Senator Godswill Akpabio from Akwa Ibom State who is in charge of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Chris Ngige from Anambra State who supervises the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Festus Keyamo from Delta State who works with Ngige in the same ministry. In fact, Keyamo is a good example that a Minister of State can retain his shine without having loggerheads with his senior colleague. Mr. Emeka Nwajiuba from Imo State also commands a lot of attention as Minister of State in the Ministry of Education. Other ministers who are frequently in the spotlight include Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Foreign Affairs from Enugu State, Zainab Ahmed from Kaduna State who is the Minister of Finance and Hadi Sirika from Katsina State, Minister of Aviation. Out of Kebbi State comes, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN), Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Adeniyi Adebayo from Ekiti State who is the Minister of Industry, Mr. Lai Mohammed from Kwara State, Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Minister of Works and Housing from Lagos State, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola from Osun State, who is the Minister of Interior and Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation from Rivers State who always moves around with a team of journalists. These ministers know how to use skill and cunning to get an advantage in the media, thus they frequently swim the tide of controversy even against strong opponents, but later come out stronger than before.

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

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T H I S D AY ˾ TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020

POLITICS

The Information War Sparked by Lekki Shootings Vanessa Obioha argues that purveyors of fake news exploited the EndSARS crises to incite fear and ethnic divide

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n the night of the infamous Lekki shootings, social media swarmed with different kinds of reports, painting a gory image of the incident. Almost everyone was glued to the microblogging site Twitter — including traditional media organisations — where updates flew in milliseconds. On Instagram, however, a popular disc jockey Obianuju Catherine Udeh aka DJ Switch streamed live from the venue.

There were reports of death, missing persons, allegations that the unidentified security personnel took the dead bodies away to hide their culpability, accusations that the CCTV cameras were removed and street lights turned off and even the defamation of a soldier, Brigadier General Francis Omata as the leader of the attack.

These news spread like wildfire, eliciting fear, grief and anger. Celebrities in the entertainment and sports sectors didn’t withhold their ire. They slammed insults on the Lagos State governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Presidency, called on international bodies to sanction the administration of Muhammadu Buhari over what they termed as Lekki Massacre, accused a former Lagos State governor and National Leader of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) Bola Tinubu of masterminding the attack since he allegedly has vested interest in the Lekki Concession Company that oversees the tollgate.

While the Presidency kept mum, the Nigerian army consistently slammed the reports of its complicity in the attack as fake on its official Twitter handle.

However, the narrative took a different direction in subsequent days. Sanwo-Olu in an address last Wednesday morning stated that no death was recorded from the attack but acknowledged that some protesters sustained injuries which ranged from mild to moderate. He also showed images of him visiting the hospitals. His denial that nobody died at the protest ground incensed the social media denizens. They branded him a liar, claiming that they had proof. After all, 78 people reportedly died according to a Twitter account attributed to DJ Switch. The global human rights group Amnesty International also reported that their investigations disclosed 12 people had been killed. They saw the governor’s address as a way to cover up for the perpetrators of the attack.

Meanwhile, hoodlums went on a looting and arson spree on the streets of Lagos. Government institutions were attacked, family homes of the governor and companies allegedly linked to Tinubu were razed as more news of government’s involvement continue to circulate on social media.

Oriental Hotel, one of the facilities vandalised for the alleged linkage to Tinubu would later debunk the news, clarifying that the hospitality venture is owned by Western Metal Products Company Group.

As tension swelled in the country with conflicting information both on social and mainstream media, a foul play became apparent.

Further investigations revealed that some of the images, videos, and posts circulated on Twitter, WhatsApp were fake news.

Notable examples include the sharing of a sketch from a movie which showed a young man carrying a lady with blood stains as a victim of the Lekki shooting. Nigerian singer

Yemi Alade was among those who shared the image. Senator Dino Melaye’s photo of one of his cars riddled with bullets posted on Twitter and Instagram deliberately misled users to assume that he was a victim of the #EndSARS protest. The Senator would later clarify the post.

There were also several posts inciting ethnic discord on Twitter. Such posts raised an alarm that the Igbos were responsible for the attacks on government properties in Lagos. Audio credited to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu ordered Igbos to destroy the properties belonging to the South-west people. Kanu has disassociated himself from the report, stating that it was a manipulation of the federal government to malign his character.

What the Lekki shootings have done is to pitch the fact versus fiction war in Nigeria.

Fake news is not entirely new to Nigeria but since the advent of social media platforms, the impact has been overwhelming.

These platforms initially created to shrink the world into a global village has become a thriving ground for purveyors of fake news. Following this development, many governments in the world started taking conscious efforts to deal with the proliferation of misinformation spread on these platforms.

The American government for instance since the 2016 election, has continuously held founders of these platforms responsible for the promotion of fake news on their platforms.

In 2018, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was invited to the US Congress following an investigation that showed the platform promoted adverts from Russian propagandists which interfered in that year’s election and harvested users data.

But the United States was not the only place the tech company faced allegations.

In Brazil, Mexico, India, the platform was scrutinised for its involvement in disseminating misinformation that affected the outcome of elections.

While Facebook initiated measures to curb the spread of fake news, Twitter, the microblogging site which allows a limited

number of words didn’t take immediate actions because its founder Jack Dorsey found it dangerous for his staff to serve as ‘arbiters of truth’. Nevertheless, the platform devised a way to flag down posts they found false or misleading.

WhatsApp, another messaging platform is a major source of misinformation and propaganda. It is reported that the Brazilian government uses the social media app to control narratives in the country.

In Nigeria, it is one of the fastest ways to distribute fake news, particularly among the elderly generation who are not too savvy in the tech world. They receive these fake news and without verification, they forward to loved ones.

During the peak of the global pandemic in April, the Facebook-owned service limited the number of forwarded messages to one, down from five.

In Nigeria where approximately 24.59 million people are social network users, according to a 2019 report on Statista, a German database company, the fight to curb fake news is hardly felt. There’s been an increase in social media usage for reporting and disseminating news in recent times due to the lack of trust in traditional media.

The dependence on social media for news is a growing global trend. A survey on Statista website revealed that over 50 per cent of responding internet users in 17 different countries use social networks as a way to keep up.

This reliance can also be attributed to different challenges of the mainstream media such as immediacy and access. However, in meeting up with these challenges, media organisations found themselves unknowingly distributing fake news. A typical example is the widely reported Lekki incident. Not a few media organisations reported inaccurate information from that incident without verification.

Although, the official government accounts are still debatable.

DJ Switch who was earlier alleged to have divulged the number of deaths to be 78 as

What is becoming more worrisome is that journalists who are the watchdog of the society are limiting their reports to what is gleaned from social media.

Social media platforms have become the fieldwork of some of these journalists. Of course, social media is a source of news but journalists need to explore other sources and report their works professionally instead of descending to the sensationalism paraded on social media. The good thing about the EndSARS protest is that it has exposed the impact of fake news in society. Now, many are calling for the caution of spreading such news on social media platforms.

Celebrities who have a large following are toeing the same path, urging their followers to be careful of the news they spread

widely circulated debunked the figure in a video. According to her, the account that conveyed that information was not hers. She maintained that she counted 15 dead bodies but there are no images to show that. The Lagos state government officially declared two dead from the incidence.

There was also the issue of the agents who fired at the unarmed protesters. Were they soldiers or not? Who gave the order to shoot?

These questions are yet to be answered.

What is becoming more worrisome is that journalists who are the watchdog of the society are limiting their reports to what is gleaned from social media. Social media platforms have become the fieldwork of some of these journalists. Of course, social media is a source of news but journalists need to explore other sources and report their works professionally instead of descending to the sensationalism paraded on social media.

Another eye-opening experience from the #EndSARS protest is the level of illiteracy of the population. Most Nigerians, particularly the young ones are not enlightened on their fundamental rights and history of the country. Little wonder that when the artiste Falz educated them on the legal system and their fundamental rights, many ‘oohed and aahed’ as if he just solved rocket science.

Critics have long decried the inadequacy of the educational sector and while the President in his first address in the aftermath of the Lekki incident announced a new salary structure for teachers, it is not enough. There is an urgent need to sieve and retrain the people we put in charge of our children’s education.

Some public schools in Lagos state have few teachers in classrooms and oftentimes, convert clerks that were employed without clear roles to teachers. Some of these clerks lack the basic teacher’s training and are unfit to hold a chalk in the classroom.

The good thing about the EndSARS protest is that it has exposed the impact of fake news in society. Now, many are calling for the caution of spreading such news on social media platforms. Celebrities who have a large following are toeing the same path, urging their followers to be careful of the news they spread. To be fair, the Senate introduced the anti-Social Media Bill in 2019 to punish peddlers of false or malicious information but the provisions provided in the bill have been comdemned by human rights activists and civil society organisations, including Amnesty International. They argued that the bill will suffocate freedom of speech.

Fake news has no immediate cure. There is no known vaccine to treat the digital malaise.

However, Nigeria may want to borrow a leaf from the United States where media literacy education is considered by legislators.

According to a recent report on the New York Times, a non-profit organisation Media Literacy Now kicked off the campaign to introduce the course in school curriculum.

The subject covers diverse areas of media including understanding how websites profit from fictional news, how algorithms and bots work, and how to scrutinize suspicious websites that mimic real news outlets.

Media organisations and institutions in Nigeria can take up this responsibility. At least, there are TV adverts focused on educating the public on misinformation, more organisations should join hands in controlling the fake narratives before they sink us.

20

T H I S D AY ˾ Ͱ͵˜ ͰͮͰͮ

FEATURES

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

The Untold Story of Lawal, Katsina Blind Businessman Francis Sardauna writes on the need for people living with disabilities in Nigeria to emulate Aminu Lawal, a blind businessman in Katsina State, by venturing into the business world instead of roaming the streets for alms

P

hysical disability in Nigeria, particularly in Northern part of the country, is almost synonymous with begging because it has always been an excuse for the affected persons to roam the streets asking for alms for survival and even their medical bills.

These groups of people, mostly women, children, youths and the aged, apparently believe that they have been deprived of physical ability to compete favourably with able-bodied persons for the basic means of livelihood.

In Katsina State, this category of persons, alongside their underage children, move around major lucrative areas within the metropolis in search of alms, particularly food, cash and clothes.

Investigation by THISDAY revealed that hundreds of these vulnerable people, including Almajirai are mostly found in Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), restaurants, supermarkets, shopping malls and billionaires's houses seeking for money or medical attention.

But for Aminu Lawal, a blind businessman, who broke the decade-long jinx with his onion bussiness, the story is different because he believes that there is ability in every disability and begging is not an alternative for visually impaired persons in the country.

Lawal, born into the "poor family" of Lawal Abdulkadir in Sabon Unguwan Community of Katsina Local Government Area of the state, has never believed that because you are disabled that is the end of your life and you cannot embark on any activity.

The 31-year-old man, who completed his secondary school education at Government Day Secondary School, Yandaka, also believes that just like the normal person, persons with special needs have a lot to contribute to the society if they are given adequate business opportunities and education.

Married with two children, Lawal started his onion business in 2014 at the popular Yarkutungu neighbourhood market in Katsina city before moving to the modern Central Market and the business remains his only source of income that caters for feeding, clothing, shelter, electrical and medical bills of his family.

Our correspondent who was in the market for shopping, met Lawal at the gate of the multispectral market transacting his business with numerous customers patronising him, decided to have an exclusive interview with him to ascertain how he is driving the onion business despite his blindness.

During the interview, Lawal said: "I got blind two weeks after I married my beautiful wife, Fatima from Dan-Isa in Maradi region, Niger Republic in 2012. Few days into my blindness, my parent took me to Aminu Kano Specialist Hospital, Kano for treatment.

"After series of eye tests, I was diagnosed of glaucoma and cataract and all the monies spent by my parents and relentless efforts made by doctors in the hospital to ensure that I regain my sight proved abortive as the situation deteriorated day by day.

"We spent more than N500,000 at Aminu Kano Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Centre, Katsina but nothing changed my situation. My parents later took me to Abubakar Eye Clinic in Maradi, Niger Republic for further treatment but there was no improvement so we returned to Katsina".

He added: "after seven weeks in Katsina, they moved me to Ogun State for herbalist treatment but the situation was worsening so we came back to Katsina. As we speak, I can't see you. Well, some people said the suitors of my wife were responsible for my blindness, because there was serious competition before I finally won her heart but I leave everything to Almighty Allah".

Miffed by the ill-treatment of people living with disabilities in Nigeria, particularly in Northern part of the country, he said: "I decided to buy one bag of onions from the

Aminu Lawal, the visually impaired trader

money I realised from my wedding party and started selling at Yarkutungu market to enable me become self-reliant and avoid disgrace by people.

"But I left Yarkutungu in 2015 to this market due to lack of patronage there. I thank Allah because people patronise me now. Still, most of the customers don't buy onions from me; they often say how can they buy something from a blind man. Some said I use charms to sell because they don't believe that an ordinary blind person can do what I am doing now".

Asked how he differentiates currency given to him by customers, he said: "My brother, it is not easy but Allah is helping me. Some customers do assist me in differentiating the currencies for me and sometimes my fellow business friends. Let me tell you a story that befell me few weeks ago; some women came and bought onions and ran away with my N650 just because I can't see them".

However, with the hitherto measures put in place by the Katsina State government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lawal’s source of income has depleted, he now finds it very cumbersome to feed his family as prices of foodstuff have ballooned beyond proportion.

"During the lockdown, I feed with the little income I have saved over time together with my wife and children and the situation has drastically affected my business. Now, instead of three bags of onions I buy only one. And if caution is not taken, hunger,

starvation and eventually death will set in.

"I struggle to get two square meals per day now. I stayed indoor 24/7 without going out for my business during that time as a result the little business I ventured into has stopped yielding more returns for the past few months. Life has halted,” Lawal lamented.

Consequently, Lawal called on the federal and state government to come to the aid of people living with disabilities in the country by supporting them with start-up capital that will enhance their businesses in order to cater for their families.

While decrying that he did not receive COVID-19 palliatives distributed by both federal and state governments to mitigate the effect of lockdown earlier imposed in the state, the blind businessman alleged: "people like us who are supposed to get the palliatives were excluded by government".

However, he admonished his counterparts in the state to desist from begging and venture into business or skill acquisition trainings, saying "there is ability in disability and you can prove them wrong by bringing out the ability in your disability".

He, however, said negative stereotypes and discrimination, including among state social workers and medical workers, also impede access for people with disabilities to essential services.

As a result, he said many people with disabilities spend their lives isolated at home and totally dependent on family members or relatives for support for the most basic

daily tasks.

Despite his visually impaired condition, Lawal said his wife (Fatima) lives with him without any domestic violence. This is against what we see on daily basis in many matrimonial homes where people without any form of disability engage their wives with fight that often result to loss of life, property and even divorce.

Meanwhile, people like Aminu have the right to access the physical environment, including buildings, roads, schools, housing, medical facilities, workplaces, and other facilities and services open or provided to the public, in both urban and rural areas, on an equal basis with others.

They also have the right to be included fully in their communities as well as the right to the highest attainable standard of health, including rehabilitation and services specific to their disabilities. These groups of people require differentiated services.

For example, assistive equipment such as motorised wheelchairs and elevators in public buildings.

To live an independent and dignified life within society, people with disabilities should have access to services and devices that facilitate their participation in the community on an equal basis with others.

Therefore, government has an obligation to raise awareness about the rights and dignity of people with disabilities and to combat stereotypes, prejudices, and harmful practices bedeviling them in different parts of the country.

21

T H I S D AY ˾ OCTOBER 27, 2020

FEATURES

Hijacked ENDSARS Protests and Ugwuanyi's Reassuring Dispositions

Some of the vandalised properties in Enugu

Nkechi Ogbuaru

I

wept when I saw the wanton destruction of private and public properties across the peaceful and beautiful city of Enugu by vandals and looters, hiding under the guise of the hijacked ENDSARS protests. For two days, these street urchins, who looked like strangers and came out enmasse had a field day wrecking havoc in Enugu city.

They destroyed banks, ATMs, streetlights, wastebins, public and private buildings and even set ablaze some government institutions. On the second day of their criminal activities, they were not even deterred by the curfew imposed

by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in three council areas within the capital city on the first day of the ugly incident.

Their obstinacy and boldness in carrying out the nefarious activities, pointed to the fact that they are paid vandals, criminals and looters, who were brought into Enugu to disturb the peace of the state, provoke the people and security agents into a face-off that could be catastrophic.

It is also possible that their plan of unleashing mayhem on the state was to trigger the declaration of state of emergency that could lead to a change of government. Thank God that in the face of the unwarranted and premeditated attacks and provocations by these vandals in Enugu for two days, Ndi Enugu, security agents and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi displayed tolerance, maturity and competence by controlling the situation from degenerating to loss of lives that are sacrosanct. Property could be easily repaired or replaced, but human lives are irreplaceable.

Their being calm or refusal to embark on fistcuffs or reprisal against marauding vandals was not out of weakness, but huge sacrifice for peace and normalcy to return.

That is why after the destruction and looting by the vandals, Governor Ugwuanyi in his state broadcast appealed for calm, while sympathising with the victims of the protests. Speaking Gov. Ugwuanyi who condemned the acts of violence and criminality perpetrated by hoodlums, sympathised with victims of

First Bank Abakpa, Enugu vandalised by hoodlums during the protest

the violent protests.

The governor therefore appealed “most passionately to youths of Enugu involved in the mayhem to have a rethink, pull back and allow measures instituted to address our collective pains to play out”.

He disclosed that his administration has inaugurated the Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate complaints of police brutality and/or related extra judicial killings in the state, reiterating that the 24-hour curfew imposed in Enugu East, Enugu North and Enugu South Local Government Areas of the state is still in place.

Appealing further to the protesting youth the governor said: “Let us take back our hitherto peaceful Coal City from hijackers of the peaceful protesters and perpetrators of violence and criminality who do not represent our collective wishes”.

It would be recalled that while some state governors did not address the ENDSARS protesters in their states at peak of the protests for reasons known to them, Gov. Ugwuanyi and his deputy, Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, addressed the protesters three times. It was during the last encounter with them that some

Governor Ugwuanyi

celebrities among them tried to politicise the protest by deviating from its main agenda into politics.

In all his encounters with the protesters, Gov. Ugwuanyi assured and reassured them of his administration's commitment to their yearnings with the setting up of Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality. Ugwuanyi has since inaugurated the Panel with clear terms of references. The Panel has also announced date for the commencement of work.

This is an ample opportunity for all those who have suffered or experienced Police brutality to present their cases through memos to the Panel with evidences and at the same time suggest the way forward. No more rhetoric and social media rantings on police brutality in Enugu State without evidence. This is time to substantiate claims of being victims of police brutality in Enugu. No more compromised protests and vandalisation of public utilities.Gov. Ugwuanyi has since visited the SARS office in Enugu to ensure that it is closed down as demanded by the protesting youths.

It is clear that if not for the tact and peaceful dispositions Gov. Ugwuanyi deployed in managing the delicate

situation, the crisis would have gone out of hand and throw the state into deep crisis.

Now that Gov. Ugwuanyi has in his broadcast appealed for calm, despite being provoked and challenged, and the patriotic youths of Enugu have also commenced clearing of debris on the major roads in the city, it is time for Ndi Enugu and the vandals to embrace peace to appreciate the governor for his fatherly and tolerance in the face of provocations. After all, the events of Odi in Bayelsa State and Zaki Ibiam in Benue State is still fresh in people's memories.

Enugu State is known for its peaceful and secure ambience. This can not be sacrificed on the altar of politicised and compromised protest that does the state and her people no good. It is hoped that the vandals and their collaborators will not mistakenly test the will of Ndi Enugu and their government again by trying to repeat such dastard and barbaric acts that are alien to the state and its people's especially since Gov. Ugwuanyi came into office. ...Ogbuaru, an undergraduate writes from Agbani Road, Enugu.

22

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2020 ˾ T H I S D AY

MARKET NEWS

PEARL Awards Board Puts Off 2020 Ceremony

Goddy Egene

Awards Nigeria in conjunction with awards ceremony in response to the national and global economies. Adekoya, said in a statement that the Central Working Committee the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic The Secretary, PEARL Awards the decision to step down this The Board of Governors of PEARL has resolved to step down the 2020 which has affected every facet of Board of Governors, Olalekan year’s awards was necessitated A Mutual fund (Unit Trust) is an investment floor of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Offer price: The price at which units of a trust or vehicle managed by a SEC (Securities and A REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) is an ETF are bought by investors.

Exchange Commission) registered Fund Manager. investment vehicle that allows both small and Bid Price: The price at which Investors Investors with similar objectives buy units of the large investors to part-own real estate ventures (eg. redeem (sell) units of a trust or ETF. Fund so that the Fund Manager can buy securities Offices, Houses, Hospitals) in proportion to their Yield/Total Return: Denotes the total that willl generate their desired return. investments. The assets are divided into shares that return an investor would have earned on An ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) is a type are traded on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. his investment. Money Market Funds report of fund which owns the assets (shares of stock, Yield while others report Year- to-date Total bonds, oil futures, gold bars, foreign currency, GUIDE TO DATA: Return. etc.) and divides ownership of those assets into Date: All fund prices are quoted in Naira as at 23- NAV: Is value per share of the real estate shares. Investors can buy these ‘shares’ on the Oct-2020, unless otherwise stated. assets held by a REIT on a specific date.

by the horrendous effect of the pandemic both on businesses and humanity.

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 8.56% ACAP Income Funds 0.85 0.85 11.08% 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 3.97% AIICO Balanced Fund 3.71 3.83 51.51% ANCHORIA ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED info@anchoriaam.com Web:www.anchoriaam.com, Tel: 08166830267; 08036814510; 08028419180 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Anchoria Money Market 100.00 100.00 1.08% Anchoria Equity Fund 113.89 114.29 10.50% Anchoria Fixed Income Fund 1.46 1.46 21.92% 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 16.23 16.72 5.95% ARM Discovery Balanced Fund 370.00 381.16 7.11% ARM Ethical Fund 31.87 32.84 9.60% ARM Eurobond Fund ($) 1.16 1.17 16.42% ARM Fixed Income Fund 1.12 1.13 12.77% ARM Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.73% AXA MANSARD INVESTMENTS LIMITED investmentcare@axamansard.com Web: www.axamansard.com; Tel: +2341-4488482 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn AXA Mansard Equity Income Fund 109.98 110.75 14.46% AXA Mansard Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.17% CAPITAL EXPRESS ASSET AND TRUST LIMITED info@capitalexpressassetandtrust.com Web: www.capitalexpressassetandtrust.com ; Tel: +234 803 307 5048 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn CEAT Fixed Income Fund 2.25 2.25 22.94% Capital Express Balanced Fund(Formerly: Union Trustees Mixed Fund) 2.07 2.11 38.11% CHAPELHILL DENHAM MANAGEMENT LTD investmentmanagement@chapelhilldenham.com Web: www.chapelhilldenham.com, Tel: +234 461 0691 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Chapelhill Denham Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 4.26% Paramount Equity Fund 13.45 13.70 7.48% Women's Investment Fund 121.05 122.26 9.70% CORDROS ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmgtteam@cordros.com Web: www.cordros.com, Tel: 019036947 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Cordros Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.81% Cordros Milestone Fund 2023 121.01 121.53 Cordros Milestone Fund 2028 131.44 132.45 Cordros Dollar Fund ($) 103.36 103.36 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 2.50% Coronation Balanced Fund 1.08 1.09 16.27% Coronation Fixed Income Fund 1.74 1.74 31.26% EDC FUNDS MANAGEMENT LIMITED mutualfundng@ecobank.com Web: www.ecobank.com Tel: 012265281 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class A N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Money Market Fund Class B N/A N/A N/A EDC Nigeria Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBNQUEST ASSET MANAGEMENT LTD invest@fbnquest.com Web: www.fbnquest.com/asset-management; Tel: +234-81 0082 0082 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn FBN Fixed Income Fund N/A N/A N/A FBN Balanced Fund 165.22 166.46 12.53% FBN Halal Fund 109.18 109.19 9.18% FBN Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.38% FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Institutional N/A N/A N/A FBN Nigeria Eurobond (USD) Fund - Retail N/A N/A N/A FBN Smart Beta Equity Fund 129.25 131.26 -0.68% FCMB ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED fcmbamhelpdesk@fcmb.com Web: www.fcmbassetmanagement.com; Tel: +234 1 462 2596 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Legacy Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.54% Legacy Debt Fund 3.84 3.84 5.11% Legacy Equity Fund 1.30 1.32 14.62% Legacy USD Bond Fund 1.13 1.13 4.11% 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 3,363.76 3,399.53 10.57% Coral Income Fund 3,211.39 3,211.39 4.41% FSDH Treasury Bills Fund 100.00 100.00 3.53% GREENWICH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED assetmanagement@gtlgroup.com Web: www.gtlgroup.com ; Tel: +234 1 4619261-2 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Greenwich Plus Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 3.12% Nigeria Entertainment Fund 123.91 123.45 14.20%

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 2.42% Vantage Balanced Fund 2.50 2.55 14.12% Vantage Guaranteed Income Fund 1.00 1.00 5.63% Kedari Investment Fund (KIF) 152.69 153.50 6.54% LOTUS CAPITAL LTD fincon@lotuscapitallimited.com Web: www.lotuscapitallimited.com; Tel: +234 1-291 4626 / +234 1-291 4624 Fund Name Bid Price Offer Price Yield / T-Rtn Lotus Halal Investment Fund 1.26 1.28 12.18% Lotus Halal Fixed Income Fund 1,127.37 1,127.37 8.51% 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 1.49 19.52% PACAM Fixed Income Fund 11.76 11.85 4.66% PACAM Money Market Fund 10.00 10.00 3.16% PACAM Equity Fund 1.22 1.23 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 125.52 127.54 1.71% 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 1.00 1.00 7.85% 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 15.52% Stanbic IBTC Bond Fund 210.33 210.33 10.48% Stanbic IBTC Ethical Fund 0.88 0.89 12.78% Stanbic IBTC Guaranteed Investment Fund 273.87 273.95 6.74% Stanbic IBTC Iman Fund 154.92 156.64 15.59% Stanbic IBTC Money Market Fund 100.00 100.00 2.79% Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund 7,674.15 7,756.30 6.53% Stanbic IBTC Dollar Fund (USD) 1.21 1.21 4.52% Stanbic IBTC Shariah Fixed Income Fund 110.09 110.09 5.64% 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 N/A N/A N/A United Capital Bond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Equity Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Money Market Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Eurobond Fund N/A N/A N/A United Capital Wealth for Women Fund N/A N/A N/A 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 11.19 11.31 8.84% Zenith Ethical Fund 12.44 12.54 6.99% Zenith Income Fund 24.59 24.59 8.23% Zenith Money Market Fund 1.00 1.00 2.99%

REITS NAV Per Share

Fund Name SFS Skye Shelter Fund

Yield / T-Rtn

119.09

6.12%

53.51

2.80%

Bid Price

Offer Price

Yield / T-Rtn

9.63 99.54 75.42

9.53 101.68 76.80

14.03% 5.37% 0.38%

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

3.57 4.83 13.50 1.00 12.24 230.54

3.61 4.91 13.60 1.00 12.44 232.54

4.44% -18.21% 11.03% 2.58% 17.65% 20.76%

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.

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

27.10.2020

LAGOS HIGH COURT

#ENDSARS: Echoes of a Black Tuesday

2/DASHBOARD

27.10.2020

LAWYER

A

WEEKLY PULLOUT

27.10.2020

Undefended List Procedure in Civil Cases PAGE 4

LAGOS HIGH COURT

Afba Will take Sponsors of #ENDSARS Violence to ICC PAGE 5

#ENDSARS: Echoes of a Black Tuesday QUOTABLES ‘President Muhammadu Buhari has to sit up, wake up and decide that holding Nigeria together is the primary responsibility of why he is sitting where he is sitting. If he is unable or unwilling to undertake that responsibility, he has lost the legitimacy to be the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’

- Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sokoto ‘There are laws internationally, that hold people who commit crimes, and this could even begin to equate with war crimes......There are procedures internationally, to bring officials who perpetuate these things into account.....The citizens of this country are under siege and attack by their own Government, and the world needs to help us at this time.’ - Clement Nwankwo, Lawyer, Executive Director of Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre; Convener, Civil Society Situation Room

Okotie Backs Protesters, Calls for Caution PAGE 5

/3

27.10.2020

Burning Issues from #ENDSARS Protests Using the word 'unfortunate' to describe the events that transpired last Tuesday, October 20th and Wednesday October 21st, 2020 would be a gross understatement. It will go down in the annals of our nation's history, as two of the darkest days in our democracy - ‘BLACK TUESDAY’ and ‘LOOTING WEDNESDAY’ (collectively referred to as the BLACK DAYS).

Condolences Before I proceed, I seize this opportunity to sympathise with the #ENDSARS Protesters who were injured in the attack unleashed by ‘unknown soldiers’ (in the words of late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti) at the Lekki Tollgate, and thank God for sparing their lives. The issue of those who may have lost their lives there, remains unclear; but, however, even if it was only one life that was lost, it is a life too many and I express my heartfelt condolences to the deceased’s family (I stand to be corrected). To those who were maimed or killed, including Police men and Soldiers during the Blacks Days, I also pray for the repose of their souls, and express my sympathies to their families. And to those whose properties, belongings and sources of livelihood were destroyed by the hoodlums/miscreants, I pray that God will compensate, restore and replenish you all. Amen. Whether fake or real bullets, whether shooting into the sky, onto the ground or directly at the #ENDSARS Protesters, the Army had no business being at the Lekki Tollgate or opening fire there (see the various UN and African Charters and Protocols).

That Government has failed us, is stating the obvious. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the primary purpose of Government is the security and welfare of the people - Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution).

Unfortunately, Government is oblivious and unaware of its protective role, and seems to have connived and plotted against the citizens, instead. I say this with all sense of responsibility and sincerity, as a result of my observations of the terrible events which transpired during the Black Days (as I am not given to unproven conspiracy theories).

Therefore, while I shall refrain from laying blame on specific individuals for now until we have more information, I cannot but hold the Government as a whole, responsible for the attack on our Youths on Black Tuesday, and the theft, destruction and mayhem that followed on Looting Wednesday (and continued in other parts of the country well into the weekend). After all, for the one week of the #ENDSARS protest, there was no incidence of violence, until the unknown soldiers showed up to disperse the Protesters on that fateful day.

Allegations Against the Nigerian Army Is it not ironical that the peaceful #ENDSARS Protesters at the Lekki Tollgate who were demanding that Government put a stop to the excesses of the Police, ended up being brutalised by unknown soldiers on Black Tuesday? In Yusuf v Obasanjo 2005 18 N.W.L.R. Part 956 Page 96, Salami JCA (as he then was) declared that: "It is up to the Police to protect our nascent democracy and not the Military, otherwise the democracy might be wittingly or unwittingly militarised".

It is actually the duty of the Police, to protect Protesters. Who then called in the unknown soldiers and why? The Youths were never security threat.

Even though access had been impeded in different areas that the Protesters gathered (which disturbed people from going about their lawful business in those areas), and Government may have alleged that there was some kind of civil disobedience because of that, civil disobedience is not a crime let alone warrant the Army to descend on Protesters in the manner they did; certainly, the Protesters did not qualify as those that Government would call out the Army to quell, and such action must be strongly condemned while those responsible, held accountable. After all, the #ENDSARS Protesters were organised, peaceful, prayerful, even cleaning up after themselves.

This leads me to my second observation - the same Government or whoever, who found it easy to send armed soldiers to disperse unarmed peaceful youths, did absolutely nothing and left hoodlums to run riot in Lagos even in broad day light, looting, burning and destroying, as if to punish Lagos for being the epicentre of the #ENDSARS protest. As I was having a telephone conversation with a close friend on mine who happens to reside on Bode Thomas Street around 9pm on Looting Wednesday night, I was frightened and worried for her family. I could hear the loud rough voices of the miscreants, shouting on the street as they ferried away their loot. When we spoke first thing the next morning, my friend

confirmed that the looting went on till the early hours of Thursday morning. There’s a Police Station on Bode Thomas Street, a stone’s throw away from Shoprite on Adeniran Ogunsanya, where the miscreants looted and wrecked with gusto and aplomb, and yet, nobody came to the rescue. This was only one location out of many, that were looted and destroyed by miscreants.

The Army, Police and all other law enforcement agencies did not respond to the emergencies; in fact, they were nowhere to be found on Looting Wednesday.

For this, the Federal Government, the Inspector General of Police (IG) and Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), (the Army, Civil Defence) must be held accountable for their failure to stop the looters, because Section 215(2)of the Constitution puts the Nigeria Police Force under the command of the IG, while 215(4) empowers the Governor of a State to give the CP lawful direction regarding the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order within the State as he may consider necessary, as in these circumstances. Even though the proviso in Section 215(4) states that the CP may request that the matter be escalated to the President or Minister in charge (obviously through the IG)(before acceding to the Governor’s request), I submit that in the particular circumstances of Looting Wednesday, the CP and his men had their work cut out for them without need for escalation anywhere (indeed, all law enforcement agencies had their work cut out for them) - the miscreants were out of control in broad daylight, and for some unknown reason, law enforcement all failed to salvage the situation.

I cannot imagine that on Looting Wednesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu sat twiddling his thumbs while numerous precious, valuable, State assets, and even his Mother’s house, went up in flames. We cannot rule out the possibility that, the Presidency and the IG may have deliberately held back and failed to respond timeously to Mr Governor’s cries for help, again reiterating the urgent need for State Police which would have been at his beck and call, to save the day (Restructuring). This issue must be thoroughly interrogated.

As far as I’m concerned, we can only get to the truth if an independent inquiry is undertaken. The Army/Government certainly cannot be asked to investigate itself - that would be absurd - Nemo judex in causa sua (no one is judge in his own cause). Additionally, the truth of the matter is that, most Nigerians have no faith in most of our panels of inquiry - nothing usually comes out of them; and if Government is to be sincere and committed to proving that it was not complicit in the sad chain of events, we would be better off inviting an international body like an International Commission of Inquiry set up by the United Nations Human Rights Council (as was done in Syria and Libya) to carry out this inquiry, along with a few credible Nigerians; and seek assistance of countries like USA and Britain to assist us in employing the aid of deciphering technology, which we know are deployed by them in matters such as this.

Anything short of this type of unimpeachable inquiry, I’m sorry to say, would be fruitless.

Reasonable Deductions I found it rather strange that President Buhari could refer to people who are obviously miscreants, as “so-called Protesters" in his address last Thursday evening. We all know that those who went on the Looting Wednesday rampage, were definitely not the #ENDSARS Protesters.

Remains of the burnt Lagos High Court

Presently, conspiracy theories, the blame game, and rewriting the narrative are in full swing, and though we should await the outcome of a credible inquiry, there are still some deductions which we can comfortably make based on the occurrences, and some pertinent questions which we can also ask: That the unknown soldiers had no business being invited to unleash violence on unarmed flag-carrying #ENDSARS peaceful Protesters; that neither the Police nor the Army (or other law enforcement) did anything to protect the citizenry on Looting Wednesday; that no Governor has control over the Army, or even the Police completely; that Lagos is the worst hit in terms of destruction of property (it was like a systematic terrorist attack); that it was someone or a group of persons who had the power, that commanded the unknown soldiers to move on the #ENDSARS Protesters, as rank and file soldiers could not have acted on their own volition; that it was only those who control the Police and the Army who could have directed that they intervene to stop the destruction on Looting Wednesday; that unlike the Ojora of Ijora whose Palace was protected by his subjects because he is well loved by them, the Oba of Lagos does not enjoy the same support of his people - his Palace was ransacked, looted and damaged, while Kabiyesi had to be spirited out of the place; that the Federal Government of Nigeria is paranoid, and views all exercises of our right to protest (Sections 39(I) and 40 of the Constitution - freedom of expression and freedom of association, respectively) as an attack on it, and an attempt to embarrass and destabilise them, or hound them out of office; that this Government, like most of its predecessors, has failed Nigerians and plunged us into extreme hunger and poverty, the consequences of which we saw play out on Looting Wednesday. I concur to an extent with Learned Senior Advocate, Dr Konyin Ajayi, that the destruction that we saw, is ‘weaponised poverty’ - “poverty and illiteracy that has been growing in the last six years of this administration”, now making Nigeria the poverty capital of the world.

That so many Government establishments were the primary targets of attack by the hoodlums, is ample evidence of the perpetrators’ feelings of hopelessness, rejection, despair, anger and contempt for Government and its officials.

Unanswered Questions Why was a curfew imposed in Lagos in the first place, when the #ENDSARS protest had been nothing but peaceful? Who stood to gain from all this? In Abuja, we saw a videoclip which showed thugs sponsored by unknown persons of means, mobilising and conveying them in their SUV to Wuse 2 to disrupt the Protesters on the street. We saw another videoclip of a Young man in Abuja, who held a press conference in which he gave the #ENDSARS Protesters 48 hours to vacate the streets, or else..... We saw a videoclip of thugs being conveyed in a Police van, earlier in the day on Black Tuesday. Who authorised the unknown soldiers to go to the Lekki Tollgate to disperse the Protesters? Was it the Chief of Army Staff? If it was him, who ordered him to do so, as Section 217(2)(c) of the Constitution only allows the Army to suppress an insurrection and restore order at the request of the President (and there was no insurrection)? Was the Governor of Lagos aware that unknown soldiers had been deployed to his State on Black Tuesday? Could the reason for the deployment of the unknown soldiers and thugs, have been to cause confusion in order to bring to a screeching halt, the protest which had lingered for longer than expected and was certainly a source of embarrassment to the Federal Government, especially as the whole world was watching and had come out in support of the #ENDSARS Protesters? Why did Government fail to protect the lives and property of the people, on Looting Wednesday? In this day and age of advanced technology, videos of the rampage were circulating on social media as it was happening, and it would be impossible for Government to feign ignorance of it.

Whatever the reason for the mayhem of Looting Wednesday, it was enough to cause extreme public disorder, thereby allowing the President to ban the #ENDSARS Protest. The rights donated in Sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution are not unlimited, but are restricted by Section 45(1) of the same Constitution in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health. Was that the reason behind the disruption?

To orchestrate such a chaotic situation, that it would become the basis for invoking Section 45(1) of the Constitution to end the protest?

Destruction of the Courts

“.....WE CAN ONLY GET TO THE TRUTH IF AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY IS UNDERTAKEN. THE ARMY/GOVERNMENT CERTAINLY CANNOT BE ASKED TO INVESTIGATE ITSELF - THAT WOULD BE ABSURD - NEMO JUDEX IN CAUSA SUA (NO ONE IS JUDGE IN HIS OWN CAUSE)”

As a Lawyer, the court is my constituency, and it was heartbreaking to see how the hoodlums set fire and destroyed the Court of Appeal, the Lagos High Court (the oldest court buildings in Nigeria), and the Magistrates Court. Another sign of the common man’s disdain for the temple of justice, which they may feel has not done them well. All the vital case files and documents that were destroyed! God knows when the courts will be fit for purpose again. Certainly, this will affect the livelihood of those of us in the legal profession.

Particularly painful, was the wanton destruction of Nigeria’s only world class state-of-the-art DNA Centre and Forensic Lab. Conclusion The invasion and destruction of Government facilities by hoodlums which occurred on Looting Wednesday, has been described by some as “the 9/11 of Africa” - a terrorist attack on Lagos. It reminds me of the ‘Storming of the Bastille’ on July 14, 1789, when the French peasants invaded the Bastille, which was the representation of royal authority, marking the onset of the French Revolution and the rejection of the Monarchy by the French peasants. Beyond acceding to the #ENDSARS Protesters’ five-point demands, as a matter of urgency, Government must look into the demands for good governance by the Youths, and indeed, all Nigerians, and restructuring. I advice the Youths to ensure that they all get their voter’s cards, take advantage of their strength, and organise themselves into a cohesive and formidable force - as the ‘Almighty 2023’ is almost upon us.

Some mischief makers have sought to create more confusion, by adding an ethnic colouration to the events that transpired on Looting Wednesday, blaming the Igbos for what happened in Lagos - this seems ridiculous, and more like a plot to pitch us against ourselves. I wonder who stands to gain from orchestrating more chaos and enmity? Just as the #ENDSARS Protesters come from different Nigerian tribes bound together by their common legitimate demands, so also the miscreants would have come from different tribes bound together by thievery and bitterness resulting from poverty, hunger, illiteracy, ill-treatment etc. Undoubtedly, we need to concentrate our energies on healing and rebuilding. In other countries, like South Africa, this was done via their Truth and Reconciliation Commission, because it is only with the truth that we can we start to genuinely reconcile.

For Nigerians, indeed, 2020 has truly been an ‘Annus Horribilis’.

4/LAW REPORT

Undefended List Procedure in Civil Cases

Facts

The Appellant sold a parcel of land to the Respondent for a sum of N6,550,000.00 (Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), and received another sum of N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) for the perfection of the Respondent’s title to the parcel of land. Subsequently, it was discovered that a third party had a prior existing title over the land the Appellant purported to sell, and the third party’s title over the plot of land was confirmed by the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning.

Aside the failed land transaction above, the Respondent also advanced a friendly loan to the Appellant in the sum of N13,900,000.00 (Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira), to reflate his business.

This loan was agreed by the parties to be repaid in cash or with goods equivalent to the money, but the Appellant failed to make good his promise. Displeased, the Respondent filed an action at the High Court of Kano State under the Undefended List Procedure, claiming the liquidated sums of N6,550,000.00 (Six Million, Five Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) and N13,900,000.00 (Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira).

The Appellant filed a Notice of Intention to Defend the action accompanied by an affidavit, in which he claimed that he transferred title to the land and the original documents to the Respondent upon payment of the purchase price. The trial court, who was not impressed by the tricking tactics employed by the Appellant, entered judgement in favour of the Respondent, as the Appellant provided no real defence to the action. The Appellant unsuccessfully appealed to the Court of Appeal, which led to a further appeal to the Supreme Court.

Issue for Determination The Appellant formulated two issues for determination, but the Supreme Court struck out the first issue, which did not arise from any of the grounds of appeal. The court also struck out the Appellant’s first ground of appeal, because it raised an issue of mixed law and fact, for which no leave of court was sought and obtained in accordance with Section 233(2) & (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.

In resolving the appeal, the Supreme Court considered the following sole issue – Whether there were material conflicts in the set of affidavits filed by the Appellant, against the affidavits filed on behalf of the Respondent.

Arguments With the above issue, the Appellant contended that the Court of Appeal was in error when it upheld the decision of the trial court. He argued that his affidavits before the trial court placed facts before the court in opposition to the Respondent’s affidavit in support of the action, which makes the Respondent’s action unmaintainable under the Undefended List Procedure. The Respondents posited per contra.

Court’s Judgement and Rationale Deciding the issue raised, the Supreme Court held that the Undefended List Procedure in civil proceedings, is designed to ensure the quick dispensation of justice in clear cases where the claim is for a liquidated sum, and the Defendant has no defence thereto. It is to ensure that precious judicial time and expense are not wasted in a full-blown trial when, in essence, there is nothing to be tried and it would not be expedient to allow a Defendant to defend for more purposes of delay - SODIPO v LEMINKANEN OY (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt. 15) 220.

The procedure is not meant to shut out a Defendant, who has a genuine defence. Consequently, where a Defendant files a Notice of Intention to Defend the

Honourable Ejembi Eko, JSC

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

Olabode Rhodes-Vivour Musa Dattijo Muhammad Kudirat Montonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun Chima Centus Nweze Ejembi Eko Justices, Supreme Court SC.233/2013 Between Alhaji Ali Mukhtar Sheshe… …

And Alhaji Hassan Ibrahim...

… …

…

Appellant

…

Respondent

(Lead Judgement delivered by Honourable Ejembi Eko, JSC)

action, accompanied by an affidavit disclosing a defence on the merit, it is the duty of the court to scrutinise the affidavit, and if satisfied that it

discloses a defence, to make an order transferring the suit to the general cause list, and ordering the parties to file pleadings. When the affidavit

“.....THE UNDEFENDED LIST PROCEDURE IN CIVIL PROCEEDINGS, IS DESIGNED TO ENSURE THE QUICK DISPENSATION OF JUSTICE IN CLEAR CASES WHERE THE CLAIM IS FOR A LIQUIDATED SUM, AND THE DEFENDANT HAS NO DEFENCE THERETO”

does not disclose a defence on the merit, the court will proceed to enter judgement for the Plaintiff, without the need for him to call evidence. The court relied on the case of EKULO FARMS LTD. & ANOR. v UNION BANK OF NIG. PLC. (2006) LPELR – 40141 (SC) and other cases.

In the instant case, certain facts were not disputed by the Appellant, in his affidavit in support of his Notice of Intention to Defend the action which included that - (i) he received the sums of N6,400,000.00 (Six Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira as consideration for the sale of a parcel of land and N150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) as cost of perfecting the Respondent’s title; (ii) a third party had a prior existing title over the land he purported to sell; (iv) he received a further loan of N13,900,000.00 (Thirteen Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira) from the Respondent. Facts that are neither challenged nor disputed, are taken as established. The trial court properly scrutinised the Appellant’s averments and rightly concluded that there was no real defence disclosed therein, and this finding was affirmed by the Court of Appeal. The Appellant did not appeal against the findings of the Court of Appeal on these facts, and so, same is subsisting and binding on the parties.

After consideration of the main issue before it, the learned Justices of the Apex Court addressed the issue of abuse of court process employed by counsel for the Appellant, in ensuring that the Respondent did not enjoy the fruit of his labour without passing through the hierarchy of the court system. The court remarked that “notwithstanding the scathing remarks made concerning the conduct of the erstwhile counsel for bringing the appeal thereat and canvassing baseless arguments not only ‘to delay the Appellant fulfilling his obligations’, but also to oppress the Respondent by using ‘the administration of justice to perpetuate unfairness, injustice and oppression’; Mr. H.T. Kyaure, of counsel for the Appellant, has the effrontery to take over the cause very ignoble by this unfortunate further appeal. Mr. Kyaure is an officer of this court. Rule 30, Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2007 (RPC) enjoins him to always conduct himself in a manner that may not ‘obstruct, delay or adversely affect the administration of justice’. His first duty is to the court. In his representation of his client, he must act strictly within the law, notwithstanding any contrary instruction by his client”.

The court held further, that counsel for the Appellant acted contrary to Rule 15(2) of the RPC, when he chose to be a ready tool weaponised by the Appellant, to use the due process of the Supreme Court for the ulterior purpose of oppressing and frustrating the Respondent. This abuse of process is characteristically employed by a number of Lawyers to congest the Apex Court.

Their Lordships then proceeded to order payment of an assessed costs in the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One million Naira only), to be paid personally by counsel for the Appellan to the Respondent, within fourteen days.

For the reasons given in respect of the issue for determination, the court affirmed the judgement of the Court of Appeal.

Appeal Dismissed.

Representation Appellant was not represented by counsel (Brief of Argument settled by H.T. Kyaure).

Magaji Mato Ibrahim for the Respondent.

Reported by Optimum Publishers Limited, Publishers of Nigerian Monthly Law Reports (NMLR)

27.10.2020

NEWS/5

Afba Will take Sponsors of #ENDSARS Violence to ICC The President of African Bar Association (Afba), Mr. Hannibal Uwaifor last Thursday, commended the call by President Buhari to Protesters on the streets of Nigeria’s major cities to end the violence. In a statement issued on Friday, he said ‘The African Bar Association welcomes the call by President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, for hoodlums who took advantage of the Peaceful #ENDSARS protest to unleash mayhem on Public and Private properties. Although, the President's speech fell short of what the Association had anticipated considering the weighty issues raised by the Protesters and others of general concern to majority of Nigerians, it however, acknowledged the constitutional rights of Public Protests, in particular the germane issues of Police impunity. ‘While we urge the Government of Nigeria to go further to condemn the attack on innocent peaceful Protesters by organised mercenaries and security operatives, we totally condemn the attack on vital Government buildings, the

President, African Bar Association, Mr. Hannibal Uwaifor

looting and burning of Private properties, attack on Media houses, Correctional Centres and other forms of violence unleashed in several locations in Nigeria especially, Edo, Lagos, Abuja, and several other cities in Nigeria. ‘While we sympathise with the Government and People of Nigeria, especially the State Governments and Security operatives and Citizens who lost their lives, and call for adequate restitution and

compensation in a manner that meets the justice of each case. ‘The Afba commends the Leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association for the steps taken so far in dealing with this monumental crises, and state that we plan to discuss and work with the NBA in bringing sponsors and perpetrators found to have violated the rights of Nigerian Citizens and Youths to account, before the international justice system.’

PALU Condemns Excessive Use of Force by Security Agencies Against Peaceful Protesters The Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) has expressed grave concerns, over the use of excessive force to dispel Protesters at the Lekki Tollgate last week.

A statement by the PALU President, Mr. Emeka Obegolu said: ‘We have been observing, with grave concern, the gradual descent into anarchy in parts of Nigeria, orchestrated by the excessive use of force to stop a peaceful civil protest under the guise of enforcement of curfew imposed by government, and the attendant acts of repression of civil protests by thugs allegedly at the instigation of government sympathisers. ‘PALU invites the Government of Nigeria to note the 1990 United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, which provides that in the dispersal of assemblies that are unlawful but non-violent, law enforcement officials shall avoid the use of force or, where that is not practicable, shall restrict such force to the minimum extent necessary. ‘PALU notes that Nigeria is a State party to the 1966 international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 21, which governs the right of peaceful assembly providing that the right of peaceful assembly shall be recognised. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right, other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health

PALU President, Emeka Obegolu

or morals, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. ‘PALU therefore calls on the Government of Nigeria to: 1. Guarantee the security of lives and properties of the citizens and residents of Nigeria, including their fundamental human rights as provided for under the Constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria and the African Charter on Human and Peoples rights.

2. Respect and protect the rights of her citizens to peacefully protest against perceived wrongful and oppressive acts of agencies of government and security agencies.

3. Commence immediate and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting of unarmed protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos State by soldiers, with a view to bringing the identified culprits to book.

4. Investigate the intimidation and violent attacks on peaceful

Protesters in different parts of the country, including Abuja, Lagos and Kano States by persons alleged to be sponsored thugs, with a view to unmasking the sponsors and bringing the perpetrators to book.

5. Commence a comprehensive census of all the victims of rights violations during the period while the protests lasted, and work with national civil society organisations led by the Nigerian Bar Association, to propose adequate compensation and immediate payment to the victims.’ ‘The Pan African Lawyers Union commends the Protesters and their leadership for keeping the protest largely peaceful, and urges Nigerians to resist the temptation to engage in violent protests or confrontation with security agencies. ‘PALU will continue monitoring events as they unfold, and will lend our support to any initiative of the Nigerian Bar Association in response to the unfolding events’, he said.

Okotie Backs Protesters, Calls for Caution The General Overseer of the Household of God Church, Rev. Kris Okotie, expressed his support for #ENDSARS Protesters.

While speaking to media, he said government must exercise caution in handling the situation, as the youths have a right to express their grouses with the government.

He said ‘Chairman Mao once posited that, if the people no longer fear your power, it is because another power is on its way’. ‘The authenticity of that statement cannot be impeached, when it is juxtaposed with the history of governance. I believe 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. ‘The current youth agitation, must be construed in this context. It is an extraterrestrial phenomenon. It is a divine intervention to resuscitate the moribund kindred spirit of the Nigerian brotherhood. To aver that this movement is politically motivated, is to submit to jejune partisan stimuli emanating from a reprehensible perennial insensitivity. The word protest comes from the Latin word “prostestari’’ . It means to bear witness in public.

Such is the propensity of the current youth imbroglio. It is 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

Rev. Kris Okotie

characterised the chequered pavement of our walk towards nationhood. They bear ZLWQHVV WR WKH VWUDWLĂ€FDWLRQ of the Nigerian society, that allows the circumambience of corruption by osmosis. They bear witness to a system that has elevated corruption to an institution of byzantine complexity. They 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. ‘Nigeria is about to be reborn. For indeed, change derives from a vertical impetus that translates into a horizontal movement or exodus. When the season comes, the agitation becomes ubiquitous. And when the time comes the mandate becomes an imperative.

Untrained in the art of mob

opposition, bereft of military discipline and partisan – fanaticism, they march on ZLWK WKHLU OXQJV Ă€OOHG ZLWK the breath of patriotic desire, and their lips pregnant with QDWLRQDOLVWLF Ă€UH KRSLQJ IRU D better tomorrow. They shun ethnicity, religion, the polarisation of class distinction, and geo-political sentiments. And as brothers and sisters, in peaceful arms they march towards the great goal of an emerging nation. They march as an unconscripted army, bound by the commonality of being joint heirs of our national patrimony. ‘I apply to the indulgence of Mr. President, to please be a father now and not a commander-in-chief, and treat this matter with conciliatory disposition; let compassion mitigate the sterner resolutions of your political oversight.

Your paternal superintendence must now over-ride every other consideration, and engender a peaceful rapprochement. ‘Please listen to the Nigerian Youth, no matter how discordant their voices may be. Let the heart of a father translate the pathos in their desperate exclamations, and compel you to reassure them of your paternal commitment to securing them a great future.’

Retired JSC, Akintan, Urges FG on Prison Decongestion Rebecca Ejifoma Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Sunday Akintan, has urged the Federal Government to put courts in big prisons like Kirikiri Maximum Security Correctional Centre, to decongest prisons as a way of reforming the country’s judicial system.

Akintan made the clarion call while unveiling his book ‘Reminiscences: My Journey through Life,’ at Bay Lounge, Lekki area of Lagos, recently.

In the words of the retired Justice, it is unfortunate that cases delay for years in courts without being resolved, and as a result, congest the prisons. ‘I even suggested in a paper that the modern thing is that in big prisons like Kirikiri Maximum Security

Correctional Centre, courts can be built there. Magistrates and Judges will be sitting there daily. With that, there will be no congestion in our prisons’, he reminisced.

Akintan further recommended, ‘Clear all cases to avoid congestion. Writing briefs for trial, is a waste of time. When the law slacks, people commit impunity’.

As a High Court Judge for about 14 years, before being posted to the Court of Appeal, and later to the Supreme Court, the author said ‘When I was a trial Judge, we used to have four assizes sessions in a year, where all the cases we had then would be listed in court and cleared’.

Continuing, he said when he retired and became a member of the National Judicial Council for five

years, he learned that many of the Chief Judges did not know what the assizes session was. ‘That is why we have a congestion of cases in our courts today.’ The retired Justice further frowned at delaying cases of notorious armed robbers and kidnappers, who are yet to be convicted for any crimes committed.

At the book launch, it was revealed that Akintan’s book connects the past with the present, and sees how ‘we can recommend the future’, in the words of the Book Reviewer, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene. He described Akintan’s literary style as conservative, a man's experience that transcends three generations. ‘This book offers to people beyond Lawyers.

I recommend this book for all facets.’

6/

27.10.2020

Zaria (Zazzau) Emirate Succession Controversy Introduction Seldom in the recent history of one of the oldest Fulani Kingdoms in Nigeria – Zaria (or, more correctly, Zazzau) – has the succession to the throne of Emir been as controversial as the one which trailed the demise of HRH Emir Shehu Idris on the 20th day of September, 2020. It degenerated to the extent that one of the ‘losing’ Princes, the Iyan Zazzau, Alhaji Bashari Aminu, reportedly issued a writ at the High Court to challenge the appointment by Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as the successor to the deceased Emir. While the situation surrounding the litigation (whether it has actually been filed or not) remains unclear; what is beyond doubt is that it was motivated by the disappointment of the ‘Plaintiff’ at being overlooked by the Governor in preference for Ambassor Bamalli, even though three out of the five kingmakers reportedly voted for the former.

Statutory Overview The aggrieved Prince reportedly based his challenge, on the alleged violation of the provisions of Section 3(1) of the State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law. Is he right? We shall presently attempt some answers, starting with the States Chiefs Law. Before going ahead, however, it is important to bear in mind that the object of the Chiefs Law – as it’s title suggests – is “to provide for the appointment and deposition of Chiefs”. In other words, it affects the proprietary interests of would-be Emirs, incumbent Emirs and their Kingmakers. This means that the Law is required to be strictly construed (that is, fortissimo contra proferentes). See NDOMA-EGBA v CHUKWUOGOR (2004) All FWLR Pt. 217 Pg. 735 @ 755H, S.C. and EZE v GOV. OF ABIA STATE (2010) 15 NWLR Pt. 1216 Pg. 324.

Now, to the law proper. While Section 2(1) thereof defines a “Chief” as “any person for the time being recognised by the Governor as a Chief and includes an Emir”, Section 3(1) - relied upon by the Iyan Zazzau - provides that: “Upon the death, resignation or deposition of any chief or of any head chief… other than of a kind referred to in Section 4, the Governor may appoint as the successor of such Chief or head chief any person selected in that behalf by those entitled by customary law and practice to select in accordance with customary law and practice”.

Section 3(2) and (3) of the Law provide as follows, respectively: - “where no selection is made before the expiration of such interval as is usual under customary law and practice, the Governor may himself appoint such person as he may deem fit and proper to carry out such duties incidental to the chieftaincy as it may be necessary to perform”;

Late Emir of Zazzau, HRH Shehu Idris

there is no “dispute” about their choice). If there is, that provision gives the Governor the right of having “the final say” in the choice of Emir.

Did Governor El-Rufai appoint Ambassador Bamalli, in the circumstances envisaged by Section 3(3) of the Law? Was His Royal Highness’ appointment preceded by a dispute as to the choice or choices of the Kingmakers? This is the crucial question, as, if there was no such dispute, the provisions of Section 3(3) would have been inapplicable, and they might not avail. However, this is where the situation gets a bit murky (and, indeed, controversial) because, reports suggest that the Governor had previously rejected the recommendations of the Kingmakers, on the ground that their deliberations excluded at least two interested Princes.

It also transpired that, in the aftermath of that rejection, the Kingmakers conducted no fresh poll (to include the new aspirants), but simply reviewed the latter’s written applications, and reportedly affirmed their previous

- “In the case of any dispute, the Governor, after due inquiry and consultation with persons concerned in the selection, shall have the final say as to whether the appointment of any chief or head chief has been made in accordance with customary law and practice” Analysis It can be seen that the law recognises and allocates two sets of powers in the appointment of an Emir: to the Kingmakers (“those entitled by customary law and practice to select in accordance with customary law and practice”) on one hand, and to the State Governor on the other. The question is: what is the precise scope of their respective powers? Are they mutually-exclusive or are they complementary? A close perusal of the relevant provisions reveals that, while it is the duty of the Kingmakers to recommend a suitable candidate or candidates for appointment as Emir to the Governor, the latter possesses the sole prerogative of making the actual appointment. In other words, their respective powers are complementary.

However, this view appears to hold water only where the choice of the Kingmakers is non-controversial (or, to use the words of Section 3(3) of the Law, where

“.....HOWEVER, WHO CAN - IN ALL CONSCIENCE - BEGRUDGE THE GOVERNOR’S CHOICE, WHOSE DYNASTY HAS REPORTEDLY BEEN SHUT OUT OF THE EMIRSHIP FOR THE PAST 100 YEARS?”

recommendations. Did this position, if true, invalidate the process? Did it entitle the Governor to conclude that a dispute had thus arisen, which entitled him to intervene? At all events, did that intervention justify him, in the circumstances, in naming Ambassador Bamalli as the new Emir? Does resolving a dispute in the selection of an Emir by the Kingmakers, authorise the Governor to unilaterally appoint an Emir – let alone one who was not short-listed by the Kingmakers? Did the Governor exceed his powers under the Law, or did he usurp the powers of the Kingmakers?

In answering the foregoing questions, it will be pertinent to bear in mind the provisions of Section 31 of the Interpretation Law of Kaduna State which stipulate that: “where in any law, power is given to any person to enforce the doing of any act or thing, all such powers shall be understood to be given as are reasonably necessary to enable the person to do or enforce the doing of the act or thing”:. See ATT-GEN. OF CROSS RIVER STATE v OJUA (2011) All FWLR Pt. 594 Pg. 151 @ 169F. Was appointing Emir Bamalli directly (as Governor El-Rufai did), reasonably necessary to enable him to exercise the power given to him by Section 3(3) of the Law of having “the final say” in resolving the presumed dispute over the appointment of the Emir? That is the question.

Once again, in answering this question, it will be worthwhile to bear in mind the admonition of the Apex Court that: “one of the basic principles of interpretation of our Constitution and statutes is that, the law-maker will not be presumed to have given a right in one section and taken it away in another”: OSADEBAY v ATT-GEN. OF BENDEL STATE (1991) 1 NWLR Pt. 169. pg. 525. Beyond this, however, it does appear that both of the foregoing precepts depend on the construction which is given to the words “may” and “shall” used in relation to the powers conferred on the Kingmakers and the Governor, in the provisions of Section 3(1) & (3), respectively, of the Chiefs Law. In this regard, it is settled that, there is no hard and fast rule whether those words convey either a permissive or a peremptory mandate, respectively.

That is, whether they are merely directory (in the case of “may”) or mandatory (in the case of “shall”).

As the Apex Court held in AMOKEODO v I.G.P. (2001) FWLR pt. 33 pg. 344 @ 358F: “In each case, the intention of the Legislature must be ascertained by looking at the whole scope of the statute, and, in particular, at the importance of the provisions in question in relation to the general object to be secured.”

Conclusion The controversy that trailed the appointment of HRH Ambassador Ahmed Bamalli as the Emir of Zazzau, is clearly rooted in the vagueness of the State’s Chiefs Law and its lack of detail in providing for the situation which has now arisen. While the Iyan Zazzau might appear to have a genuine grievance (given his apparent preference by the Kingmakers), however, who can - in all conscience - begrudge the Governor’s choice, whose dynasty has reportedly been shut out of the Emirship for the past 100 years?

In terms of a solution, the situation appears to transcend the fine print or delicate nuances of either the Chiefs Law, or any other relevant statue or judicial precedent. Given the nature of the particular traditional institution involved (where all the aspirants and the eventual winner are reportedly inter-related either by marriage or otherwise), the way out would seem to be for all the contenders to toe the path of harmony, by regarding the Governor’s choice as a win-win for all – until that is, such a time when a new and more comprehensive Chiefs Law is enacted. Hopefully, this will address the glaring short-comings in the present one – especially in relation to the powers of the Governor vis-à-vis those of the Kingmakers, in the appointment of new Emirs. This would accord with both tradition and custom, as well as the Governor’s pre-eminent position as the Chief Executive of the State pursuant to Section 176(2) of the 1999 Constitution.

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Do Black Lives Really Matter?

Introduction The tragedy of the events that occurred last week on Tuesday, the 20th of October, 2020 at the Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos now dubbed ‘Black Tuesday’ which resulted in the death of several Nigerian youths killed in cold blood by the Nigerian Army, has placed Nigeria firmly in the World spotlight and negates the impact of the Black Lives Matter Movement which has attracted so much attention in recent months, in different countries of the World. The Nigerian Youths were peacefully protesting and demanding the disbandment of a unit of the Nigerian Police Force known as the Special Armed Robbery Squad (SARS), for acts of brutality and extra-judicial killing. Nigeria is the most populous country in Black Africa, and the general feeling particularly amongst the militant far right after this fatal incident is that, if Blacks as a race have scant regard for their own lives in their own countries where nationals are predominantly Black, why should they be unduly bothered or concerned about the sanctity of Black lives, in countries where they live and reside as minorities?

The tragic incidents of the past few days further reaffirms the the general belief that, although we are part and parcel of the international community, we remain detached in many respects. It’s unfortunate that after 60 years of independence, Nigeria is yet to come to terms with how it ought to project itself as a country, and the role it should be seen as playing in the comity of Nations.

Many Nigerians having grown up under military rule, and have mentally adopted and self-internalised this way of life. The problem with Nigeria therefore, is not just one of leadership, but also one of followership. Last week’s killings have, without doubt, become a setback for the Black Lives Movement, and Nigeria as a Nation ought to have been more conscious of this fact.

Purpose of the Protest The #ENDSARS movement first began as a simple protest against police excesses, but before long, became a wider platform to seek demands for good governance, justice, fairness and the restructuring of the country into a true Federation. After a few days of protests by the Youths, the Federal Government was forced into disbanding SARS. This however, did not bring the protests to an immediate end. The Youths argued that the Federal Government had made several promises in the past, without any effective reform measures. As a consequence, the protest soon widened to include reforms across the entire spectrum of the Nigerian Police System. The protesters came up with a 5-point agenda which included the following: r5IF JNNFEJBUF SFMFBTF PG BMM BSSFTUFE QSPUFTUFST r +VTUJDF GPS BMM EFDFBTFE WJDUJNT PG 1PMJDF CSVUBMJUZ and appropriate compensation for their families. r5IF TFUUJOH VQ PG BO JOEFQFOEFOU CPEZ UP PWFSTFF the investigation and prosecution of all those reported for Police misconduct within 10days. r5IF DBSSZJOH PVU PG QTZDIPMPHJDBM FWBMVBUJPO BOE retraining of all disbanded SARS operatives, before they can be redeployed r "O JODSFBTF JO 1PMJDF TBMBSZ BOE BEFRVBUF DPNQFOTBUJPO The Federal Government soon set up a new unit tagged SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics). The Youths weren’t pacified, and refused to leave the streets, thereby frustrating the Federal Government. Despite the peaceful protests and the continued frustration of the Federal Government, by an large the protests remained peaceful although disrupting the general movement of people to their various destinations across the country. The first hint of the fact that something sinister might happen, was when the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) warned that the Federal Government were considering using the Army to quell the protests. The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Adewale Martins, immediately issued a communique warning of the consequences of such a rash action, and advised the Government to continue embracing dialogue, but many were still left wondering how the BBC became privy to such information. Was it from intelligence reports? The inevitable conclusion was that, this was being planned.

Even at that, the question still remained as to how the Federal Government could possibly deploy the Army in a constitutional democracy, without a specific request by a State Government for this to happen, or without the President first declaring a State of Emergency under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

the Security Services attached to Lagos were between Wednesday and Saturday last week.

Destruction of Landmarks and Properties (1) If the Army that still denies involvement did not massacre protesters, would Lagos have burned or get looted and leave the treasury with a bill of over One trillion?

(2) The High Court Igbosere, The Oba of Lagos’ Palace, Oriental Hotel Victoria Island and other monuments are all predictable targets for thugs and thieves, so why weren’t the Police deployed in advance to protect these landmarks? (3) Where is the same clamour for accountability from the Army, as is ongoing for the protesters to have observed the curfew? In any case, should they have opened fire on young innocent youths? (4) How come the Army were able to open fire on protesters, but could not open fire on brigands and miscreants looting Lagos?

Denials The Nigerian Army are now denying any involvement by them in the Black Tuesday killings, and the President in his broadcast to the Nation following the events of last Tuesday coupled with the riots and property destruction in its aftermath, didn’t confirm this fact either. Nevertheless, the question as to how the Army got invited into Lagos requires an answer from the authorities, either at Federal or State level.

It has generally been presumed that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu knew the Army were coming. This is because, how else can the government explain the short notice of 3-4 hours the Governor gave Lagosians to prepare for a hastily imposed curfew? There was complete mayhem in the wake of that announcement.

The 3rd Mainland Bridge which is undergoing repairs, was not thrown open to allow commuters to return to their homes. Many were trapped on the bridge, and the Governor was forced to extend the time before the curfew kicked in beyond 4pm to 9pm, but the Army, oblivious to all this, struck regardless and carried out their dastardly act of killing innocent youths at the Lekki Toll Gate in cold blood before the 9pm curfew came into effect. The lights at the Tollgate were even switched off when the Army opened fire. Who ordered the switching off of the lights? Why was it necessary to switch off the lights?

Why were the infrared cameras also switched off? Would it not have been better for the protesters to see the Army advancing, so that even the most stubborn amongst the protesters could flee and protect themselves? Was it known to the Lagos State Authorities what was about to happen?

In the wake of the bloodshed and the curfew, all the security forces and other essential services like the fire brigade, were nowhere to be found the next day. Lagos State simply failed a security and crisis management test.

The Lagos State Government needs to further explain where

“THE YOUTH OF TODAY ARE NOT PREPARED TO ACCEPT A SYSTEM THAT IS NOT FIT FOR PURPOSE, AND I DOUBT WHETHER THEIR VOICES WILL BE DROWNED OUT BY WHAT HAPPENED LAST TUESDAY. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CRUSHED, FAR FROM IT!�

Violation of the Judiciary For Lawyers, there was no greater humiliation than the burning and almost total destruction of the Lagos State High Court by thugs, vandals brigands and miscreants.

5IF +VEJDJBSZ JT SFHBSEFE BT UIF SE BSN PG HPWFSONFOU and the torching of the Lagos State High Court, the Mediation Centre which it houses and the Magistrate Court Igbosere round the corner, is indicative of how low we have sunk. The Custodian of law and order in all civilised societies, or should I say the symbol of the SVMF PG MBX JT UIF +VEJDJBSZ BOE UIF IFBERVBSUFST PG UIF -BHPT 4UBUF )JHI $PVSU +VEJDJBSZ XBT DPNQMFUFMZ CMJHIUFE Can the Presidency or the Governor’s office be easily attacked and destroyed like this? Is it possible for the Lagos State House of Assembly to be easily invaded and violated, knowing that there are well armed guards by the entrance of its gates? How disrespectful can you get UP UIF +VEJDJBSZ BT B JOTUJUVUJPO BOE PVS +VEHFT XIP work round the clock to uphold the rule of law and dispense justice?

The Igbosere High Court, is akin to a listed building. It was bequeathed to us by the departing colonial authorities. Several documents and materials that have been archived such as Wills and other probate documents, were lost forever in the fires that engulfed the building.

Did government even bother to digitise these documents, like it’s done to the Lands Registry at Alausa? This only heightens the calls for the complete financial independence PG UIF +VEJDJBSZ One particular hoodlum was even filmed, holding a long knife and adorning a wig and gown. That made a complete mockery of the noble profession and perhaps, its now time to do away with the wig and gown, as in other countries of the Commonwealth. That however, is an argument for another day and not one to be tabled in the wake of this crisis.

Conclusion Our Youths who were killed in cold blood last week, must not be allowed to die in vain. They are Martyrs who were bold enough to initiate a movement, which many in my generation could not and cannot possibly contemplate. We have already been dubbed the comfort generation because we accepted everything our fathers bequeathed to us, whether right or wrong. We were not bold enough to question the flaws of the system we met, and that’s why we are now stuck in a systematic rot. The youth of today are not prepared to accept a system that is not fit for purpose, and I doubt whether their voices will be drowned out by what happened last Tuesday. They have not been crushed, far from it! They have simply gone to regroup, and come back with more determination and vigour.

What is clear is that, the present structure of government is not fit for purpose. We need a new Constitution that will restructure the country, and turn us into a true federation and democracy. We need to be seen to fulfil our role in the comity of Nations, and portray to our Black brethren around the World, that our lives truly matter. Let us begin this process, by making a request to the National Assembly for a referendum. A referendum if passed, would provide the platform for our youths to build the country of their dreams. Nigeria cannot continue on its present trajectory, and our youths have made that clear. The establishment need not fear a referendum. It merely sets in motion, the process which will enable us build a better and stronger Nigeria, a country that will at last fulfil its potential. The mechanism for a referendum is hidden in the 1999 Constitution as amended. It is there.

Let’s embrace our youths, and give them the society they crave. Let us show them that, we genuinely believe that their lives do matter.

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#ENDSARS: Echoes Nigerian Youths (now popularly referred to as the #ENDSARS Protesters) have never been so united as was witnessed in the past couple of weeks, with the massive nationwide protests calling for the scrapping of the dreaded unit of the Nigeria Police, infamously known as SARS (the Special Anti-Robbery Squad). As the protests spilled over to last week, they were accompanied by untold and unsavoury consequences, which will certainly be well entrenched in the annals of Nigeria’s history. On Tuesday October 20, 2020, in an attempt to disperse the #ENDSARS Protesters, the Military were alleged to have opened fire at the Lekki Tollgate where the Protesters were stationed, and some Nigerian youths were injured, while the allegation that some may have been killed and the number of deaths, remains unconfirmed. President Buhari’s much awaited broadcast to the nation, neither assuaged nor propitiated a mourning nation. Recriminations, accusations and counter-accusations, have continued to trail the aftermath of the otherwise peaceful protests. Unarguably, the unprecedented protests have altered the course of Nigeria’s history, forever. Anthony Malik, SAN, Ossai Ojigho, Dr Osagie Obayuwana, Eyitayo Dada, Kingsley Jesuorobo and Michael Dibua weigh in on the avoidable unfortunate incident, which has put Nigeria in a negative light before the international community, in this Discourse

The Throes of #ENDSARS Agitation and the Imperative of Security and Justice as Bastions of Hope Anthony Malik, SAN The time bomb that pundits have always described and cautioned against, as constituting the socio-political leadership foundation of Nigeria, is finally upon us. The country is scaringly convulsing on the edge of the cliff as the rump of what was supposed to be a security bulwark, is revealing a seemingly helpless situation of anarchy and anomie in the face of rampaging hoodlums cashing in on the legitimate agitations initiated by protesting youths and other adults against Police brutality, a monster that was symbolised by the operations of the now rested Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS. It is beyond any debate that SARS was synonymous with extortion, harassment, torture and outright murder.

Indubitably, Nigeria is gradually sliding into the throes of lawlessness, no thanks to the arrant arrogance and misguided leadership that have been foisted on us over time by the political class, in disdain for the people’s mandate.

In a situation as Nigeria is currently embroiled in, the first sacrificial casualty is Security and the law, the evidence of which is seen in the pervading insecurity, extrajudicial killings and wanton destruction of properties which are now the concomitants of the #ENDSARS protests nationwide.

How did we get to this Sorry Pass?

The question that has continually begged for answer, is how we got ourselves to this sorry pass, where sacrosanctity of life religiously recognised and constitutionally preserved in our corpus juris has become totally lost on us, that in one long, dark and eerie night, men of the Nigerian Army, whose primary statutory mandate is to fight and suppress any external aggression threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria, turned their weapons on innocuous and benign protesters. In “My Mussing”, published on my facebook page of 21.10.2020, I wrote inter alia thus:

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

“.....POLICE BRUTALITY, A MONSTER THAT WAS SYMBOLISED BY THE OPERATIONS OF THE NOW RESTED SPECIAL ANTIROBBERY SQUAD, SARS. IT IS BEYOND ANY DEBATE THAT SARS WAS SYNONYMOUS WITH EXTORTION, HARASSMENT, TORTURE AND OUTRIGHT MURDER”

“...It was a night in which men of the Nigerian Army who are maintained and sustained by tax-payers money opened fire on young, unarmed protesters who were seated at the Lekki Toll Gate, waving the Nigerian flag(s), singing the National Anthem and protesting against and demanding an end to police brutality - #ENDSARS. Without any equivocation, I condemn the action of the #NigerianArmy and #FGN. It is primitive, uncivilised, unconscionable, dastardly, reprehensible, condemnable, senseless, callous, mindless and barbaric. Indeed, the shameless act of the Army constitutes a desecration of the Nigerian flag and a violation of the Constitution.

May the souls of all the #ENDSARS soldiers felled by the #NigerianArmy bullets rest in peace.

The Nigerian government must put an end to all forms of human right violations. It should also remember that those who make peaceful change impossible, make violent change inevitable”.

I stand by the fore-quoted. One does not need to look too far to know that Nigeria, for far too long, has been perching on a time bomb of structural defects, systemic imbalance, ethnic, tribal and religious sentiments, spiralling unemployment rate of able-bodied youth, infrastructural deficit and decay, armed banditry, unending inflation, mis-governance, etc, as a few indices of a failing State.

In consequence thereof, the unwarranted violence of injuries/fatalities of the Lekki Toll Plaza visited on the protesters, has become a seed sown and fertilised on the blood of the innocent, Sadly, miscreants appear to have hijacked the well-intentioned protests and supplanted same with an unending orgy of violence across major cities in Nigeria, with Lagos the hardest hit so far. The spate of the ongoing destruction of public and private properties is yet unequalled, save for the fratricidal orgies of the Nigerian civil war era.

Looting and Destruction The sad irony of it all is that the initial protests which were roundly hailed by all and even endorsed by political authorities in Nigeria, have now become counterproductive. In consequence, we have now witnessed the infernal destructions of the headquarters of the National Port Authority, a gigantic edifice housing the operation of the Port Authority, the TVC Station in Lagos, the buildings and property of the Lagos High Court, the desecration of the Palace of the Oba of Lagos, the jail breaks in Edo and other States, the looting of an entire shopping avenue in Lekki in one night, and countless destructions and looting

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of a Black Tuesday of other public and private investments and possessions in several part of Nigeria.

BRT buses which are meant for use by the masses, were mindlessly set ablaze.

The emerging contradiction in all of this is that, it is the masses that will bear the brunt of the ruthless and reckless destruction of these public assets and not, by any stretch of imagination, the elites or ruling class against whom the protests are targeted!

It bears repeating to state that, what had started for us as a positive respite from the oppressive reign of Police brutality has now been hijacked, and transfused with another life of unimaginable oppression likely to choke the entire polity in the miasma of toxic fumes of violence being unleashed.

Beyond the huge capital outlay of funds required to rebuild the destructions visited on both the public and private properties, the already hopeless employment situation in Nigeria will further be given a fillip.

While it is beyond disputation that the defunct Police contraption, SARS, deviated and embarked on its own selfserving voyage outside the traditionally statutorily recognised role of the Police by the brutalities it unleashed on or against the very people it was meant to protect, the events that have followed the agitation and protests exemplified by the popular #ENDSARS indeed, call for sober reflection.

Sober Reflection Not oblivious of the narrative of a symbolic poster boy that the #ENDSARS agitation became for other systemic failings, it beggars explanation why the officers or outlawries who perpetrated the reign of terror and lawlessness in the now disbanded SARS have yet to be brought to book. To fish out the miserable 34 or so members of SARS, comprising mainly of low ranking officers who might have acted on the commands and orders of their respective superiors for prosecution or disciplinary action, is another layer of injustice and institutional hypocrisy.

Surely, the hands of our laws are not so short, nor the laws blind. Only the symbolic femininity of justice, ties the blindfold.

If Mr. President had slumbered throughout the time the atrocities of SARS lasted, the prevailing reactions of protesters should serve as a wake-up call. The outrage loudly expressed by Nigerians, must not precipitate poorly drafted speeches which offer nothing but veiled threat and intimidation of the citizenry and international community.

There is the urgent need for justice for the Nigerian citizenry who had been in bondage of the SARS operation, with many lives snuffed out extra-judicially. It is not justice where the only punishment for the enablers at the commanding heights of the SARS operation, are only made to swap positions and operate joyfully elsewhere ever after. Certainly not!

The right to life of Nigerian citizens which SARS flagrantly violated as a pastime, is a fundamental right from whose umbilical cord all other rights draw life. Thus, Section 33 (1) of the

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu

Constitution of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as severally amended) clearly guarantees every human person the right to life, and forbids the intentional deprivation of the life of another, save in the execution of a sentence of a court. To assuage the current angst against the noted violations, government must apply the justice of fair dessert on the enablers of SARS brutalities anywhere they are found, whether in service or in retirement.

This is a first step and elixir, to any contemplated institutional reform.

The widespread situation in Nigeria whereby a day hardly passes without a recorded case of brutality by the Police and other security agencies, has regrettably, culminated in youth uprising and budding revolution. The rule of might has held sway for too long, in consequence of which the rule of law and justice have now become the victim.

The prevalence of insecurity and extrajudicial killings on the one hand, and the current sad realities of our national life [in Nigeria] exists in causal relationship.

Of course, where insecurity and justice become the norm, life loses its sanctity and the Hobbesian state of nature, where the life of man is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short, takes pre-eminence.

State-sponsored or extra-judicial killing, is usually a corollary of State abdicated responsibility of good governance.

Therefore, where good governance is lacking in any society, man regresses to his Hobbesian natural state of selfishness and intolerance. The current prevalence of near lawlessness and insecurity in the wake of the unwarranted reaction of the security agencies at turning their weapons on the protesting youths against Police brutality and extra-judicial killings in the country, is a function of the abdication of the State responsibilities of realpolitik of welfare of life and property constitutionally preserved in preference for the primordial politics of cronyism,

nepotism and ethno-religious sentiments.

Except by conscious efforts at good governance, the current reality of near lawlessness in the polity will continue to reign as an inevitable concomitant.

Conclusion In ending this short piece, let me observe that when a nation is in turmoil, it is the Lawyers that are called in to chart a direction. In the words of the first indigenous Nigerian Lawyer, Chief Christopher Alexander Sapara Williams

(of blessed memory), “a Lawyer lives for the direction of his people”. This presupposes that the very essence of the legal profession, is direction. Lawyers in Nigeria must, therefore, arise to retake the baton in this endless relay of mis-governance, so as to champion the elusive direction that the Nigerian State profoundly needs at this time. Ours is a nation in bewilderment. The torchlight to chart this direction has continued to lie prostrate with the beam facedown, where our beloved fiery colleague, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN (may the good Lord bless his soul) left it. Lawyers must walk the law to the destination of institutional rejuvenation. It is only by so doing, that the very essence of life which security and justice seek to preserve, and which the wanton deprivation of same by extrajudicial killings, seek to frustrate, can be realised.

As short-term measure, the government of the day must do well to tow the populist path by wide consultation outside its advisory circle and implement populist-driven solutions, in order to assuage frayed nerves and restore sanity.

May the souls of all Nigerians who were felled by Army bullets on 20.10.2020 and on all other days during the peaceful protests, rest in peace. Similarly, may all the security operatives who died in the line of duty while providing security for the protesters, find favour with the Lord.

May peace reign in Nigeria. Amen. #ENDSARS; #ENDSWAT; #EndBadGovernance; #DestructionofPublicAssets; #LetPeaceReigninNaija.

AIKHUNEGBE ANTHONY MALIK, SAN, Managing Partner, Alegeh & Co.

The #ENDSARS Protests and the Demand for Improved Policing System in Nigeria Osai Ojigho And, the World Stood Still

“THE ULTIMATE CALL FOR JUSTICE, MEANS THAT THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND ABUSES ARE BROUGHT TO BOOK. THE NIGERIAN STATE MUST LIVE UP TO ITS PEOPLES’ EXPECTATIONS WHICH IS A SAFE, SECURE, AND ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERY PERSON TO THRIVE”

The world literally stood still for the Nigerian #ENDSARS movement in the first weeks of October 202, getting its own twitter emoji and gaining popular support from world leaders and influencers including Actress, Gabrielle Union and US movie producer, Tyler Perry. A viral video of a man shot by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force on 3 October 2020 in Ughelli, Delta State, elicited much anger that revived debates about the brazen acts of SARS against the people, and sparked the protests that revived the #ENDSARS campaign for justice online and powered it offline.

On 7 October, 2020, some people started gathering on the streets of Lagos calling for end to police brutality. By 8 October, 2020, at least 31 locations in 17 States and the FCT in Nigeria, had #ENDSARS cont'd on page 10

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#ENDSARS: Echoes of a Black Tuesday cont'd from page 9

protestors. The protestors were largely young people, who were expressing their frustrations with a security agency set up to protect them. But, the involvement of Nigerian artistes Falz, Runtown, etc gave it a different vibe, and reflected how these social actors saw the need to align their support to their fan base comprising of mostly the youth. The #ENDSARS protests spread in Nigeria, with about 30 States having had at least 1 protest. Lagos State had the most locations of protests, with Lekki tollgate drawing a diverse mix of people from all works of life. Nigerians in the diaspora, mainly in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, UK, USA, Canada, Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, and France, held similar protests in front of Nigerian High Commissions and Embassies and notable landmarks. These protests showed strong community, solidarity, and unity of purpose.

It was an organic and non-hierarchical movement yet both young men and women worked side by side harmoniously to press their collective demands for a police force that protects them and is accountable to them.

While there were incidents of Police crackdown on protestors at the beginning of the #ENDSARS protests in some areas like in Abuja on 10 and 11 October when the police shot at protesters and fired teargas and used water cannons to disperse the crowd, the protests went on with protestors seeking alternative venues.

The IGP had, in his various directives, ordered all State Commands to halt the use of force against protestors, and unconditional release of those arrested. The violence suffered by protestors thereafter by unidentified groups, and the shooting of peaceful protestors by soldiers at the Lekki tollgate on the evening of 20 October, 2020 was therefore, a flagrant disregard for the rule of law, sanctity of life and the right to protest.

Call for Police Accountability The call for Police accountability and security reform in Nigeria, is not new.

Several NGOs, including CLEEN Foundation, Human Rights Watch, Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN) and Amnesty International, have released several reports documenting human rights violations committed by law enforcement agents. The Presidential Committees on Police Reform in Nigeria 2006 and 2008, produced wide ranging recommendations meant to improve policing in the country.

Yet, problems still abound with many complaints of extrajudicial executions, unlawful arrests, torture, extortion, threats, unlawful killings made against the Nigeria Police Force. The situation is so bad, that the World Internal Security and Police Index 2016, ranked the Police in Nigeria the lowest compared to 127 countries.

The infamous SARS unit had also been reviewed, since its establishment in 1992.

The most significant, was the setting up of the Presidential Panel on the Reform of the SARS in 2018. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) coordinated the investigation, and submitted the report with its findings and recommendations to the President of Nigeria on 3 June, 2019.

It took the #ENDSARS protests of October 2020, for the implementation committee for this report to be activated.

Reports Against SARS Amnesty International’s report, ‘Time to End Impunity – Torture and other Violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad’, records at least 82 cases of torture, ill treatment and extra-judicial execution

by SARS between January 2017 and May 2020. The study showed that young people, especially young men between the age of 17 and 30, were targeted by SARS. This explains why the protests were led by the

Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai

Youth. SB Morgen also released 11 Major F-SARS incidents in the last 18 months, between March 2019 – June 2020. In a survey conducted by HumAngle and Dataphyte, and released in August 2020, young people expressed frustration with security agents, citing extortion, assault and harassment as main abuses against them. There is overwhelming evidence against SARS officers, and the fact that no person had been successfully prosecuted for overreach of their powers and human rights violations committed, fuelled the protests and the continued demand for justice.

The unfortunate carnage that followed the violent crackdown on protestors across the country and led to several States declaring 24-hour curfew, is unprecedented in Nigeria. For once, the warnings that growing dissatisfaction has taken a turn for the worse. Law enforcement agents and the government have a responsibility to ensure that everyone can enjoy their human rights, and create an enabling environment for everyone regardless of their status, age, gender and ethnicity to thrive. Sadly, years of non-responsive governance has led to needless deaths,

shocking violence and brutal assault on safety and security.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, remarked after her visit to the country in September 2019, that Nigeria is a pressure cooker of internal conflicts and generalised violence that must be addressed urgently.

And called on the authorities to “prioritise as a matter of urgency accountability and access to justice for all victims”.

It is important for the authorities to preach non-violence, and use non-violent means for resolving conflicts. There is a need to assess how to make the right to protest, less of a dangerous venture for both protestors and the law enforcement agents themselves. The numerous recommendations and reports on SARS and Police reform in general, must be made public and implemented. The ultimate call for justice, means that those responsible for human rights violations and abuses are brought to book. The Nigerian State must live up to its peoples’ expectations which is a safe, secure, and enabling environment for every person to thrive. An honest, open, and transparent assessment of the handling of the #ENDSARS protests, would be a good place to start.

Osai Ojigho, Lawyer and Human Righta Advocare; Director of Amnesty International Nigeria. Opinions are that of the author, and not necessarily that of the organisation she works with

Lekki Tollgate Massacre, a Crime Against Humanity Dr Osagie Obayuwana

“WE CONDEMN EQUALLY, THE ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY INFUSE ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS DIVISIONS INTO THE RANKS OF THE VICTIMS OF MISRULE IN NIGERIA”

They knew the Protesters were unarmed, and that the combat would be unequal.

They marched like the brutes that they are into the ranks of Patriots, who had nothing but their passion for change; change for accountability in their country, Nigeria.

They waited for when the sun would have long gone down, and chose the cover of pitch darkness. They put out all flicker of light, street lights and all.

The Brutes and their Actions The patriotic call of the Protesters was for an end to Police brutality, fostered by a long history of impunity. The essential demand was for good governance. With assault rifles, they opened fire on the

Patriots, mostly youths, male and female, without discrimination.

To the brutes, the justification for the dastardly action was the violation of a curfew, but we ask, which law provides the death penalty for violation of a curfew? In any event, the assault reportedly started at about 7pm, two hours before the curfew commenced.

It is clear to us that, what the brutes found objectionable was the resilience of the Protesters, the contents of their demands, and the audacity to make their views known.

The brutes expected the Patriots to accept promises that for years, have not been kept. They brutishly allowed vain glory and their sense of importance as temporary holders of public office, to overrun any semblance of rationality and good judgement. They chose to silence the voices of uncountable patriots in pitch darkness on 20th October, 2020, at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, Nigeria.

They derived ancillary justification from the protests of those they call miscreants and hoodlums, who earlier in the day had violently reacted to the unjustifiable killing of some of their compatriots, and who understandably had set ablaze Orile Police Station.

They blame the Patriots at Lekki for the reaction of those they call miscreants and hoodlums; they argue that the Protesters at Lekki and Alausa provided the enabling environment for the protest which they acknowledged to be peaceful and justified, to be hijacked by those they refer to as unreasonable elements, who they feel at liberty to eliminate wholesale. They conveniently forget that these elements, poor, illiterate and unemployed as they are, are a creation of the uncaring system being run in Nigeria. They refuse to accept that in their reaction, the poor, illiterate, unemployed and generally homeless people they categorised as undesirable elements, feel justified in what they consider an inhumane resistance of the ruling class to the change imperative, long overdue, that will benefit all.

The Brutes, through their attack dogs, the Soldiers, held the Lekki Protesters responsible, and imagined that the killings at Lekki would stop the protest.

CHDR’s Condemnation and Call But, we of the CDHR dare proclaim, that ours is a voice that cannot be silenced, cont'd on page 11

COVER /11

27.10.2020

#ENDSARS: Echoes of a Black Tuesday cont'd from page 10

and that the issues, despite the killings, will not go away.

We despise and condemn wholeheartedly, the resort of Government Functionaries and Security Operatives to the instigation and arming of unemployed youths to engage in violent counter-protests in Lagos, Abuja, Benin and other places.

We condemn equally, the attempt to deliberately infuse ethnic and religious divisions into the ranks of the victims of misrule in Nigeria.

We acknowledge that those who profit from misrule of Nigeria and Nigerians, are a negligible few. We call on the rank and file of the Police and the Army to appreciate their historic duty, to team up with the long-suffering people of Nigeria who are the vast majority, to refuse henceforth to kill hapless victims, play their historic role and insist on the change that will move Nigeria forward, for the benefit of all its people.

Meanwhile, for the Brutes who carried out the cowardly Lekki Tollgate Massacre, and committed the most heinous crime against humanity, we demand an arraignment before the International Criminal Court of Justice. We hold them and their collaborators responsible for all the killings across Nigeria, since the commencement of the Nigerian People's #ENDSARS revolt 2020.

As the killings by themselves cannot take away the Nigerian people's entitlement to fight for their rights, we daresay that there is no option, other than for the struggle to continue, until the sovereign will of the Nigerian people is upheld.

What is at stake is the enjoyment by all Nigerians, especially those who have historically been denied of our civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights. In this regard, we are assured that victory is certain, no matter how long it takes.

Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, National President, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR)

#ENDSARS

Protests in Nigeria: Prosecute Soldiers Who Invaded Lekki Tollgate

#ENDSARS Protesters in London

Nigerian military shot, and were alleged to have killed unarmed protesters at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos. At the time of this press release, the full extent of the potentially deadly outcome of the military assault remains unclear. Nigerian citizens are under siege. There is need for international intervention.

Critical Observations and Recommendations Against the foregoing background, we, the undersigned, on behalf of the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL), deem it imperative to make the following observations and recommendations: 1. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) guarantees the rights and freedoms of every citizen of Nigeria to peaceful assembly, expression and thought. The relevant provisions, are contained in Chapter IV of the Constitution. As a corollary, we at CANL identify with and support the decision and action

Eyitayo Dada, Kingsley Jesuorobo and Michael Dibua In recent days, Nigeria has been gripped by peaceful anti-Police protests. These protests were orchestrated, organised and led by the Nigerian youth. The protests gained global traction under the hashtag #ENDSARS. SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) is a notorious Nigeria Police unit reputed for gross human rights violations, directed mostly against young people.

From all indications, the Nigerian authorities are seised of the massive magnitude of the current uprising. High ranking government and Police leaders have acknowledged the protests, and have, in quick reaction, announced the disbandment of the SARS, and have promised additional reforms. The protests persisted nonetheless, due to earned mistrust of the Nigerian authorities by the people.

Unfortunately, there have been credible reports that some protesters were killed by Army operatives and/or pro-government hoodlums, while scores of others have either been injured or arrested. Sadly, there has been a serious escalation of the crises. On October 20, 2020, credible reports emerged of incidents where the

“SARS.....IS A NOTORIOUS NIGERIA POLICE UNIT REPUTED FOR GROSS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS, DIRECTED MOSTLY AGAINST YOUNG PEOPLE”

of Nigerians to assemble and express themselves, in connection with the issues of governance of our country.

2. The core trigger of the current protests are the numerous alleged incidents of gross human rights abuses to which Nigerians have been subjected by the Police in general, and by the now disbanded SARS unit in particular. The alleged atrocities and violations are in direct violation of the provisions of Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and other extant domestic laws which guarantee and protect fundamental rights and freedoms, including, but not limited to, the right to life, dignity of the person, liberty, freedoms of thought, expression and assembly, to the citizens of Nigeria.

3. The alleged violations also implicate the obligations of the Nigerian State in the context of the extant international and regional human rights-related instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory; including the United Nations’ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (particularly Part III thereof) and its associated Protocols; the Rome Statute; the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (particularly Part I thereof) and its associated Protocols; the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Treaty (particularly Article 4 thereof) and its associated Protocols; among others.

4. The Nigerian State owes a solemn obligation to its citizens to ensure good and human rights-compliant governance, in accordance with the aforementioned enshrined fundamental rights of its citizens, as well as international best practices.

In this regard, we at CANL note with particular concern and disappointment, the allegations from credible sources that, whereas, the alleged violations have been widespread and systemic, accountability and recompense have been scant and largely non-existent. We believe that Nigerians deserve better, and, therefore, call for violators to face justice under the law and for the victims to also get remedial justice.

5. It is a trite fact that, the #ENDSARS protests are only a symbolic manifestation and a microcosm of a catalogue of governance ills that have engendered bottled-up discontentment among Ni-

gerian citizens at home and abroad. The ills range from cases of Police brutality, extortion and extra-judicial killings, to instances of administrative oppression and reckless excesses wreaked with impunity on Nigerian citizens, by people in positions of authority. We at CANL, hereby call for a holistic reform of the governance system. The reform should start with the reorientation and retraining of the mindset of those who occupy positions of authority in government.

6. As a first step, there is an urgent need for a nationwide adoption and implementation of policies and guidelines that uphold and proclaim the rights and freedoms of Nigerians from oppression, and any other form of abuse of office.

An online Public Accountability Registry System (PARS) should be established at all levels of government, for aggrieved individuals to register complaints with commitments from appropriate authorities to address same and publicly register the steps taken to investigate the complaint within fourteen (14) days from the date of the complaint, and follow up with disciplinary action where warranted, within thirty (30) days from the date of complaint. While there may be privacy rights violations concerns associated with this proposal, the need to tackle the endemic systemic abuses should trump the privacy rights of public officials. If warranted, enabling legislation should be put in place to actualise this proposal.

7. Government bodies entrusted with tackling financial crimes should be transparent about what is done with the money recovered, and should themselves be put under public scrutiny.

8. We call on the international community to intervene and prevail on the Nigerian authorities, to cease and desist from actions that violate the protected rights of the citizens.

We call for the investigation and prosecution of all persons who may have committed crimes against humanity, in reaction to the ongoing protests in Nigeria.

Eyitayo Dada, President, Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL), Kingsley Jesuorobo and Michael Dibua, former Presidents, CANL

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27.10.2020

President Buhari’s Speech Was Nothing but the Reading of a Military Riot Act Introduction I just had, most humbly, the misfortune, of reading the 27 paragraph national broadcast by President Muhammadu Buhari.

I had guffawed when many Nigerians awaited the speech with great expectations and bated animation, believing erroneously, that, like I had humbly advised President Buhari yesterday, he would roll out drums of empathy for our slain innocent youths and their grieving families. I told them not to expect any calming or balming speech of reconciliation and empathy. Buhari did not disappoint me. His national address was devoid of sympathy, empathy, fatherly feelings, or even the mere milk of human kindness for a nation on the dangerous precipice and cliff. His speech was unfortunately, insensate and insensitivity.

It epitomised a sorry and pathetic disconnect between the government and the people Mr President governs, or pretends to govern. The speech was more of a military dicta, a ferocious barracks riot Act, read to some unruly riotous mutineers and insurrectionists, to bring them to book. He simply talked down on Nigerians, not with Nigerians. I felt quite depressed and saddened.

He lost a rare golden, momentous and historic opportunity to unify a profusely haemorrhaging and badly fractured nation.

He spoke more like an Emperor addressing cringing servants, nay, slaves in bondage. Buhari reeled out what he considered to be his government's presumed economic innovations, to tackle the travails of a decaying nation. He found time to "pay tribute to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who have tragically lost their lives in the line of duty"; but found no single word, phrase or sentence , to console or condole with the mourning families of the youths that were mauled down in cold blood by the same trigger - happy officers. He never found a word of empathy, or even sympathy, for the innocent Nigerian flag-waving peaceful protesters, who were hacked down across the nation. Who did this to us, as a country?

He threatened that "under no circumstances" will anything that "amounts to undermining national security and the law and order situation... be tolerated".

Mr. President was not yet done. He blamed the "spreading of deliberate falsehood and misinformation through the social media in particular", as amounting to a "ploy to mislead the unwary within and outside Nigeria into unfair judgement and disruptive behaviour ". Mr President Sir, we all live here in Nigeria, a big prison yard. We do not need social media to educate us about our grinding poverty, mass unemployment, lack of basic social amenities and non-availability of electricity, educational, medical, water and security environment. Nigerians do not require the social media to tell them about Police brutality, extra- judicial killings, increased corruption, a parlous economy, an inequitable social justice system, non-observance of the rule of law, human rights, obedience to court orders and the general environment of despondency, haplessness and hopelessness.

Mr. President agonised over disruption of travel plans, destruction of public and private properties and invasion of the international airport. Yes Sir, I agree that these acts are condemnable, and I hereby also firmly condemn them in their entirety. But, Mr President Sir, was it so difficult like rocket science, to at least, acknowledge the lost lives of harmless youths who were unarmed, but brutally cut down in their prime? Just a word Sir? Was it necessary that the very second paragraph of a presidential speech to a nation under tumult, rather than bandaging raw wounds, was threatening fire and brimstone, such as to "warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial, genuine and well-intended protest of some of our youths in parts of the country..."?

Who did the hijacking Sir? Who were the shadowy persons who prompted fully armed security personnel to open hot lead on flag- waving and unarmed Nigerian youths at the Lekki toll gate? Mr President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces didn't wonder, like the international community has been doing, how and why fully armed military operatives were involved in a non-violent civilian protest. Who deployed them? I didn't read anywhere Mr President indicated that such errant officers will be brought to book, or tried in appropriate military quarters, or before courts of law, so that the ends of justice shall be served. I searched in vain to see any mention about those hoodlums that unleashed mayhem on innocent and peacefully protesting Nigerian youths, or how the entire security apparatchik of Nigeria will be accorded a total overhaul and rejuvenation. No. I never read anywhere, where Mr President talked about compensation, restitution for, or apology, to the families of youths plucked down in their prime in cold blood, and those still battling for survival in various hospitals across Nigeria. Not only did the entire speech fail to inspire Nigerians, or rekindle whatever remains of their dwindling hopes and disappearing faith in Nigeria as a nation, it was rather imperious, provocative and condescending. Nothing new was said about how to pacify the righteously angry Nigerian youths (whom he once described as "lazy Nigerian youths"), with fresh educational, job and capacity-building opportunities. Was it too much for Mr President, for once, to climb down from his high galloping horse, to cuddle (even if pretentiously) the Nigerian youths, with a warm fatherly embrace? Haba!!!

government, have today resonated from their cold graves and are today hunting us, like a phoenix from its ashes. The following two pieces which I wrote, respectively, on 21ST OF APRIL, 2015, and 3RD OF MAY, 2015 (ever before Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in as Nigerian President), will demonstrate how I tackled the then President Goodluck Jonathan and the then President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari. These views and suggestions were contained in my series, titled, "THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: THE WINNERS AND LOSERS", published in my weekly Sunday Telegraph column, "THE NIGERIAN PROJECT". Had President Buhari hearkened to my patriotic pieces of advice and humble intervention, Nigerian would not today, literally be on fire. And President Buhari would not today be holed up in Aso Villa, contending with nearly two weeks of "#ENDSARS" protests. By the way, #ENDSARS, in its full nakedness, is nothing but an euphemism for Nigerians' deep - seated anger, exasperation, despondency, provocation and disappointment, about Buhari’s clueless, lack-lustre, but dictatorial iron-fist rule. Read both articles carefully, and judge for yourselves, those who are the genuine patriots, and those who are the corridors -of-power-hypocrites, bootlickers, fawners and emergency contractors. Now, read this first part. Part 2 follows immediately. I humbly urge you to also read and digest it carefully.

President Muhammadu Buhari

How President Buhari Ignored my Patriotic and WellInformed Advice in 2015 Nigerians are Paying Dearly for it Today (Part 1) Introduction There are critics and there are critics. Some Critics criticise for the fun of it. Others do so to be noticed. Yet, some others do so for altruistic reasons. Yours sincerely falls into this last category.

As a Social Critic, Human Rights Activist and Pro-democracy Campaigner (leave out the Lawyer and Writer in me), I criticise and critique governments and their actions, with a view to making our country and society better. I use available and unassailable data, backed with hard cold facts, law, logic and common sense. I do this from a non-blurred set of analytical binoculars; akin to Galileo's telescope, which totally changed mankind's view about the entire universe. That is why I always proffer solutions, after raising the problems and challenges. I always ask the questions about our challenges. I then answer the questions. Occasionally, I also question the answers. As a Pan-Nigerian, non-partisan and non-card-carrying member of any of the existing Nigerian political parties, I discuss and analyse events and issues most dispassionately, with uncommon candour.

I then proceed ahead to proffer the panacea. Most humbly, that is the difference between me and other Social Critics.

You can always disagree with me. It is your Constitutional right to so do. You may even dislike, loathe, insult or abuse me for my strong views. That is also your right. I cannot force anyone to like me. In any event, I am not in any popularity contest. But, one thing you may not be able to do is to fault my hard, cold facts and data. As Uthman Dan Fodio once put it, “conscience is an open wound; only the truth can heal it". This position signposts my today's discourse which takes us back to 2015, where my views and suggestions, wholly ignored by this

“WHO DID THE HIJACKING SIR? WHO WERE THE SHADOWY PERSONS WHO PROMPTED FULLY ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL TO OPEN HOT LEAD ON FLAG- WAVING AND UNARMED NIGERIAN YOUTHS AT THE LEKKI TOLL GATE?”

The Presidential Election: The Winners and Losers (Part 3) Sunday Telegraph of 21st April, 2015.

"This week, we shall conclude our analysis of the pattern of voting in the last presidential election that denied GMB a Pan-Nigerian mandate, and thereafter, set an agenda of action and success for him.

North West GMB’s strongest base as expected, was the North West, where he hails from. A predominantly Muslim, Hausa-Fulani region, these geopolitical zones clearly underlined the politics of religion and ethnicity that bedevilled the last election, in the same measure that South-South and South-East exemplified these in favour of GEJ. GMB walked away with victory in all six States of the zone, leaving Jonathan to pick 25% in only one, Kaduna. GMB made his largest haul of votes here, which firmly put a seal to the coffin of GEJ’s ambition to retain his seat.

Let’s do some mathematics: Jigawa – GMB (85.3%), GEJ (13.7%); Kaduna – GMB (64.5%), GEJ (27.7%); Katsina – GMB (92.8%), GEJ (6.8%); Kebbi – GMB (83.8%), GEJ (14.9%); Sokoto – GMB (80.5%), GEJ (18.2%); Zamfara – GMB (80.4%), GEJ (19%).

In the 2011 election, GMB had hauled 6,453,437, a figure he upped in 2015 to 7,115,199. This figure is about half his total votes across the entire country! From only one out of six geopolitical zones! GEJ, on the other hand, garnered 3,395,724 in 2011, a figure which abysmally depleted to 1,333,709 in 2015.

From the above results, GEJ, more than in any other geopolitical zone, actually lost the election in GMB’s North West home turf, a clear indication that religion and ethnicity played a major role in the election. But, can GMB afford to be President of North West and parts of North East geopolitical zones alone? I think not. He dares not.

With all these results added, we are faced with the grim picture of a gravely fractured country, wearing the hideous visage of a sorry country yearning for nationhood. It means that absolutely more than half of Nigerian voters rejected GMB in the just concluded election. The margin of 2,571,759 votes with which GMB defeated GEJ, pales into infinitesimal insignificance when compared with the humungous 10,280,334 votes with which Jonathan beat Buhari in 2011.

What is more, both President Jonathan and President-elect Buhari, had each scored the mandatory demand of 25% in at least 24 of Nigeria’s 36 States, to satisfy the constitutional requirement. Buhari was lucky to have had plurality or majority of votes. Significantly, GEJ, the loser, had 25% in 27 States, while GMB, the winner also had it in 27 States of the Federation, the same number as GEJ. This is a very dicey situation of the same six and half a dozen, the same Hamlet and the Prince of Denmark. More interesting is the truism that in the remaining states that both candidates lost, GMB, the winner, had over 10% in only one State (Imo) while GEJ, the loser, scored over 10% in seven States (Kano, Jigawa, Gombe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna and Sokoto States), showing clearly, more acceptance of GEJ in the North, than of Buhari in the South. Do you now see why he needs to work very hard, in bridging this alarmingly yawning divide?

The Proverbial Banana Peel Nigerians are very impatient people, having been short-changed again and again, by successive governments, whether civilian or military. Ask GEJ how he frittered away the overwhelmingly massive love, goodwill and support that Nigerians bestowed on him in the 2011 election, with just one stroke of an ill-advised action – removal of oil subsidy in January 2012, barely seven months after he was sworn in as President. He was never thereafter allowed any breathing space, or honeymoon period to romanticise his victory.

Many Nigerians never forgave him. That same proverbial banana peel is still there, in Aso Villa, lurking around GMB. Can he avoid it? Only time and his actions will tell. Nigerians shout "hossana" today and "crucify" him tomorrow.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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T H I S D AY ˾ UESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT EndSARS’ Devastation Will Spur Preference for Secure Gated Communities, Says Ogrih Bennett Oghifo The vicious and unfortunate destruction of property during the violent stage of the EndSARS’ protest will spur a new preference, in the property market, for gated and secure communities, complete with well-stocked commercial area.

The huge loss suffered in the private and public sectors will make Nigerians see the wisdom in insuring their property, private and commercial, as well as insure the goods in shops and stores.

These are the thoughts of the Chief Executive Officer of Delta Mega Trend, Mr. Sam Ogrih, an Accountant, and developer of The Planta-

tion City, a first-rate gated community in Warri, which borrowed fine features from some equally sturdy communities, including the Victoria Garden City, and Northern Foreshore in Lagos.

Another invaluable lesson corporates must learn from these unfortunate events, according to Ogrih, is that they should be very committed in their social responsibility (CSR), particularly to their host/immediate communities.

The lockdown, in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 24-hour curfew, some governors imposed to curtail the mayhem that erupted during the EndSARS demonstration, may compel some developers to increase the space they allocate to

commercial activities in their gated communities, and others may consider building warehouses, said Ogrih, who studied Smart and Intelligent Housing at Harvard School of Design in the United States of America.

He said the slowdown in the nation’s property market was a “temporary setback,” adding that he foresees more gated property, with emphasis on security, being built in future. “I see a situation where some people who built homes in open places will sell or rent their property and buy in gated communities that are secure. Thus, they would pass their security concerns to the management of their new community “There will be more

interest in that direction.

No matter the name, but it will generally be a gated community. Also, there will be a surge in storage of wares by shop owners in these communities, and they will now prefer to use shops they own outside as showrooms.

“There is going to be a shift, as real estate investors may want to build gated communities with bigger commercial areas to accommodate warehouses. Demand will determine cost.”

Ogrih said, “The Plantation City residents are happy. We have over 650 workers, strong CSR and we relate well with the community. Where there is disconnect, there will be vendetta. “The lesson is

that if the less privileged people in the community are uncared for, then there will be problem. Help the community and they will protect your assets. This is a big lesson for corporates.”

Ogrih lauded Access Bank for announcing it would support Nigerian businesses with N50 billion interest-free loans and grants to cushion the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown and of the looting and arson during the #ENDSARS protests.

He said another lesson to be learned from recent dire events is the importance of insurance in the lives of Nigerians. “The economy will now have big room for insurance of property and other personal items.

People will now be mindful of under-insurance, nonpayment of premium, among others. There will now be enforcement of penalty for non-insurance.

“Insurance, which is the most relegated, will now be the most appreciated aspect of financial institutions.

Insurance bails people out while banks ask for payment of loans.

“Some mall owners may have insurance for the building but not for goods in shops. I also see a surge in insurance for items in shops “There should be enforcement of the insurance law in Nigeria and government should treat it as an offence, if not done as prescribed by the law.”

Clayarts Puts Loss to EndSARS Vandalism at about N1.8bn Bennett Oghifo The gory impact of the lootings and arson that took place during the EndSARS protest is beginning to sink in, particularly for business owners at the receiving end, who are now pleading for government’s assistance to enable them begin again.

Some of the small business owners are apprehensive that the government may not take their loss into account, as it takes inventory of those to compensate or assist to get back on their feet.

One of such business owners that suffered desolation during the protest was Mr. Okey Adibe, the Chief Executive Officer of Clayarts Limited, owner of Clayarts Place, a plaza located at Kilometre 18, Igbo Efon Bus stop on Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

Adibe said he lost between N1.7 billion and N1.8 billion, including the Clayarts Place building and goods, to the

mayhem.

Clayarts Place, located in the neighbourhood of Circle Mall, is a huge building/plaza on four floors having notable brands like Samsung, Goli as clients. It also Clayarts Place Adibe caters to their exclusive clients, who desire premium bathroom technologies, and electrical systems.

He said on the ground floor of Clayarts Place is Sims, which sells Samsung electronics, the first and second floors are occupied by Clayarts and they sell bathroom equipment, tiles and switches, among others.

The fourth floor has Adibe’s office and Anglican Church, Clayarts Place. At the entrance of the plaza towards the gate is another company called Tandra that markets food supplements, Goli. All of these were looted, including the goods in Clayarts’ warehouse.

He said Clayarts sister company, Tandra lost approximately N38 million, and appealed to the government

to compensate them. “Government should come and value the whole place. Right now, they went to Circle Mall but they didn’t get to my place.

They should attend to us, even though we are small.

All vehicles parked in the building were vandalised.

Adibe alleged that the hoodlums within the area coordinated the attack on his facility. “The hoodlums within the area put themselves together and used this EndSARS thing to do a cover-up, because it was only my property around that area that was attacked.

It was singled out.”

Adibe said he had come a long way with Clayarts Limited, which started business in 1985 and “we are into building materials,” stating that they moved to the new place on Lekki Expressway five years ago. The four-floor plaza housing his and several other businesses was razed and looted by an irate mob.

Landed Property is Best Investment, Says Ebenezer Obey Ferdinand Ekechukwu Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi has said that investment in real estate is better than most others.

He also said the EndSARS Movement by Nigerian youths is a good one, because it shows that Nigerians could truly unite for good.

He said this while celebrating members of the Gtext Homes family on their fifth anniversary, recently Speaking at the event, which took place at Gtext Homes head office in Omole, Lagos, the music maestro said, “People should invest in landed property. When you buy a land today, by next year, it has appreciated in value. In five years, it is higher. The house you build or buy today is an investment. A popular Yoruba adage says that ‘the money a young man first makes he does not invest but eats it’ and that is not the wisest

thing. Lands and houses are the most secured investments.

Lands cannot be stolen, but cars and other things can be stolen. I built my first house when I was 27 years old. My father died when I was 38 and I had built a lot of houses by then.”

Chief Commander Obey added, “That is why I like Gtext, they are securing the future for a better tomorrow.

Immediately I stepped into Gtext, I saw the pursuit of excellence, and that shows that the organisation will continue to grow. To have 10 estates within five years is no small achievement.”

He stated that there was no way anyone could please the world, adding that what the youths are saying, had been said by many people in the past. “This protest is a big surprise and no one was expecting it. Everyone was pushed to the wall. EndSARS is a good movement because

that is the only way we can correct many ills and things that are not right in the country.

Our leaders should see this and think that something is wrong beyond our imagination.

I pray God would help us.”

Obey also advised artistes of the day to sing meaningful songs that would stand the test of time.

The Managing Director of Gtext, Stephen Akintayo said, “For us at Gtext, we like to celebrate people when they are alive. One of the things I have noticed about this generation is that we do not put emphasis on learning from elders, particularly people whose careers have spanned years.

Baba’s career has spanned for 65 years and we are hoping a day will come when Gtext will celebrate 65 years as a company. We are 12 years as a group of companies, but Gtext Homes is five years today, and we hope to stay around for a long time.”

Clayarts Place, Lekki Lagos, in ruins

Group Honours Osonuga with Leadership Award Fadekemi Ajakaiye The Chief Executive Officer, Adloyalty Business Network, Dr Freeman Osonuga, has been honored with the Yoruba Youth Leadership Award, as an ‘Icon of Humanity and Global Development’.

Osonuga, a player in the nation’s real estate sector, received the award from a group, Yoruba Youth Assembly (YYA), an umbrella body of Yoruba Youth groups globally.

Osonuga was also inducted into the Yoruba Youth Assembly Hall of Fame at a special event held at the Lagos office of Adloyalty Business Network, recently.

According to a statement by the group, the Vice President of the Yoruba Youth Assembly Ogbeni Folorunsho Olaleru, who was accompanied by two of his colleagues; Ogbeni Ayowolemi Olu-Aina and

Omidan Titilayo Elemero, said Osonuga was selected for this award as a result of his role, firstly in the fight against Covid-19 through his philanthropic activities to indigent communities and the business support grants given to Nigerian sartups via his non-profit organisation: Dr Freeman Osonuga (DFO) Foundation, and secondly, for the empowerment of youths in the country with gainful employment, provided through Adloyalty Business Network.

Adloyalty was not left out of the recognition as the Leadership of Yoruba Youth Assembly also presented a Certificate of Credence to the organisation in recognition of distinct leadership acumen, professional capabilities, contribution towards youth development and most importantly, her immense contribution in the housing

sector.

Olaleru stated that the Certificate Of Credence award seek out the leading lights of the business industry, looking for those whose creativity, commitment, experience and strong leadership has helped them achieve success in an increasingly challenging business climate.

Osonuga in his remarks expressed gratitude and appreciation to the Leadership of the Youth Assembly for the honour while promising to continue to provide avenues for gainful employment for Nigerian youths and also ensure empowerment of the Nigeria people through his philanthropic activities.

He ended the conversation with the words of Winston Churchill which says “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”

15

T H I S D AY ˾ UESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020

PROPERTY & ENVIRONMENT

No Housing in Nigeria Without Private Sector Players, Says Odusolu Fadekemi Ajakaiye Mr. Babajide Odusolu, the Chief Executive Officer, OCTO5 Holdings Ltd has stated that without private sector players, there will be no housing in Nigeria.

He made this statement at the OCTO5 Discourse, a Combine live and Virtual Conference on Real estate Home Ownership in Nigeria, themed “Home ownership-The key to economic freedom,” held in Lagos recently.

“For you to unlock the home ownership sector in Nigeria, you need the Private sector.

Government alone cannot do it and they have failed to do it

in the last 60 years, because they lack the competence to respond to the changes in people’s needs and desires,” he said..

“The right mix that delivers housing in Nigeria is when you have private sector players who are enabled and supported by the government and are able to deliver affordable homes across the nation,” he stated.

“I will advise all tiers of government to study what had worked in Lagos and Abuja. You can’t chase capital away, neither can you look at a private developer simply as a cash machine. Lagos did well in the past, but that is not same story now. Take for

instance the current cost of survey & approval, planning an approval as an element of the home cost; it is getting close to 10%. That does not make it affordable homes again with almost 10% as approval cost,” he said.

He stated that the government needs to understand that they will make more money if they enable the private developers to deliver homes. “As people buy these homes, the property taxes go up.

“Looking at Lagos, Port Harcourt and other major cities in Nigeria, most projects are being driven by the private sector, even the ones that are

supposedly by the government are PPPs. Without private sector players, there will be no housing in Nigeria,” he said.

“The only government owned entities that will be able to successfully provide homes in Nigeria are Lagos State Development and Property Corporation, (LSDPC), Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), and to a certain degree, FCTA. In the last 3 years, all state owned housing agencies combined in Nigeria did roughly about 10,000 housing units. In the same period, the private sector had delivered almost a 100, 000 units. Pricing is a different issue

definitely, but these numbers was delivered,” he said.

“With the pandemic, this year has been a zero year that is, a year of investment and little returns. We are all optimistic that as the economy goes into recovery mode, the economy is going to rebound and 2021 will be better. The pandemic has also shown that substandard housing should not be the norm anymore, as substandard housing impedes the growth of a nation,” he stated.

He stated that “today in Nigeria, we cannot afford for our working populace to be living in substandard housing, and so, we must look at it as a

security issue to deliver housing across the nation.

“With our goal through STOW, which is Save To Own. This is making property ownership a transparent wealth aggregator for the career professional and also our partnering with Abbey “Building Society and NMRC; also, with the government working on social housing through the family own funds, we are doing affordable housing. Our determination with our partner developers and partner Mortgage banks is the intention to deliver a minimum of 2500 to 5000 homes on a yearly basis across the nation,” he said.

Spotlight Africa Set to Host African Women Award Fadekemi Ajakaiye Africa Network, a nongovernmental organization, is set to confer award to about

150 female sweepers under the employment of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), who through keeping the highways

and communities clean have shown dedication and excellent leadership.

According to a statement

by Spotlight Africa founder,

Spotlight awards winners

Barrister Nonye Mike-Nnaji, said the award tagged: “Women Making a Difference Community Service Leadership Awards” is an annual initiative by her organisation to celebrate African women and reward dedication.

This life changing event, she said is scheduled to hold on the 21st October 2020. “This is our own way of recognizing African women who make a difference through the work they do.” Additionally, We’ll also confer award of merit to exceptional female street sweepers from Ogun State Waste Management Authority as well. The eventual winner will be crowned the Spotlight Africa Woman of the year 2020 and we shall further be empowering them through a

scheduled post-event workshop, themed: Financial Literacy & Skill Acquisition, she noted.”

The awardees will also be listed amongst the 150 African women making a difference in the continent. The release further states that members of the public are to vote for their exceptional female sweeper through a dedicated short code 32053 on all mobile telephone networks. Details of the contestants are listed on the organisation’s website, www. spotlightafrica.net.

Mrs. Mike-Nnaji said the maiden event, which held in 2019 in partnership with LAWMA, recognised about 150 women, including posthumous awards given to female sweepers who lost their lives

while on duty. “For this year, Covid-19 pandemic took a toll on us with its negative impact across the globe. Our NGO is carefully puting in place sustainable programs that will continue to guarantee the safety of the women, their growth and in turn impact the society. The epoch making event is sponsored by Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), MTEC Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, Chikki Foods Limited, Daraju Industries Limited, BusinessDay Newspapers, Bellanaija, No More Leftovers Nigeria, Zaron Cosmetics Limited, SAS Textiles and Fabrics, The Food and Beverage Recycling Alliance and Waveline Growth Partners Limited.

Ugwuanyi Inaugurates FRSC’s Academy Building Bennett Oghifo Enugu State Governor, Ifeayin Ugwuanyi has commissioned a new administrative building at the Academy of the Federal Road Safety Corps located at Udi in Enugu State.

The FRSC Academy is the pioneer training institution dedicated to road safety researches, training and management in Africa. It was established in 2006 but relocated to the permanent site in Udi in 2014.

The Academy is situated on 35.6 hectares of land in the hilly but serene community of Udi. During the ceremony, the federal government, governors of the South-east states, security

chiefs, traditional rulers and other stakeholders commended Governor Ugwuanyi for his administration’s support and efforts towards the completion of the building.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, expressed the commendations of the Federal Government to the Governor of Enugu State, for deepening road safety practices in Nigeria by supporting the FRSC. The SGF was represented by the Director, PRS, OSGF Alhaji Jamiu Adelabu Abdukalreem, who urged other state governments, organisations and Individuals to emulate the

good gestures of the Enugu State government and support the FRSC. The SGF reiterated the determination of the Muhammadu Buhari-led government in enhancing inter modal transportation system in the country to improve the country’s road safety management efforts, especially as it concerns the provision of adequate funding and necessary logistics for sustainable safety campaigns to rid the nation’s highways of road traffic crashes.

The SGF equally said the Buhari administration is poised to facilitate the leading role of FRSC in road traffic administration and safety management

in Africa.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Corps Marshal of FRSC, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for his administration’s support for the FRSC, including the promise by the governor to provide additional 15 hectares of land to support future developments in the FRSC Academy.

The Corps Marshal said the contribution by the Enugu State government, merged with the Federal Government’s marching grant, facilitated the completion of the administrative building.

In his goodwill message, the Governor of Imo State, represented by the Deputy

Governor Prof. Placid Njokwu, expressed the commitment of the Imo State government to continue to support the FRSC. The Ebonyi State Governor was represented by the State Head of Service, Dr. Chamberlain Nwele, and the Governor of Anambra State was represented by Special Adviser on Security, Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi (rtd).

The Governor of Abia State was represented by the Abia State Commissioner of Transport, Mr. Godswill Nwanoruo.

While commissioning the new administrative building, Governor Ugwuanyi acknowledged the sacrifice made by the royal fathers and people

of the three communities in Udi LGA that jointly own the parcel of the land where the FRSC Academy is located. The Governor also commended the lofty strides of the present leadership of the FRSC, in pursuing vigorously the provision of infrastructural facilities for the Corps which enabled the FRSC Academy to move from the temporary site at Jos, to its permanent site at Udi. The Enugu State Governor explained that the completion of the Administrative Building was a tasking demand on the state government’s meager resources on his assumption of office.

UAE, US Wealth Driving UK’s High-end Property Market in 2020 The top countries of origin for high-end international home buyers coming into the UK property market -- during the 2020 Coronavirus outbreak -- include the UAE, United States and Australia, This was stated by UK’s mortgage broker Enness Global, which data shows that when it comes to the largest number of mortgage deals being secured by international buyers across the top-end of the UK market, the UAE is currently leading the way. “The nation accounts for 35% of all deals done by Enness so far in 2020.

“The USA is the next most prominent nation where current market activity is concerned, accounting for 14% of all deals.

International buyers from Australia (9%), Cyprus (5%), “Germany (5%), Saudi Arabia (5%), Singapore (5%) and Switzerland (5%) also account for a large proportion of current market activity within the UK’s top tiers.

“However, when it comes to the average value of the property being purchased, Malaysian buyers are leading the way. So far this year, the average property value for

Malaysian buyers obtaining a mortgage via Enness has been £5.1m.

The USA again ranks high, with an average purchase value of £3.6m, followed by homebuyers from Cyprus (£3m), Switzerland (£2.4m) and Monaco (£2.25m) “ No surprise that with the most expensive purchases, Malaysian and American buyers also account for the highest average loan amount, borrowing a total of £3.57m and £2.94m respectively. Swiss buyers are also borrowing some of the highest sums at £1.773m

along with Cypriot (£1.635m) and Jordanian buyers (£1.54m).

American and Malaysians buyers are also stumping up the most cash via a deposit at £1.863m and £1.530m. Cypriot buyers are paying an average deposit of £1.375m, with buyers from Monaco (£1.150m) also placing deposits of over £1m to kick start their purchase.

Managing Director of Enness Global Mortgages, Hugh WadeJones commented, “Despite the obvious restrictions that have caused additional hurdles for many international buyers

so far this year, we’ve seen a pretty diverse range of nations continuing to commit to a purchase at the top-end of the UK market.

The most activity is currently coming from the UAE, however, in terms of the sums borrowed, the price of homes purchased and the deposits placed, Malaysian and American buyers consistently rank top in the current market.

International interest has been fairly-muted in some respect due to the ongoing theatrics caused by Brexit over the last few years and

of course, the more recent problems posed by the current pandemic.

However, we’ve seen an uplift in demand from the international circuit of late as the domestic market has once again found its feet. Many see the rapidly returning rate of market health at lower price levels as a good indicator that the high-end market is soon to follow.

As a result, they are deciding that now is the time to commit and this uplift will soon show where top-line price growth is concerned.

TUESDAY OCTOBER 27, 2020 • T H I S D AY

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BUSINESSWORLD

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Quick Takes EEDC Enhances Services

MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

L-R: Consultants, FOSTER, Chibueze Onah; Israel Aye; Technical Lead, Demand-side Accountability, Dr. Michael Uzoigwe; and CEO, BRANDish, Ikem Okuhu, during a media engagement programme on the Petroleum Industry Bill, held in Lagos…recently abiodun ajala

‘Petrol Subsidy Removal Can Save Nigeria $1bn Yearly’ Stories by Chineme Okafor in Abuja The United Kingdom (UK)backed Facility for Oil Sector Transformation (FOSTER) has estimated that Nigeria could earn up to $1 billion in savings annually from the petrol subsidy removal.

FOSTER which works to achieve more effective use of Nigeria’s extractive industries to support national development, stated in a report obtained from its website that an additional $500 million profit could be made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and private oil marketing firms in the country within six months from the closure of petrol subsidy.

Titled, ‘COVID-19 and Nigerian oil and gas sector,’ the report studied the potential impacts of the pandemic on the country’s oil sector and offered solutions as well.

It explained amongst other potential challenges that changes in foreign exchange practices, delayed passage of relevant enabling laws such as the Petroleum

ENERGY Industry Bill (PIB) and opaque conduct of marginal oil fields rounds, as well as investment apathy could hit the industry hard.

“The government has effectively ended the parallel market for foreign exchange (FX) but the new rate used of N360/US$1 is about 25 per cent stronger than the parallel market rate of N450/ US$1 on April 29, 2020.

“A recent new directive has the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) once again handling the foreign exchange sale of naira to oil and gas companies which had temporarily been handled

by NNPC. The effects on NNPC operations without a smooth flow of FX is hard to predict, but it will certainly lead to a slow down or temporary halt to prompt cash call payments to NNPC’s Joint Venture (JV) partners who operate around half of Nigeria’s oil production. This could lead to further operational challenges and lower production levels from JV assets,” said the FOSTER report.

It further explained that while

the industry eagerly awaits the passing of the PIB, which at yearend 2019 was thought likely to happen in the second quarter of 2020, “the crude price crash will further delay Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) on various upstream projects and lead to lower production in the next four to 10 years due to delayed or abandoned investment in new production.”

“This puts even more pressure on the PIB to cover a wide band of oil prices to draw globally mobile capital to Nigeria when oil prices stabilise. A general lack of new investment capital in the global energy markets, including the established Nigerian energy players curtailing their own investments, means that a number of initiatives in Nigeria will be slowed down,” the report added.

According to it, when passed, the PIB will normally come with a road show to international investors to incite their interests, but “in 2020 the reception of this would not be favourable as investors have more pressing issues to focus on including massive employee retrenchments and preserving

some form of cash flow to their relevant shareholders.”

Notwithstanding, FOSTER said that, “one small upside to this situation is the NNPC GMD Kyari stating that the petrol subsidy would end. If true, this would save in the range of US$1 billion+ annually in rumoured (but not transparent) subsidy payments as well as providing new profits to either NNPC or private marketers in the range of US$500 million in a six-month period.”

Looking forward, FOSTER suggested areas the country could prioritise to reignite and increase the value additions from its oil and gas sector.

“During a period where new capital investments in the energy sector will be severely limited, Nigeria needs to continue its work to improve transparency and cut costs in the industry if the sector is to play its part in any post COVID-19 economic recovery.

“This would include addressing the following issues: Continue Continued on page 24

NERC: Mass Meter Rollout Stalled by FG’s 35% Import Tax But for the federal government’s sudden introduction of an additional 35 per cent tax on imported meters, electricity users in Nigeria who still do not have meters may have gotten one, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has disclosed.

The NERC stated that its plan to use an improved supply framework to reduce the number of unmetered electricity users in the country’s power sector was largely stalled by the government’s import levy.

ENERGY In its first quarter 2020 operational report on the country’s power sector, the NERC explained that its Meter Assets Providers (MAP) framework which sought to improve meter deployment, reduce estimated billing and expand revenue collection capacities of the 11 electricity distributions companies (Discos) suffered a deployment setback with the government’s new import levy.

As a result, the regulator

also noted that 59.61 per cent of registered electricity customers in the country are still on estimated billing, adding that this contributes to customer apathy towards payment of electricity bills.

The NERC further stated that in the quarter under review, N3.88 out of every N10 worth of energy sold by the Discos remained uncollected from consumers, inferring that meters could have helped to limit the collection losses of Discos.

In March 2018, the NERC in-

troduced the MAP framework to fast-track the roll-out of end-user meters through the engagement of third-party investors for the financing, procurement, supply, installation and maintenance of electricity meters. It also approved a number of companies that met its regulatory benchmarks as participants in the scheme.

However, it stated in the report that, “although the effective meter roll-out date started in May 2019, the performance has been below Continued on page 24

The Enugu Electricity Distribution Plc (EEDC) said it plan to migrate customers to enjoy improved and better services. It explained that the exercise would affect customers served by 40 feeders spread across Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo States; with Abia and Imo States accounting for 72.5 per cent.

A statement quoted the Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.

According to Ezeh, “the various investments made by EEDC on its network have continued to yield positive results, as customers served by these affected Feeders will begin to enjoy guaranteed daily supply above 13 hours from November this year.”

With this development, customers are expected to support EEDC by promptly paying their bills to enable the company sustain this standard and make more investment in its network, translating to improved service delivery.

“Customers are therefore urged to desist from acts capable of undermining these positive efforts embarked on by EEDC,” Ezeh further stated.

The EEDC stated that it has been investing in its network, with a view to upgrading and strengthening it to deliver better service to its customers; and effort is on to migrate more customers across the network, to enjoy improved services.

“There is no doubt that the customers migrated will begin to spend less on alternative power, as the resources used in maintaining and running their generator sets will be used to take care of other needs.

Novare Mall Condemns Attack on Facility

The management of Novare Mall has condemned the recent attack on its facility and appealed for restraint.

A statement by the company’s Head, Legal, Chineme Onuoma, said the recent attack on Novare’s facility has an enormous economic impact on Nigerian citizens, tenants, the staff working in the various shops as well as, “the pensioners whose monthly pension contribution was used to build the mall and other stakeholders.”

It noted that an attack on the mall devastates Nigerian businesses andlivelihoodsastheshopsthemselvesareownedandrunbyNigerians.

The statement remarked that Novare employs well over 5,000 Nigerians through direct and indirect employment with the intention of supporting and expanding retail businesses, while enhancing the livelihood of the local communities and small businesses and shop owners.

“In line with this sublime intention, Novare has remained in the forefront of supporting Nigerian businesses and during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic was the only retail mall to grant the tenants four months’ rent-free period to support their business and ensure they do not sink under the pandemic, and that jobs are preserved.

NERC Seeks End to Cyber Attacks

The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Prof James Momoh has advised on the need to include cyber security in the academic curriculum of tertiary institutions.

A statement by the Assistant General Manager, External and Industry Relations, NERC, Mr. Michael Faloseyi, noted that Momoh spoke at the International Legislative Stakeholders Conference.

It stated that he also canvassed for institutional and legal frameworks to prevent cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure throughout the country. Several government-owned websites as well as those belonging to private organisations recently came under attack by the Anonymous during the EndSars protests.

However, Momoh who was recently inducted as a member of the United States National Academy of Engineering who spoke on the theme: “Digital Technology and Cybersecurity”, said that given the danger posed by the hackers , the country should begin to take proactive actions against such individuals.

He explained that cyber-physical system are networks of interconnected computers used to run critical and sensitive infrastructure and services like banking, hospitals, aviation, and electricity supply, among others.

“Now more than ever, we remain committed to our purpose of impacting lives positively. In light of the recent occurrences, we will be supporting Nigerian businesses with N50 billion interest-free loans and grants” DMD, Access Bank, Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna

24

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

BUSINESSWORLD ‘PETROL SUBSIDY REMOVAL CAN SAVE NIGERIA $1BN YEARLY’

NEWS

‘Oil Industry Still Suffering Damage from Covid-19’ Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

work on the PIB making sure that the resultant bill is robust enough to provide confidence over the operation and regulation of the sector to foreign investors, while ensuring new rent sharing includes an oil price band starting from $20/bbl. “The fall in price of crude has, by default, eliminated the cost of maintaining a subsidised price for petroleum products. Although NNPC has announced the end of subsidy on the back of this, work still needs to be done on new policies and procedures to ensure this change is hardwired in and cannot be rolled back once oil prices start to rise again‌ there are potential profits of around $500 million or a three per cent increase in the revised 2020 budget if implemented correctly. “Reduce costs and increase development impacts through better regulatory oversight and management of key sector agencies. Focus on the reduction of cross subsidisation in NNPC and its subsidiaries to find clarity on what headquarters costs really cover. Develop an efficient domestic gas utilisation plan to ensure revenues that might be lost from exports of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) are mitigated through domestic consumption.â€?

NERC: MASS METER ROLLOUT STALLED BY FG’S 35% IMPORT TAX targets due to a sudden introduction of a 35 per cent additional importation levy imposed by the federal government on fully assembled meters.�

It also noted that it, “is currently working with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to address this major challenge,� adding that while it is important to encourage local content in the metering sector, “a case has been made by the commission for a deferral of the new import levy to allow for the roll out of meters under the framework of the MAP Regulation.� “In addition, the commission has continued to review the performance of MAPs with a view to addressing all other challenges affecting meter deployments by Discos under MAP initiative,� the NERC said.

Nigeria’s wholly indigenous oil company, Oando Energy Resources, has said the oil industry will continue to suffer the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic despite the measures put in place by oil companies and governments globally.

The company noted that the phenomenon has also brought about the need to embrace renewables as the future of energy, arguing that the cost and processes in the development of renewable energy was far less than that of fossil fuels.

Chief Operating Officer, of the company, Dr. Alex Irune, who spoke during a podcast with African Business, stressed that Covid-19 had substantially changed the way business is done in the oil industry, adding that the energy firm had had to cut costs to remain competitive.

He said: “We will see a new shift in investment in renewables which suddenly is good for all of us than the fossil fuel and because we certainly invest for profit and we can see the impact immediately and from an operating standpoint. “The oil industry has suffered significantly because it is activities-driven because you need people to go out there, run the rigs, drill for oil, run the assets and with Covid-19, which was a challenge of additional time and cost to that activity of getting people out there.

“But the one thing a wind farm can do is to keep turning. The solar panels will keep collecting sun rays and they are low maintenance and low human intervention to run the process.

From an operational standpoint it’s easier.�

The Oando COO advised that Nigeria should deploy revenues from oil to diversify the economy, saying that it was a better option than borrowing. “We can only diversify from what we have. Without the oil

and gas sector, we do not have and cannot generate the revenue for diversification because all the other industries have a lag time and a gestation period. “If we believe as a people we have to borrow to diversify, we might be probably not being truthful to ourselves. These are challenging times like never seen during my time,� he added.

He said the company currently produces 50,000 barrels per day, having migrated from downstream to midstream

and now upstream, arguing that currently, the survival of the company as a commercial entity and the country is solely dependent on oil.

Irune said most companies came into 2020 with the hope of investing more and improving activities in the oil and gas space, but added that they have had to cut back on investments because of the crisis in the international oil market. According to him, even though there’s been some recovery from that negative oil

pricing, every oil company had swung into action to cut Capex and ensure that there were no new projects. “We then attacked the Opex and doing away with nonessentials. The mantra was ‘must we have it, if its a yes, it stays, if it’s a no, it goes’�, he added.

He disclosed that to ameliorate the impact of the volatility of oil prices, the company’s hedging desk has been very active to cushion its impact and ensure the firm does not suffer shocks.

AWARD WELL DESERVED

L- R: Managing Director, Chi Limited, Deepanjan Roy; Principal Dietitian/Nutritionist, National Orthopaedic Hospital Igbobi, Adeniji Fatima Adejoke, and MarketingDirector,ChiLimited,ToyinNnodi,duringthecelebrationofthe2020ChivitaWorldJuiceDayevent,inLagos...recently

DPR Scores Nigerian Oil Industry High in Pandemic Mgt Peter Uzoho The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said the Nigerian oil and gas industry performed above global average in the management of the coronavirus pandemic in their areas of operations in the country.

The DPR explained that the relative success was the result of the collective sacrifices of industry stakeholders in implementing enhanced measures of the recent circulars issued by it in line with the guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

The agency disclosed this at the weekend in its latest circular to oil and gas industry operators and industry service providers, which was made available to journalists by its Head of Public Affairs, Mr. Paul Osu, with the title: “RE: Management of COVID-19 Outbreak – Update 5�.

The department said by the same token, it was continually monitoring key indices across the industry vis-Ă -vis national outlook and regional/ global spread of the deadly virus. “Accordingly, whilst recognising our modest achievements, we cannot rest on our oars given that we belong in a peculiar industry

which is also the live wire of national economy. “Consequently, we wish to reiterate that the contents of our earlier circulars (DPR/1160/A/ Vol.II/48 dated 20th March 2020, DPR/1160/A/Vol.II/49 dated 23rd March 2020, DPR/1160/A/ Vol.II/53 dated 22nd April 2020, DPR/1160/A/Vol.II/54 dated 30th April 2020) are still relevant. “These include the requirements on offshore rotation cycle, for maintenance of transit centers and on COVID-19 testing prior to embarkation, amongst others. “Other company-specific measures (not in conflict with the afore-mentioned DPR Guides)

may be implemented subject to the department’s consent,� DPR said.

The agency, however, stated that it was imperative to reiterate that the collaboration of both industry unions -the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) were crucial in the continued implementation of the modified rotation schedule and other measures, especially in the face of resurgence of the virus in many parts of the world.

The DPR also enjoined the unions to sustain the same

cooperative spirit with their respective management whilst each company should ensure work-life balance was maintained, provision of conducive workplace environment and timely payment of all renumerations and allowances to employees. “None of the above measures should be an excuse for staff redundancy as we all work together through this challenging period. “The department assures you of its continuous support and the implementation of measures to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on your operations,� it added.

TCN Boss Emerges Chair of Regional Power Group Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja

Group Business Editor

ĂŒĂ“Ă˜Ă˜Ă‹ Ă’Ă“Ă—Ă‹ Capital Market Editor

Goddy Egene

Comms/e-Business Editor

Ă—Ă—Ă‹ Ă•Ă™Ă˜Ă”Ă“ Senior Correspondent

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The acting Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Mr. Sule Abdulaziz, has emerged the new chairman of the The West African Power Pool (WAPP), executive board.

A statement in Abuja by General Manager, Public Affairs of the company, Mrs. Ndidi Mbah, noted that the appointment was made during the 46th meeting of the WAPP executive board

Correspondents

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

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

chaired by the Secretary General, Mr. Siengui Apollinaire Ki which held via a video conference.

It noted that Abdulaziz was nominated by the former MD/CEO of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) Mr. Joe Makoju, who is an honourary member of WAPP. “While making the nomination, Makoju noted that Abdulaziz is an expert in engineering with vast experience in the electricity sector, and therefore would perform creditably as the

new WAPP Executive Board Chairman. His proposal was endorsed by MDs and DGs of other members of the board�, the statement said.

In his acceptance speech, Abdulaziz, thanked the board members and the honorary member of the executive board for his nomination as the chairman of the board, and assured them of his total commitment to the overall objective of the regional electricity body.

He expressed the need to

move the pool to the next level of operational efficiency and solicited the support of member utilities, especially members of the executive board in that regard. “He equally encouraged all WAPP member utilities to continue to collaborate actively with the secretariat to ensure effective and efficient coordination and implementation of the all WAPP programmes,� the company said.

It also quoted Abdulaziz

as urging members to ensure prompt payment of their contributions to the pool, informing the meeting that TCN’s contribution will be remitted very soon as President Muhammadu Buhari, has approved the payment of TCN’s contribution. WAPP was created in 1999 during the 22nd summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Government and was adopted during the 29th summit of the body held in Niamey.

Customs Seizes Motorbikes, Others in Kwara Hammed Shittu in Ilorin The Nigeria Customs Service, Kwara State Area Command at the weekend said no fewer than 24 motorcycles and one Keke NAPEP were seized

during hoodlums attack on the command.

Some irate youths over the weekend stormed the premises of the command with the intent to cart away the seized smuggled rice and

other consumable goods, but were repealed by the men of the command.

During the melee, two persons were feared killed while two officers of the command sustained serious injuries.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, the state Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr. Chado Zakari narrated how hoodlums with the intention of looting and setting the command and government properties ablaze

were caught. “The hoodlums came in large numbers armed with guns, machetes, axes, charms and other dangerous weapons in an attempt to unleash mayhem to the Command.

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Oyebanji: Consumer Protection Must Be Key in PIB The Chairman of Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and Managing Director of 11Plc, Mr. Tunji Oyebanji, who fielded questions at a recent Webinar organised by theAssociation of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria, stresses the need for the Petroleum Industry Bill to make adequate provision for the protection of consumers of petroleum products against possible sharp practices by some roguish marketers. Oyebanji, among other interventions, advises Nigerians to be moderate in their expectation that improving the nation’s refining capacity will automatically lead to the crash of petrol pump price. Peter Uzoho presents the excerpts: With the deregulation of the downstream sector, are we expecting the IOCs to return to the space, and how soon?

Well, some of their members closed their operations in recent years simply because of debts owed to the banks and definitely this is a direct result of having a regulated environment where margins were completely squeezed and so, the fact that NNPC became the sole importer of petroleum products in Nigeria. So, part of the solution to improving the fortunes of downstream operators, marketers in particular, is one: taking this step of deregulation so they are able to charge economic prizes that will enable them to recover their costs. Because if you can’t recover your costs you wouldn’t be able to maintain your facilities and also you will not be able to service the loans that you have taken. So, our expectation is that once we go this route and also if we are able (working with the government to get access to foreign exchange so that other players can now be in port), this together, will hopefully combine to improve the fortunes of players in the industry.

Since deregulation will lead to increased investments in the downstream sector, will the IOCs build reďŹ neries in the country because they have built in other countries but refused to build in Nigeria?

Well, only the IOCs can answer that question. But obviously, in a situation where there were several of them before, all the six majors where at one point or the other owned by IOCs and it is only Total today that remains that is an IOC. There must have been certain reasons why they not only were not able to make the investments in refineries in Nigeria but ultimately eventually decided to sell of their downstream assets. From my own perspective, a lot of these questions are more economic and business driven rather than sentimental or nationalistic. I have always believed that capital runs to where it can get good returns. So if your economy creates the right kind of environment, you don’t need to be ringing a bell to ask people to come and invest. They will be the ones who will be running to you, saying ‘we will like to build refineries, we will like to do this’. So I think what is required is for the enabling environment to be created. You can imagine, you are asking somebody to spend $10billion to develop a refinery and then when it comes to selling the major product that comes out of that refinery, you tell him how. By the way, you cannot sell it more than this price. You will immediately say: how do you expect me to recover my investment? And even the Dangote Refinery, I’m sure you people will understand that it is not a mistake that that refinery is built in an export free zone. So that means that if policies are such that the investor will not be able to recover his investment, some of that product may actually end up being more for the export market than for local market. So it is more about having economic policies that are attractive to investment and I think that is what needs to be focused on. So when people use words like ‘refuse to’, you have to say, why will they refuse when the have the opportunity to generate returns on their investments and be able to evacuate their money? If such opportunities are there, then nothing will stop them from making such an investment.

Is MOMAN making any plan to diversify to alternative petrol –CNG (Compressed Natural Gas); what is

Oyebanji the implication of this as it seems the government and some players are already looking at such possibility?

The whole issue of gas is the new and very exciting development. As you know, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources has declared 2020 as the Year of Gas. The National Gas Expansion Programme is

So crude oil prices may be a bit tempered now because of COVID-19 and other attendant challenges. But a time may come when that will change and when it changes and prices start to creep up, I don’t know what the situation will be when that starts to happen. But I think the fundamentals that I have outlined, the opportunity cost for us not to go this route will still hold very ďŹ rm

working very actively with all stakeholders including MOMAN to rapidly develop the use of not only LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) but CNG to fuel cars and fuel buses and trucks. In many parts of the world, if you go to for instance Spain, most of those buses that you see that carry people to the airport terminal, many of them run on CNG. So there is no reason why we shouldn’t have much more usage of gas in our country, particularly CNG, because we have abundance of gas. We have one of the biggest reserves on gas in the world.

So we are working with the government and some of us have already invested in LPG skids in our retail outlets and we are working now with government to roll out gas filling so that you can drive to a petrol station and then you will have the choice of either using LPG or CNG or putting petrol in your car. So I think that is the wave of the future and we as MOMAN are fully in support of this development.

The fear in this deregulation is the issue of collusion among operators to introduce scarcity and hike petrol price and rip off consumers. How can this be prevented?

During my presentation to you, I said one of the important areas that I think PIB needs to address is actually monitoring what the marketers do, and that’s when I talked about the need for a consumer protection

agency or anti-trust agency that will monitor, even monitor down to the meetings that a MOMAN, for instance has, to make sure people are not ganging together and saying ‘okay, in Enugu, there is no product there, all of us, tomorrow, let us change our price and increase it’. Those kind of things should be illegal and attract very heavy penalties and fines for anybody involved in such collusion. That is our belief and we believe that the legislation (PIB) that is in place should put such clauses into it so that consumer protection will be key. But having said that, don’t forget, the objective of every marketer is to sell. The idea of people hoarding, sometimes it is not as simple as people make it out. If you feel the price is going to go up, you will tend to manage your inventory so that it may last you longer. If on the other hand, prices are going to trend downward, you will want to get rid of your inventory. So the same kind of decisions anybody that sells any product are the same kind of decision that people make. But we need government legislation, we need consumer protection to make sure that indeed, nobody takes advantage and cheats customers.

The federal government said prices of petroleum products will not drop even if Nigeria starts reďŹ ning and that products

CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

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OYEBANJI: CONSUMER PROTECTION MUST BE KEY IN PIB will still be sold at the international prices, how true is this?

I think there is lack of understanding and that’s one of the reasons why I believe that it will be important for MOMAN to work with NAEC to do either seminars, webinars or whatever, to really educate people how the price of a litre of gasoline (petrol) is arrived at? What are the components? So that people will understand. Now, when you take crude and you refine it in Europe, of course you have to transport the crude to Europe, and then, when it comes back (the refined product), you also have to transport it. So by definition, if instead of taking crude from here to a refinery in Rotterdam, you take it to Dangote Refinery, and then when it is refined, that product again is available from Dangote Refinery to be delivered to Apapa or to Ikoyi or to Enugu, obviously, the distance of the crude going and the refined product coming all the way to Nigeria should ideally be eliminated.

But in the whole value chain, this is not the only cost. And if crude for instance, that is going to Dangote Refinery today is currently reading $40 per barrel, nobody is going to sell crude to Dangote Refinery at $20 per barrel because it is in Nigeria.

So, its basic cost is going to be the same for that raw material. So what then defines the other costs is the labour element, all the power that goes into the refining and all the other things: how much it costs to maintain the refinery and so on and so forth.

So people should not be under this illusion.

Because everybody, labour says, well, the only reason why you should deregulate is when we are refining locally, the price will be so cheap. True, we will not be as vulnerable, and when I say not as vulnerable, it’s not that we will be completely shielded because like I have explained, the Dangote Refinery itself is still going to buy the crude at those international prices. But where we would be insulated to certain extent is that additional transportation element of crude and the refined product may be eliminated.

So, once you have taken advantage of that part, you are not necessarily going to have much more benefit beyond that. So people should be careful to over-expect, people’s expectations need to be moderated that suddenly when local refining improves that the product will now be selling almost free of charge. That is not going to be the case.

It may be cheaper than what it costs to import but it is not going to be a huge gap.

How much is the federal government owing oil marketers on subsidy?

That is a moving figure. You know the figures were probably closer to N800billion or something when we started. Today, government has paid that money down significantly.

We must commend this administration because many of those bills were uncured before this administration came to power. But they have paid us in promissory notes, not cash. As the name implies, it is a promissory note, which means in three years, that promissory note will mature and you will get your money. If you want the money before the time, it means you have to go to the bank and the bank will discount it. So you may find that if you are not careful a third of the money has disappeared. And don’t forget, this money you waited for years to get, in the first instance, when you look at where you started and where you have ended, you have failed exam woefully. So, in terms of a figure now, I’m sure that figure must have gone down significantly. I know the only issues somehow now are issues that have to do with foreign exchange differentials that may or may not have been paid in the past and some outstanding interest payments. For us as a company (11Plc) for instance, we have actually down to very small amount. But the big figures are certainly gone. Although, many of us are still holding promissory notes that are yet to mature.

When is it expected to mature, how many years are you waiting?

Okay, let’s start with the fact that may be some of these transactions were 2017 transactions. In the first instance, you are supposed to be paid the subsidy within 45 days. So when I bring the product, 45

Oyebanji days later, government will say, ‘thank you Mr. Marketer. You brought this product at N100, I forced you to sell N100, this is your N20 balance, 45 days later’. So in the first instance, before we even got the promissory notes, four years have passed. The 45 days has become four years and now, you now have promissory note. The first one we got was two years tenure. Then the next time it came it became three years tenure and I think the very last ones may have been close to more than three years for tenure.

So if you add the four years the money was owed plus the three years tenure of the promissory note, you are making seven years, and this is money you owed to the bank, you have been paying interest. So, sometimes, when people are saying ‘these marketers, these marketers’, I often wonder.

The reality of it is that many people have gone out of business. Many of the names that you knew have closed shops. The only people that may have survived are the bigger multinationals or major players like ours who have diversified portfolios, integrated

I said one of the important areas that I think PIB needs to address is actually monitoring what the marketers do, and that’s when I talked about the need for a consumer protection agency or antitrust agency that will monitor, even monitor down to the meetings that a MOMAN, for instance has, to make sure people are not ganging together and saying ‘okay, in Enugu, there is no product there, all of us, tomorrow, let us change our price and increase it’

businesses where we are able to bridge the gap with other aspects of our business.

With the PIB not yet signed into law, how strong is government’s commitment to the deregulation we have now?

Like I said at the beginning, I don’t think it was really about commitment. I think there was no choice in the matter. Because obviously, we have been clamouring for this for a long time, it was really until we got a situation where there was no other choice than this decision made. If you are coming to me to borrow money from me and I ask you: what are you going to do with the money? And you tell me you want to use it to pay subsidy. I’m going to tell you, ‘sorry, no money to lend you’. So I think those are the kind of situations that forced government to have a rethink. I believe the government is extremely committed. I have interacted with the GMD of NNPC, with the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

I have no doubt in mind that they are very sincere about it. The challenge of course, is that, it is, as you know, once you have deregulated price, it becomes attached to the movement of crude oil prices. So crude oil prices may be a bit tempered now because of COVID-19 and other attendant challenges. But a time may come when that will change and when it changes and prices start to creep up, I don’t know what the situation will be when that starts to happen.

But I think the fundamentals that I have outlined, the opportunity cost for us not to go this route will still hold very firm.

And that is why we also encourage and enjoin government to use legislation to make sure that these things are entrenched. You cannot be keeping institutions that were deployed during the regulated environment in a deregulated environment. If you keep all those instructions, their natural tendency will be to want to continue to play their role. So you have to put the necessary legislation in place and remove all those institutions that are part of the old economic environment.

With that, I’m sure this going back will be a thing of the past. Hopefully, by then, with commitment and spending the money wisely, with economic policies that are helpful to the country and to the population, people will begin to see the benefits and they will fully embrace the policy.

With the deregulation of the downstream sector, are MOMAN members

considering investments in building reďŹ neries?

What I will say on this is that, first and foremost, you have to understand that refining is a global business. It’s a global business in the sense that there is a total number of refineries globally and oil demand here and there determines. There is no too much new investments globally in refineries. In fact, many of the IOCs are selling their refineries simply because demand for fossil fuel is on the downward trend. There are some that predict that within the next 30 years, there may be less demand for crude but more demand for things like gas, solar energy, and so on and so forth. So ultimately, it’s a business decision each company needs to sit down and make. How many of the companies that are even quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange today can afford to make an investment of $10billion? If you combine the value of all the marketers, I don’t know whether they come to even $1billion.

So it’s really an economic question. There is something that is very popular in Nigeria now, people talk about modular refineries.

Modular refineries are refineries that may be doing 10,000 barrels per day, 20,000 barrels a day, 30,000 barrels a day, may be maximum.

The Dangote Refinery is probably something in the region of 650,000 barrels a day. There is a Reliance Industries Refinery in India, whose capacity is about 1.2million barrels a day. Instead of 650,000 a day, their own is 1.2million barrels. It’s a huge refinery that the cost of production, because of the scale, is so low that you that built a small 10,000 cannot produce per litre at the same cost, because their own is so large. So it’s like somebody going to the market and you want to buy one dozen versus somebody who wants to buy only one piece. The person who is buying one dozen obviously can negotiate and get bigger discount because he is buying larger quantity. So the person who is refining very huge sized capacity is likely to have cheaper cost of production. So the point I’m trying to make is that it’s all about economics. The amount of investment needed to do a decent-sized refinery is huge.

So I think the first step in the answer to that question is: we have taken the first step by deregulating. We believe this has come to stay and as it takes hold, as people begin to see the potential benefits, then, the economic reasons why people may now consider investing in refineries will become more apparent at that time.

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Africa’s WTO Moment Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu If she is chosen to head the World Trade Organisation, former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, an experienced development economist, would make a broken institution relevant again. She has the gravitas to build bridges between the US and China, on the one hand, and between the WTO and Africa, on the other.

The selection of the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) next Director-General has entered its final phase, with two candidates left in the running: Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian finance and economy minister and a former managing director of the World Bank, and Yoo Myunghee, South Korea’s trade minister. In view of the WTO’s current challenges, Okonjo-Iweala is the better choice.

Having once observed that, “a single spark can start a prairie fire,� Mao Zedong might be less surprised by how far his ideology has spread than by its many forms. From the structure of Hong Kong’s democracy movement to the opportunistic rhetoric of the Chinese central leadership, one can find glimpses of Maoism just about everywhere.

The WTO faces two major crises: an institutional crisis caused by the great-power rivalry between the United States and China, and a crisis of globalization – of which the WTO, as the overseer of global trade rules, is a major symbol.

Sino-American trade tensions have paralysed the organisation, with the US blocking the appointment of new judges to its appellate body, which rules on trade disputes among member countries. Moreover, the COVID-19 crisis, another source of great-power tension, has prompted many firms to consider re-shoring production in order to reduce their reliance on pandemic-hit Chinese suppliers, thus disrupting the global supply chains that are critical to world trade.

If chosen to head the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala has the leadership credentials to restore relevance to a broken organization. The WTO needs a tested global leader who is well versed in the role of trade in development, rather than a trade bureaucrat who might lack the broader view. With her experience at the World Bank (where the US and China are major players) and as a reformist finance minister in Nigeria, the Harvard and MIT-educated Okonjo-Iweala has a rare combination of political leadership skills and proven technocratic competence.

The WTO needs a leader who can build

Okonjo-Iweala consensus, because the organization’s design doesn’t allow for top-down leadership. And Okonjo-Iweala has the gravitas to build bridges between the US and China, on the one hand, and between the WTO and Africa, on the other.

Despite being widely regarded as the world’s next frontier for investment and development, Africa is essentially an onlooker in the world trading system, accounting for a meager two per cent of global exports. Although the continent is a growing market for the products of globalization, it does not benefit much from world trade, owing to its limited presence in globalised value chains.

Instead, Africa trades mainly in agricultural goods and natural resources, whereas most world trade is in manufacturing and services.

Africa needs to trade with the world on the same basis that other regions do, but the global trading system is keeping the continent underdeveloped.

In particular, industrialised countries levy low tariffs on imports of African raw commodities, but

higher ones on finished African goods – higher, in fact, than for similar goods imported from other regions.

Today’s world trade is thus rigged against Africa. To help redress this imbalance, the WTO’s special and differential treatment provisions for least-developed countries should permit African governments to provide temporary tariff protection for infant domestic manufacturers within WTO rules. We could call such necessary and temporary measures “smart protectionism.�

More generally, it is time to make the WTO work for all member countries, not just for the great powers or countries whose global economic success was built on trade protectionism but now seek to “kick away the ladder� for developing economies. This structural rebalancing, which will expand the global sphere of prosperity, is best mediated by a WTO leader who is not from a major trading power.

Furthermore, African countries currently do not

use the WTO’s dispute-settlement system, because they are too weak to take on donor countries, whether Western powers or China. So, Chinese products, for example, have been “dumped� in African markets with no consequences. OkonjoIweala has the skills to build a consensus on giving Africa a fairer shake in the global trading system.

Much will also depend on the outcome of the US presidential election on November 3.

President Donald Trump believes that China has gamed global trade to the detriment of US national interests, while China thinks America has rejected the WTO’s rules-based regime.

Resolving this tension will require both powers to find the political will to compromise. It will also require a global development leader such as Okonjo-Iweala, who has served on international development commissions with current and former heads of government, to facilitate a rapprochement.

But regardless of who wins on November 3, the COVID-19 pandemic will inexorably weaken globalisation as the US and other countries seek to shorten and localise supply chains.

Meanwhile, the importance of world trade to human development will again become apparent when billions of doses of COVID-19 vaccines become available, most likely sometime in 2021.

As chair of the board of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Okonjo-Iweala has played an important leadership role in negotiations to make vaccines widely available in developing countries.

The WTO’s predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, was originally conceived as part of the post-World War II Bretton Woods system, but weak domestic political support in the US delayed its establishment. The International Monetary Fund has been headed since its founding by Europeans, and the World Bank by Americans. This realpolitik blocked Okonjo-Iweala’s bid to lead the World Bank nearly a decade ago.

It is past time to eliminate such a spoils system, and for the developing world finally to have its chance. And in Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria and the world have a highly competent candidate to lead the WTO. t.PHIBMV B GPSNFS EFQVUZ HPWFSOPS PG UIF $FOUSBM #BOL PG /JHFSJB JT B TFOJPS GFMMPX BU UIF $PVODJM PO &NFSHJOH .BSLFU &OUFSQSJTFT BU 5IF 'MFUDIFS 4DIPPM PG -BX BOE %JQMPNBDZ BU 5VGUT 6OJWFSTJUZ $VMMFE GSPN XXX QSPKFDU TZOEJDBUF PSH

Opportunities for Start-ups Oladoyin Phillips In the last six months, technology has become unavoidable for most, if not all, businesses. Where there were restrictions before, now, we are open to a whole world of technologically supported possibilities. So, companies entering the market have to think more carefully about product delivery and place an emphasis on technology that might not have been a requirement before.

For many people, this presents a barrier to entry into building and growing a start-up. A founder might have a strong idea, strategy and business plan, but get stuck when it comes to the development of the product or service. In this case, there are often three options: 1. Technical co-Founder, who will handle the technology development and all the processes therein. This person or entity will own a part of the business.

2. Chief Technology Officer (CTO), an employee, that will direct the technical aspects of the business.

3. Technical Partners/Consultants, to whom one can outsource the required technical development Perhaps the biggest difference among these three options, is in terms of the compensation.

The Tech Co-Founder has equity in the firm, while the CTO is an employee (this does not exclude his/her having a form of ownership), while the consultants are external parties that are paid as they would be for a project.

There are many businesses that start with a tech co-founder/CTO, whereby one founder already has the expertise to handle the technical aspects of the business and assumes the CTO position, while being recognised as the co-founder. Some companies grow and find that they need a senior technical executive, then hire a CTO, while others just outsource. However, not every founder will

know or have access to an experienced technical director with the expertise and/or funds to drive the technical development of the business offerings or help to grow the business. In this case, an option is to search for a technical co-founder, who can provide both the technical direction for product development and business processes for the firm in exchange for some equity. Given the lack of access most small businesses in the country face, finding this support is not always so straight forward.

However, there are companies that are changing that. Faster Capital, a tech co-Founder in the UAE, provides a novel solution to the start-up ecosystem.

It is an incubator that invests in businesses, asking

for up to 50 per cent of the company’s equity, while they provide technical development worth $20,000 to $2,000,000- depending on its value.

That is something that one might need to weigh against investing the money to get your own technical team to develop the product on your own or hiring a CTO. Faster Capital democratises the start-up ecosystem in a very meaningful way. A great idea and business model need not go to waste, and we think that is powerful. So far, they have incubated over 100 companies from fashion, to real estate, to education, to food, across the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The support offered is robust, with a

technical team on hand to continuously modify, add or fix features.

Beyond the technical development of the start-up’s products or services, Faster Capital assists in finding mentors, and in some cases. Investors. Although they do prefer that the company has already secured 50 per cent of its required funding. It is a virtual incubator. So, start-up founders would not need to physically be in the UAE to be a part of this.

Along those lines of support, Faster Capital has expanded its offering to include two other programs: Idea to Product and Grow your Startup, which capture the rest of the value chain – before building the product, and after it has been built.

It works in the same way as the Tech co-Founder program, support in exchange for equity. This brings access to the millions of ideas that would otherwise have remained just so.

Taking things, a step further, on June 16th 2020, the company launched its annual women round.

It is specifically aimed at start-ups that have at least one female co-founder. Given their three programs that cut across the business value-chain, from ideation, through technical/product development, to increasing sales channels, there is an opportunity for everyone. Faster Capital is worth considering as a partner to bring your business to life precisely because it offers the different levels of business support that potential and current start-up founders need. Once you have a good proposition that solves a problem, and a willingness to exchange equity for the robust support to offer.

You are well on your way.

At Spurt! we are intensely committed to seeing African businesses thrive beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, solving and innovating for the continent.

Faster Capital brings more opportunities to the space, and we are quite confident that this will do good for a good number of people.

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T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍľËœ 2020

BUSINESS/MONEYGUIDE

NERC’s Operating Revenue Increases by 57% Emmanuel Addeh Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The total revenue accruing to the Nigerian Electricity RegulatoryCommission (NERC) increased by 57 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, the power industry regulator, has disclosed.

NERC also stated that the total expenditure of the commission rose to N1.94 billion, from N1.74billion incurred in the preceding quarter, noting that the increase was sourced from operating levies and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) sources.

The commission, however, noted with concern the low security of supply associated with having just two energy mixes significantly dominated by gas fuel as acts of vandalism of gas pipelines could result in serious grid instability, as experienced in 2016. “During the first quarter of 2020, the total revenue realised by the commission was N3.25 billion representing an increase of 57.31 per cent from the revenue

recorded during the fourth quarter of 2019. “The reported increase in the revenue was due to the 58.08 per cent increase in the revenue realised from the operating levy (i.e., market charges) and 22.31 per cent increase in other internally generated revenue realised during the first quarter of 2020. “This indicates that the total expenditure of the commission rose to N1.94billion from N1.74 billion incurred in the preceding quarter. A comparison of the revenue and expenditure of the commission in the quarter under review indicates lesser expenditure incurred when compared to actual cash receipts. “This shows a positive net cash flow of N1.32 billion. However, the commission still has existing liabilities of N0.23billion as at the end of the first quarter of 2020,� NERC stated.

It added: “The operating levy and OIGR which stood at N3.20 billion and N54.50 million

respectively in the first quarter of 2020 were respectively 58.08 per cent and 22.31 per cent higher than the amount realised in the preceding quarter.�

On the share of electricity generation by fuel sources for the first quarter of 2020 and the fourth quarter of 2019, it disclosed that gas continues to dominate the electricity generation mix accounting for 73.45 per cent of the electricity generated during the first quarter of 2020. “This implies that approximately 7.35kWh of every 10kWh of electric energy generated in Nigeria in the first quarter of 2020 came from gas. Relative to the preceding quarter, there was 6.43 percentage points decrease in the share of electric energy generated from hydro which accounted for 26.55 per cent of the total energy output. “The declining share of hydro generation is attributed to low rainfall and water management at the hydropower stations during the quarter.

DPR: Waltersmith Modular Refinery Ready for Operations Peter Uzoho The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said that the 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) Waltersmith Modular Refinery project is fully ready for operations.

The Director of DPR, Mr Sarki Auwalu, stated this during a pre-commissioning visit to the project site located in Ibigwe, Imo State recently.

The refinery was officially scheduled for inauguration yesterday (October 26, 2020) but had to be put on hold due the nationwide protest.

Auwalu said the purpose of the visit was to make sure that Waltersmith Refinery was ready to start operations. “We can confirm that the refinery is very much ready to commence operations. We have seen all the preparations. To us, the plant is alive. The commissioning is just symbolic. Everywhere is ready to start off. My overall assessment is excellent. “We have been to other modular refineries but we have

not seen anything like this: the space, the way it is arranged and the way it will work�, Auwalu said.

The DPR director, however, urged Nigerians to start seeing the agency as an enabler and not a regulator, stressing that their focus was on how to create opportunities for Nigeria’s vast oil and gas resources to be properly managed for the betterment of Nigerians.

According to him, “The role we play is to enable businesses and create opportunities. When DPR issues you a license, it enables you to invest. It is that opportunity we create that enable businesses to grow.�

Auwalu added: “Waltersmith is one of our success stories. We consider the project as ours. We have been tracking their growth and we are happy to see that our child is growing. It is our plan that they expand and they have the potential.�

The 5,000bpd modular refinery has a crude oil storage capacity of 60,000 barrels and is projected to deliver over 271 million liters

per year of refined petroleum products comprising of Diesel, Kerosene, Naphtha and Heavy Fuel Oils to the domestic market.

The bulk of the crude supply for this phase will come from Waltersmith’s upstream business with backup from nearby thirdparty crude. “What you see here is a proof of the absolute faith we have in our country. We want to demonstrate that it is practically a waste of resources to produce crude oil and just sell it. It is more impactful to add value and make more significant impact on the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of our nation�, Chairman of Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company, Abdulrasaq Isah, was quoted as saying during the visit. “This is the first phase of a series of refinery development which will culminate in the delivery of up to 50,000bpd refining capacity that will expand the product slate to include petrol, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and Aviation fuel�, he said.

MARKET INDICATORS MONEY AND CREDIT STATISTICS

(MILLION NAIRA)

JULY 2020 Money Supply (M3)

36,822,751.47

-- CBN Bills Held by Money Holding Sectors

3,476,121.25

Money Supply (M2)

33,346,630.22

-- Quasi Money

120,764,479.02

-- Narrow Money (M1)

12,582,151.19

---- Currency Outside Banks

2,002,026.89

---- Demand Deposits

10,580,124.31

Net Foreign Assets (NFA)

7,637,137.23

Net Domestic Assets(NDA)

29,185,614.24

-- Net Domestic Credit (NDC)

39,711,115.95

---- Credit to Government (Net)

19,521,851.08

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

0.00

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

0.00

---- Credit to Private Sector (CPS)

-130,189,264.87

--Other Assets Net

3,472,017.70

Reserve Money (Base Money

13,421,827.07

--Currency in Circulation

2,395,917.03

--Banks Reserves --Special Intervention Reserves

11,025,910.04 317,234.17

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Money Market Indicators (in Percentage) Month

March 2018

Inter-Bank Call Rate

15.16

Minimum Rediscount Rate (MRR)

NIPR Says Fallout out of Protest, Hoodlums’ Attack, Hurting Nigeria’s Image Emmanuel Addeh Ă“Ă˜ ĂŒĂ&#x;ÔË The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a body of experts on reputation management in Nigeria, has lamented the negative impact of the #EndSARS crisis on the country’s international image.

The body stated that if not well managed, the crisis, apart from negatively affecting foreign investment, would further dent Nigeria’s not-so-good image in the comity of nations.

President, Chairman of Council, NIPR, Mr. Mukhtar Sirajo, who addressed a press in Abuja, noted that the government’s initial restraint and the protesters’ largely peaceful conduct was a huge image booster for the country, until the situation deteriorated.

While condemning the Lekki shooting, the NIPR stressed that

the descent to anarchy, arson, bloodshed and looting in the past few days, however compelled it to make its position known publicly. “The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations condemns unequivocally, the reported shooting of protesters at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos last Wednesday. “The resort to use of arms against unarmed protesters who were doing nothing other than exercising their guaranteed rights to dissent was against all known tenets of decency, civilisation and democracy and therefore unacceptable. “The reported denial by the Nigerian army, of the complicity of its officers in the dastardly act, will make more meaning if an immediate inquiry is launched to ascertain who the perpetrators

were,� it stated.

It added that the initial gains of the initial gains of the protest had been erased by the violent fallout which has affected businesses negatively.

The institute made it clear that it respects citizens’ rights to peaceful dissent as well as overnment’s responsibility to the maintenance of law and order. “The decision by the government to dissolve the SARS, though a step in the right direction, we believe in itself is not a solution to the problem. “Far reaching reforms in the nation’s policing architecture that includes review of recruitment process, improvement in welfare and general reorientation from top to bottom, among others, would also go a long way in regenerating citizens’ confidence in the police.

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

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OPEC DAILY BASKET PRICE ˜ ͰͰ Ͱ͎Ͱ͎

OPEC daily basket price Thursday, 22 October 2020 The price of OPEC basket of thirteen crudes stood at $40.91 a barrel on Thursday, compared with $40.88 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) 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

29

T H I S D AY Ëž Í°ÍľËœ Í°ÍŽÍ°ÍŽ

Stanbic IBTC Records N183bn Earnings, N66bn Profit in Nine Months Goddy Egene Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc yesterday announced its financial results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, showing increased in performance indicators.

Contrary apprehensions that the impact of the COVID19pandemic on the economy might affect the performance of financial institutions, Stanbic IBTC Holdings still recorded

improved bottom-line.

It recorded gross earnings of N183.286 billion in 2020,showing an increase of four per cent compared with N176.157 billion posted in the corresponding period of 2019. Net interest income stood at N56.257 billion as against N58.672 billion in 2019, while non-interest income grew from N81.939 billion to N98.453 billion in 2020. Net impairment charges jumped to N6.998 billion as against a

P R I C E S MAIN BOARD

F O R DEALS

write back of N90 million in the corresponding period 2019.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc ended the period with a profit before tax (PBT) of N76.865 billion in2020, up from N69.108 billion in 2019, while profit after tax (PAT) grew faster by 19.2 per cent to N66.163 billion from N55.552 billion in 2019.

Meanwhile, trading at the stock market opened on a positive as the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE)All-Share

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

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N )

Index (ASI) appreciated by 0.28 per cent to close at 28,777.96.

Similarly, market capitalisation added N42.3 billion to close at N15 trillion.

Equities investors had ignored the violence and unrest in the country last week to increase their patronage of the market. As a result, the market appreciated by 0.13 per cent.

And analysts had said that said despite the heat in

T R A D E D MAIN BOARD

A S

the socio-political landscape triggered by the degeneration of the #Endsarsprotests, they did not expect a material dent to investors’ appetite for stocks. “We reiterate that pent up system liquidity and the hunt for alpha-yielding opportunities in the face of increasingly negative real returns in the fixed income market remain positive for stocks.

However, we advise investors to trade in only fundamentally

O F

justified stocks as the weak macroenvironment remains a significant headwind for corporate earnings,� analysts at Cordros Research said.

When trading resumed yesterday, the positive trend was sustained as 27 stocks appreciated, while 15 depreciated.

Also, activity level strengthened as volume and value traded advanced 20.4 per cent and 25.6 percent to 340.8 million shares and N5.6billion respectively.

2 6 / 1 0 / 2 0 2 0 DEALS

MARKET PRICE

QUANTITY TRADED

VALUE TRADED ( N)

30

˜ ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

TUESDAYSPORTS

Group Sports Editor Duro Ikhazuagbe Email duro.ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com 0811 181 3083 SMS ONLY

Al Nassr Offload Super Eagles’ Captain Ahmed Musa professional career in Europe after two-year spell with the Saudi team.

In a post on Twitter on Monday, the Najd’s Knight established the jet-heeled forward’s exit while wishing him the very best.

“Thank you Nigerian falcon, wishing you all the best in the

Femi Solaja with agency report Saudi Arabia Pro League side, Al Nassr, have officially confirmed Ahmed Musa’s departure from the club.

Musa, 28, is now a free agent and is reported to have parted ways with the club mutually as he hopes to continue with his

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Thiago, Keita, Matip Doubtful as Reds Lay Ambush for Midtjylland Liverpool trio Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Joel Matip are unlikely to be ready to face Danish champions FC Midtjylland this evening in the UEFA Champions League Group game at Anfield.

Keita has missed three games after testing positive for coronavirus, with Thiago and Matip injured at Everton.

Boss Jurgen Klopp says they will “probably” miss the Reds’ second Champions League group game.

“I said last week it would be day by day but I think it will be a few more days,” said the German.

The Premier League champions received a boost at the weekend when goalkeeper Alisson returned from a collarbone injury to play in the 2-1 win against Sheffield United.

The Brazil international said he was told he would face four to six weeks out after being injured at the start of the month, but played on Saturday having missed just three games.

He put the quick recovery down to daily treatment sessions of up to six hours - and a lot of praying.

“I believe in my faith and working hard helps me to make a fast recovery,” said the 28-year-old.

“Every injury that you have on the ligament - shoulder, ankle or knee - you still feel something weird. Not pain, you feel it for a while.

“But I’m 100% fit to play and I’m comfortable with that.”

Six-time European champions

Liverpool will face the Danish visitors for the first time when they meet in Group D. FC Midtyjlland were only formed in 1999 and are playing in their first Champions League campaign, having climbed the ladder partly thanks to their data-led analytical approach.

Liverpool boss Klopp said he made plans to visit the club and learn about their methods during his break after leaving Borussia Dortmund in 2015.

“I was interested to go there to have a look at what they do but then I signed to Liverpool so couldn’t do that. It is an interesting approach,” he said.

“I knew a little bit about the story of the club and the things they have tried, using science in a different way, and working very specifically.”

Klopp’s team are aiming to follow up last week’s win at Ajax with another victory against a side who lost 4-0 against Italian visitors Atalanta in their opener.

“Since yesterday, I have seen plenty of their games so I’m in the picture. They are really good,” said Klopp.

“Their 4-0 against Atalanta did not look like this kind of game.

They are a football playing side, different ideas, flexible. It is a real challenge.”

TODAY Lokomotiv v Bayern Munich Atletico v Salzburg Shakhtar v Inter B’ ‘gladbach v R’ Madrid FC Porto v Olympiacos Marseille v Man City Atalanta v Ajax Liverpool v Midtjylland

SWAN Condemns Attack on

Complete Sports The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has condemned in strong terms the recent attack by some yet to be identified hoodlums on the Complete Communications Ltd, publishers of Complete Sports Newspaper.

SWAN President, Sir Honour Sirawoowho regretted the development charged the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of the dastardly act.

Sirawoowondered why anybody in his right senses would decide to attack Complete Communications, an organization he noted has been contributing in no small way in reducing the unemployment

rate as well as entertaining its large clientele with sports stories from all over the world.

According to him, there should be no excuse for anybody to contemplate attacking the company which he noted is the pioneer all sports newspapers and has remained consistent since 1995 when it was founded.

The SWAN President also frowned at the recent attacks on some other media houses in Lagos under the guise of #ENDSARS protests.

He however applauded the management of the affected organizations for rallying to continue with their publications which he said was a service to the nation and humanity.

future Ahmed Musa!,” Al Nassr tweeted.

Having completed his loan spell at CSKA Moscow, the Nigeria international joined the Asian outfit on a four-year contract from Leicester City.

Al Nassr beat several European clubs to the signing of the ex-Kano Pillars man who impressed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with two goals in three matches.

Weeks later, he opened his Saudi Professional League

account with a hat-trick as his team hammered Al Quadisiya 3-0 at Riyadh’s King Fahd Stadium.

In 58 appearances, he scored 11 goals and got 14 assists while helping the team win the 2018-19 Saudi top-flight diadem and the 2019 Saudi Super Cup. Musa, who is expected to announce his destination in the coming days, recently surpassed John Obi Mikel as the third most-capped Super Eagles player having

featured in the international friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia, and in the process got his 93rd Nigeria cap.

He shot into international limelight after helping Nigeria U23 win the 2010 WAFU Nations Cup where he scored goals against Benin Republic and Burkina Faso.

His performance saw him invited to the senior national team prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, albeit, he did not make the 30-man squad due to an ankle injury.

At the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia, the former Kano Pillars man scored three goals in five matches and he was included by FIFA’s shortlist for the Adidas Golden Ball.

After representing the country at youth level, the ex-VV Venlo star made his senior debut on August 5, 2010 in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification against Madagascar – coming in as a substitute for Mikel in the 2-0 win.

Ahmed Musa has ended his adventure in the Saudi Arabia Pro League with Al Nassr

Aruna Quadri Leads TTC to Second Victory in German League Aruna Quadri lived up to expectations in his first season in the Table Tennis Bundesliga (TTBL) as the Nigerian saved his team TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzell from the brink of defeat to beat reigning champions FC Saarbrücken 3-2 at the weekend.

The visitors were on their way to emphatic win but Quadri’s display changed the tone of the game for the home team as his win against Darko Jorgic 3- 0 (11- 5, 11- 9, 11- 2) was what gave TTC hope of a comeback.

Earlier, Ruwen Filus and Fan Bo Meng have both suffered 3-0 (5-11, 6-11, 10-12) and 3-1 (7-11, 118, 7-11, 9-11) to Patrick Franziska and Shang Kun respectively.

However, it was the win by the Nigerian superstar that motivated the comeback

of TTTC against the star-studded visitors.

It was the Quadri’s win that inspired Filus to record his first league win as the German international beat Shang Kun 3-1 (11- 8, 11- 5, 8-11, 11- 7) to put the tie at 2-2.

Again, Quadri returned to the table to partner Meng in the deciding doubles match against Franziska and Jorgic.

And continuing from what he had done earlier in the game, Quadri’s forehand supported by the backhand topspin of Meng confused Franziska and Jorgic to hand TTC 3-0 (11-5, 15-13, 11- 7) win to the admiration of the TTC fans which had in attendance the President of TTC Stefan Frauenholz.

A delighted Frauenholz admitted after the match that

the Nigerian has again shown why he remains one of the most sought after players in the world.

“Quadri Aruna initiated the turnaround in the third duel of the day, the 3-0 win over Darko Jorgic a clear sign of the qualities that lie dormant in the Nigerian. Especially in the first (11: 5) and third set (11:

2) Aruna didn’t give Jorgic a chance and was able to go into the doubles with Meng with confidence,” Frauenholz said.

But the TTC boss said October 25th will be remembered fondly.

“When you win against the reigning German champions, that’s something special,” said Frauenholz.

Aruna Quadri in action for TTC RhönSprudel Fulda-Maberzel Attachments area

‘Operation Sweep’ Looms in CAF Executive Committee Ahead of the 12 March, 2021 CAF election in Rabat, Morocco, a clean sweep, most likely in the form of mass resignation may be in the offing.

A source highly connected in the continental body’s political network informed Sports Village Squarethat part of the restructuring of CAF may see all the board members vacating their positions.

At the moment, the board comprises of the President, the general secretary, 13 members,

one woman, the six members of the FIFA Council (apart from the president) and with two co-opted members who are appointed at the pleasure of the president.

“It is being contemplated that the board be reduced to 16 for proper administrative purposes as some members hardly contribute to discussions and thus redundant.

The same applies to African members in the FIFA Council as they were just bench warmers

who don’t contribute to discussion.

It was also learnt that the restructuring may be part of the recommendations proposed by the intervention of FIFA which controlled the administration of CAF for six months last year.

With a possible FIFA axe dangling over the head of Ahmad, the CAF president for ethical breaches; it is most likely that he would not be eligible to seek re-election.

He has lost most of his

supporters who aided his ascendance to office three years ago. Yet, no one has formally picked nomination form to contest for the position of president.

Only two Tunisians – Tarek Bouchamaoui (FIFA Council member) and Waddie Jary, the president of the Tunisian Football Federation (TFF) have given indications.

But none has picked the form. The deadline is 12 November.

˜ ͺͿ˜ ͺ͸ͺ͸ ˾ T H I S D AY

31

TUESDAYSPORTS PREMIER LEAGUE

Late Grant Goal Earns West Brom Draw at Brighton West Bromwich Albion salvaged a 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Monday after a late strike from Karlan Grant cancelled out a Jake Livermore own goal.

The result left both sides close to the relegation zone, with Brighton 16th on five points from six games and West Brom 17th on three points as their winless start continued.

Livermore was unfortunate to get on the score sheet at the wrong end in the 40th minute as a desperate clearance by team mate Branislav Ivanovic cannoned off the midfielder’s face into the back of the net after Tariq Lamptey’s cross.

Visiting keeper Sam Johnstone had denied Leandro Trossard and Neil Maupay before West Brom fell behind, with the latter also guilty of poor finishing in the 30th

minute when his first touch let him down.

West Brom pressed after the break and twice came close as home keeper Matthew Ryan

saved a piledriver from Filip Krovinovic before Matheus Pereira shaved the outside of the post with another long-range effort.

Grant, who joined West Brom from Huddersfield Town during the close season, levelled with his first goal for the Baggies when he took a

deflected pass into his stride and beat Ryan with an unstoppable shot into the top corner in the 83rd minute.

City Ready to Win Champions League, Says Villas-Boas Marseille Coach, Andre Villas-Boas, said yesterday that Manchester City are “a machine ready to win the Champions League”, on the eve of the two teams’ group-stage meeting.

City have never reached the Champions League final and are yet to even reach the semifinals in four attempts under Pep Guardiola. “(City) are a machine ready to win the Champions League,” said Villas-Boas.

“They may not be at their best level, their coach admitted that.

“That’s why I allow myself to say that, but they are still at a higher level than us and remain the favourites Tuesday (today).”

City, who relinquished their Premier League title last season to Liverpool, have only won twice in five league games this season.

Marseille, the only French club to win the European Cup, are playing their first Champions League campaign since 2013-14, when they were knocked out in the group stage.

They lost their Group C opener to Olympiakos last week but have made a solid start in Ligue 1 and

are only three points behind the pace-setting Paris SaintGermain and Lille.

Dimitri Payet has only scored once this season, and Villas-Boas admitted he needs his star winger to find form.

“Dimitri (Payet) is a key player. We have spoken and we both know he can do better,” said the former Chelsea and Tottenham coach.

“But it does not only depend on him, also on the team, which must help raise his level. He needs to rediscover what he brought to the team last season.”

City came from behind to beat Porto 3-1 last week in Manchester, but Guardiola will likely make at least one change to that team, with Kevin De Bruyne fit again and Sergio Aguero struggling with a muscle problem.

Villas-Boas admitted he cannot know what to expect from Guardiola, who has been criticised for tinkering tactically in Europe.

“Pep is able to create surprises, and the problem with City is that they have several dynamics and they can adapt. For us, however, this is not a game for experimenting.”

NPFL: Rangers Order Players Back to Camp Tomorrow Owumi warns of consequences for defaulters The Management of Rangers International F.C of Enugu, after an emergency meeting yesterday has fixed Wednesday, October 28, 2020as the official resumption date for all players retained and recruited by the team.

General Manager of the seven-time league champions, Prince Davidson Owumi said yesterday that all the players were expected back in camp on or before Wednesday, October 28, 2020, warning that there will be consequences for any player that failed to resume on the said date.

“Our players were earlier instructed to resume last week but for the #EndSARS protests and the subsequent hijacking of the peaceful process

led to our deferring the resumption to this new date.

“I believe the players will abide by this new directive as most roads are clear for travelling.

“We need to kick-start pre-season activities as a team even when we are encouraged by the number of those that have returned. There will be consequences for any player that fails to hit camp on the fixed date, I can assure you on that,” stated the former NPL boss.

The NFF in conjunction with the LMC, last week fixed November 15, 2020for the start of hostilities in the 2020/2021 NPFL season and teams have started preparing in earnest for the contest.

Karlan Grant scored the equalizing goal as West Brom drew 1-1 with Brighton last night

Axe Still Dangles on Zidane Despite El-clasico Win Real Madrid have released the pressure on Zinedine Zidane temporarily, with the next job to fix their dismal start in the UEFA Champions League.

Madrid’s 3-1 victory over Barcelona in the Clasico on Saturday swerved a third consecutive defeat after losses to Cadiz in La Liga and Shakhtar Donetsk.

“There are always bad spells,” said Sergio Ramos. “Hopefully this one has only lasted a week.”

But the effects of the implosion against Shakhtar, who had 10 first team players missing due to coronavirus infections, still linger, with Madrid sitting bottom of Group B. A win away to Borussia Monchengladbach tonight would limit the damage, especially after Monchengladbach’s draw with Inter Milan kept the group tight.

And Zidane will know a convincing performance in Germany should suspend talk of a crisis and dispel doubts about his future, at least for now.

Even for Real Madrid,

two defeats seemed scant ammunition for the uncertainty around their coach that followed.

Some reports in the Spanish press were even discussing the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino if mistakes were not rectified at Camp Nou. “I have always been critical of myself, it is what drives you to improve,” said Zidane. “After a loss, as a coach, most of the criticism comes at me and that’s normal.”

The quickness to question the Frenchman has become a regular feature of his tenure, even while the players sing his praises and the trophies have poured in.

It was only three months ago Real Madrid were winning their second La Liga title of his three full seasons in charge, to go with three triumphs in the Champions League.

Success, though, has never been enough for Zidane. His reputation as a man-manager has always been a back-handed compliment, even if getting the best out of good players is surely

the key to being the coach of a team like Real Madrid.

Barcelona wanted a return to the club’s DNA by putting Quique Setien and now Ronald Koeman in charge - but few could argue they are not worse off now than under the more pragmatic Ernesto Valverde.

The decision to sack Valverde was “not coherent

or logical”, Gerard Pique told Catalan Newspaper La Vanguardia on Friday.

If capitulation has become Barca’s recurring flaw, it is inconsistency that undermines Zidane’s Madrid.

When they stormed to the title during the 11-game runin last season, it was with no other distractions and a trophy in sight.

Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid players at training in Germany on Monday ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach

Tom Lewis Turns to America’s PGA Tour to Reignite Career For Britain’s leading golfers there is a familiar route taken across the Atlantic to test their talents on the strongest and most lucrative circuit in the world.

England’s Tom Lewis is the latest to commit to America as he searches for a breakthrough that would, at last, allow him to fulfil massive potential.

Despite flashes of genuine quality, the 29-year-old has still to fully realise his spectacular early promise. It helped him lead the 2011 Open at Royal St George’s as the first amateur to shoot 65 in the Championship’s history.

Since then, Lewis - who was named after Tom Watson, with whom he played during that famous round at Sandwich - has won twice on the European Tour without becoming the force that was anticipated.

Now he has concluded he must fully commit to the PGA Tour to find out the full extent of his talents. This week Lewis plays the Bermuda Championship with his mind made up that the US circuit should be his main priority.

The Welwyn Garden City player’s initial opportunity came from winning last year’s Korn Ferry Tour Championship, which allowed him to graduate to the full PGA Tour.

“Honestly, I always think things happen for a reason,” Lewis told BBC Sport. “I got very lucky last year by winning one tournament out of one and that gave me my status.”

But he believes he has failed to make the most of the opportunity because he was simultaneously trying to

make progress on the European Tour. “At the end of last year I didn’t play in enough PGA Tour events,” Lewis said.

“I came back to try to secure myself in the Race to Dubai and halfway through the year I kind of regretted that,” Lewis said before adding: “I told myself that if I got a second chance at it, I wouldn’t take it for granted.”

Another opportunity on the PGA Tour has arrived because of his second-placed finish at the World Golf Championships event in Memphis at the beginning of August.

Weekend rounds of 61 and 66 helped the Englishman finish joint second in a star-studded field. That performance helped Lewis finish 124th in the PGA Tour standings from just 12 events and this status provides

starts like Bermuda and the next stop in Houston.

But the following week will be spent resting in Miami for surely the most frustrating interval imaginable because it coincides with the rescheduled Masters. It is the one major he has yet to play.

And Lewis came tantalisingly close. Finishing in a share of sixth place at the 2019 season ending DP World Tour Championship, he climbed to 53 in the world which was just three places shy of earning an Augusta invitation.

“I just laugh about it now, what can you do?” he smiled.

“Back then I probably cried about it. I just wonder how old am I going to be when I make it.

Tuesday October 27, 2020

TR

UT H

& RE A S O

N

Price: N250

MISSILE SERAP to NBC

“This is a new low in Nigeria’s protection of freedom of expression, and the ability of independent media to function in the country. The fines are detrimental to media freedom, and access to information. Media freedom and media plurality are a central part of the effective exercise of freedom of expression and access to information” – Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project giving the National Broadcasting Commission a 48-hour to withdraw the N3million fine imposed on three broadcast stations

TUESDAY WITH REUBENABATI abati1990@gmail.com

#EndSARS: The State of the “Revolution”

T

hings went out of hand very quickly with the emerging Nigerian “revolution” when on Tuesday, October 20, 2020, soldiers stormed the Lekki Toll Gate Plaza in Lagos, and started shooting.

We were told they shot in the air. But the reports have been conflicting and troubling. The protesters insist that persons died, and that the attack was pre-meditated. The state authorities insist that persons were injured and that there were no corpses; may be just one. They made it sound as if one person dying was nothing to worry about. Nigeria is a country of over 200 million people. When one person dies, it is hard for the people to notice. The state does not even care.

But the truth is that even if only one person died as claimed by the state government, that is enough indictment. There was no justification for anyone dying or sustaining gunshot wounds just because they took the patriotic step of protesting about injustice, police brutality, impunity and bad governance in their country. The #EndSARS protest was about justice, and good governance.

The protesters were peaceful.

In the Northern states of the country, the protest was tagged #EndInsecurityNow, and the protesters were also peaceful. At the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, the protesters reportedly knelt down as soldiers stormed the scene. They waved the Nigerian Flag.

They sang the National Anthem. Someone had told the angry young Nigerians- those I once referred to as the “collective children of anger” - that once soldiers see the Nigerian flag, they would not dare shoot at the target. The assumption is that soldiers only shoot the enemy, not their own country’s flag. The Lekki incident in Lagos turned that principle, if that is what it is, on its head. The most impactful image from Lekki is that of a blood-stained Nigerian flag, either as fact or symbol, but nonetheless a symbol of the Nigerian government’s clamp down on young Nigerians exercising their rights under Sections 35, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

Away from the Lekki Toll Gate epicenter, other persons died in the course of the mayhem that ensued: from stray bullets, physical attacks, and wanton destruction. Amnesty International and other civil society groups have reported over 56 deaths. It has been so bad, so embarrassing, so disgraceful, that not even the military authorities are willing to admit that they sent soldiers to the streets. All of a sudden, Nigeria is back to the past, the military era, the bad days of dark-goggled Generals, the Abacha era, when human lives meant nothing; Nigerians disappeared in broad daylight,;and the state claimed that it would not tolerate any form of dissent. This throwback to the military era was further reinforced by the reluctance of the Nigerian leader, President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation. Both the protesting Nigerian youths and the international community had to plead with him to take the situation in the country far more seriously and speak to the issues, empathize, say something to douse the tension in the land.

The official response was that the President had already acceded to the five demands of the angry young protesters. So what else did they want? The President later spoke at an event tagged Presidential Youth Empowerment Scheme (P-YES) but nobody took that seriously. His promise of an investigation that will ensure justice was dismissed as an afterthought, and an aside. The minimum demand of the angry youths of Nigeria soon changed from the 5-for-5 demands to a declaration that the President must speak up, and speak directly to the youths. On Tuesday, October 20, 2020, a day that is now a defining moment in the life of the Buhari administration, Lekki Toll Gate happened. It is now known as

IGP, Adamu Black Tuesday. Or the Red October. A toll gate plaza, at which angry youths of Nigeria gathered has now become a symbol, indeed a watering hole, of the conflict, the alienation, the distance between the people and those who govern them.

After Black Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari finally summoned a meeting of the National Security Council. When the meeting ended, Nigerians were told to expect something important. The President had directed the Security Chiefs to use every lawful means to restore law and order, not just in Lagos, but across the country. By then, the #AntiSARS, #AntiSWAT, #AntiInsecurityNow protests had begun to spread like wildfire. The country was in turmoil, on the boil. We were told the President would finally address the angry youths. This was by the way, 48 hours after the blow-out in Lekki, Lagos, and 14 days after everyone had been pleading with the President to have a national broadcast. Expectations were high. On Thursday, October 22, 2020, the President showed up on national television. But it was an anti-climax.

The 27-paragraph, 12-minutes delivery-time broadcast by the President was shallow, hollow, condescending, full of gas lighting and completely lacking in empathy, and emotional intelligence.

It began on a note of warning, followed by threats, a thank you but shut up riposte to the international community, a bit of wrongly-timed self-congratulation about the government’s poverty alleviation programmes – now tell me, who goes to a condolence party to boast about their personal achievements! - and it ended on a note of threat. Nigerian were flabbergasted. They complained about the failure of the President to acknowledge the lives that have been lost. There was a line in the broadcast about the policemen that died in the course of duty, and yes indeed, police lives matter, and there was another line about the attack on the palace of the Oba of Lagos whose shoes, staff of office and other valuables are now missing, but the President said nothing about the many Nigerians who died, those whose investments and assets were attacked and destroyed, not even a word about the anguish in the land, the emotional trauma of citizens at home and in diaspora who had taken to the streets in every continent to condemn the reign of anarchy and chaos in their fatherland.

I have argued on Arise TV that whoever wrote the draft of the President’s speech did him a bad turn. Whoever had a hand in the construction of that broadcast is unkind. The psychology of power, especially in Nigeria’s Presidential Villa conditions the people around the President to tell him to be strong and refuse to be intimidated by anybody. They would tell him: “Sir, you are the

Commander-in-Chief, you cannot appear to be weak.” They will confront him with conspiracy theories: “Sir, it is your enemies that are behind the protests in Lagos. We know them. You must teach them a lesson. Your Excellency, you have nothing to worry about sir, we will deal with those hoodlums. We have everything under control.”

While such behavior can be explained away as human and archetypal, it is unacceptable that anyone will write a speech or offer such advice that will turn the President of Nigeria into his own fall guy. I am often reminded of the US President Harry S. Truman’s saying that the buck stops at the President’s desk, yes, but no two Presidents are the same. Buhari is not Truman. Some Presidents require more support than others. President Buhari’s advisers, who are now shockingly trying to edit, a posteriori, a speech they should have cleaned up properly, threw him under the bus. This singular error will redefine his Presidency and legacy. The best way to understand the ineffectuality of that broadcast is to assess what happened after in Nigeria, and in terms of international response to the Nigerian situation.

Things simply got worse. It would in fact have been better if that broadcast had not been made.

Before Black Tuesday, there had been indications that hoodlums, fifth columnists and trouble-makers had hijacked the protests, infiltrated the ranks and were beginning to change the tone of the protest. With the alleged shooting and killings at Lekki Toll Gate, the peaceful protesters withdrew, and what was left was a spectacle of riotous and destructive behavior. Everything degenerated very quickly. Earlier, in Benin, Edo State, there were reports of the escape of prisoners from two prisons: the Benin Maximum prison and the Oko prison. This would eventually become a pattern as there were reports of attempted jailbreaks in Ikoyi and Kirikiri Prisons, Lagos and successful jailbreak in Okitipupa, Ondo State. Last week, in defiance of the President’s threat that those who had hijacked the protests will be dealt with, about 27 police stations in Lagos, were attacked and razed to the ground. The same was the fate of other police stations across parts of the country.

Arms and ammunition and police uniforms were stolen. By weekend, Nigeria was in a state of anomie. In Lagos, Calabar, Jos, Osogbo, Ilorin Kebbi, Jalingo, warehouses storing COVID-19 palliatives were attacked by hungry and angry Nigerian youths. They said they were taking what belongs to them. They protested that it was wrong to hoard the COVID-19 palliatives meant for the people.

It was a bizarre situation. Not all the looters were hungry young men and women. Some middle class persons also went in cars, and tricycles and carted away their own part of the loot. Some of the palliatives – bags of rice, sacks of garri, boxes of Indomie and other food items …were found in private homes. In Lagos, the majority leader of the State House of Assembly said the palliatives found in his house in Ikorodu were being kept for distribution during the celebration of his forthcoming birthday. In Ibadan, another prominent politician from whose home over 300 motorcycles and 200 refrigerators were carted away said the materials were meant for the people’s empowerment. In Ilorin, Kwara State, soldiers were seen telling looters to loot peacefully and return peacefully! In Calabar, the home of Senator Gershom Bassey was raided. Furniture and other household items were carted away. Other persons and institutions were not so lucky. In Lagos, iconic buildings were set ablaze. BRT terminals across the city were torched, along with newly bought buses. In Calabar, 52 different sites were attacked.

The home of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba was set ablaze. Malls, supermarkets, private assets were

not spared in Lagos, Ebonyi, Benin, Abia, Kano, Jos, Calabar, Kebbi and Taraba. Banks and their ATMs were a special target. The President’s words about maintaining law and order rang hollow.

As the violence raged, the police were nowhere to be seen. The military also beat a tactical retreat and opted in Lagos for a strategy of pacification.

Military officers became preachers appealing to the people to “calm down”.

What happened in Lekki on October 20, and the tone-deaf Presidential broadcast also seemed to have energized Nigerians in diaspora. After the President’s speech, more Nigerians trooped to the streets of UK, Germany and Canada to register their displeasure. The international community, asked by President Buhari to get the facts right before jumping to conclusions simply ignored him. It was after that ill-fated speech that the following spoke up: the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the US Department of State, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Special Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and many more. All of a sudden, Nigeria was on its way to becoming a pariah state all over again, as Nigerians signed petitions, directed at world parliaments and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ask that Nigerian leaders should be blacklisted and arraigned for crimes against humanity.

Before Black Tuesday, there were insinuations of an ethnic, religious and geographical tint to the protests. The first sign in that regard was the emergence of a Pro-SARS group that emerged in Abuja and the Northern part of the country, a certain Northern Youth Alliance (NYA) which argued that there was nothing wrong with the Nigeria Police and that indeed, the people of the North needed the Special Anti-Robbery Squad that is considered lawless by protesters in the South. Before long, anti-SARS protesters were being chased off the streets in a violent manner by the pro-SARS groups, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Northern Governors would also soon visit the Presidential Villa to tell the President that the people of the North need SARS. What was meant to be a peaceful protest against police brutality which exists all over Nigeria, was thus reduced to the politics of ethnicity and geography. Eventually, a group known as the Northern Coalition of Youth Groups joined the fray. It called for protests across the 19 Northern states, but the coalition focused majorly on insecurity and banditry and the failure of the Northern leadership elite. The most fertile arena for a revolution is the mind of the people. But Nigeria was in the grips of collective psychogenesis. In Calabar, a psychiatric hospital was attacked. The patients were freed.

The beds were carted away. Across the streets of Nigeria, armed robbers, thieves, mental health patients, drug addicts took over what started out as a peaceful protest. In Lagos, there were reported clashes between the Yoruba and the Hausa Fulani. One Yoruba boy in London asked Igbos to leave Lagos. Another Igbo activist in Europe reportedly asked Igbos in Lagos to attack Yoruba interests and investments.

This is what happens when leadership and the state are compromised. The #EndSARS protest in Nigeria has gone through all the initial stages of a full scale revolution as seen in the French, American, Orange, Red and Velvet Revolutions. The crisis must not be allowed to tip over. Losing the trust and confidence of the same young Nigerians, and the international community, that brought them to power in 2015 and 2019 is the biggest damage that the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari have both suffered. But what are the lessons of the current rude awakening? The gains. The loopholes. Next week.

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